If Alan Shearer was saying Newcastle have got to win their three home games, where does a 0-0 draw at home to Portsmouth leave them?
I think they’re going to have to look for points away from home. Their season’s going right to the wire.
They have to face Liverpool at Anfield at the weekend and get something.
They’re big players and maybe they can spring a surprise, but that would be a major shock with Liverpool still challenging for the title.
Newcastle don’t have a real threat in the side. Oba Martins is the only one with any pace.
Portsmouth looked the more likely to win it at the end of the game on Monday, but there was no real consistent pressure from either side.
It was end to end without really creating too many chances.
At the other end of the field, I have my doubts about Steve Harper. This guy is a number two goalkeeper.
He’s not Shay Given. There’s not many Shay Givens out there unfortunately.
Newcastle should have kept hold of Shay until the end of the season and then let him have his dream move.
If you’re going to ask your defenders to keep a clean head and not make mistakes, you need a goalkeeper who’s going to have a calming influence on them.
He’s not played much behind these guys and I don’t think he’s good enough for regular first-team football.
Tim Sherwood was speaking as part of the Setanta coverage of Newcastle v Portsmouth