Alan Shearer has warned his Newcastle players they cannot rely on their big names alone to get the club out of trouble.
The Magpies head for Liverpool on Sunday three points adrift of Barclays Premier League safety with only four games in which to save themselves and Shearer insists every single member of the squad will have to contribute.
He said: "They all hold a vital role. The experienced ones, some of them will have been in this position, some of them won't. But I am looking to everyone, not just the experienced players. Everyone has got a huge part to play, a massive role."
He added: "But the spirits have been reasonable this week considering we haven't won a game under myself, and hopefully that will change rather soon."
If it is to change this weekend, Shearer's players will have to perform considerably better than they did in the reverse fixture at St James' on December 28.
That day, the rampant Reds, led by irresistible England midfielder Steven Gerrard, tore Newcastle to shreds as they romped to a 5-1 victory, which might have been even more embarrassing had it not been for the brilliance of keeper Shay Given.
The Irishman decided enough was enough in the immediate aftermath of the debacle, signing for Manchester City in January, and his close friend Shearer admitted it did not look good from the Match of the Day sofa.
He said: "It wasn't pleasant watching, to be honest, it was a bitterly disappointing game.
"Whether it was a turning point or not, I am not quite sure, but we certainly want to avoid anything like that again."
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owen hatrick at anfield my a rse!!!he's past his sell by date...more like a gerry hatrick now..
owen has never been a big name. when he was at liverpool he looked good cos the team made him look good. when he went to madrid he was found out. all he had was pace and he hasn't got that anymore.best place for him to ply his trade now is in the championship along with quite a few other overpaid team-mates of his. hope newcastle win today but its very unlikly. shearer is gonna take you down and mike ashley has to shoulder the blame. i would like boro togo down, west brom and hull are probably already gone which means the game with boro and newcastle is going to be massive.
owen will not play liverpool,the risk to this piece of prime mutton might be too great,any damage or injury will ultimately effect any nice offers when he leaves come end of season.On past performance it is probably best that he goes anyway.liverpool are still chasing just possible title,to them this game is crucial,if owen is forced to play his input will be zero,this is a game for those up and coming kids,who want to prove themselves,but shearer will go for the tried and trusted experienced well £paid failures."it takes guts and daring to become a great manager,this might be your one and only opportunity Mr shearer."do you have what it takes".!!!!!!
What big names?
Shearer was the last and only one I know of. Unless you include Wor Jackie.
Ken A, a f***ing @#$%.
Owen hasn't done much since he joined Newcastle
owen will not play he will find some excuse not to play against his beloved liverpool.
owen hatrick at anfield
with the teamlist newcastle have it's shocking they're in the position they are. Owen is a great player but lacking confidence right now, i don't think benching him will do him or the team any favours
Cameron w, good point. I had never heard of Bassong until we signed him and now I think he is our best player by a mile. Our big names such as Viduka, Barton, Geremi and Smith have watched the last two seasons go by from the stands. Park has just signed a contract with Man Utd for £50 grand a week, mad money I know but if I'm not mistaken, the four players I mentioned earlier each earn considerably more than that, as do a lot of the other players at the club.
so no shearer its team effort?before he will say its owen to save newcastle later he said barton so now he now realises its team effort.one thing is been a good footballer another is about been a good coach which shearer is not
I am seriously beginning to wonder if we would be better off signing unknowns rather than 'big-name' players. Who was the last 'big-name' to actually earn his wages (apart from Shearer)?
Look at Everton, not a single so-called 'big-name' amongst them; yet look at their performances week in week out!
see comment 5 has just woken from his white lightning & buckfast slumber - pity the fool
come on owen score at the KOP in your own goal you muppet.
Sunderland
liverpool 3 sick notes and gold digger shearer 0
Isn't Owen selected purely because of who he is. He has contributed very little in recent games and it looks to me like he is keeping himself out of trouble so he stays fit to attract a new club at the end of the season. I honestly believe we would be a couple of points better off if we had played Carroll instead. I'm not saying Carroll is brilliant but he gets stuck in and gives us more than Owen has in recent games. Capello was brave enough to drop him so come on Al, do whats best for the club.
what big names all second rate players at newcastle. cant attract top players to that depressed area
we have not been able to rely on our "big" names all season!!!
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