Alan Shearer now says Newcastle will have to be 'really lucky' to fulfil his expectations

Geordie hero Alan Shearer predicted in the summer that with a couple of new faces in, Newcastle United would break into the Premier League's top four again.

However, Newcastle's recruitment team was in a state of flux during the summer transfer window and as a result, the club failed to really improve the first team.

There's still a strong core in the squad, the players who got Eddie Howe into the top four two seasons ago are still there, but teams around us have improved dramatically whereas we have stagnated this season/

It's not an impossible task to hit the top four thanks to not having the pressures of European competition, however, without strong additions, the task is much harder, and that's why Alan Shearer has walked back his prediction slightly.

Alan Shearer thinks Newcastle may struggle to break into the Champions League again

Shearer now thinks Newcastle will have to avoid injuries as much as possible to stand a chance (via Newcastle World).

“It's so disappointing that we didn't get the signing(s) over the line and, as I said, it doesn't reflect well on the Sporting Director or the Chief Executive.

“I don't think they've given Eddie [Howe] the best chance in going into the season with as good a squad as he would've wanted, and I don't think they've improved his squad from last season. When you look at the other clubs and what they've spent and what they've done, it's going to be really difficult for Newcastle to finish in the top four.

“I said if we could get a signing or two in, I thought we could do it again, but Newcastle are another team that will have to be really lucky with injuries, which we weren't last season. I think that'll be the difference if Newcastle are going to sustain a challenge for fourth or fifth place.”

Shearer praised the togetherness in the squad

Newcastle have made an unbeaten start to the season and have progressed in the Carabao Cup but they have made it look extremely difficult. Shearer has praised the togetherness in the squad but remains unconvinced by how the team are playing.

“Without playing well, Newcastle have had a good start to the season. Two wins and a draw and through in the cup too. I was at St James' Park on Sunday though, and I thought they were fortunate.

“Spurs were really poor in forward areas, and had they been any better than I think Newcastle wouldn't have got that result.

“Having said that, the thing that impressed me is the togetherness and the will to win, because without playing well, we’ve not lost yet and have seven points. If Newcastle click, then that can only be a good thing because we’ve done okay so far, but there's massive room for improvement.”