Alan Shearer predicts Newcastle United could finish 15th as Matthias Jaissle faces tough season

Alan Shearer believes Newcastle United could finish as low as 15th in the Premier League this season, warning supporters that patience will be essential under Matthias Jaissle.

The Magpies sit 12th with 12 points from their opening ten matches after a 1-1 draw at Fulham before the international break.

Despite identifying improvements in that performance, Shearer expects an inconsistent campaign as Newcastle adapt to significant changes in their squad and coaching staff.

Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, the former Newcastle striker reiterated a prediction he made at the beginning of the season.

"I think I said this on the first day of the season, or maybe even the second, that we're going to have to be patient," Shearer explained.

"As tough as it is, I do think we'll finish 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th."

The former England captain believes Newcastle's extensive summer rebuild has made immediate consistency difficult.

Jaissle replaced Eddie Howe before the campaign and has been tasked with developing a squad featuring several younger arrivals.

Although Newcastle have shown encouraging moments, their results have remained inconsistent.

Shearer believes the club's current position reflects the challenges of that transition.

However, he also acknowledged that the recent draw against Fulham offered some positive signs.

"I've got to choose my words because there was an improvement from Newcastle," Shearer said.

He praised Jaissle's decision to introduce young midfielder Sean Steur and adjust the team's defensive structure.

"He changed a couple around. He brought in the young boy, Sean Steur, who I was wanting him to bring in."

Shearer also highlighted Jacob Murphy's deeper role, which allowed Newcastle to defend with five players at times.

Murphy later scored a spectacular goal to put the visitors ahead, but Rodrigo Muniz equalised shortly afterwards.

"I thought, 'Here we go, just what Newcastle need,' and then a minute later they get done," Shearer recalled.

"It was probably a fair result in the end but there were small improvements for Newcastle."

The draw left Newcastle in the bottom half of the table heading into a demanding run of fixtures.

Shearer remains convinced that gradual progress, rather than an immediate challenge for European qualification, is the more realistic expectation this season.

Newcastle host league leaders Arsenal on Saturday, 21 November, before travelling to Brighton on 29 November and facing Manchester United at St James' Park on 2 December.