..of seeing Big Al back in our team. I couldn't attend the webcast but came on and read the thread later. It made me so incredibly happy to see Shearer score not one but two goals.

And finally we have slowly let him in to the team. Reserve game, sub, and today only 70 mins something. I hope this goes for all injured players in the future.

-- Anonymous, September 09, 2001

Answers

There is a wonderful picture this morning in the Sunday Times of AS with arms aloft in front of the Toon Army after scoring his excellent 2nd goal. He has a huge beam across his face. I've tried to find it on line to post it on here, but can't fnd it.

I hope BR now continues with some caution, recognising that Alan still is not match fit, and avoids the old temptation to play him for 90 minutes of every game.

He is 32 yrs old, he potentially still has plenty of goals left in him - but he needs to be protected to preserve and extend what is left of an extraordinary career.

-- Anonymous, September 09, 2001

You have to admire him: he's been out for months (to all intents and purposes since Christmas), isn't match fit and missed a pen against the Makems. I'd have forgiven him for asking Nobbs to do it. But no, up steps the great man with all the guts you'd expect of him. Pure class.

-- Anonymous, September 09, 2001

I had the pleasure of listening to the game on Metro, but the phone- ins afterwards were a great laugh.

Newcastle fans sang the team's praises, good result etc, great to see Shearer back.

Sunderland fans, instead of saying the team played well, go on about how Shearer is past it and how Newcastle haven't beaten the Mackems in 6 years. The commentator who was answering the calls was getting a bit fed up at one Mackem caller who seemed reluctant to talk about anything other than Newcaslte.

Shearer is apparently 25-1 to be top scorer this season. Worth a flutter?

-- Anonymous, September 09, 2001

Wait until Peter Reid starts with the beeb for the world cup. If we can't shut them up now, it'll be a million times worse then.

-- Anonymous, September 09, 2001

The last thing I want is for Peyter Reid to watch more football, he might learn how to play a style that doesn't involve lumping it to Quinny. That could be dangerous.

-- Anonymous, September 10, 2001