Source: Telegraph
Alan Shearer calls for his Newcastle players to be heroes
Newcastle United v PortsmouthKick-off: Mon Apr 27, 8.00pm, St James' Park, NewcastleRadio: Setanta Sports 1Radio: BBC Radio Five Live [LNB]Shearer, who broke Newcastle's goal-scoring record when Portsmouth visited Tyneside three years ago, has challenged his players to perform heroics to kick-start the club's fight against relegation.[LNB] Related ArticlesIt's grim up northNewcastles Michael Owen backing himself to bag the goalsNewcastles Obafemi Martins clears the air with manager Alan Shearer after no showAlan Shearer: Saving Newcastle United would be greatest featNewcastle manager Alan Shearer impressed with Andy CarrollAlan Shearer gets to work at Newcastle United"There is in this game a chance for someone to write themselves into history," Shearer said.[LNB]"It's a real opportunity for a group of players or an individual to make a real name for themselves so that in 10 or 15 years someone may be talking about this situation.[LNB]"I don't know whether it's the biggest game, but it will be the most important game these players have played for Newcastle without a doubt and from my point of view as well without question. I have asked the players to give me three wins, starting with Monday night." [LNB]The day Shearer overhauled Jackie Milburn's 200-goal landmark in front of the Gallowgate End revives memories of the good old days at St James' Park but the former Newcastle striker prefers to play down his own heroics.[LNB]"I don't really want to talk about it," Shearer added. "It's not important, but what is important is this Monday.[LNB]"Hopefully we will ha ve 11,12,13 heroes and it's certainly a chance to make people sit up and say maybe Newcastle are going to fight, Newcastle are going to scrap for everything.[LNB]"Someone has just reminded me about breaking the goalscoring record. I'm now hoping Portsmouth will be when I get my first three points as a manager." Such is the desperation of Newcastle's plight that Shearer also issued a rallying call to the club's supporters to give his team an edge in their next three home games.[LNB]"I know we keep asking our fans for things and they might get fed up of us asking, but for three games I am asking them to really turn it on and make it a really good atmosphere," Shearer said.[LNB]"I understand they are as nervous as everyone else but I want it to be great on Monday from the first minute. We need an atmosphere the players will enjoy playing in and hopefully we can repay them by giving them something to shout about.[LNB]"I hope it will be an atmosphere that the opposition won't enjoy. I know Portsmouth have some experienced players but I want it to be intimidating." [LNB]Former Newcastle striker, David Kelly, whose goal against Portsmouth provided the platform for a narrow escape from the old Division Three 17 years ago, echoed Shearer's sentiments. [LNB]"It was a must-win game for Kevin Keegan back then and now this is a must-win game for Shearer and I hope somebody can do the trick like I did that day," Kelly said. [LNB]"It's the same now, apart from then it was the Second Division and now this is the Premier League. Back then, it would have been from Second Division into oblivion really." [LNB][LNB]
