Shear class

01 April 2009 14:55
Newcastle United's celebrity supporters have been applauding the appointment of Magpies legend Alan Shearer as the new boss at St James' Park. The striker who netted 148 goals for the Toon during his distinguished time at the club as a player has been handed the task of steering the club clear of the relegation zone and ensuring Newcastle's Premier League status. Shearer may only be on a short-term contract until the end of the season but the move has delighted the club's celebrity supporters. Sid Waddell, Sky Sports' renowned darts commentator believes that, although he would struggle over the course of a whole season Shearer will have the magic to guide Newcastle back up the table. "I think it's a good move, a brilliant choice," he said. "Although he has got no experience with football management it is all hands to the pumps now. "He wouldn't have been my choice at the start of the season because I think you've got to be very clever - like Sir Alex Ferguson or Arsene Wenger - to use your squad to its best advantage. "But the fact we've got injuries, no real star players, except for Steven Taylor - and he's a full-back - and a lot of doubt means Shearer is a good choice." Waddell believes that Newcastle have no real talent in their squad to compare with their former years and the club will need major investment this summer. "Michael Owen scores goals, but we need a character who can do more than score goals," he said. "We've got nobody in line with Frank Lampard or Steven Gerrard or even deco. We've got a left back and that's about it. "They should stand by Shearer this season and then they have to give him £100million quid in the summer to get the guys we need. "We ain't going to get Lionel Messi but I'm not sure we need a broom cupboard full of Bartons and Nicky Butts. "We need two guys like Peter Beardsley and Robert Lee." Horse racing expert John McCririck was also fully behind the move, insisting Shearer has the motivational skills to inspire the struggling Magpies. "To bring Newcastle back to the glory days will take time," he said. "The only objective now is to avoid relegation and if he can do that then everything else can wait. "In the summer new players will come in and there will be huge turnover of players, whether we escape relegation or not. "At the moment it is that inspiration, that dynamism, that hope - so often an injection of electricity comes into a club when a new manager comes in. "Who better than Alan Shearer? That's the one name that everyone on the Toon wanted at the club and he has answered the call."

Source: SKY_Sports