It’s all about the fans, says returning hero Shearer

New Toon boss set for debut

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HERO: Alan Shearer acknowledges Newcastle fans at St James’ Park.

ALAN Shearer insists his return to St James’ Park cannot be allowed to detract from the serious situation the club are in.

The Magpies’ record goalscorer has taken as manager over for the final eight matches of the season with the club in deep trouble near the foot of the table.

They are third-bottom, two points from safety having won one of their past 12 matches, and host Chelsea tomorrow.

The hype surrounding the return of the man who scored 206 goals in 404 appearances during a 10-year spell at his home-town club has been phenomenal.

After a speaking to a packed press conference at St James’ Park he went out to acknowledge the chants of around 500 fans who had gathered outside.

However, Shearer said what he had achieved on the field must now be forgotten as he bids to keep the club he loves in the Premier League.

“I have had a reputation as a player but that has gone, I’m moving on to something different now,” said the 38-year-old TV pundit, who has been given a two-month sabbatical by his employers.

“I’ll be judged over the eight games, as every single manager is. I have not come into this with my eyes shut, I know what the stakes are.

“I understand why the fans are excited – because it is myself and Newcastle United – but we have to get away from this Alan Shearer thing.

“It is not about me, it is about keeping this club in the Premier League. I’ll be trying as hard as I can to get away from that.

“Yes, I’ll give the fans as much as we can, but we have to try to get away from this thing about me, we have a job to do.

“The fans know me more than anyone does. They know they will get 100%, 24 hours a day for the next seven or eight weeks.

“But I want to put the focus on to the players because they are the important ones.”

Meanwhile, Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has urged the Blues to combat the ‘Shearer effect’ at St James’ Park in order to keep their fading title hopes alive.

Lampard said: “We have to react to the atmosphere and we have to try and get a result to put us back on track after the Tottenham game.”