[ad_1]
Alan Shearer believes Newcastle have been rightly criticized for their performances in recent weeks, but insists they have established “something to build on” following their goalless draw with Liverpool.
Steve Bruce’s team crashed into the Carabao Cup in their quarter-final tie at championship Brentford last week, just days after drawing at home against relegation-threatened 10-man Fulham.
But the Magpies scored their first Premier League points since defeating West Brom earlier this month with a determined showing against top flight champions Jurgen Klopp at St James’ Park on Wednesday.
And while admitting that his former club has drawn criticism for recent results, Shearer said the performance against the Reds was “more like that” and urged them to remain more of a threat in attack.
When asked if Newcastle is aiming higher than simply maintaining its top-flight status, Shearer told Amazon Prime: “ They absolutely have more [ambition] than that and why it has been so frustrating at times, but the criticism has been justified.
“ When you draw with Fulham, when you come out of the cup the way they did, that is not acceptable or good enough.
‘You have to take that on the chin when people complain. Tonight it’s more like that and it’s something to build on, they made the ball move faster, they were a threat and that has to continue. ”
The former forward in particular was pleased with Newcastle’s display of attack and was pleased to see the opportunities created as well as the determined defense.
“I think what will have pleased Newcastle today, and pleased Newcastle fans, is that they expect Liverpool to have the most of the ball,” added Shearer.
‘But what they [the fans] I want, need and long is that when Newcastle has the ball, it is actually a threat, and that was the difference tonight.
‘When they had it they created one or two chances, they did defend deep, they did defend in numbers but they were a threat, it wasn’t just defending all the time.
“Sometimes they went and put pressure on Liverpool, they weren’t just sitting there and waiting for Liverpool to attack them, particularly in the first half, so if that can continue the fans will be much happier.”
Peter Crouch agreed with his expert colleague, admitting it was “embarrassing” to lose to Brentford and squander a golden opportunity to reach the first major cup semi-final in 15 years.
But the former Liverpool forward insisted that Bruce has done well as boss given the circumstances with the failed takeover bid led by the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund and the departure of former boss Rafael Benítez, who cited a lack of confidence as his reason for leaving instead of the financial attraction of China, where he currently runs.
When asked if the draw against Liverpool will give them a boost, Crouch said: ‘100 percent he’s going to kick them. The loss at Brentford was embarrassing, especially as Newcastle haven’t won anything for a long time and that was an opportunity and it was disappointing.
“But a result like that was fantastic, and with all the problems going on at the club with the president potentially trying to sell, and losing Rafa and whatever, I think Steve Bruce has done a good job.”
Source: m.allfootballapp.com
[ad_2]
