I want to throw my hat in the ring and say that for me shearer is quite a way past his best, he is still the best at the club, however just having on the pitch isn't putting the fear of god into defenders like it used to. We have relied on him for too long now, the time is to move on, with cort and hopefully bridges. I think the possibility should be explored of moving shearer into defence, he reads the game well, knows all the tricks etc, etc. Do you think he would warm to the idea or would he discount it completly? If he truly wants to serve the club he loves then he should be prepared to do what it takes?

I don't want to see the day when he has to be substituted because he is getting no change from a second rate defender.

The cab is waiting outside

-- Anonymous, March 08, 2001

Answers

Just putting me coat on now!!!

-- Anonymous, March 08, 2001

RU sure U want 2 meet 4 that drink on Sat Syme? Shearer hasn't been fit for most of this season. Give him an oportunity to get back somewhere near full fitness before writing him off right now. He stiull has a major role to play up front - but he must be rotated. I would hate to see Ameobi stagnate because he was waiting for Shearer to get injured again.

The modern game is a squad game. The sad thing is that YBR doesn't seem to accept this as much as SAF or the likes of Vialli did. Shearer should be used selectively - then he's scare the sh!t out of opponents.

Now howay man, tek yer bliddy coat off and hev anitha drink.

-- Anonymous, March 08, 2001

I am not writing him off, I just think that he won't want to be used selectivly. If that is the case then I'd rather have young and mobile forwards than an older less mobile striker. Don't get me wrong I am a big fan of shearer I just don't want to get into a situation where he becomes untouchable in terms of team selection

-- Anonymous, March 08, 2001

Didn't Bobby say last weekend that he would have to move Shearer into defence if any of the back 4 were injured as there were no defenders on the bench.

-- Anonymous, March 08, 2001

Yes, but that was emphasis to make a point IMHO. If Shearer is to move anywhere, I'd think it was into midfield rather than defence.

-- Anonymous, March 08, 2001

If Shearer has to move anywhere to get a game for the Toon, I'd prefer it was out the door - and a dignified exit through the front door.

I think he's been a gem in the English game for 10 years, largely unappreciated by his many of his own folk, and I certainly don't want to see him humiliated by being asked to play either in midfield or in defence, which IMO would only see him eventually shuffling his way out the side exit.

-- Anonymous, March 08, 2001

Why should it be humiliating to play in midfield or defence? More like admitting to reality, that he doesn't have the pace to be a top striker forever, yet still has alot of strengths and experience that could serve him(and the team) well further back. It's all in how you look at it really. He already spends so much of each game performing midfield and defensive duties, it's not that great a leap.

Still, I think it's a little too early to write off his forward days just yet. Folks were writing off Teddy Sheringham and look at him this season. IF(!) Shearer has the chance to fully rest and recover, and is used wisely(as in not all 90min of every single league and cup game), he should still be able to serve us quite well up front for another year or two at least. He's just got to realize(along with coaching staff) he's no spring chicken anymore.

If anything, I think Shearer would probably feel far more humiliated if he had to leave NUFC to play anywhere else.

-- Anonymous, March 08, 2001

I like the idea of rotating him, so he faces the goal more often

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2001

Has everyone forgotten last season? 30 goals?

Have a look at this seasons goal-scoring charts and no-ones gonna get near that. The thing is that Shearer is at his best playing off a big target man ie. 96-97 with Les = 28 goals, 99-00 with Dunc = 30 goals. Playing him as the target man is like going out in the rain with an umbrella and not opening it.

-- Anonymous, March 10, 2001