Newcastle United lost 2-1 at Manchester City on Saturday evening.
Pundit and Newcastle United hero Alan Shearer has told Match of the Day that he thinks some of the criticism aimed at manager Rafael Benitez is unfair.
The Magpies made the ever-difficult trip to take on Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City on Saturday evening, and did fall behind when Raheem Sterling smashed home the opener from Benjamin Mendy’s pass.
Newcastle stunned many by hitting back before half time, with Salomon Rondon’s superb pass finding DeAndre Yedlin for a shock equaliser, with the Magpies frustrating the champions.
City did grab the win though, as Kyle Walker hammered home a long-range strike to give the hosts all three points, with Newcastle unable to offer up much of a response.
It’s now just one point from four games this season for Newcastle, and whilst the lack of investment from owner Mike Ashley continues to be the main headline, Benitez has come in for criticism of late.
The Spaniard guided Newcastle to a top half finish last season, but incredibly defensive tactics in successive 2-1 defeats to Chelsea and now City have left many suggesting that Benitez is being too negative with 5-4-1 setups.
However, pundit and Newcastle United hero Alan Shearer has told Match of the Day that Benitez hasn’t changed since last season when he was lauded, and merely suggested that the recent conservative tactics have been down to the strong opposition facing them.
Shearer did though add that Newcastle’s target is simply to avoid relegation these days, offering an honest view on the club’s situation even if host Gary Lineker hinted a club of Newcastle’s size shouldn’t have to play so negatively.
“No-one in the bottom half took more points off the top six than Newcastle last year,” said Shearer. “So you can’t talk about his tactics but Rafa was lauded last year for finishing tenth, and his tactics haven’t changed. A few times this season he will play like he did today, and play like he did last week against Chelsea. I think it’s unfortunate that they have played Man City, Chelsea and Tottenham on the opening day of the season. They didn’t play like that at home to Tottenham.”
“That is what Newcastle’s position is now. They’re target is to avoid relegation, sadly. Huddersfield went to the Etihad and tried to take Manchester City on. Huddersfield had a net spend of £23million. Newcastle actually made £23million in transfers and Huddersfield got stuffed. There are going to be games when you have to be conservative and Rafa has not changed. It’s the same Rafa that was lauded last year for finishing tenth,” he added.
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