Shearer shocked by Toon slump

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Shearer retired three years ago with 206 Newcastle goals to his name and could not have envisaged that the club that had secured three successive top-five finishes in the Barclays Premier League, reached two FA Cup finals, enjoyed two Champions League campaigns and contested a UEFA Cup semi-final during his time there, would so quickly be fighting for top-flight survival.

He said: "No, I am as surprised as anyone at the situation we are in. But we are in it, so we have got to face it head on and we have got to get out of it, and that's what we are trying to do."

Newcastle's hopes of preserving their 16-year stay in the Premier League rest on the final three games of a traumatic season, although there is little doubt that if they do not beat derby rivals Middlesbrough at St James' on Monday evening, they can all but wave goodbye to the big time.

With both sides locked together inside the relegation on 31 points - the Magpies are better off only on goal difference - and three points adrift of safety, a failure to win for either could prove fatal.

He said: "We are in the situation we are in - and Middlesbrough are as well - because previous results haven't gone as well as people would have hoped.

"But I believe we have still got enough time, I still believe we have got enough in the dressing room to get us out of this and I have got confidence in my squad.

"The pleasing thing is that results keep going for us elsewhere. Yes, there have been one or two occasions when we could have changed that ourselves and we haven't.

"But, from a positive side of things, other teams haven't taken advantage of that, so we are all still in it, we are all still fighting and we will be fighting to the very end, believe me."