Matches made in heaven or hell: Eight steps to safety for Shearer's Newcastle

01 April 2009 11:10
Alan Shearer is poised to become manager of Newcastle and will have eight matches to lead his hometown club out of relegation danger.   [LNB]Here Sportsmail takes a look at those Barclays Premier League matches:   [LNB]April 4 - Chelsea (H)   Shearer will get a hero's welcome when he steps out for his first match in charge, but the former England striker will surely have to wait for three points.   [LNB][LNB][LNB] In at the deep end: Shearer's first test will be against Chelsea boss Hiddink (left)[LNB]Chelsea should be strong enough to ignore the emotional return of the Geordie legend and come away with three points as they look to catch Manchester United at the top of the Barclays Premier League.   [LNB]April 11 - Stoke (A)   Another difficult encounter for Shearer with Stoke, like Newcastle, fighting to avoid the drop.[LNB][LNB][LNB] Points dropped: Michael Owen scored a double against Stoke earlier in the season but the Magpies were undone at the death as the Potters secured a last-gasp 2-2 draw at St James' Park[LNB]The new United boss will need three points from this game but given his lack of managerial experience a point is probably the most likely outcome.   [LNB]Shearer will have to inspire and motivate a side that has failed to perform on a consistent level all season, and that is a tall order.   [LNB] 

Source: Daily_Mail