Newcastle United are enduring a difficult season under Eddie Howe and Alan Shearer has delivered his verdict on what has gone wrong
Isaac Seelochan Senior Sports Journalist
05:30, 06 Feb 2026
Alan Shearer isn’t impressed with what he is seeing at Newcastle United (Image: PA)
Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has slammed the Magpies’ summer transfer business amid their struggles under Eddie Howe this season. The club signed strikers Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa, for around £125million, with neither player really firing at 100 per cent at St James’ Park so far.
Howe’s men have slumped to 11th in the Premier League table after finishing fifth last term, with Newcastle also seeing their Carabao Cup defence end in a 5-1 aggregate thrashing to Man City in the semi-finals. They are, however, still in with a chance of reaching the Champions League’s last-16 with a two-legged play-off tie against Azerbaijani side Qarabag to come.
Newcastle will also face Aston Villa in the FA Cup fourth round on February 14. The Magpies are seeking a second domestic trophy in two seasons following last year’s League Cup victory under Howe.
But the club’s big-money signings have failed to fully deliver so far in 2025/26. Woltemade, after early promise, has failed to score since December, while Wissa has netted just three times in 17 matches since recovering from a knee injury.
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And Shearer, via Betfair, has offered his thoughts on Newcastle’s difficult campaign. The club’s record goal-scorer believes their summer transfer business has been a major factor behind their decline under Howe this term.
He said: “Compared to last season and what we’ve got used to, it’s been largely disappointing from Newcastle this season. Having said that, we’re in the FA Cup and Champions League play-offs.
Newcastle United signed Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa this summer.(Image: Richard Lee/Shutterstock)
“The away form has been a major concern, and it certainly was at Liverpool and Man City. We’ve got a terrible record at Anfield and the Etihad.
“Eddie Howe set things up differently again by going three at the back against Man City and they made too many mistakes in the first half – and were, again, miles off it in forward positions. We created chances and just didn’t take them. That’s been a big problem for Eddie this season – the investment that’s been made in forward positions hasn’t worked as yet. For what they paid, you’d expect a lot more from players that’ve been signed for big fees and at the minute, that’s really, really hurting the team.
“I guess the transfer situation with Newcastle in the summer hasn’t benefited anyone. It certainly hasn’t benefited Alexander Isak or Liverpool and without doubt it’s impacted Newcastle right up until now.
“For whatever reason, whether they didn’t have a sporting director or chief executive, they weren’t able to get signings that they wanted over the line, and Hugo Ekitike was one of them. That’s what’s hurting and damaging Newcastle up to now because the ROI isn’t working as of yet.
“When you’re going to Liverpool and playing Anthony Gordon who hasn’t scored a goal from open play in 13 months in a centre-forward position, ahead of two players that you paid near £125million for, that tells you the story of what’s happening to Newcastle’s season.”
Newcastle return to action at home to Brentford on Saturday evening (5.30pm). The Magpies could move within four points of fifth with a win and if other results go their way this weekend.
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