Alan Shearer hits out at excuse he would ‘never accept’ that Newcastle and Eddie Howe haven’t used

Newcastle lost two Premier League games in a row as their injury woes finally caught up with them. Alan Shearer rejects the suggestion that Newcastle’s players are ‘too fatigued’ following back-to-back Premier League defeats against Everton and Tottenham.

The Magpies named the same outfield starting ten men for the sixth game in 15 days, despite being without ten first-team players due to injuries and bans.

While they avoided loss in challenging games against Chelsea, PSG, and Manchester United, trips to Everton and Tottenham were too much for the Magpies’ tired stars, as they were defeated 3-0 and 4-1, respectively.

 

 

But tiredness isn’t an excuse Shearer accepts, though he does praise Eddie Howe and Newcastle’s players for not trying to exploit it as one.

“Come on,” Shearer retorted during the Rest is Football podcast after Gary Lineker suggested Newcastle appeared ‘fatigued’ against Tottenham.

“In fairness to Eddie Howe and the team, I’ve never heard any of them complain about being tired. What I keep hearing is pundits and reporters speculating about their fatigue because the same lineup has played five times consecutively.

“Excuse me for thinking differently, but isn’t playing football their job? Isn’t that what they’re paid for? The only issue seems to be their inability to make changes in the final 20 minutes.

“Other than that, the starting eleven is really strong. What they lack is the ability to make alterations in the last 20-25 minutes due to injuries, limiting their options.

“I don’t buy into the idea of fatigue, and I’ll never agree that players play too much football. They have access to the best sports scientists, pitches, physios, everything. They don’t endure lengthy coach journeys; they travel in private jets. So, I’m hesitant to discuss players playing too much football.

“Sure, the game has become faster, but the support for players has advanced even faster. Everything has improved.

“I don’t think any player would say they don’t want to play too much. If you asked them if they wanted a break, almost every one would say no, they want to play.

“The issue stems from the past 20 years, where from the age of 7, young kids have been told that playing three times a week is playing too much football. Give me a break, please.”