Source: Eurosport
Big Sam: Shearer a 'troubleshooter'
Sam Allardyce believes Alan Shearer has been brought in as nothing more than "a troubleshooter" at struggling Newcastle United.The former Magpies and England star has been handed the managerial reins for United's final eight Premier League matches in a bid to spare the club from relegation.Blackburn manager Allardyce, who endured a troubled seven months in charge of Newcastle prior to his exit in January last year, said: "It's a ploy to try to spur the club on to get out of trouble."As the status of Alan Shearer at Newcastle is legendary, it will lift everybody at that football club."Alan will obviously be hoping his appointment does spur the players on to do better."Asked whether Shearer had a better chance of working wonders than himself, Allardyce replied: "As a short-term fix, he has almost been brought in as a troubleshooter."It will be easier for him because of his status. The support from all at Newcastle will be 1,000% given their admiration for him."That is what a club like that, certainly the fans, will give him, and if he does get a performance out of the players, then it will have worked."Allardyce feels Shearer's first game in charge, against Chelsea at St James' Park on Saturday, will be the key to their survival."It all depends what happens in that game," said Allardyce after being questioned on whether his old club have a chance of staying up."That will determine whether they get out of trouble, or whether they don't."[LNB]
