Newcastle United continue to be hindered by injuries, and that is why Alan Shearer thinks the Magpies are conceding so many goals.
Our defensive frailties were exposed again on Saturday night, although it did not stop us from picking up all three points against Nottingham Forest. Bruno Guimaraes’ heroics meant we won 3-2, but that did not tell the whole story.
Newcastle were far from imperious at the back, while we saw Forest target Dan Burn and his lack of pace, which resulted in Anthony Elanga scoring.
Time and time again, the Toon midfield was bypassed, leaving the defence exposed. It was reminiscent of the draw with Luton, where Newcastle managed to ship four goals at home to a relegation-threatened side.
Eddie Howe needs to tighten things up, but Shearer believes that one of Newcastle’s biggest issues is out of the manager’s control.
Alan Shearer thinks Newcastle are conceding so many goals because of their injury crisis
Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker have been speaking about Newcastle United’s defensive failings on the latest episode of The Rest Is Football podcast.
Shearer: “They’re conceding far too many goals, Newcastle. He’s got to try and address that. They’re really open.”
Lineker: “Why do you think that is? Last season they weren’t at all like that. They’re missing the goalkeeper obviously, although I think Dubravka’s done pretty well.”
Shearer: “When you look at the midfield… Lewis Miley has been in there and he’s been incredible for Newcastle. But they’re missing Joelinton, Willock, Tonali – I know he wasn’t there last season. They’re missing some key players in that midfield. Also when you look at the goalkeeping situation, Nick Pope has been out for a while. How many times did we say last season ‘what a save’ or ‘saved that with his foot’ or ‘he pulled off some really important saves’. When you put all of that together, that’s why they’re shipping so many goals. But that has to stop. Four against Luton last week, two against Forest this week. That has to stop if they’re going to get higher in the table.”
Eddie Howe must find a solution without key Newcastle players
Newcastle’s injury crisis is less of a crisis right now, with key players like Harvey Barnes recently returning to fitness.
But the midfield remains light, and that is where a lot of the Magpies’ issues stem from. The current trio does not function as well as a unit, and the absence of Joelinton is being felt massively. The same goes for Joe Willock, as he is another player who is excellent at winning back possession.
Then you come to Nick Pope. While Martin Dubravka has really improved as of late, there is no denying that we are missing Pope. He has a better understanding with the defence, and acts as a sweeper keeper when teams try to get in behind Newcastle.
For now, these are problems that Howe is just going to have to deal with. Out of the four players that Shearer mentioned, Willock is the only one who could be back soon. Joelinton and Sandro Tonali’s seasons are over, while Pope will not be back until next month at the earliest.
Until then, Howe needs to find a solution with the players he has available.
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