'That has to change': Alan Shearer criticises two Newcastle players for 'standing still'

Alan Shearer continued his damning analysis of Newcastle United’s problems this season. 

Indeed, Shearer thinks Newcastle United lack desire and, in all honesty, it’s difficult to disagree with him. 

There have been far too many false dawns this season and Newcastle United were as toothless as ever up against Manchester United on Boxing Day. 

Shearer, like many fans no doubt, was unhappy with their attacking display at Old Trafford. 

Now, the Newcastle United legend has slammed Anthony Gordon and Nick Woltemade for simply “standing still”.  

Alan Shearer criticises Anthony Gordon and Nick Woltemade

On Monday, the greatest player in the club’s history continued to reflect on what happened at the Theatre of Dreams. 

Speaking on The Rest Is Football, Shearer again referenced the 46 crosses that Eddie Howe’s side attempted, of which only a few caused anything like concern in the opposition’s defence.  

Jacob Murphy created perhaps the only one that looked compelling, but Woltemade was beaten to the ball and Gordon wasn’t in position at the back post.

Shearer couldn’t believe that and slammed them for standing still.

I’m too young to remember the day Alan Shearer signed – please tell me what the mood was like then!

I can only imagine 😍

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““Gordon and Woltemade standing still, that has to change, you know.

“From a Newcastle point of view, you can’t put that many balls into the box and no one is getting on the end of them.” 

In their defence, Gordon and Woltemade aren’t the only Newcastle attackers who are currently struggling.

No one in the Newcastle United squad has registered more than two assists in the league. One of the three who have is central defender Dan Burn, who hasn’t played the last few games due to injury.

How many goals Newcastle United had scored after 18 games last season

So far this season, the Magpies have scored only 23 goals.

That places them 13^th in the Premier League table in that regard, a very low ranking for a team who have never previously finished below the top six on that front in any of their full seasons under Howe. 

This time last season, they had scored 30 times in 18 games.

So, Newcastle have suffered a 23.3% drop in the amount of Premier League goals scored between last season and this time around.

Woltemade has done brilliantly on an individual basis and while he can still improve, an awful lot is being asked of him.

Goals have so far been a collective failing among the Newcastle United squad.

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