Alan Shearer has questioned Jamal Lascelles’ leadership for his comments following our 1-1 draw with Wolves.
Speaking to Sky post-match, the skipper admitted that there was total chaos in the build-up to the equaliser, which left players not knowing what system we were playing or who should go where.
This came after Steve Bruce brought on Matt Ritchie, with the gaffer placing the blame onto the Scottish international’s shoulders after the game for not relaying the message on quick enough.
Lascelles came out after the match and suggested that the players were in the dark about the tactical change up until Ruben Neves fired home the cruel leveller – but Shearer felt this was an issue he should’ve kept to the dressing room, saying his comments only put Bruce under more pressure.
Here is what big Al made of the situation, speaking to Premier League Productions:
“I think he will be on a high because he’s scored the goal.
“I don’t quite get or understand what he’s saying about ‘I’m going to talk about that now’.
“I would just get in the dressing room and sort it out rather than putting anyone under more pressure than they are already under.”
Elsewhere, our record goalscorer was clearly frustrated about Joelinton spurning our chance to go back in front in the dying embers of the game – not that he was the only one to miss a big opportunity on Saturday night!
He added:
“It’s a sitter. The ball should be in the back of the net.
“I know there will be a few shouting for a penalty but it shouldn’t be in that position anyway. It should be on the floor, in the back of the net and in the corner.
“Saiss is running back towards his goal. I don’t think he can do anything. I know it hits his arm but it’s come straight at him there. I don’t think that’s deliberate.
“He’s actually looking away from it, isn’t he? He has blocked it. I don’t think his arm is up there. I don’t think he can get out of the way.
“It shouldn’t be that he’s got the chance to do that. The ball should be in the back of the net. It’s a huge opportunity for Newcastle.”
While the Ritchie situation is comical, it isn’t totally surprising for those who can recall the similar mix-up with Jetro Willems in Bruce’s very first game in charge!
His comments on Joelinton are also harsh and fail to take in the whole picture, with the picture above highlighting that Semedo would’ve blocked any low finish into the bottom corner.
He should have scored, yes, but the chances for Almiron and Willock were equally as bad and the Brazilian shouldn’t take the brunt of the blame for this result.
Strikers are paid to score goals and Joelinton’s three in 58 are diabolical numbers for a £40m investment. He may be a bad striker, but it is harsh to level most of the criticism at him when others are just as culpable.
He said Willock should have buried his too?! Someone mentioned it being a good chance and he said it was “more than a good chance”. Didn’t single out Joelinton at all?
Frank(Quote)
both chances should have been net breakers……….I know what mr Shearer would have done with them.
kevski(Quote)