Shearer urged to speak out

Having just about stabilised the Beasts sinking ship, Gareth Southgate has looked outward 45 miles up the road and decided to have his tuppence worth about things at wor club. Not least was the situation surrounding his former international team mate, Big Al. Southgate has urged him to either throw his hat in the ring or deny interest in the job to either back or sack Allardyce:

"Sam is a very experienced manager and I think he will be able to guide them through the times they are having at the moment. I am sure he could do with Alan coming out and saying 'I'm not interested' or whatever. I don't know if it piles extra pressure on Sam with Alan not saying anything. All I do know is that Newcastle are higher in the table than they were this time last year, and I am sure they will end up finishing higher than they did last season.'

Quite why he needs to do that is echoed by the LMA chairman John Barnwell, who said:

"In terms of Gareth's comments I don't know why he is involving himself in conversations about other football clubs He should focus on his own club. But if you want success you do not get it by constantly changing your manager."