Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has said that club captain Jamaal Lascelles had to be “stronger” to prevent Watford’s equaliser.
After Allan Saint-Maximin gave Eddie Howe’s side the lead at St James’ Park,early in the second half, the Magpies sat back and invited pressure from the Hornets.
That pressure told in the 88th-minute when Joao Pedro headed past Martin Dubravka following a Kiko Femenia cross.
Pedro out-jumped and outfought Newcastle centre-back Lascelles to hand the Toon Army a hammer blow in our quest for survival.
Speaking on last night’s Match of the Day, Shearer felt Claudio Ranieri’s side “deserved” a point after fighting their way back into the game.
But the Premier League’s all-time top goalscorer was critical of Lascelles’ role in the equaliser.
Alan Shearer said: “Jamaal Lascelles should do better. He should be stronger in there.”
With just over two weeks left in the January transfer window, centre-back reinforcements have to become the priority, following the signings of Kieran Trippier and Chris Wood.
But it isn’t for the lack of trying from PIF, but our desired centre-back targets are seemingly at this stage in the window not available.
Lille president Olivier Letang has stated in no uncertain terms that Sven Botman will be remaining with the Ligue 1 club until the end of the season.
Diego Carlos has also been linked and he is an aggressive defender with European experience.
Neither Botman nor Diego Carlos has Premier League experience, but Lascelles’ costly error highlighted Howe’s need for an injection of quality within our backline.
With a trip to Elland Road next Saturday to face an unpredictable Leeds United side who have conceded 37 goals this season, Newcastle have to make a breakthrough in negotiations this week.
Lascelles may be the club captain, but he was part of the backline that helped get Newcastle back into the Premier League, via the Championship.
Howe’s Newcastle cannot afford any more costly errors or mistakes, and that’s why this week will be crucial.
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