Basic Errors

The season is drawing to a close and the inevitable debacle of relegation is ever closer. With that cloud drifting over we now need to consider the realities which Shearer has brought to our attention since coming to the club.

1 - The players aren't good enough.
This may sound obvious given the fact we're in the bottom three, but we have a volume of internationals who individually could do jobs (and have done) at higher levels. The but is that these players are simply not the right ones, and that is something which must heavily sit at the feet of Mssrs Kinnear, Wise and Ashley.
Its been said so many times, but Keegan wanted a left back, centre half, creative midfielder and big man up front. The players he was after were Riise, Dunne, Johnson, Gudjonson and potentially some 'names' as well. All four experienced premiership players who would have cost around £25m. Over the season we have seen Taylor, Nolan, Gonzalez, Xisco, Gutierrez and Collocini for around £25m. We have also lost Given and Milner. Of those brought in this season not one has made themselves a certain first teamer.
We simply need to start from scratch. Ideally I would strip the team apart, but lets see.

2 - We only have one left back
Keegan highlighted this and it was a major issue in the 'Wise' clash. Enrique has come on leaps and bounds, but since Nzogbia left we have no back up, and poor Bassong or Edgar will have to fill in (unless Duff is forced to make a fool of himself back there.

3 - The training ground needs to be reviewed
Shearer new about the injury issues when he came in, which is why Paul Ferris joined him, but there seems to be issue's with the pitches at Little Benton, and this needs to be addressed urgently.

4 - There are too many people working for NUFC
We have too many coaches, backroom staff and players. If Shearer stays their will be significant trimming and potentially in the boardroom as well.

Its pretty basic stuff, but Ashley wanted to change his structure and its hasn't worked. It saw Keegan leave, and has Kinnear become a joke. Lets hope Shearers advice is taken, even if he doesn't stay around to sort it himself.