Source: Eurosport
Beye Gives Backing To Shearer
Habib Beye is backing Alan Shearer to drag Newcastle back from the brink of the Coca-Cola Championship.[LNB]The 31-year-old Senegal international has been hugely impressed with Shearer during his first few weeks at the helm as he attempts to engineer an escape route from the Barclays Premier League relegation mire.[LNB]Beye already knew all about the former Magpies striker's determination after locking horns with him in a UEFA Cup semi-final during his time at Marseille.[LNB]However, having seen him at close hand in his own environment, he is convinced the 38-year-old has what it will take to guide his side to the three home victories they will need to survive, starting against Portsmouth on Monday evening.[LNB]Beye said: "Alan has had a big impact, and you can see that in the team.[LNB]"He's a winner. His mentality is like that and I think he brings that to the team.[LNB]"We have more spirit - Alan has tried to give that to the team.[LNB]"Everyone believes we can be safe. There are 15 points to get, and it's not finished.[LNB]"He's from this area and knows Newcastle better than anyone. He doesn't want to see his club go to the Championship.[LNB]"That's why he tries his best every day for the team, and why we try give our best."[LNB]Newcastle have managed to collect only one of the nine points they have contested since Shearer's return to St James' Park, Andy Carroll's late equaliser earning a vital draw at Stoke.[LNB]However, defeats by Chelsea and at Tottenham last weekend have left the club four points shy of safety with just five games to play.[LNB]The reverse at White Hart Lane was all the more disappointing because the Magpies struggled to make an impact in the final third until the last half-hour when substitutes Mark Viduka and Obafemi Martins were introduced.[LNB]Now Shearer is demanding a 90-minute display against Pompey in a game his side simply has to win.[LNB]Beye said: "We were disappointed to come back to Newcastle without any points [from Spurs], but that game is over now.[LNB]"We have to get three points against Portsmouth - I think we will do it."[LNB]Much of the talk in the last week has surrounded skipper Michael Owen's recent lack of goals - he has not scored since January 10 - and the prospect of the assistance he might get from Viduka and Martins should his former team-mate decide to throw one or both into the mix from the off.[LNB]However, Shearer and his assistant Iain Dowie are confident they have another potentially lethal weapon in 20-year-old Carroll, who started alongside Owen at Spurs.[LNB]Indeed, Dowie believes the youngster can take a leaf out of the book of a man who will line up at the other end of the pitch on Monday as he attempts to make the most of his talent.[LNB]He said: "You could argue that Andy should be sick and tired of myself and Alan out on the training ground pestering him to get the best out of him. That will help him improve.[LNB]"I have said to him he's got a superb left foot and superb prowess and heading abilities in front of goal. There's so much there to work with.[LNB]"When you look at people like Peter Crouch, you see what there is to aim for.[LNB]"If we can get all of that raw talent out, then we have got a player on our hands. That's what we're doing.[LNB]"He's a good kid and he wants to work hard. That's the great thing about Andy - he wants to get better."[LNB]
