By Tyne-Talk
May 15 2009
Both Newcastle manager Alan Shearer and Fulham manager Roy Hodgson have spoken out ahead of tomorrow's match, with Shearer admitting that he is relying on other results to go their way, and Hodgson sympathising with the position Newcastle find themselves in.
Shearer said ahead of the game;
"We can say we mean business with a victory on Saturday. We're out of the bottom three and we want to tell people that we don't want to be there again.
It's now in our hands and that's the way we want it to stay.
But I have always believed that we would get out of trouble.
Now we have a chance to stay up by winning on Saturday and I firmly believe we will do that.
That (3 points) would be ideal but we are relying on other results for that. We have just got to go out and do our stuff and then see what happens elsewhere.
It's very important to keep the momentum going but it's also very important not to get carried away. We have got a great chance, but we will respect Fulham because they are a tough side to beat with a very experienced manager.''
Hodgson said;
"All of us expected Alan to take the reins one day so it wasn't surprising when they turned to him, Alan is the iconic figure that was necessary for Newcastle in the situation they found themselves.
It gave the fans in particular a huge boost because the idol was returning to his stamping ground. It probably gave the players a lift as well.
His appointment has given the club a clear chance of avoiding relegation but we're going to do everything we can to make them stumble.
Perhaps Alan will still take them to safety. The victory against Boro was an incredible step as they're out of the bottom three.
The Geordie faith in their idol Alan will be justified. It's our job to put a spanner in the works but it will be a difficult task because of Alan's presence.
Being in that position is nerve-wracking. In training during the week it's not so bad because you're fully in control of the situation,
But on the Saturday when they take the pitch you're powerless. It's very frustrating, especially if you think the team has been well prepared for the match.''
MATCH PREVIEW/STATS/THREAD HERE
