Alan Shearer believes expectations must be managed ahead of the new season, feeling our form over the second half of the 2021/22 season could actually make things harder for Eddie Howe.
Speaking to Sky Sports, the Toon legend also praised our “positive” start to the summer transfer window and hopes to see “one or two more” come in after the arrivals of Nick Pope, Matt Targett and Sven Botman.
Shearer gushed over the “brilliant” atmosphere at St James’ Park once again – our final home game against Arsenal arguably the loudest it’s been in recent memory – revealing just how excited he is ahead of the new 2022/23 season.
He’s hoping to see Eddie Howe’s Mags “carry on the good work from last season”, but is right to mention how recent form and big spending will see expectations rise – something that must be managed as we take our first steps towards an exciting future under new ownership.
Here’s what he had to say when speaking to Sky Sports:
