Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United experienced another forgettable day on the road, succumbing to a 4-1 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur, echoing their recent performance against Everton. There are no justifications for the team’s subpar display, as they failed to compete effectively.
What adds to the frustration for the fans is the recurrence of defensive lapses by experienced players. Notably, Alan Shearer expressed displeasure with Jamaal Lascelles and Martin Dubravka for their roles in Tottenham’s opening goal, labeling it as ‘really poor’ during his commentary on Premier League Productions.
The sequence leading to Tottenham’s goal involved Son Heung-min outclassing Kieran Trippier, delivering a ball across the penalty area. Despite the attacking style of Ange Postecoglou’s side, which dominates the opponent’s final third, Shearer criticized the defensive issues observed during the match.
Analyzing Newcastle United’s defensive performance against Tottenham, Shearer highlighted Lascelles’s poor positioning, suggesting that a slight adjustment could have prevented the goal. He questioned Lascelles’s choice to use his feet instead of his hands in a particular situation.
Newcastle United is grappling with injuries and a lack of form, marking their worst phase of the season, according to Ally McCoist, who believes Martin Dubravka should serve as a long-term replacement for the injured Nick Pope. Unfortunately, this dip in form comes at an inopportune time, with fixtures piling up, including a crucial Champions League tie against AC Milan.
The hope is that this disappointing performance serves as a wake-up call for Newcastle players, especially with crucial European matches on the horizon. However, a repeat of such performances could lead to an early exit from the Champions League and a continuation of poor form in the second half of the season.