Alan Shearer says there can be no half measures for Newcastle United in the Championship next season.
Alan Shearer – no half measures next season
And Shearer – who is still in talks with Mike Ashley about the Newcastle manager job, says the club have to take on promotion back to the Premier League “head-on” next season.
Shearer – who took charge for the last eight games of the season but could only deliver 5 points – one solitary point short of survival, is now more determined than ever should he take the reins at his home town club.
“It was a quiet dressing room at Villa Park,” “I said one or two things, but what can we do now?
“The most painful thing is that we couldn’t help ourselves, but it’s happened, and we have to face the challenge head-on and see where we go.”
And the fans had to go through hell and high water, after Kevin left in early September, but at the end of the season in the last few home games St. James’ Park was stll packed full – but the players didn’t produce the goods – unfortunately for the club and the City of Newcastle Upon Tyne.
Even at the end of the game at Villa Park, and we had been relegated – the TV scenes of Newcastle supporters chanting “Shearer, Shearer” was a sight to behold, and was quite emotional for some of us old codgers – since these fans hardly deserve to be down in the Championship.
And of course, at the time, Shearer had a TV camera poked in his face, and seemed in stunned silence walking over to the fans, trying to get to grips with the fact the side had indeed been relegated. He looked in a complete daze, poor guy, and that was before his post match interview, where he was struggling to evn talk – it seemed.
But that interview will have done the Newcastle club a power of good, because here was a manager, who had been a world class super-star in his playing days, reduced to almost tears and it was clear to see the mnan really cared – unlike most of his players.
But that will change big time next season – just wait and see.
That interview is one I will never forget until my dying day – which may be soon if next season is anything like the last one. 😀
Shearer talked about the legendary Newcastle fans:
“They have been magnificent. They probably get fed up of me saying how magnificent they are, and other people saying it too.” “But they really are, though, and they’ve been badly let down.”
“They’re now having to face the consequences of having to watch their team in the Championship. That is not a nice feeling for them, and I understand how they feel.”
Alan knows just exactly how the fans feel, because he is one himself, just like the rest of us. They felt like Alan looked like during his post-match interview – completely devastated .
In the last day, as we all await some announcement on Shearer, good or bad, we’ve allowed ourselves to look ahead, just a ltitle bit.
And if Alan is announced as manager, the season ticket sales should take off, and we only have to have a half decent start to the season, and prove that we can indeed be challengers for promotion next season – and just watch those home attendances rocket up, something the Championship will have never seen before – and probably will never see again – that’s if we can get out of there next season – which is a big “if” of course – we know that.
But that’s the opportunity the club has of paying back the fans for last season’s series of disasters, one after another.
We hope they will take the opportunity, and give something back to the fans – for a change. 😀
Comments welcome.
63 comments so far
TheDan
May 30, 2009 at 7:10 PM
Comment #1Sign for us man Alan!
True fan
May 30, 2009 at 7:35 PM
Comment #2why dont people ask him whether he is closer to signing or not, just ONE little answer is all i want, ‘one step closer, yes’ or ‘yes, i will sign today!’ PLEASE shearer, we need stability and ur it
chuck
May 30, 2009 at 7:39 PM
Comment #3Sign for us Alan man!
boater
May 30, 2009 at 7:48 PM
Comment #4Ed????
“Shearer had a TV camera poked in his face, and seemed in stunned silence walking over to the fans, trying to get to grips with the fact the side had indeed been relegated. He looked in a complete daze, poor guy.. ”
Shearer had a VERY achievable task – it turned out – with 8 matches left. We won 1 in 8 and failed to score in 6. Alright… he is inexperienced and I thought he would do more to generate an upturn but why are you all rushing to give him your backing?
TheDan
May 30, 2009 at 7:51 PM
Comment #5lol chuck
boater
May 30, 2009 at 7:57 PM
Comment #6True Fan? How does Shearer represent stability?
If your answer is along the lines of ‘…he has the fan’s backing so will be given longer…’ how is that a positive thing? As a player he reminds us of better times, he is from Newcastle? Who gives a shit? Can he manage a football club? 1 win 8 would suggest not. He may turn out to be a Dalgliesh as oppose to an Ince or an Adams… but why do you want to rick the future of this football club on that gamble?
GET SOMEONE IN WHO IS A PROVEN MANAGER…
Curbishley, D. Ferguson, Coppell, Roeder/Clark, Martinez, Venables.
Tom Mo.
May 30, 2009 at 8:13 PM
Comment #7Boater, I don’t think anyone could motivate THIS team in the last 8 games of a terribly long season. Getting one win out of this team is an accomplishment in my eyes. Not much Shearer could do……….team was just ridiculous
Hugh de Payen
May 30, 2009 at 8:18 PM
Comment #8boater // May 30, 2009 at 7:48 PM
Shearer …. why are you all rushing to give him your backing?
=================
Personally I’ll back whoever they appoint as manager for 2 seasons. Then I’ll judge him.
There has been too much of this judging a manager in 8 games, 3 months, 6 months … whatever.
As fans we can do our bit if we stop expecting miracles.
True fan
May 30, 2009 at 8:26 PM
Comment #9shearer, we need stability and ur it
i sed it cos shearer is the only one who will be given time, because of our fickle supporters (meant that UNoffensively), as soon as a different manager gets a streak of, lets say, 6 games lost in a row, we will be calling for his head, but with shearer, ashley wouldnt risk another backlash he had from keegan, so he will be given time to get used to management and get the results we need
also, everybody get off this hate shearer thing, he was put into the manager position to give motivation to the players, not for his tactical knowledge (and may i just add to that, everybody critisised his tactical subs for games, then praised him for his subs at middlesbrough, that proves how fickle our fans are), and since shearer now shows he likes management and is willing to try at newcastle, he will only improve with experiance
so lay off shearer and support your club through thick and thin, even if you do not agree with the decisions made
Dragonera
May 30, 2009 at 8:32 PM
Comment #10Boater
I am with you on this one, mate. I would much rather this managerial decision was thought through properly, and not just given to Shearer because, “He is the only man for Newcastle” (sigh).
Toon_Factor
May 30, 2009 at 8:37 PM
Comment #11yeah yeah we no we deserve better zzzzzzzzzzzzzz
VOTE SUSAN BOYLE!!!!!!!
TheDan
May 30, 2009 at 8:41 PM
Comment #12Aw well I for one really want Shearer to sign, and the fact that a few players have stated he is the only manager they want shows to us that they have faith in him as a manager.
nzedtoonman
May 30, 2009 at 8:42 PM
Comment #13the fans dont deserve tobe down in the championship but the team does.
it truly shows that the team does not earn the right for great supporters but is fortunate it gets it , start playing well and listen to the roar !
TheDan
May 30, 2009 at 8:45 PM
Comment #14I wish they would anounce the season ticket prices and that too, I’ve rang twice now to renew mine, so does anybody know any info?
mylestoon
May 30, 2009 at 8:46 PM
Comment #15vote diversity or that quality tom jones kid! yes!
On a side note: I hope Mr Shearer signs either toniht or tommorrow! We need stability now and i want beckford signed on monday!
Elfy_Toon
May 30, 2009 at 8:52 PM
Comment #16Tbh im with dragonera and boater, i love shearer i really do, but is he the solution to our problems? i agree that you cant judge him on those first eight games (i.e. Keegan took 12 games like!) and should have more time to show what he can do. and those who say most managers comin in give an instant uplift and results usually go ur way for a bit, but thats managers who are proven can get the results. shearer was a gamble and a good one in the circumstance, did it pay off? no, but if shearers given his chance ive no doubt he can show he is a good manager. but to give that chance to some1 without experience just when weve been relegated is reaally risky, especially if it doesnt pay off and we end up being relegated from the championship!
Toon_Factor
May 30, 2009 at 8:52 PM
Comment #17mylestoon
Is monday the start of the transfer window? If it is we are way behind everyone elses, is this going to be another wasted season? Certainly hope not.
Turkish Magpie
May 30, 2009 at 8:55 PM
Comment #18No TF but you can pre-sign players like we could sign Beckford now but we wouldn’t get him until August 1st
mylestoon
May 30, 2009 at 8:57 PM
Comment #19To be honest mate i dunno but if we get a pre-contract signed or if it is open get him signed, he will bury 99% of opportunities in front of him.
I hope this season we finish in a strong position in the championship or go back and have a strong side that are hungry like stokes are or even fulham!
Fulham and Stoke have really shown grit and determination this past season and i really hope that we can do the same. We need players playing for the shirt. I would rather have a squad of newcastle fans on the field than a squad of overpayed half acts.
mylestoon
May 30, 2009 at 8:58 PM
Comment #20Jylu 1st i think transfer window starts, as far as i know.
mylestoon
May 30, 2009 at 8:59 PM
Comment #21July* (can you tell im dyslexic) ha!
Bill F
May 30, 2009 at 9:08 PM
Comment #22I have been reading a lot of comments on who we should keep and who we should let go but I reckon we already have the firm basis of a good squad for next season. Obviously I have my own thoughts on this but won’t bore you all with them. But one thing I have noticed is that the wish lists are a lot different now, no one is saying we should be going for some of the expensive superstars as per the last two Summer transfer windows. Most of the speculation seems to be orientated around championship youngsters. Signs of the times or what? Personnally I think one big signing added to what we have could be a boost to morale and show intent to the rest. There must be someone big who wants to play for us.
Tel
May 30, 2009 at 9:13 PM
Comment #23It is probably a good thing that the talks are taking so long, If there was no agreement shearer would have walked and said the terms were unaceptable. My opinion is they are dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s, far better get all terms conditions and agreements soted now and down in writing than come across problems in the coming months and have another disastrous split. Heres to a good championship campaign with 11 players playing with pride and passion, after all give your best and you will be a hero on tyneside. I am sure Shearer knows the character of the players he wants, if not already the names. HOWAY THE LADS.
(The Dan I have also tried to change my season ticket, I signed up for the three year deal and want to move seats to a more expensive section but they wont take my money at the minute, if Ashley knew heads would roll)
Fostino
May 30, 2009 at 9:17 PM
Comment #24bill f
our current squad is cake, i would have more faith in our young las from de reserves then the current squad …..the majority of them need to be shipped out and take their huge wages with them
Spitfire
May 30, 2009 at 9:19 PM
Comment #25Just a word about Beckford those who are saying he should be an early singing for us: I was talking to a Leeds fan yesterday ( and someone who is quite close to the players there). He said Beckford is a waste of space and we would be welcome to him. His desription made Beckford aound like a cross between N’Zogbia and Kieron Dyer. All attitude and whingeing,brilliant one game then crap for 4 or 5 before turning it on again. Huge ego, poor team spirit
Spitfire
May 30, 2009 at 9:20 PM
Comment #26* Thats signing not singing….there again you never know….
Michael12
May 30, 2009 at 9:21 PM
Comment #27The only good Shearer can be to us this season is as a player. If he would Don the number 9 Shirt once again that would be amazing. As a manager, sorry but tactically retarded.
hitman
May 30, 2009 at 9:23 PM
Comment #28hey lads just played tiger woods 2010,pure shite,just thought id let yous know.stardust still buy it.lol
TheDan
May 30, 2009 at 9:24 PM
Comment #29Yeahh, i’m hoping to move to the leazes corner, at the minute i’m kind of at the start of it and it is full of old men who can never be bothered to sing.
So I would rather be in there and chanting away, just suppose it must take a while to calculate the total loss of relegation like.
TheDan
May 30, 2009 at 9:25 PM
Comment #30Spitfire, I had a look on Beckford’s fan page on facebook and loads of Leed’s fans have been slaughtering him, claiming they made him as he was just a window fitter.
But yeah, hopefully he could get his act sorted if we were actually after him.
Tel
May 30, 2009 at 9:26 PM
Comment #31Snap thats where I’m headed the singing leazes corner, hope to enjoy home games as much as away days.
Bill F
May 30, 2009 at 9:28 PM
Comment #32Fostino, you didn’t actually take note of what I was saying. I said we have at the club the firm basis of a good squad. I also said that I have my own thoughts on who we should keep and let go and that includes may of the current first team squad in both categories. The basis of the squad I feel that will be good for us next season includes many of our youngsters. If you have read any of my comments on previous blogs you will know that I have advocated playing some of them in our final games especially Carroll.
komfort
May 30, 2009 at 9:28 PM
Comment #3312 michael , very harsh and i hope he gets the chance to prove you wrong..coz he will like..
True fan
May 30, 2009 at 9:31 PM
Comment #34of course there gonna say that about him, he rejected a new contract offer from them…
about beckford which was just sed ‘All attitude and whingeing,brilliant one game then crap for 4 or 5 before turning it on again. ‘
i dont think thats true, because scoring 36 goals (i think its 34 actually) in a season means you are a pretty good finisher, not as you say, good 1 games then crap for 4-5 games
so look at his statistics before you judge him, although you can judge his behaviour, anyway, wont reply next time, bye
hitman
May 30, 2009 at 9:32 PM
Comment #35mickey moose 12,yoy have to give shearer a chance,you carnt judge him on another managers team,if he fails next season with his own team,il be the first to ask for his heed,but until then keep ya hole shut.
TheDan
May 30, 2009 at 9:33 PM
Comment #36Ayee couple of good away games next season like lads.
Tel
May 30, 2009 at 9:36 PM
Comment #37Christ read this.http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article6396030.ece
Tel
May 30, 2009 at 9:39 PM
Comment #38Read somewhere fat freddy was preparing a bid, maybe he will If above is true, its not exactly a rumour rag.
Dragonera
May 30, 2009 at 9:39 PM
Comment #39Beat me to it True Fan. Of course Leeds fans are gonna turn on him, he has aspirations and wants to make a step up…hopefully to our club. Leeds fans were singing his praises and wearing his “What shirt am i wearing” T-Shirt’s just a few months ago. Ignore them.
Stuart79
May 30, 2009 at 9:43 PM
Comment #40Ashley has absolutely no choice but to sell.
He cannot afford to put more money in that is needed to stop the club going further down and he just wants anything back!
These are diect quotes.
I just hope someone see’s the potential and buys us. Someone with deep pockets!