The Newcastle United manager has come out fighting ahead of the Magpies’ game against Liverpool, with his side on the back of two very disappointing results.
Newcastle were not good enough against West Ham, while their struggles continued at Crystal Palace. Goals are proving to be an issue, with Alan Shearer calling Newcastle’s attacking woes ‘concerning’.
The Magpies are not playing as well as they can, while they are failing to consistently score goals for the first time during Eddie Howe’s tenure on Tyneside.
Eddie Howe makes attacking promise to Newcastle United fans
But Howe is hoping to change that, insisting to supporters that his main goal is for his Newcastle United team to ‘entertain’.
Ahead of facing Liverpool, Howe made it clear that he is going to change Newcastle’s attacking fortunes amid recent ‘frustration’.
“For me, attacking is fundamental,” he said, as reported by the Chronicle.
“It is your aim of the game. You are giving your players a purpose. We will always go to attack. I make no apologies for that. I would rather not be in a job than not fulfil that promise to the supporters. We want to entertain ultimately.
“We want to play attacking football that ultimately the fans want to see. I know we are not delivering that at the moment and that is a frustration. We are not going to drop that – we just have to become better than that.”
What Alan Shearer said about Newcastle’s lack of goals after Crystal Palace draw
Howe’s comments come after Alan Shearerspoke very openly on The Rest Is Football podcast about Newcastle United’s current issues in front of goal.
“I am [concerned], yeah, because what have they got? Well, I think they’ve got 14 goals they’ve scored in 13 games. Three of them were away to Forest,” he said.
“Last year or maybe the year before, so many times we spoke about Newcastle, their energy, their pressing, how they got after you. And I don’t see a lot of that. It’s pretty worrying, particularly in the final third.
“I mean, Isak went off injured. He chose not to put Wilson on at that time. He brought him on with about 15, 20 minutes to go.
“And other players have to start and score goals. Gordon has to score more. Barnes has to score more. Joelinton does have to. Willock has to. Isak has four or five in the league this season.
“I hope he’s not too badly injured and can play on Wednesday against Liverpool. So, yeah, it’s definitely concerning, absolutely. And like Aston Villa, Newcastle, I think, in the bottom half, maybe 11th or 12th in the league.
“So, yeah, not great from Newcastle. They have to improve.”
Newcastle United are coming up against a resolute Liverpool defence
Howe is desperate for Newcastle to improve in the final third. His side have not properly clicked into gear. They are either failing to create, or squandering golden opportunities. It is becoming frustrating for fans, who have not been impressed with their side’s previous two games.
The Toon boss understands the frustration, and will aim to bring back the entertainment on Wednesday night.
However, that will be tough against a Liverpool side that has been very tight at the back this season. The Reds have kept 11 clean sheets in all competitions this campaign, with Virgil van Dijk at the top of his game.
But he was sent off on his last visit to St James’ Park, and Toon fans will hope that this trip to Tyneside is just as difficult for the giant Dutchman.
