Alan Shearer has slammed one Newcastle United player for shutting down against Luton Town, as the Magpies suffered yet another away defeat.
Luton took the lead from a corner thanks to former Newcastle player Andros Townsend, but Shearer was upset with the manner the set-piece was defended.
Shearer was critical of Lewis Miley, who had lost his man for the corner that led to the defeat at Kenilworth Road, on Match of the Day.
Shearer says Miley was at fault for opening goal
Newcastle’s performance at Luton had multiple issues, but a pivotal moment allowed the Hatters to secure a first-half lead, boosting their confidence for the rest of the game.
Despite Miley’s overall positive contributions to Newcastle, his early substitution after 37 minutes by Eddie Howe aimed at altering tactics might have left him feeling somewhat disappointed. This decision was prompted by Miley’s mistake at the back post, which directly led to Luton’s goal. Despite his age of just 17 years old, Miley, like any other Newcastle player, isn’t exempt from criticism.
Nevertheless, it’s crucial to acknowledge his lack of experience, considering he wouldn’t have been on the field if not for Newcastle’s injury woes.
Alan Shearer did highlight Miley’s defensive error leading to the goal, but his frustration extended beyond that, encompassing Newcastle’s overall display against Luton.
During the analysis, Shearer emphasized the necessity of matching the opponent’s intensity, displaying the desire and will to win. He particularly criticized Newcastle’s failure to meet Luton’s intensity, losing tackles and failing to stay alert during set-pieces, which played into Luton’s strengths. Consequently, Luton’s hard work, organization, and effectiveness in exploiting set-pieces were factors that earned them the deserved victory.
Newcastle have to beat Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day
Having suffered defeats in five of their last four matches, or three losses in their last four solely within the Premier League, Newcastle finds themselves in a challenging situation as they approach January.
Their upcoming fixtures against Liverpool, Sunderland, Manchester City, and Aston Villa have now become crucial encounters due to their recent outcomes, intensifying the significance of these matches for Newcastle.
This circumstance places considerable pressure on Newcastle to secure a victory against Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day. The team’s recent loss pushed them down to seventh place, widening the gap even more from a position within the top four.
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