ALAN SHEARER claims Eddie Howe has a huge “problem” at Newcastle… and it is a 6ft 6in giant German one.
The Magpies blew a 1-0 lead to lose 3-1 at Brentford on Sunday to leave them just two points above the drop zone.
Howe made striker Nick Woltemade Toon’s most-expensive signing in the summer when forking out £69million to Stuttgart.
And he hit the ground running with five goals in his first eight appearances.
However, he has looked isolated of late and scored just once in his last six outings.
Even though results in the Champions League and cups have brought some joy, Newcastle’s top-flight form, especially just the four away wins throughout the whole of 2025, has led to some criticism of Howe.
And Shearer believes he knows exactly what the issue has been. He told Betfair: “Eddie’s Newcastle team have always been full of energy, being tough to play against, not giving the opposition any space.
“That in the away performances is missing, and even home form really. The thing that is missing for me is the high press and the energy.
“As good as Nick Woltemade is with the ball at his feet, he is a problem for Newcastle because he’s not the quickest, and he can’t press, and he doesn’t run in behind.
“Eddie’s teams have always done that. Look at what Alexander Isak did or look at what Callum Wilson did, they all pressed and ran behind. But this guy can’t do that, and that’s a problem for Newcastle.”
Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn 2 – all the info
TIME for round two of this generation’s family feud!
Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn go punch-for-punch once again as both rivals look to make their fathers proud.
The blockbuster rematch takes place at the 62,000-seater Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, November 15.
Eubank Jr narrowly outpointed his bitter foe after 12 brutal rounds in April to secure the bragging rights in what was certainly a Fight of the Year contender.
And the two British superstars will dance once more as Eubank Jr aims to do the double while Benn seeks revenge after suffering a first career loss.
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Newcastle’s poor form has been compounded by the impressive start bitter rivals Sunderland have made 15 miles down the road at the Stadium of Light.
The Black Cats are riding high with Saturday’s last-ditch equaliser against leaders Arsenal putting Regis Le Bris’ men fourth in the Prem.
And many of the Toon Army are already fearing the worst ahead of the Wear-Tyne derby on December 14.
Shearer added: “I wouldn’t say I am worried about the derby against Sunderland in a few weeks, but I’ve been mightily surprised at how well Sunderland have done.
“I don’t think even their most hardened supporters would tell you that they’d be where they are in the league and what they’re doing so far this season.
“One thing that’s come out of Sunderland is how tough it’s going to be for any team going to the Stadium of Light.
“I doubt Arsenal will have a tougher game this season than the one they had at the weekend.”
