Alan Shearer says Eddie Howe would be good for Newcastle

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Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer feels that the impending appointment of Eddie Howe is a “good” one for the club.

Shearer is confident that the Magpies will “have enough” to beat the drop, with Howe in charge.

Howe was sitting alongside Jason Tindall and Amanda Staveley for the club’s 1-1 draw against Brighton and Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium last night.

Following the U-turn of Unai Emery, Shearer believes the owners have made a good decision in appointing Howe.

Speaking on last night’s Match of the Day, Shearer said: “I think it’s a good appointment, he’s been out of the game for a while, but I think he will come back energised and he did a very good job in getting Bournemouth to where they were.”

Match of the Day host Gary Lineker highlighted that Howe’s teams score goals, but looking at a graphic (below), he also pointed out that the 43-year-old struggled to stop the Cherries from conceding.

Reflecting on the stats, Shearer said: “He’s going to have to shore it up at the back because Newcastle have been hopeless defensively.”

The Premier League’s all-time top goalscorer felt on the evidence of Graeme Jones’ side’s performances against Brighton and Chelsea, Howe could not “afford” to set his team up to “sit back”.

The Magpies legend said this season was only about keeping the club in the Premier League.

The 51-year-old added: “That’s all that matters this season. It’s going to be tough, it’ll be a hard job, but I would be hopeful and confident that with extra players in January and his experience, they should have enough.”

According to BBC Sport, Newcastle are close to appointing Howe as their new manager.

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