Former Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer thinks the Magpies’ new attacking style of play could leave them exposed at the back.
Newcastle were playing the first game of Eddie Howe’s era and played out an enthralling 3-3 draw with Brentford at St. James’ Park.
After taking the lead through Jamaal Lascelles, Newcastle were then forced to come from behind twice courtesy of Joelinton and Allan Saint-Maximin to salvage a draw.
While they are still waiting for their first win of the season, the Magpies showed their attacking intent by registering 23 shots in the match, more than they have in any other game over the course of this campaign.
And although fans displayed their appreciation for the performance during and after the game, Newcastle’s already leaky defence struggled at times, something which Shearer flagged up as a concern.
Speaking on BBC’s Match of the Day, he said: “From a forward point of view, it was a lot better. There were more shots in this game than in any other this season but that creates its own problems.
“They want to play on the front foot, they want to get more bodies forward and they certainly did that. On the other side, with this defence if you’re going to have that many men forward and commit that many men you leave it exposed. They will concede goals.
“There were so many mistakes all over the place. Darlow [on Toney’s goal] it’s a basic error, he had a really poor game and looked nervous.
“On the front foot this is what you get. Shelvey attacking, Willock’s in that half as well and he loses the ball. Then all of a sudden the defence is wide open, one ball and they’re in behind. But 23 shots so from a forward point of view it was impressive but defensively they were hopeless again.”
