Bobby on Shearer in the Ronnie:

"He can walk fairly freely and appears to be very positive but my gut feeling is that we won't risk him again this season unless we really have to. Of course Alan doesn't see it like that!

"It's important that we get him in tip-top condition and that means he has to be completely and utterly right. If it means he doesn't play again until next season then he doesn't play until next season. It's as simple as that.

"He'd love to play in the games against Arsenal, Southampton and Aston Villa and there's a derby coming up - it's nice to talk to a player who hasn't written his season off, but we have to be careful."

-- Anonymous, March 31, 2001

Answers

If he can walk, why didn't he play yesterday?

-- Anonymous, April 01, 2001

Unfortunately, the same article said if things went badly in the next three fixtures, they might have to consider him playing again this season.
Some Clubs I'm afraid just never seem to learn.

-- Anonymous, April 01, 2001

Yes, but Bobby has always willingly put Shearer in the minute he could walk unaided in the past. The fact that he is now saying he'll only risk him if we're truly desperate is a major improvement. Honestly if we were on the verge of relegation, I'd have no problem with Shearer playing 1 or 2 games if that might make the difference. I can't see us getting that desperate though if we can manage to scrabble a couple more draws. Or even (whisper it) a win.

-- Anonymous, April 01, 2001

Come on we're only 9 points off europe.

-- Anonymous, April 01, 2001