Alan Shearer shares why he is really concerned about Newcastle United right now

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There has been so much positivity at Newcastle United in 2023, but the mood is fearful heading into 2024.

The Magpies are struggling for form right now, following up their dismal display at Luton with a Boxing Day defeat at home to Nottingham Forest. Combine that with our Champions League and Carabao Cup exits and it has been a rough few weeks on Tyneside.

There is no pressure on Eddie Howe from the owners, but the mood within the fanbase has shifted from optimism to concern. And that concern is intensified by the run of fixtures that are on the horizon for Newcastle United.

While the schedule is much less relentless, the calibre of opponent in the Premier League is increasing. Add in an FA Cup clash with Sunderland at the Stadium Of Light and Eddie Howe is suddenly bracing himself for an incredibly challenging period as Newcastle United manager.

Alan Shearer is worried about Newcastle’s upcoming fixtures

That is the view of Toon legend Alan Shearer, who has admitted he is worried about Newcastle’s upcoming games on the latest episode of The Rest Is Football podcast.

“It wasn’t good viewing,” he said.

“Forest were fantastic and everything they did, their plan was to target Newcastle in behind, in particular Dan Burn with the pace of Elanga.

“No complaints, Newcastle were terrible as they were at Luton a few days before. It is a little bit concerning, particularly when their next three league fixtures are Liverpool, City and Villa and Sunderland before that in the FA Cup. So it’s a big two or three weeks coming up. Massive.”

January is a very difficult month for Newcastle

Our upcoming run of games is terrifying. It starts with Liverpool away, and we have not won at Anfield since 1994. Jurgen Klopp’s side are also challenging for the title right now, so will go into Monday’s game as the clear favourites.

Then after that it is the Tyne-Wear derby. That is the one that is giving Toon fans sleepless nights. Games against Sunderland are absolutely horrible, and playing them during this terrible run of form is not for the fainthearted.

Then it’s Man City and Aston Villa, meaning three of our next four Premier League games are against teams in the top four right now.

That is why Shearer is concerned, and rightly so. Things could get worse before they get better, which is not what you want to hear after back-to-back defeats to Luton Town and Nottingham Forest.