A Hand to Take Hold of the Scene

Now that we're all aware it wasn't an April Fool and that Alan Shearer is the new Newcastle United manager, let's get down to it.

This is the last roll of the dice for Mike Ashley and the jokers in charge of the club; Alan Shearer has nothing to lose. By stating that he is in charge for the last eight games and the last eight games only he risks no long-term damage to his place in the hearts of supporters and protects himself from any criticism if he decides to walk away rather than continue next season, regardless of which division Newcastle United find themselves in. The promise of no emotion stretched as far as my personal feelings when the news broke as it isn't, for me, in the same league as Kevin Keegan's mental return last season. Shearer means as much to me as anyone associated with the club but the board's incompetence regarding this season meant any initial wave of optimism has taken more than a day to register. The departure of Dennis Wise from his position of Executive Director/Meddler (Football) late last night helped and left me feeling something like this.

The usual crows of 'no experience' are resonating but if Alan Shearer has half the success of Jurgen Klinsmann or Trevor Brooking then I think every Newcastle fan will be happy come May 24th. Villa and Tottenham fans are having a whinge via email and all the other tat that modern football has encouraged but this is the draw this club and this man has. People always want to have an opinion on Newcastle United be it good or ill but it has never mattered and it won't matter now. Eight games equals twenty-four points and Newcastle United need another fourteen to be sure of survival. If anyone can inspire this group of journeymen, has-beens and never-will-bes then it is Alan Shearer and it will be up there with Keegan's great escape from the jaws of the third tier if he pulls it off. The ability is there, desire and focus are needed.

Will Joe Kinnear be back? Ever the diplomat, Shearer is saying yes. The club has issued a statement stating that Wise will not be replaced. This, plus a successful stewardship for Shearer, ought to see the departure of JFK. Cheers Joe but goodbye. Onwards and upwards. In some respects.

"I envisage sitting in the stand next season watching Newcastle as a Premier League football club" - Alan Shearer, 2/4/09