Buzzin Football

Newcastle need Alan Shearer on the pitch

Alan Shearer took control of his first game of eight in charge of Newcastle on Saturday, his remit, to avoid relegation from the Premier league. One thing puzzles me about the whole scenario and that is just how did Mike Ashley talk Shearer into accepting this mission impossible?

Shearer’s first call I guess was to instate Ian Dowie alongside him, a clever move given that Dowie has been in this situation and understands just what is needed to survive the Premiership relegation order. But with eight games, make that seven games to save a team that appears to show no responsibility for it’s own demise this season, both Shearer and Dowie must be praying for a miracle.

The barmy Toon army arrived early to witness the messiah, no not Keegan the other one, take his place in the St James’ dugout. But there was none of the godly scenes that greeted Keegan’s return last year as Shearer determined to keep himself as low key as it is possible to be,  ignoring chants from the crowd to wave as he appeared in deep concentration watching every move on the pitch.

While it would be difficult to expect a result against Chelsea, you would have expected some passion and effort from Newcastle and it just wasn’t there, excepting the usual battling display from Nicky Butt.

The one thing in Newcastle’s favour is that the relegation battle is far from over and none of the teams involved have an easy finish to the season, each game a cup final in itself for so many teams. So there is hope, but I cannot help wondering if all the problems have been self inflicted on Newcastle. I wonder where they would be right now if they had stuck with Big Sam Allardyce?