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Premiership Football News: Alan Shearer

Andy Greeves on Shear Hope

Given the way in which Newcastle United have chosen to do business over the last few years, how appropriate that their latest manager be appointed on April Fools Day.

Alan Shearer, OBE, on a par with Kevin Keegan in the messiah standings on Tyneside, was installed as the club's temporary manager until the end of the season. The task from the outset for the Gallowgate end favourite is simple - keep the Magpies in the Premier League.

Shearer's appointment is the latest twist in a catastrophic season for Newcastle. Kevin Keegan resignation from the St James' Park hot-seat in September brought mutiny within the club, with thousands of fans calling for the head of Mike Ashley. Ashley almost instantly put the club up for sale, but despite reported interest from a Middle East consortium, couldn't do a deal. The club were removed from the market in December due to a lack of interest from any other party and Ashley himself has only recently returned to watch Newcastle games, such is the fear for his safety when amongst the restless natives.

The managerial situation has been similarly precarious. Chris Hughton took over from Kevin Keegan on a temporary basis in September, but after a string of defeats early in his reign, he stood down from the position. Joe Kinnear came in on a similar temporary agreement on 26 September and in the months that followed, managed to steady the ship somewhat. Kinnear wasted no time in gain notoriety with the media either, with his infamous tirade at the press which saw him swear 52 times in one interview.

Kinnear suffered health problems in February, meaning Chris Hughton would once again stand in as temporary manager along with Colin Calderwood and Paul Barron. It was then revealed that Kinnear would need a heart bypass operation, prompting Newcastle's appointment of Shearer.

So what state does Shearer find Newcastle in on the pitch today?

Following their defeat to Chelsea in Shearer's first game as manager, the Magpies are in the drop zone, three points from safety and a place below bitter rivals Sunderland. While the effort of his players for unquestionable on the day, the difference in quality between themselves and Chelsea was obvious.

With Shay Given and Charles 'Insomnia' N'Zogbia both having departed the club in January, the playing squad is certainly weaker than it was at the start of the season. The defending meanwhile, as Sideshow Bob lookalike Fabricio Coloccini showed on Saturday, is just as bad. Half decent sides in the Premiership have spine of reliable players from back to front in their team, alas Newcastle don't have that.

Shearer praised his players effort following the 2-0 loss to Chelsea last weekend, calling for the same spirit in his side's remaining seven games. But will spirit alone be good enough to keep Newcastle up?

The Geordie's have a tough, but not impossible run in from now until the season. The next two games at Stoke and Tottenham are at least, 'must draws' for Newcastle, who will hope wins from their next three home games (Portsmouth, Middlesbrough and Fulham) will see them safe.

Newcastle's greatest saving grace could be the teams they find amongst them in the league's danger zone. WBA are all but doomed and even though Middlesbrough are only two points worse off than Newcastle, they look in a far more critical state at present. Hull have been in free fall ever since January while Portsmouth and Sunderland are no better equip than Shearer's men to avoid relegation.

Ironically the best positioned man in the whole mess at Newcastle is Alan Shearer. If he keeps Newcastle in the Premiership, he would most likely be asked to take the managerial post on a permanent basis. Take them down, Shearer would be able to return to his media roles with his head held high and his place in the hearts of Newcastle fans still secure. There's one man and one man alone who will take the wroth for Newcastle's relegation and we all know who that is.

Andy Greeves

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