Alan Shearer’s response when asked if Saudi PIF have 'lost interest' in Newcastle United

After their frustrating loss to Brighton at the weekend, fans and pundits have been wondering who or what is to blame for the Newcastle’s inconsistent start to the season.

And when asked about the issue on the latest episode of ‘The Rest Is Football’ podcast, Alan Shearer has pointed the finger of blame at one thing in particular.

When host Gary Lineker asked about if the PIF had potentially “lost interest” in the Newcastle project amidst restrictions on spending and sponsorships, Shearer was quick to rebuke the idea, but did question why Eddie Howe hadn’t been financially backed over the summer ahead of a crucial season.

"No I don't (think they’ve lost interest). The turnover of personnel in the summer hasn't helped at the top of the club with Amanda [Staveley] and Mehrdad [Ghodoussi] leaving. A new director of football has come in with Dan Ashworth leaving. I just don't think that has helped at all.”

"I just think they have let the manager down in the last transfer window. I don't think they have helped him at all from where they were last season to where they are now.

"I know they have certainly not been helped by serious injuries, particularly to Sven Botman, but I don't think they are a better team now with a transfer window or two behind them than they were 18 months ago and that is a slight concern.

”I get that there’s PSR and financial rules to follow, but there was money in the pot this summer, as they bid £60-65m (for Marc Guehi).”

Many fans have been divided over the Magpies’ ongoing transfer strategy, with plenty of questions over why the club chased defender Marc Guehi all summer instead of strengthening key problem areas in attack which has been exposed heavily so far this season, particularly in this past weekend’s defeat.

The long awaited returns of Botman, Callum Wilson and Lewis Miley will be welcomed by all in adding some depth to the Toon squad. But having already dropped points against the likes of Everton and Bournemouth, has their return come too late to help Newcastle ahead of such a key run of fixtures between now and the new year.

Whilst the fanbase may be slightly divided over what’s been the catalyst behind the rocky start to the season, there is a strong sense of unity in both the supporters and the media that Eddie Howe retains their backing, and that if he can finally be financially backed in January, that Newcastle can finally return to their incredible form from 2022.