Our club has finally been given the all clear by Dr Shepherd and have been cleared of the “cancer” that is Graeme Souness. A dismal 3-0 defeat at the COMS sparked the end of the Scot after board members apparently feared a fans’ backlash in the game against Portsmouth.

A decision long overdue; after all it came 6 months too late. We have to move on now however and remain United.

On Thursday afternoon I was told of Souness’ sacking and I couldn’t believe it. The man had never even made Newcastle look like a team and they were starting to fall apart, as were the fans who were starting to turn on each other. I didn’t believe the person who told me at first. “You’re Lying” I said time and time again but he remained adamant that the man was no longer in charge of the club.

I asked many a people and they told me the same. I rushed to find a computer and turned on the Sky Sports website. My dreams had come true and he had gone.

The search for a new man is on and this time Freddy has got to get it right (Hitzfeld for me). The new manager is the future though and we now have to focus on the present.

Now that Souness has gone and a new temporary management team of Glenn Roeder and Alan Shearer (congratulations Big Al… and Glenn) have been put it place, it is time to salvage our season.

The pessimistic among us would say that our season is long gone, but we have to believe that the pessimism left with Souness and the optimism is here to stay. There are still 14 more Premiership games left and hopefully a lot more action in the FA Cup.

There is another 42 points for us to potentially collect between now and May. We have to keep believing we can get at least 30 points on the board. We may be 6 points off relegation, but we are only 12 points off a European place. That is only 4 wins and we have to hope that the top 6 start to slip up. If they do, we have the chance to capitalise.

Also in the FA Cup, we face a home tie to Southampton in the 5th Round. With Arsenal already out, the possibility of a shock exit for Chelsea and with either one of Manchester United or Liverpool definitely out; we have to believe that it is our year. It has all been set up for us to win it.

Wembley is ready to open its doors again, the ‘smaller’ sides are still in the competition and the top 4 are focused elsewhere, we have to make it happen. Our name could be on the trophy and we have to have the grit and determination to go all the way; if not for the departing Alan Shearer, then for everyone who has strived the past 50 years to try and make it happen.

It is going to be a long final stretch however if we are going to make something of this disaster. The fans should be up for it and 52,000 should have their voices back, they were in fine voice at the weekend.

The players are finally training properly (stretches, exercises, routines and NO 5-a-Side matches) and they are ready for this fight. Shearer and Roeder have installed some passion back into the side as evidenced by the fine 2-0 win over Portsmouth.

They should be ready to attack every ball, get forward, entertain the crowd, score goals, defend well but most importantly, remain United. The games we face are not too tough (on paper). Manchester United at Old Trafford and Liverpool and Chelsea at St. James’ Park are tough ones of course but we have to fancy ourselves on the day now that some of our players are returning from injury.

The fans are no longer fighting and protests are something of the past now. Things are starting to look up on Tyneside. Dyer, Parker and Emre are back and Owen and Taylor are on the road to recovery. Souness and his ridiculous medical staff are out and the prospect of Ottmar Hitzfeld, Martin O’Neill, Guus Hiddink or whoever has to make you drool at the mouth in anticipation of what could be a new exciting era at United.

The media and bookies may have their say but a top quality manager is who the fans really want. Do we don’t want Bruce, O’Leary or even Big Sam? Not many do from what I gather, although I can’t speak for all.

For me the only way we will move forward is by appointing someone like Hitzfeld or that type of manager. When a chairman shows ambition, he hires a man like Hitzfeld to take the reigns; a man with medals in his cabinet at home and a man who can succeed wherever he steps foot so take note Freddy Shepherd!

Like I have already said though, these things are the future and the welfare of Newcastle United is the present. This is our time to show England that we are not dead. Wigan have shown that it is possible for the underdogs to come out on top, the stage is set and it is time for Newcastle United to deliver. Howay the Lads!