Source: Northern_Echo
Shearer urges Ashley to spend
ALAN SHEARER believes Newcastle United have been a surprise package in the Premier League this season, but warned owner Mike Ashley that he will have to spend big if the club are to progess.[LNB] The Magpies are safe from the threat of relegation with two matches to spare and actually have designs on a top ten finish ahead of final games with Chelsea and West Brom.[LNB] Shearer has been impressed by what both Chris Hughton and Alan Pardew have done in leading Newcastle through the campaign, hinting they have over-exceeded his own predictions.[LNB] With top-flight status assured, however, Shearer now says all eyes will turn to the summer spending plans for a squad still short of strength in depth and quality if they have designs on a European place.[LNB] Pardew has been told he will have the £35m to spend following the January sale of Andy Carroll to Liverpool, while there is also interest in £10m-rated left-back Jose Enrique.[LNB] But Shearer believes it will be who the manager is allowed to bring in rather than those who are moved on during the close-season - knowing improvements must be made to ensure progress continues.[LNB] "Safety was their target when they first set out and they've achieved that, really, with ease," said Shearer. "You have to say the manager has done very well and the players have done very well.[LNB] "We'll have to see what happens in the summer with activity and how much activity there is. That will be a good time for everyone - everyone will be looking forward to next season.[LNB] "We'll have to see who comes and goes in the summer. There's obviously the money there from Andy Carroll - they'll have to bring in one or two strikers in. I'm sure everyone will be looking at the transfer activity."[LNB] It remains to be seen how much Ashley invests in the playing squad this summer, but Shearer was clear in what he thinks is needed after stating: "You spend £10m to stand still. That's the harsh fact of it."[LNB] But the former Newcastle and England striker, in charge for the final eight matches two years ago when Premier League status was lost, is desperate to see Ashley take the club forward.[LNB] Shearer acknowledged the job Pardew has done - claiming that to be sitting 11th with two games remaining is beyond expectations.[LNB] "If I'm honest they have done better than I thought," said Shearer. "I think I was like everyone else, probably a little bit apprehensive.[LNB] "You've got to give them credit, they've done really well - they've stayed away from the bottom six for the majority of the season.[LNB] "It's never really been panic stations, as it has been in other seasons. We hope that's the same next season but that really depends on what the manager's going to be given to spend."[LNB] Shearer was speaking at the Close House Hotel & Golf Club yesterday when world No 1 golfer Lee Westwood arrived in Northumberland to open the new Colt course and glass clubhouse.[LNB] It is just two weeks since the BBC Match of the Day pundit was at Rockliffe Hall, Hurworth, near Darlington, to test his swing on the greens and fairways - and he says Close House is in the same class.[LNB] "It's fantastic to get the world number one here. You don't see him in Newcastle very often," said Shearer, part of a star-studded field that played 18 holes in aid of the Children's Heart Unit Fund at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle.[LNB] "It's a great occasion for a great charity on a very, very good golf course. Graham has done it well. But I have to say, put me in front of 100,000 taking a penalty - no problem at all. Put me on the first tee, there will be a lot of nerves there.[LNB] "There's a few good courses up here now but this is a little bit different. It's only 10 to 15 minutes outside Newcastle. It's great, it's ideal."[LNB]
