31st March 2005
By
Dev
Alan Shearer... the man simply needs no introduction. A living legend
who's name and reputation is known all around the globe. The man is
already as big as Jackie Milburn, partly because most of us are too
young to really judge or love Wor Jackie but also because it's true.
I don't need to tell anyone how many goals Alan Shearer has scored...
or what he has done for North-East football.
I needn't mention that he could have signed for our 'charva' rivals
Manchester United, but instead opted to sign for Newcastle on a decade-to-decade
contract. I don't have to explain any of it to anyone because we all
know it off by heart.
But what we don't know and many would argue we should, is he playing
on next season? And where on this planet do we find a replacement
for the man?
The biggest question now in all minds of Newastle fans is, who is
going to replace Alan Shearer? The tabloids will no doubt continue
to play lead role in the play... but here's what we've heard so far...
Andrew Johnson 24 - Crystal Palace
Birmingham City reject, Johnson is fast getting a name for himself
with a recent England call-up and a goal-scoring record that puts
all but one to shame. That one being no other than Arsenal and France
striker, Theirry Henry. Johnson was a key player and top scorer last
season for Palace scoring 28 goals. This season Johnson has bagged
18 in the Premier League, nine of them spot-kicks.
Here's the rest...
Yakubu 23 - Portsmouth
Yakubu has 14 goals this season including 4 scored in the Cup and
5 penalties. Although he is only 21, has great strength, good pace,
a thunderous strike and has looked great at times, on current form,
morale and attitude... it could be a very expensive gamble. He looks
lazy at times and would have to shape up a little to justify his price-tag.
Robbie Keane 25 - Tottenham Hotspur
Keane has 9 goals in the League this season with 2 coming from the
penalty spot. Injury free, Tottenham's Robbie Keane could be worth
a look. Current form shows Robbie fit and looking sharp and yet still
finding it hard to get a game at Spurs. If he was available on the
cheap he would be a bargain based on current form and a good signing.
But he's not a scratch on Shearer and nowhere near prolific enough.
Peter Crouch 24 - Southampton
13 goals this term in total with 9 in the League, 4 in domestic Cups
and 1 being a penalty. Not a bad record for a young lad, but considering
there are only two 9ft players in the Premier League and in Ameobi,
Newcastle have one of them. Personally I don't see Crouch as a suitable
replacement for Shola, let alone Alan Shearer.
Robert Earnshaw 23 - West Bromwich Albion
10 goals in the League, 3 in the Cup. 'Ernie' as they call him, is
fast becoming known for coming off the bench and grabbing a goal.
Who knows how many he would score if were to start more often. Might
be worth a look if West Brom go down but only as a back-up. Good little
super-sub who can come on and nick a goal.
Alan Smith 23 - Manchester United
9 goals this season, 5 in the League and 4 in the Cups. Unfortunately
we have not seen much of 'Smudge' this season. Alan Smith is young,
strong, ambitious and he will fight for his club. Smith has a winning
attitude but his suspect temper has often grabbed the head-lines.
Most fans would welcome Alan Smith to St. James' Park with open arms
I feel, but again... Smith has never been prolific in terms of his
goalscoring and it would be a big ask of the lad to replace Shearer.
He would however, be more than welcome to Bellamy's old shirt.
Now after reading my run-down on some of the players Newcastle Utd
have recently been linked with, you will see that we are nowhere nearer
to finding the new Alan Shearer.
Andy Johnson is a consistent goalscorer and would be an excellent
signing... but, expect a scramble for his signature in the summer
and his price to 'rocket'. For a deal to be done it would have to
be swift to avoid the auction.
It has to be Johnson, Jermaine Defoe or Michael Owen or maybe Smith...
that's the bottom line. The rest are all a huge step down from Wor
Al. It could end up being a very expensive summer for Newcastle United.
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