Alan Shearer has called Newcastle United’s tactics “a mess” against Everton and slammed the recent recruitment.

Monday night saw a weak Magpies outfit surrender to another 1-0 home defeat. Fans booed the players off at full-time as the pressure cranked up on Matthias Jaissle just nine games into his Premier League reign.

The German revealed on Thursday that he received a vote of confidence from the St James’ Park hierarchy following the defeat. Newcastle travel to Fulham this weekend aiming to head into the international break on a positive note.

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‘A mess’ - Alan Shearer

Speaking to Betfair, United legend Shearer slammed the team’s attitude and tactics against Everton. He said: “It was two sorry performances from Newcastle against Everton in the Carabao Cup last week and in the Premier League on Monday.

“I could have accepted them getting knocked out of the Carabao Cup if they'd won the next game at home and put in a good performance. We'd rather have the three points than go through in that competition. But the manner in which Newcastle lost both matches was concerning.

“On Monday, I was at St James' Park, watching closely, and I wasn't quite sure what Newcastle were trying to do. What formation, what tactics - it was a mess and it's worrying. It was a poor flat performance, especially after playing against Everton three days earlier in the cup.

“If you're going to get beaten, you go down fighting. You couldn't say Newcastle did that against Everton in either game. We're not creating anything. That's the worrying thing.”

Alan Shearer hits out at Newcastle United recruitment

Shearer also took aim at the recent recruitment - which has seen Newcastle spend around £500million over two summer windows. The likes of Yoane Wissa, Nick Woltemade, Anthony Elanga and Jacob Ramsey have failed to make an impact.

“You have to look at Newcastle's recruitment because of the money that they've spent,” Shearer added. “You're not seeing a lot of value for money. The goalkeeper should have done better with the goal on Monday. It is a massive game this weekend at Fulham. The international break is a tough time for managers under pressure because they know what could happen.

“We have to be patient as fans but the team must give us something to cling to. And at the minute, they're not giving us enough to shout about in terms of excitement, chances or goals. That must change.

“I don't mind when we miss chances but the time to worry is when we don't create them and we're not creating chances. We look like a team that are not going to score many goals and that's worrying.”