SHEARER SPEAKS AHEAD OF CLASH

Following last weeks hard earned point against Manchester United, Magpies' skipper Shearer has been left frustrated by Newcastle's inconsistency.

He said: "The year has started well for us, we're happy with our form of late but we have to keep it going.

"We had a great result at Southampton in the FA Cup, a decent three points at home to Leeds and a very good point at Old Trafford.

"Not many teams will go to Old Trafford and snuff Manchester United out as we did but that's what has been frustrating about our season - we've been brilliant in some games and awful in others.

"If we were brilliant in the majority then we'd be up there with Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea.

"As it is we're not challenging for the title, but we are challenging for fourth place and we have to make sure we get that.

"That means keeping the run going, and without being disrespectful, Fulham at home is a game we should win."

Newcastle had a poor start to last year's season, but ended up in the fourth Champions League spot.

Shearer added: "It's now and February when the so-called big teams start to kick on.

"And if the Newcastle United that turns up is the one that has played the first three games of the year then we have every chance of taking points from the games ahead.

"But if it's the Newcastle that turned up against Leicester and Blackburn over Christmas then we have every chance of coming away with nothing.

"Which one turns up. we'll have to wait and see." Tonight will see Shearer play his 700th game for club and country and bagged himself two goals in October when Newcastle came from two goals down to beat Fulham 3-2 at Loftus Road.

He added: "We got a great result down there despite being 2-0 down after only eight minutes. "Very rarely do you come back and win games from that position in our league.

"We did on that occasion, but we don't want to give ourselves another mountain to climb."

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