SHEARER: Newcastle Are "Off The Pace"


By Matthew Jones
December 22 2003

Newcastle United skipper Alan Shearer fears that The Magpies' will not be able to break back into the elite group of title contenders this season. Newcastle are still languishing 15 points adrift of league leaders Manchester United and are contenders only for the fourth Champions League spot.

Newcastle United skipper Alan Shearer fears that The Magpies' will not be able to break back into the elite group of title contenders this season. Newcastle are still languishing 15 points adrift of league leaders Manchester United and are contenders only for the fourth Champions League spot.

“Apart from Blackburn, no-one has been able to break Manchester United and Arsenal's stranglehold on the Premiership,” said Shearer, who was part Rovers' 1995 championship winning side.

“I wouldn't say it's like the Scottish Premier League but it's very difficult to break into because a lot of teams can't compete financially.

“I thought Newcastle were in touching distance, which is one of the reasons I joined the club. It didn't turn out that way - we finished second in the league twice and got to two FA Cup finals.

“But you might as well not bother if you are going to finish second.

“We are part of a mini-league which is competing for that last place [4th place].

“Ourselves, Liverpool, Charlton, Fulham and Southampton are all involved.

“It is going to be tough but we must make sure we get there because we let ourselves down when we got knocked out of the Champions League earlier in the season.”

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"OFF THE PACE"