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E-Mails: Alan Shearer's Decision Not To Retire |
A selection of your e-mails, submitted following Alan Shearer's decision
not to retire at the end of season 2004-05 has he had previously claimed
he would. There are also one or two e-mails regarding the Bowyer/Dyer
fight, Souness and the general running of the club. Newcastle-Online
have kept surnames private to protect the individual and have only
edited for spelling/grammar errors: Thanks to everyone who wrote in.
George - Great news, if nothing else it gives us
more time to get the right man in to fill his boots, Yakubu never
struck me as an ideal replacement, don't want to temp fate but the
Smogs are welcome to him. One day AS will be a top class manager,
and one day it will be at Newcastle, when it happens there will be
no doubt he is doing it not for money or status but because like us
all he just loves NUFC.
Pria - Praise to Allah. Most Gracious. Most Merciful.
I have been praying for this day since I first heard of the dreaded
idea of Alan hanging his boots up! Although at times it seemed inevitable,
I believe Alan would make the right decision eventually. Alhamdullilah.
Thanks Alan. Nobody does it better. How many woke up yesterday and
thought they'd seen the worst Toon Army April Fool's gag? I spent
the whole night searching all over the net for tit bits and confirmation
of the story. Souness finally did the impossible. I was happy at Shearer's
decision and the next thing I know, what should have been a payback
match for our earlier loss at Villa Park, we became tabloid fodder
for the next few days once again... oh and we lost 3 guys against
Manure. Kieron Dyer and Lee Bowyer are the new Le Saux and Batty...
just what we need eh? Heaven forbid if Faye and Butt get injured.
We are a pretty colorful club despite the black & white colors
of Newcastle United! Never a dull moment eh?
Bryan M - I think it's fantastic that he's staying
on. I always thought that he should. 18 goals in 30 starts this season.
I defy you to find any other striker at that age scoring so regularly
at this level. The man is a total legend and NUFC are just not ready
for life without Shearer just yet. We need his leadership and his
inspiration. The younger players no doubt idolize him. Taylor has
often spoken about the awe he feels training beside him. NUFC needs
Shearer it's a simple as that.
Jon S - I think Shearer is a living legend and his
presence at the club at this time is vital. He's playing well and
scoring goals, why should he retire? I'm sure he'll nick another 20
next season too.
Paul W - This is great news for the club, Souness,
the team and the Toon Army. How can Shearer retire when he's still
banging them in at the highest level. He's not as quick as he once
was and does look tired in some games but there are none better at
banging them in. Give him the right service and he'll score goals
no matter how old he is. Fantastic news. I'm cock a hoop as our all
my mates who follow the Magpies. Now lets win something!
Martin M - No doubt Shearer's decision not to retire
will have been discussed in length. He's not stupid and knows his
own body but I have doubts whether he can cut it for another year
I really do. It's wonderful news for him and the club but I fear we
will become more predictable then we are now next year if Shearer
plays all the time. I think he might regret his decision if the club
continue to struggle and it would be a shame to see him bow out with
the club in a bad position. When he joined he was one of the best
in the world and we were right up there with Man United as the top
club in the country. Happy but concerned.
Rick A - I'm glad Alan Shearer's staying at the club.
He is an excellent leader. However, I think he should concentrate
on coaching next season and play only the odd match in an emergency.
He is not as fast as he once was and the team have to play too much
to him. Alan could still be an inspiration to new striker talent as
the forward line re-builds. Let's not see one of the best strikers
ever deteriorate into mediocrity and inconsistency - remember Peter
Beardsley in his final season?
Mal R - It is tremendous that Alan is staying. I
have followed Newcastle all my life and was there when we won The
Intercity Fairs Cup the first time. It would be really great to see
Big AL lift it for the second time. So carry on Alan and long may
you continue. A life long supporter.
Nick - There is no word that is big enough to explain
what this means to me and probably a lot of other fans. To even try
would simply not justify the feelings that I had when I woke up this
morning and read the news. Newcastle and Shearer forever!
Steve K - When I logged onto your site this morning
I thought ha ha, it's a wind up, an april fool joke but no, it wasn't
and I'm absolutely over the moon that the greatest player I've ever
saw is to stay on for one more year. He can still do it as he's shown
this year and we can't afford to cut him loose so this is the perfect
decision for all. Congrats Bi Al and I look forward to seeing that
arm of your's in the air more often. An excited Toon exile.
Ally C - Definite mixed feelings on this news. I'm
chuffed that Shearer is staying on as I love him to bits and he's
arguably our best ever player. I just don't want him to retire on
a whimper. We stand a great chance of winning silverware this season
and for Shearer to hold the trophy on his last appearance would be
amazing. Shearer says that he feels the club is moving forward which
is fair enough as a reason to stay, I just hope he is up to it. His
goal tally in the league isn't brilliant this season, but his influence
on the pitch is irreplaceable. I trust that Shearer feels his body
is up to another season of top flight football, because if it isn't
no one would have thought twice if that was his reason for retiring.
He has had some horrible injuries and its surprising his body has
lasted this long to be honest! One thing though, and I hope Souness
has made this clear, he can't expect to play every minute of every
game next season. He should be used in the way Arsenal use Bergkamp
- he starts and then tends to come off with about 20 minutes to go
and it works well.
Andrew B - I think it's class how Shearer is staying
on as player coach because the striker who ever it is that comes in
the summer will be glad to have Shearer by their side plus coaching
him/them.
Sarah H - I was there the day Alan was paraded in
front of all the fans and I never imagined so many years later that
he would become so iconic and important to this club, even at his
age which just goes to show how great a player he is and how great
a man he is. I'm well pleased for him and for the fans as we need
him more than ever now.
Dave A - Today, my feelings are of resignation over
Big Al's U-turn. Great player, could have been a great leader (unconvincing
captain in my book), but unarguably past his best. It's hard not to
see this as another example of the club milking this cash cow for
one more season whilst putting off the difficulty of replacing AS
for another year. Obviously Freddie knows he can't get a replacement
that will generate the excitement required and he's loath to support
Souness in bringing in a journeyman. Maybe he just doesn't want to
spend the money. The faithful will continue to put their hands in
their pockets for the tickets, the shirts and memorabilia, allowing
the club to make more profit on this legend in decline.
A cynic might think that another year of relative decline, would bring
the share price down and allow a more affordable buy-back for Shepherd
and Hall, thus gaining them the full control of the club. Shearer
should have retired gracefully this season and the vacuum left would
have forced the club to replace him with only the best. Sad to say
that's not now going to happen. The only realistic hope is that Shearer
will feel so secure in his position having broken Jackie's record
and as player/coach, he'll bench himself now and again rather than
demand a starting place regardless of form. It's a hope but I'm not
too hopeful! I suppose if we lift one of the cups this season then
nobody will give damn about next season anyway. As I said, resigned....
Ken - April Fool? That was the first thing that came
to my mind when I heard that Shearer decided to play on!! That is
just great! To the fans, the manager, the chairman and most importantly
to NUFC. Shearer obviously has a lot of hunger left in him and he
is our star striker. Who do we have besides the enigmatic Kluivert
to partner? Please don't mention Ameobi... he is hopeless. Bellamy's
future is straying away from St. James' Park and that leaves us with
NOTHING. Souness has to find a 20 + goals a season striker next season.
Shearer made Souness' job a lot more easier if he continue to lead
the pack. HOORAY SHEARER!!!!!!
Zebra - Good news I think. AS could still continue
to be an asset for the club, however, he has to become a squad player.
He can no longer expect to play 90 minutes of every game; 60 minutes
or as super sub is when he will be most effective. But will Souness'
blinkers and Alan's ego allow this? I would think that he will be
worth at least 15 goals to us next season.
James - Absolutely brilliant, it gives us more time
to find a quality and suitable replacement for Shearer.
KS - Very good news!!! To see Shearer play for Toon
one more season will be great!! I simply love it!!
Dev - Pleased isn't the word. I feel like a huge
weight has fell off my back. The truth as we all know is, nobody can
replace Alan Shearer. 18 goals this season with almost 10 weeks out.
The way he moves defenders around and holds up the ball is second
to none. As a coach, who could be better? But... there is more to
this U-Turn I think. Shearer truly believes we are almost there. Within
a season or 2 we could be up with the best. But still... I think Newcastle
are about to get lucky. Watch this space...
Paully - Does Shearer know something we don't? On
first reaction my thoughts were is he mad. The club aren't going anywhere
fast if this season is anything to by, we don't have funds to compete
with the top and the squad isn't exactly great. Yet he decides to
change his mind, something he never ever does. It can't be money,
he's loaded and it can't be the lure of being a player coach because
that was his designated job anyway for when he retired so what has
made him change his mind? Goals? The buzz of playing? Possibly but
he's scored plenty of goals and is on course to grab the record anyway.
Something doesn't seem quite right. Is Freddie going to sell the club
or bring in outward investment???? Is that what changed Shearer's
mind? Knowing the club will have money to buy the best!!! I'd love
it if that's why he changed his mind. Time will tell...
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