According to newspaper reports, it looks as though Shearer has lost the battle to play again this season. Apparently, the latest scans on his knee have indicated the damaged area of tendon has not healed as well as had been hoped, and it is reported he is now 90% certain to need further surgery - this time to be carried out my the Specialist in Colorado.

-- Anonymous, April 15, 2001

Answers

Thank god for that! Not that his injury is worse than suspected(no surprise really), but that he's finally going to get the rest and care he needs. Looking forward to seeing him back next season, healthy and hungry for goals.

-- Anonymous, April 15, 2001

time to let the Shearer era come to a close. We can no longer expect him to be THE front man for the side.Two major surgeries in the past five years means the man can only hope to be a consistent player and scorer for us. We need to start building a side that can and will win WITHOUT him.

-- Anonymous, April 15, 2001

....really?

Let's write him off when he is fully fit, and has played for three months without doing the business. I think he'll surprise you sparxx.

-- Anonymous, April 15, 2001

I'd ask anyone to nam a player to come off two major knee surgeries and be even 25% the player they were. Not that I don't want to see Big Al back at it plundering defenses, but I think if we wait for it without an alternative we're gonna be looking up at the rest next season as well.

-- Anonymous, April 15, 2001

Well I certainly agree with that sparxx - I'm foolishly assuming that someone at SJP might realise that, but I suppose they haven't cottoned on to that fact since they sold Les, so why should they now?

-- Anonymous, April 15, 2001

Admirable loyalty to Shearer as ever Clarky, but we certainly can't rely on him. I think he's never going to be the same dynamic threat up front, but might make a reasonable occasional poacher. Pre-season will tell if he has any first-team future. Meanwhile the constantly demeaned Carl Cort continues to look threatening. I'd make him one of four players we have (along with Harper, Griffin and Dyer) that could hold down a place Champions-League-challenging Toon side. There's certainly a lot of strenghtening to be done. I finally agree we should cash in on Nobby - the Peru comeback is the last straw. Dyer on the right leaves at least three midfield places to fill, and only Acuna looks like he should have any chance of playing more than the odd game. Sell Speed, forget Lee, for Christ's sake sign a left- footer to provide some width. With a dominant central defender (Sandi Knavs, assuming Sol Campbell is about as likely to join Carlisle as us), a good Number 10 (are you fit Mr Bridges?), a central midfielder in the Davids mould (though who in their right mind would want to join us?) and a goalscoring left-winger (hopefully better than Kachloul) we might do something other than hope to avoid relegation. Is there any chance of Green and Kerr beign good enough to cover the midfield slots so we can offload more of the dross?

-- Anonymous, April 16, 2001

I certainly agree that we can't rely on Shearer Dan2, but IMO we should never have allowed ourselves to be so utterly dependant on him anyway. As one of four front-line strikers he would be fine - assuming of course he makes a full recovery from what is a very worrying knee problem.

BTW, fom the little I've seen of Green & Kerr, I can't see either of them making any significant contribution next season, if at all - they're both lightweight.

-- Anonymous, April 16, 2001

Apparently, Shearer announced live on Radio Metro this afternoon that he definitely will not play again this season. He said he was scheduled to fly to Vail, Colorado in early May to have further surgery on his left knee, this time by the well-known Orthopaedic Specialist, Richard Steadman.
That should at least end the speculation, and hopefully we have a fully fit skipper raring to go at the start of next season.

-- Anonymous, April 16, 2001

Founder member of the 'Gang of Four' plus Screacher says Mr Clark is 100% acurate with regard to AS. Keep up the good work comrade.

-- Anonymous, April 16, 2001

Teamtalk are reporting tonight that AS may have immediate surgery that could even keep him out of the start of next season after a consultation with a top knee surgeon.

Shearer has flown to the USA for a second consultation with top knee surgeon Dr Richard Steadman, and the result could well be an immediate operation that could delay his comeback until early in the new season.

Shearer had hoped to be back in the North-East by Saturday in order to watch United take on Sunderland at the SoL, but the increasing likelihood is that Steadman will decide he needs an immediate operation on his tendinitis-ridden knee to prevent the problem posing a greater threat to his long-term career.

-- Anonymous, April 18, 2001

Look on the bright side; knowledge that he will be out at the start of next season will effect season-ticket sales unless they stop standing around with their thumbs up their arses and actually sign another striker people have heard of (in a good way). They can sign all the possibles they like, but they need some oven-ready talent as well.

-- Anonymous, April 18, 2001

Excellent point Softie. I just wish they'd finish their Fantasy Team picks, gets their heads (and thumbs!) out of their @rses, and get down to identifying some serious transfer candidates who are within our reach.

If not, those players will all be signed up by more practical Clubs who are also looking to improve their squads, and we will be left scambling around at the last minute making loan signings of unknown Argentinians and Georgians.

-- Anonymous, April 18, 2001

I'm available. Min will give me a great reference. However, you may prefer to keeo your collective fingers up your collective @rses. Worrabout Dwight Yorke??

-- Anonymous, April 18, 2001

Well Al certainly won't be able to see the match in Denver. Anyone wanna point him to the webcast and our matchday thread? It's not the same, but it's better than nothing. :-)

-- Anonymous, April 18, 2001

Aw Clarky, I find that bit of news really disappointing! Unless they make some spectacular signings through the summer, I can see us being in the usual position of Big Al being pushed back on the pitch before he`s ready. Personally I don`t want to see him playing again until he`s 110 per cent fit. And I mean fit by expert medical standards, not just in his own opinion.(:o|

-- Anonymous, April 19, 2001

Are we getting a bulk discount from Dickie Knee Steadman? He could do AS and RL at the same time.

As for AS coming back - 100% agreement that it should not be until he is fully fit, and even so, he must realise that he will not be an automatic choice. Sadly, with the strikers we have on the books at present, he will be. Please don't get me going on (and on and on) about needing 4 top class strikers (we probably have 1.5 at best, when all are fit).

-- Anonymous, April 19, 2001

IMO, a 100% fit Alan Shearer will still score lurds of goals and be a regular selection in the team. That's not to say he shouldn't be rested now and then, because he's at the age were that just makes good sense in prolonging his career.

We still need at the very least one more top class striker - but a fast, clever and mobile blerk who knows where the net is.

-- Anonymous, April 19, 2001