Source: SKY_Sports
Shearer backed to save Toon
Former Newcastle United manager Sir Bobby Robson believes that Alan Shearer is the club's 'only hope'.
Shearer was appointed as the Magpies' new short-term boss during the week as Joe Kinnear recovers from heart surgery.
The ex-Newcastle striker suffered defeat in his first game in charge, with Chelsea running out comfortable 2-0 winners on Saturday.
The Tyneside club sit three points adrift of Premier League safety, but Robson feels Shearer is the right man to guide them to survival.
Shrewd
He said in the Mail on Sunday: "Newcastle United have needed a strong leader for months, if not years. The departure of [former executive director (football)] Dennis Wise last week proves to me that, in Alan Shearer, they now have that man.
"But Saturday's performance showed just how strong Shearer will have to be in the coming weeks. This is a team on their knees, fighting for Premier League survival and a million miles from being able to take on sides like Chelsea.
"Thankfully for Newcastle, they have Shearer. He is really the club's only hope now because not only does he have the heart of a lion, he has a much shrewder football brain than many people might realise.
"People talk about his passion and will to win. That is all true but, most importantly of all, he has a deep knowledge of the game and the ability to impart that knowledge to the dressing room."
