All-time Newcastle United top goalscorer Alan Shearer has told us that he believes finishing in the top four would be a miracle for Newcastle and that finishing the season in any of the European places would mark a great campaign.
Speaking at the FWA North East Awards, he said: “I think it would be a miracle if Newcastle were to get into the top four. The job that Eddie Howe is doing with the squad that he has got, and when you compare it to all of the others in the top four race that he is battling against, to be in third/fourth/fifth for most of the season is a remarkable achievement.
“If they were to finish in any European place then that would be classed as a great season because looking back to where they were and where they are, it’s a huge, giant step in such a small amount of time. It’s going to take patience and little bit of understanding, but the more transfer windows they have and as they bring in better players, the better it will be. And that is going to happen, so it is only going to be a matter of time.”
Carabao Cup final an indicator of what is to come for Magpies
Shearer feels that Newcastle’s recent appearance in the Carabao Cup final will inspire them to many more final appearances in the years to come.
He said: “Let’s hope Newcastle go on to achieve more and more from now. We also have to look at the bigger picture of where Newcastle were 18 months ago to where they are now, and it is disappointing to lose in the League Cup final, and to lose again at Wembley, but it gives the whole football club a taste of what they can achieve and what awaits them.
“I’ve played there at Wembley in 1998 and 1999 and have been on the losing side and now I’ve been on the side of a fan and it’s painful to be a player and to be a fan. Wembley is only a place for winners, yes it was good all leading up to it and it was great seeing all of the Newcastle fans, but you can only walk away from Wembley saying you’ve enjoyed it if you have won. Unfortunately, Newcastle didn’t this time, but their time will come and let’s hope it’s not too far away.”
Shearer also praised the influence Bruno Guimaraes has had on the Newcastle side and said that he deserved his North East FWA 2022 Player of the Year award.
“Bruno Guimaraes thoroughly deserves the award,” he said. “He has taken to the North East and Newcastle have taken to him and rightly so. He is an exceptional talent, everything that goes through Newcastle goes through him and long may that continue. He deserves it absolutely.”
England should look forward to Italy date
The ex-England striker also touched on the Three Lions and how he feels they should be positive about their meeting with Italy in the Euro 2024 qualifiers later this month.
He said: “It was disappointing to go out of the World Cup in the way that they did but what a great way to start again against one of the best. They weren’t in the World Cup, but Italy won what England wanted to win a couple of years ago at Euro 2020 so it’s a tough start but one that they will look forward to.”
