Fans have said Alan Shearer was 'bang on' for speaking the 'truth' about Newcastle's defenders this week.
Talking to the BBC, the former Newcastle United number nine criticised the team's defensive performances, suggesting that the players appear to lack 'the fundamentals of defending'.
He then pointed out that centre-back Jamaal Lascelles and stand-in left-back Matt Ritchie are both suspended for tonight's match against Norwich City, a ban which Alan Shearer said might benefit Newcastle.
He said: "Any time anyone gets near their box, it scares me, because they cannot defend.
"They have got a couple of players suspended for the Norwich game - left-back Matt Ritchie and centre-half Jamaal Lascelles both miss out - but the way those two have been playing, I don't necessarily think that is a bad thing."
The overwhelming response to Shearer's comments on the ChronicleLive Facebook page was praise for speaking 'the truth' and agreement that the team might benefit from bringing different players in.
NUFC Global wrote: “Always speaks the truth, spot on! It's like we've got League One defenders!”
Similarly, Gurmail Singh wrote: “Spot on Alan!! 100%!!!! Exactly what most TOON fans are thinking!!!”
Lee Dodd added: “I always said when Lascelles is injured or banned we always play better. He is NOT a leader he looks for leadership . He is the problem. Get him sold . We all know it... Shearer is bang on here..."
Renard MC also had a diagnosis: “Lascelles has been atrocious and should have been dropped a long time ago. Ritchie playing as a full back has been difficult to watch, his crossing has been woeful.”
There were some fans who felt that Ritchie had been given a difficult task however in being asked to play out of position in a defence that was already very shaky.
Mubasshir Ijaz wrote: “A bit hard on Ritchie. He's played well.”
David Fawcett wrote: “Ritchie isn't a left back, and should never ever play there. Play players in their right positions. Look at Joelinton etc. This could be a great opportunity for young Lewis to step up.”
Another fan agreed that it was a good opportunity to bring in left-back Jamal Lewis, who has fallen out of favour with Newcastle managers since signing from Norwich, though still plays for Northern Ireland.
Su Cozie Ruggles wrote: “Howe can make Lewis the player he should be . He was great at the start until he was Bruced.”
You can read more comments at ChronicleLive's NUFC page here.
