The defeat leaves Newcastle 12th in the Premier League and Howe’s side have not registered a win in their last four games

Newcastle United suffered a crushing 4-2 defeat against Brentford on Saturday, with legendary former player Alan Shearer delivering a scathing critique of the team’s performance. The loss leaves Newcastle languishing in 12th place in the Premier League, extending their winless streak to four matches.

The match initially seemed promising for Newcastle, who twice fought back to level the score. Alexander Isak and Harvey Barnes managed to equalize, giving fans hope of a potential comeback. However, second-half goals from Nathan Collins and Kevin Schade ultimately sealed a deserved victory for Thomas Frank’s Brentford side.

In his post-match analysis for BBC’s Match of the Day, Shearer pulled no punches in his assessment of the team’s display. “I don’t like the attitude of several Newcastle players,” he declared, highlighting a significant drop in the team’s typically energetic approach.

The former Newcastle and England striker was particularly critical of the team’s defensive performance. He pointed out specific instances of defensive frailty, calling out individual players for their lack of commitment and positioning. Shearer singled out Fabian Schar for criticism, noting his failure to engage with opposing players and his poor positioning during crucial moments.

“Thiago’s too strong and bullies Fabian Schar,” Shearer explained. He also criticized Lewis Hall for having his hands behind his back during a critical defensive moment, questioning how a defender can be effective without attempting to challenge the attacking player.

The analysis became even more pointed when discussing defensive lapses. Shearer highlighted Harvey Barnes’ error leading to a goal, but placed significant blame on the defensive unit. He noted that Schar failed to attempt a tackle, while Dan Burn was desperately calling for defensive intervention that never came.

What particularly worried Shearer was the stark contrast between Newcastle’s current performance and their form from two years ago. “Two years ago, we were praising Newcastle all the time for their energy, for their closing down, for their pressing,” he remarked. “There was none of it today.”

The most damning critique came when Shearer described the team’s defensive approach as completely inadequate. “No one gets within five yards of any Brentford player,” he said. “They’re in Newcastle’s final third, still no one within five, 10 yards of anyone. That’s not good enough, that’s not acceptable.”

The goal that particularly frustrated Shearer was Nathan Collins’ strike. He described the defensive lapse as “laughable,” pointing out how a simple long ball from the goalkeeper resulted in a goal, with Schar completely out of position.

This performance is a significant concern for manager Eddie Howe, who has seen his team’s momentum from previous successful matches against top teams like Liverpool, Manchester City, Tottenham, Chelsea, and Arsenal completely dissipate.

The result raises questions about Newcastle’s current form and long-term prospects. While they have shown capability of competing with top teams, consistency remains a major challenge. The lack of energy and defensive solidity that Shearer highlighted could become a significant issue if not addressed quickly.

For Newcastle United, this match serves as a wake-up call. The team must quickly rediscover the energy and defensive discipline that made them a challenging opponent in recent seasons. With the pressure mounting and performances declining, Eddie Howe will be keen to turn things around and restore the team’s competitive edge.

As the Premier League season continues, all eyes will be on how Newcastle responds to this disappointing performance and whether they can recapture the form that once made them one of the most exciting teams to watch in the league.