Alan Shearer outlines achievement that would round off an 'incredible season' for Newcastle United

The Magpies are firmly in the battle for a place in Europe after Saturday’s big win over Tottenham Hotspur.
By Mark Carruthers
Published 15th Apr 2024, 15:00 BST

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Eddie Howe has done a ‘brilliant job’ to lead Newcastle United into contention for a place in Europe - according to Magpies legend Alan Shearer.

The loss of summer signing Sandro Tonali to a long-term suspension for breaching gambling regulations almost set the tone for what could have been a disappointing season at St James Park as Howe’s squad was decimated by a lengthy list of absentees on a routine basis. The likes of Joelinton, Nick Pope, Callum Wilson and Sven Botman have all face significant spells on the sidelines with injuries and it could be argued Howe has not been able to field what many would view as his strongest starting eleven since the first month of the season.

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Yet after battling through the worst of his injury crisis, the former Bournemouth manager has led the Magpies into contention for a second successive season in European competition. Their push for a Europa League place received a treble boost at the weekend as Howe’s side claimed a 4-0 home win against Spurs before watching top six rivals Manchester United and West Ham United drop points in respective games against Bournemouth and Fulham.

Former Magpies captain Shearer assessed the job Howe has done in what has been a challenging year at St James Park and insisted his old club can delivered an ‘incredible season’ by securing a place in Europe over the next month.

Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Shearer said: “He’s doing a brilliant job. If you look at the injuries Newcastle had before yesterday’s game, it’s arguable that with the injuries he could have put a better team out, a better eleven, than the one that was actually against Tottenham. That tells you how good a job he is doing. The last couple of results were superb, they’ve got a decent run-in, so if they can get into a Europa League spot, which is every chance now, then it would still be an incredible season because of everything that has been thrown at them.”

United return to Premier League action with a visit to Crystal Palace on Wednesday week.