Nowhere Else To Go But Down

All that is left to do is pray.

Following last night's announcement that Geordie hero Alan Shearer would take the reigns at the blighted, but beloved Newcastle United Football Club, Toon fans will be hanging from the rafters and downing the ale. 

In the back of the rest of our minds lies the question; "Does he really know what he's doing?"

Let's be honest—Shearer is no mug.

He certainly wouldn't accept this position on the same knee-jerk terms which saw another Geordie hero crash and burn.

Keegan, like Mike Ashley, failed to live up to the Geordie faithful's high expectations. He found that his miraculous return was not all it was cracked up to be.

Likewise, Ashley found that owning a football club isn't as easy as donning a replica jersey, chugging some beer, and posing for pictures with your gut hanging out.

However, with reports of Dennis Wise leaving the club as late as this summer and handing, or dropping, the Director of Football mantle over to Joe Kinnear, it seems as if the club might have finally gotten their act together. Let's just hope it's not too late.

By that time the club could be in the championship—relegation is still a very realistic option.

In Shearer we have someone who has very little management experience and still lacks the necessary UEFA pro license.

Not like any of that matters anyway.

What Shearer will bring to Newcastle is a much needed injection of optimism, enthusiasm, drive, and most importantly—desire.

Nicky Butt said earlier in the week that the team needed a true leader and in Shearer they have just that. 

Despite this, the most important appointments are still to come.

For Shearer to be successful in leading the club to safety, and keeping his heroic reputation intact, smart decisions need to be made when appointing his backroom staff.

Don't expect to see Chris Hughton and Colin Calderwood hang around much longer. 

If Newcastle want to survive, they need to surround Shearer with experienced coaches who can help, not just Shearer, but the team with their expertise.

We've already made one romantic managerial decision that didn't work out too well. It is imperative that this decision works out for the best.

If it doesn't?

Then there is nowhere else to go, but down.