Alan Shearer has had his say on Newcastle’s exit from this year’s FA Cup, and just how badly it might have affected their hopes of winning the Carabao Cup a week on Sunday.

Anthony Gordon has drawn the ire of fans and pundits for his reckless clash with Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke which saw the winger sent off and ruled out of next Sunday’s final against Liverpool.

And Shearer has joined many of the fans in calling Gordon’s actions indefensible, and stressing just how much it might have impacted the Magpies’ chances come the 16th of March.

“Stupid” Gordon has “no chance” of ban being lifted

Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast with Gary Lineker and Micah Richards, Shearer seemed dejected and angry when discussing Gordon’s dismissal.

With his head in his hands, Shearer said: “Crazy. Even if they decide to appeal, they’ve got no chance of winning it because it was a clear red card.”

“I haven’t got a clue what he’s doing: I know you get drawn in the moment, in the game, but it has to be in your mind that you perhaps should know that anything stupid, then you’re in danger of missing the Carabao Cup final.”

A major blow to Newcastle’s chances

Prior to Sunday afternoon, Newcastle fans and pundits already viewed themselves as the underdog heading into the Carabao Cup final, and Shearer’s words perfectly encapsulated the fans’ current thoughts following on from Sunday’s game and Gordon’s suspension.

“I mean that’s a massive blow to Newcastle – a stupid thing to do. It’s not just cost his team yesterday, he could cost his team in the Carabao cos he’s one of Newcastle’s big hitters, and he’s having a very very good season, albeit he might not be having a good time at the minute.”

In the Premier League this season, Gordon is Newcastle’s second top scorer (behind Alexander Isak), third for assists, fourth for minutes played, and leading the way in terms of dribbles completed and chances created.

“I don’t want to get in the pile on”

Shearer, though clearly hesitant to continue his critique of one of his boyhood club’s star players, underlined his comments by sympathising with how terrible Gordon must be feeling at the moment, missing out on the biggest game of his career.

“I don’t want to go on with the pile on. He’ll be getting enough criticism. He’ll be hurting more than anyone else: he’ll know that he’s cost his team massively.

But ultimately, Shearer stands as an individual who has his finger on the pulse when it comes to Toon fans and their feelings. “You can’t defend him, it was a stupid thing to do,” he added.