Alan Shearer launches brutal attack on NUFC trio - but is he far too harsh on one?
Alan Shearer has launched an attack at Newcastle’s front 3 after our dismal 0-0 bore draw with Norwich yesterday, saving most of his criticism for £40million summer signing Joelinton.
The former NUFC no.9 clearly knows what it takes to score goals in a black-and-white shirt and was clearly frustrated by our current crop of forwards.
Here's what he had to say when speaking on Match of the Day last night:
“The first-half chance was a huge opportunity for Joelinton and it should be in the back of the net. It should be in the back of the net from Almiron (on the follow up).”
“Joelinton takes a throw-in in the first half and then there’s a lack of reaction to get into the box after (the ball goes into play). If you play that way you’re not going to score the goals. When the ball is eventually played into the box, he’s not in there at all. It gets played out to the edge of the box.
“Almiron works hard, never lacks effort but there’s not enough quality at times. Saint-Maximin shows flashes of brilliance but doesn’t show it enough and looks lazy at times also.”
“Joelinton has no confidence whatsoever and basically never looks like scoring. The fans are entitled to ask more of those three for £80million.”
The criticism of Joelinton is fair and hard to disagree with.
He's been absolutely awful since signing for us. My patience is starting to finally wear thin with him - a spell on the sidelines is probably for the best?
Almiron has been better recently in front of goal but he does show a lack of quality at times so he has a fair point there, but what I don’t agree with is calling Saint-Maximin lazy.
ASM at times yesterday found himself receiving the ball far too deep - often in our own half - and he probably struggles to get back defensively because he goes on so many sprints with the ball (being our only player who runs at player), so I don’t exactly know where Shearer gets the idea of him being ‘lazy’ from.
That said, the one individual Shearer fails to criticise is Steve Bruce. He's done a decent job this season, but the way he set us up yesterday was appalling.
