Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has slammed the club’s forward players for a lack of “desire”.
Goals have rarely ever been a problem for Newcastle United under Eddie Howe.
In his three full seasons as Newcastle United manager, the team have scored 221 Premier League goals.
They have never finished a Premier League campaign below sixth in the table for goals scored.
This time around, however, firepower has been an issue. The obvious reason for that is the departure of Alexander Isak, as well as the injury to Yoane Wissa.
Nick Woltemade has scored more than surely anyone would have expected at this point but he cannot do it all alone.
Still, Shearer believes it’s more than just that.
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Alan Shearer’s damning comments about Newcastle United’s lack of goals
The Newcastle United legend was speaking on Match of the Day.
He reflected on how little threat his former team carried during Newcastle’s 1-0 defeat to Manchester United on Boxing Day, despite seeing so much of the ball.
They attempted 46 crosses at the Theatre of Dreams, with very little success.
Shearer, naturally, was not very impressed.
“When you’re putting 46 crosses into the box, or attempting 46 crosses, then someone has to get on the end of them,” he said.
Who is most responsible for Newcastle United’s struggles this season?
“I mean this is a brilliant ball [Jacob Murphy’s attempt in the first half], there weren’t that many great balls but this was one of them last night.
“[Anthony] Gordon or Woltemade has to get on the end of that. The movement has to be better.
“Same thing again here [Gordon’s chance in the second half], Gordon might be looking to score but look at the four or five Newcastle players there, there’s not one of them in the six-yard box.
“If someone is and they’re attacking that, they’re getting a tap-in.
“So, it’s decision making as well as the lack of quality. Again that [Harvey Barnes’s ball to Gordon] has to be rolled across to Wissa.
“It’s not a difficult ball. He chooses the more difficult chance to pick Gordon out.
I’m fed up of hearing that Newcastle United are on the right track this season – prove me wrong! 🤔
Can’t see out a lead. Can’t come from behind. Can’t win away from home.
Can someone tell me what I’m supposed to be applauding?
“It is worrying, there’s no doubt about it.”
Reflecting on the fact that Newcastle attempted 141 crosses in games against Manchester United, Tottenham, Chelsea and West Ham, Shearer continued to express his frustration.
“When you’ve got that amount of balls wide and putting them in there and you’re only taking two points from those four games, that tells you that there is a lack of quality, certainly a lack of movement and a lack of desire to get on the end of them.”
Newcastle United’s pitiful assist record in the Premier League this season
Newcastle currently sit 13th in the Premier League table for goals scored (23).
That is an appalling return for a team who boast the likes of Anthony Gordon, Harvey Barnes, Jacob Murphy and Anthony Elanga in support of Woltemade and Wissa.
Not a single member of the Newcastle United squad has registered more than two assists in the Premier League thus far.
Bruno Guimaraes has two, along with Lewis Miley and central defender Dan Burn.
Obviously, it’s up to the striker to score the chance and there’s little doubt they could be doing more, too.
Still, a lack of creativity is costing Newcastle this season and it’s frankly pathetic.
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