The manager noted that the team's body language and collective spirit on the pitch were not up to par, which he attributed to a mental lapse. The team's performance was a departure from what fans have seen in recent seasons.

Former Newcastle player Alan Shearer echoed Howe's sentiments, expressing his disappointment with the team's performance. He described the team as "rotten" and "awful," stating that it was one of the worst he's seen under manager Eddie Howe.

Shearer criticized the team's lack of energy, lethargy, and laziness, saying that only one player, Murphy, had a decent game. He believed that the team's poor performance was a result of a lack of mental preparedness, which he thinks is partly due to the absence of home support.

The team's inability to win on the road in the Premier League this season is a concerning statistic, and Shearer thinks that the home crowd plays a significant role in motivating the team to perform better.