Shearer shocked by Toon slump

Sat, 09 May 14:36:26 2009

Alan Shearer has admitted he never dreamt Newcastle could be on the brink of relegation so soon as his glittering playing career drew to a close.

Shearer retired three years ago with 206 Newcastle goals to his name and could not have envisaged that the club that had secured three successive top-five finishes in the Barclays Premier League, reached two FA Cup finals, enjoyed two Champions League campaigns and contested a UEFA Cup semi-final during his time there, would so quickly be fighting for top-flight survival.

He said: "No, I am as surprised as anyone at the situation we are in. But we are in it, so we have got to face it head on and we have got to get out of it, and that's what we are trying to do."

Newcastle's hopes of preserving their 16-year stay in the Premier League rest on the final three games of a traumatic season, although there is little doubt that if they do not beat derby rivals Middlesbrough at St James' on Monday evening, they can all but wave goodbye to the big time.

With both sides locked together inside the relegation on 31 points - the Magpies are better off only on goal difference - and three points adrift of safety, a failure to win for either could prove fatal.

He said: "We are in the situation we are in - and Middlesbrough are as well - because previous results haven't gone as well as people would have hoped.

"But I believe we have still got enough time, I still believe we have got enough in the dressing room to get us out of this and I have got confidence in my squad.

"The pleasing thing is that results keep going for us elsewhere. Yes, there have been one or two occasions when we could have changed that ourselves and we haven't.

"But, from a positive side of things, other teams haven't taken advantage of that, so we are all still in it, we are all still fighting and we will be fighting to the very end, believe me."

 

Comment 1 - 14 of 14

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  1. Come on lads we can do it pull your fingers out

    From PHILIP A, on Sun 10 May 11:19PM

  2. Howay mon Shearer. Auf wiedersen pet.

    From nate, on Sat 9 May 9:19PM

  3. what more can be said other than.. put on the shirt­ play with pride..these newcastle footballers are a­ disgrace..and when you have a team of ex leeds players­ and joe barton well enough said good luck.. next year­ your in not playing in prem ..

    From johnkneen912, on Sat 9 May 8:31PM

  4. Rum and Coke, well that makes four of you.

    From john.connolly01, on Sat 9 May 7:04PM

  5. Simon, not sure what team you support but your on the­ button, well said.

    From john.connolly01, on Sat 9 May 6:32PM
  6. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Owen!!! cant make up his mind whether hes coming­ or gOwen!!! another to55er!!! bye! #:)

    From tEQUILLA sLAMMER, on Sat 9 May 5:35PM
  7. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    muhahahhahahaha dennis wise???!!! what a­ to55er....joey "the thug" barton!? what a­ to55er..... bye bye geordies. the fog on the­ Tyne is all your, yours yours!!!! #:)

    From tEQUILLA sLAMMER, on Sat 9 May 5:33PM

  8. Shearer was a top class player, and in his shoes who­ wouldn't take the gig on MOTD? Anyone who says they­ wouldn't is kidding themselves. I think he will­ make a good Premiership manager one day, maybe in the­ next couple of years. As far as the current NUFC outfit­ is concerned, not even Hiddink could have turned around­ Newcastle's fortunes in the last few games of the­ season. The team are a disparate bunch with no­ confidence and living in the Prem on borrowed time.­ Stay up or go down the club needs a clear out, no one­ would argue with that. Shearer as manager would attract­ good quality honest players to the club, and maybe they­ could build a solid team again.

    From Simon, on Sat 9 May 5:13PM
  9. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    lets face -any body expecting him to be jesus christ is­ a naive idiot. he is no manager- top players very­ seldom are. go back to another rediculous job on tv­ -where he no doubt receives rediculous wages for few­ minutes incoherent mumble. he needs english elocution­ classes badly and get rid of that adrian chiles bloke­ who prattles on and on and on endlesly- who need to­ listen to that @#$%- wasting football time

    From karl.tosner, on Sat 9 May 12:19PM

  10. Appointing managers other top teams wouldn't touch,­ letting quality players go and appointing Wise to bring­ rubbish in, wheres the suprise.

    From john.connolly01, on Sat 9 May 10:52AM

  11. Bad boardroom.
    Bad managers.
    2nd rate players.
    Says it­ all really.

    From Bobby Robson A Legend, on Sat 9 May 9:41AM

  12. terriible miss management the last 3 years,what a way­ to run a company,horrendous waste of money on not fit­ for EP players.Owens included,

    From allan, on Sat 9 May 9:17AM
  13. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    as long as newcastle allowed managers to take the bung­ and buy substandard non name players then they will­ always be no hopers..

    expect to see lots of red­ shirts in the "toon" next year when they are­ relegated . lol .

    From ian m, on Sat 9 May 9:17AM

  14. poor shearer......

    From dino g, on Sat 9 May 9:08AM
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