Magpies legend says the head coach “needs a result massively” after back-to-back 4-1 away defeats
Alan Shearer has warned Matthias Jaissle that Newcastle United supporters will not tolerate another limp display when Aston Villa visit St James’ Park on Saturday.
The Magpies head coach is under growing pressure after a 4-1 defeat at newly promoted Coventry City on Monday night. It was the second time in succession that Newcastle had shipped four goals away from home. This followed an identical scoreline at Leeds United.
“Not acceptable” at home or away
Speaking to Betfair, Shearer, Newcastle’s record Premier League goalscorer, was highly critical of his side’s performance at the CBS Arena. He labelled their display as “really poor”. Saying it was an “unacceptable” result to lose on the road twice running.
He did, however, pick out one moment in the game where a change in fortune could have been achieved. Just before the break, Fernandez-Pardo saw his effort cleared off the line and Shearer felt a goal at that point would have changed the game’s momentum. It didn’t come, and Frank Lampard’s men went on to punish their hosts.
“They won’t get away with that at home with 52,000 fans there,” Shearer said, suggesting Jaissle “will feel the anger of the fans” if there is not a dramatic improvement.
Jaissle stands by his work. Claiming in his press conference before the Villa game that the Coventry defeat was a result of individual errors and not weaknesses in his system. However, there are those who are not convinced. Questions are being asked about the shape and balance of his team.
A tough test at the worst time
The fixture list does not look set to give the players much of a break. Villa come into the game brimming with confidence after scoring a six-goal haul in the Champions League. Shearer admitted he expects it to be a very tough game. But he believes the short turnaround will actually help Newcastle. They will not have to wait long to put things right.
“You need a game straight away, and they’ve got it on Saturday,” he said. Depending on the result, he added, supporters will learn “what Newcastle is and can be”.
Shearer was also keen to put the situation into perspective, pointing out that a win at Coventry would have taken Newcastle up to fourth and said the club are about where he expected them to be at this point. He’s predicted a ‘yo-yo’ campaign and argued there is no need to panic.
He did, however, highlight that patience has its limits, pointing out that two heavy defeats, both on Monday nights, are ‘not acceptable’. With a day to go before kick-off, he joked that he was hoping Newcastle could avoid playing on Mondays.
Shearer confirmed he will be present at St James’ Park to witness the Villa game. Jaissle will be hoping the home crowd will lend their support to the team, as the former legend’s message is a clear one. The fans want a reaction, and they want it quickly.
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