Shearer channels Delia as he wades through Newcastle ‘crap’

Will Ford
Alan Shearer Man Utd

Alan Shearer had laid into Mike Ashley and the Newcastle board in light of the club’s current form.

Steve Bruce’s side became the first team to lose to Sheffield United in the Premier League this season as they were outplayed at Bramall Lane on Tuesday.

It means the Magpies have failed to win any of their last eight matches in all competitions and has led to fierce criticism of Bruce and his tactics.


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But Shearer thinks the anger should instead be directed at Ashley and the Newcastle bosses.

“What really irks me is how little protection Steve has received from the people above him,” he wrote in his Athletic column.

“Where is Lee Charnley (the managing director)? What happened to that statement of his where he admitted the error of not communicating with fans? Where is his backing for the manager? Where is the strategy? Come on, Lee, where are you? Where is anyone, aside from Steve?

“I can’t believe he’s having to deal with questions about furloughing staff, giving tickets away, about coronavirus, about a takeover. These shouldn’t be issues for the manager. It’s a tough and lonely enough job as it is. The point is, he’s on his own.

“And this was why I said at the time that I wish Steve hadn’t replaced Rafa Benitez, that I had grave reservations about what might happen down the road. The road leads here.

“It would have been the same if somebody else had come in and it will be the same for the next manager and the one after that if nothing else changes, because it’s the way Newcastle are built under Ashley. The manager takes it all on his shoulders; a concentration of anger, stretching back years.”

While there are mitigating circumstances off the pitch, Shearer also admits that the performances on the pitch must improve.

“When it’s crap I’ll say it’s crap — I wouldn’t be doing my job otherwise — and Sheffield United was a dreadful night,” Shearer added.

“I don’t think Newcastle have a brilliant squad, but for Chris Wilder’s team to have as much possession as they did, to look as good as they did, is not acceptable.

“It invites scrutiny and invites pressure and it fuels the anger. You have to accept the criticism coming your way and Steve has been in the game long enough to understand that.

“This is not the Newcastle United we all want and this is not the Newcastle United we should accept.”