Brave Shearer takes on Toon mantle

AS everyone will know, the spectacular news coming out of St. James' Park is that Alan Shearer will take the reigns until the end of the season.

The appointment of the club legend at some point down the line was inevitable and it has been met with excitement, enthusiasm and optimism. So it should be, after all, for a club that has lost its way, a figure such as Alan Shearer will help reinstall the pride at Newcastle United.

Shearer understands the club and its supporters. The former- captain will be an essential link between the team and its fans. Under the regime of Mike Ashley with Joe Kinnear, Chris Hughton and Colin Calderwood at the helm, the fans have never been so distant from those representing the club. With the ownership failing to recognise what Newcastle United means to its city, fans have been betrayed and insulted and so supporters became keen spectators unable to fully back the hierarchy.

Newcastle United's record goalscorer changes that. There is no doubt that the supporters to a man will be behind Shearer. The atmosphere at St. James' Park on Saturday will be extraordinary and this great club will be united in its fight for survival. Nevertheless, such euphoria is reminiscent of Kevin Keegan's greeting over a year ago.

It was the messiah, now it's the turn of the king. This should be approached with caution. Mike Ashley has appointed the only man who will get an outstanding reception from the Toon fans. In a political sense, Ashley has spared himself backlash if the team does get relegated; after all, he gave the fans the man they wanted. But he should heed warning after his treatment of Keegan, only a fool makes the same mistake twice.

In September 1999, the highly experienced Bobby Robson took charge of a Newcastle team bottom of the league; he guided the team to safety and to an 11th place finish. In January 2008, Keegan returned to take charge of a demoralised, beaten side who were perilously close to the relegation zone; after a turbulent start he managed to guide the team to 12th place. An inexperienced Shearer comes in to a Newcastle side in freefall, currently 18th in the league and with only eight games left to play (including Chelsea at home and Liverpool and Aston Villa away). Even a dream set up of Robson, Keegan and Shearer would be up against it.

For Ashley this is a chance to cover his back. If Shearer was always in his plans he would have, and should have, appointed him earlier.

Ironically, the pressure on the team and its supporters has increased with Shearer's arrival. It is all or nothing. If Newcastle go down with Shearer, be sure that the nation will address Alan Shearer as the man who failed to save Newcastle United from relegation. The nation will be happy to ignore the poor running of the club and enjoy piling the blame on the Magpies cherished number nine. If Shearer pulls off a miracle, Ashley avoids criticism and will be acknowledged as the man who made the telling call.

Nonetheless, this is yet another significant moment to add to the Newcastle United history books. Perhaps it's came too soon in Shearer's career, that said, the biggest club in the world, Barcelona, are led by former player and native Catalan Josep Guardiola, 38 years old and in his first proper managerial role; He was appointed because he understands the club and the region inside out and is doing a fine job, so it can work. Regardless of the boards dubious agendas, Shearer, who exemplified courage and an ability to handle pressure throughout his playing days, is taking a big personal risk for the sake of his football club and will rightly have the backing of all Newcastle fans.