A First For Newcastle, “VA F***ing R” & A Bonkers Night In The Champions League

19:39Micah Richards:No, it's not. They find a way. But I actually thought Benfica were outstanding. I thought they were brave. I thought they played some really good football. It looked like they was going to score on every time they went forward. Real Madrid would shell shot. However, I don't know what Real Madrid... So you've got... They're playing 4-4-2. And obviously Mbappe wasn't available because he's nursing some injury. But Goula's like a number 10 stroke. You can play him off the right-hand side. But he's played in the middle with Choumeni and Kamavinga left. And then Valverde right. But put Valverde in, like I'm not telling Abelola how to do his job, but I was thinking, it's too empty in the middle of the field.

20:29Micah Richards:Goulas, it works really hard, but he's a luxury number 10, get things going. He's not going to go up and down and back and forth. And Benfica's been allowed to go through the middle of the pitch so easily. I was thinking, no, this can't happen. They're going to get punished. And then Chiu-Himeni scored, didn't he? and he was like, okay, here we go.

20:49Alan Shearer:And obviously, and it was written that the winning goal will be scored by Vinicius and he does the celebration. Did you see him dancing as well? Yeah, quite right. Quite right. And what did you mean? I mean, Benfica sort of doubling down and taking Prestiani with him, even though he was obviously given a sort of suspension for that game, I thought was slightly provocative.

21:11Micah Richards:I mean, again, it's just cowardly, isn't it? Everything about the events that went on was just cowardly and it carried on and it was like i i understand if he's saying he's innocent you know and i know you understand why they just said okay let everything calm down and take take take the you can't call it a ban let's call it a rest should we call it a rest take the heat out of the situation yeah exactly that but then it's just why why did you just leave him at home wrap him in cotton wool whatever has happened he still said he's innocent is what it is but the whole thing it was just the whole theatre it was just what was the point I don't get it he wasn't allowed to play so what's the point in travelling nonsense

21:58Alan Shearer:I mean there were a few turn ups in this round importantly PSG I mean they didn't have it all their own way either the defending champions they're through obviously you've got Newcastle through we've got all six English clubs into the last 16. That's six out of 16, which is quite something. And looking at next season, we're pretty comfortably clearing that table about which team has five for next season. You know it's conceivable they could have seven. It's highly unlikely, but it is possible. Okay, go on, give us the connotations. If one of our teams wins the Europa League, now Aston Villa are one of those, but they will almost certainly be in the top five.

22:43Alan Shearer:Well, you would think they would be. But if they're not in the top five and they win the Europa League, they go in it. Or it could be Nottingham Forest if they win the Europa League, like Spurs did last season, they go into. And then of course, if someone like, say, Newcastle win the Champions League, they would stay in it as defending champions, even though they're outside the places. so that would make it a possibility of seven teams.

23:11Micah Richards:Wow.

23:12Alan Shearer:Yeah, I think that's probably too much. But to get all six through is quite an achievement and shows that the Premier League must be in pretty good shape. Before we go, we'll talk about one Premier League game because I think it was quite a little bit of a statement win. I think for Manchester United on Monday, I think they're looking very good for a Champions League spot and he's really got a good start. That was a real test, I thought. You've got to go to Everton Monday night. And I think it's probably helping them a little bit that they can prepare properly for games because they're not in any other competitions.

23:45Alan Shearer:But good start for Carrick.

23:47Micah Richards:No, but we said this though, didn't we, with Ameren. Just put players in their preferred positions and then try build on that. Because he obviously wasn't getting backed with the players that he wanted. So revert back to what the players know. Carrick coming in and when he did his first game, win, lose or draw. Like, what people need to understand is sometimes you need someone who is just calm, who is respected and knows the club and got a good relationship with the players. And I know a lot of X-Men United players are saying, not Carrick. And my sort of opinion on that was, he might not be long-term for five, ten years or whatever, or next Fergie, but he can be that person to stabilise things because he's so calm in the moment.

24:43Micah Richards:Plus, he has quality. Plus, I always said, if you give it to Carrick, I believe you'll get Champions League because the players respect him. He knows what he's doing. and the fans will take to him because he was a player of the club. And yes, he might not deserve at the time a three, four-year deal, but he did deserve the chance, and he's taking his chance, and I'm happy he's taking it because they needed that.

25:10Alan Shearer:He really seems to know what he's doing. I don't know what qualifications you're supposed to have. I mean, it was obviously an interim role until the end of the season, and they'll wait and see how he does for the rest of it, but I think it's looking pretty good for him. Coaching management, we all know that most of them, you know, you don't last that long most of the time. And that's been the case at Manchester United for a few years now. But if they could get someone in there, I mean, I think their recruitment's been better of late and that's given them a chance. Even Cesko, when he came on the last few games, he's starting to look like a bit of a player here.

25:46Alan Shearer:He's quick, he gets behind teams. He's a big lad, obviously he's good in the air. So, you know, it's taken him time to settle, but that's probably the Amarim situation as well, which is all over the shop. Everyone was struggling for four. He's come into things. Bruno's obviously been brilliant right throughout the season. So I would say they've got Mbumo's done really well as well. They've come in. I think the goalkeeper has excelled and was particularly good at Everton. So I think all in all, things look a lot brighter for Manchester United and probably show that actually deep down this season, they shouldn't have been anything like where they were under Amerim.

26:31Alan Shearer:I wonder what he thinks sitting down watching this now. I just, I mean, I mean, he all seems to me, I mean, I think he seemed a decent enough fella. I don't know, but he's, you know, he always had a smile on his face, but he was bloody stubborn, wasn't he?

26:46Micah Richards:he all knew that he was a good manager and he will continue to be a good manager somewhere else he probably learned a lot from that job yeah but when you're that stubborn guys you can't be stubborn in the Premier League at one of the biggest clubs in the world it just can't happen because you get scrutinised every single week if he was getting results while in his formation then it'd have been fine there was times where United with that word in it everyone says there or thereabouts. And then every time it looked like it was going to get into the top four, they'd lose or they'd draw. Now it's different.

27:23Micah Richards:So, yeah, he'd be good when he reflects and thinks, if I would have just been less stubborn with the players that Man United have got now and coming up to the summer, he just could have built something special.

27:40Alan Shearer:Okay, Mike, in the second half, I'll be talking to Alan. And I did it after the Newcastle game because you had such a late night working for CBS. So after the break, it's Alan and Newcastle.

27:58Alan Shearer:This question is brought to you by Fuse Energy, our presenting partners here at The Rest is Football. Each month, Fuse give their customers the chance to send in a question for us to tackle on the show. Today's question is from Hugo. Not a critique, I presume. But anyway, Hugo asks, what do Newcastle need to do consistently to qualify for Europe or even become genuine title challengers? Is it a case of adding more players or does the club need something else to take that step? Well, I think we should probably start with you, Alan, on this one.

28:32Gary Lineker:They have to continue what they're doing. They have to be clever and smart in recruitment. Buying players is obviously hugely important when you're buying them for big money. You have to get that right. When you get close to the big boys, then obviously you've done well. It's very different from what it was years ago because of the PSR rules or the SCR rules.

28:50Alan Shearer:It's more difficult for Newcastle to do that now, even though they've probably got the wealthiest owners in world football.

28:57Gary Lineker:Yeah, very different to what it was, what, 10 years ago or 20 years ago, where Man City could spend whatever they wanted, Chelsea could spend whatever they wanted and did. so Newcastle can't do that to get to close that gap so that means they have to be really smart and really clever when they're working on their recruitment They couldn't really do what you did at Manchester City, Michael, could they?

29:20Micah Richards:No because financial fair play was just changing around that time so yeah, I understand that but I think for Newcastle it's more retaining the players building that environment where players feel as though they can go to Newcastle and be there for five, six, seven years or whatever it may be. If you look at the players like Aguero and Silva and Yaya Torre. And Richards. No, I mean, it's just because if you look at the drama with Isak and Newcastle is such a big club, but there are always other clubs who have that pulling power, just building something special there that you feel as though you don't need to go anywhere else.

30:06Alan Shearer:Yeah, it's an interesting one though, isn't it? Also with Newcastle and the PSR rules, because I think they were brought in for the right reasons, you know, to protect clubs against themselves. But I suppose if you have got owners, whatever you think about state-owned football clubs, that's a different issue. But it's so restrictive now of clubs challenging the so-called elite, makes it harder. And I don't know whether they'll look at it at some point and perhaps find another way.

30:38Gary Lineker:Well, PSO it was, wasn't it? It's now SCO, I think. It's one cost ratio, is it, for going forward. But yeah, I think what Newcastle have done, without doubt, they've closed the gap, as have Aston Villa. But it's one thing closing it, it's another thing staying there. Done part of that by winning a trophy, but also being part of it, part of the Champions League on a regular basis, which is another thing. So they have to keep that going. And as I said, they have to be clever when they're buying players.

31:09Micah Richards:It's a good club though, isn't it, Newcastle? I love it. When you go up there, the Champions League nights, the crowd are just amazing. So they've just got to build that and keep building on that, I would say.

31:21Alan Shearer:Absolutely. Sign up to Fuse Energy at fuseenergy.com slash football. Use the referral code FOOTBALL all uppercase and you could win an iconic 1990 England shirt signed by all three of us at The Rest is Football. This episode is brought to you by Microsoft 365 Copilot. Guys, where would we be without our teammates? Who's your favourite teammate?

31:48Gary Lineker:Mine would have to be Teddy Sheringham, guys, with England. It's just one of those partnerships that worked, that clicked. For you, Micah, Pablo Zamoleta by any chance?

31:56Micah Richards:I don't know he was going to say that. I would have to pick Joe Hart just on the pitch. If I made a mistake, I just knew he had my back. I'm sure you kept him very busy.

32:08Alan Shearer:I would probably go probably Peter Beardsley, who I had amazing partnership with England. I think I was about a goal again when he played. Well, Microsoft 365 Copilot is that level of support off the pitch. It's your AI assistant for work built into Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other Microsoft 365 apps you use, helping you quickly write, analyze, create, and summarize. Learn more at microsoft.com slash M365 Copilot. This episode is brought to you by Whoop. If football teaches you anything, it's that careers are shaped between matches by how you recover and sleep and how you manage the days in between games week after week.

32:56Gary Lineker:It's not about doing more. It's about getting it right. So you're ready to go again tomorrow, on and off the pitch.

33:04Alan Shearer:That's where WHOOP comes in, Al. It shows you how your body is responding day to day, your sleep, your recovery, your workouts, and how your small daily habits add up over time.

33:16Micah Richards:And it's calm. No buzzing or unwanted alerts. You check your data when you want.

33:22Alan Shearer:Whoop gives you personalized insights to help build routines that last so you get into a better rhythm across the week without second guessing yourself. If you want to better understand how you can feel and live at your best for years to come, I'm definitely up for that. Head to join.whoop.com slash Triff and get started with Whoop today. You can even sign up for a free 30 day trial so you can try Whoop risk free and start your year with momentum. Welcome back to The Rest is Football. We're recording this part of the episode on Wednesday. Mike is working tonight on all the games. And I just want to talk a little bit about Newcastle and Europe.

34:05Alan Shearer:They're the only English team, obviously, that had to play in the qualifying stages. I don't know what you call this. Playoffs, if you like, of the Champions League. The game was done, really, after the first leg. And then especially Newcastle got two early goals as well. I mean have Newcastle ever won a game 9-3 on aggregate Alan?

34:25Gary Lineker:Not that I can remember it was yeah it was it was good in a way to do it but it was also because of the there was no jeopardy

34:32Alan Shearer:yeah and that's I was talking with Alex actually on the Wrestling Football La Liga episode because she was about to do the game she said she'd think you had a nice night at the pub we went

34:42Gary Lineker:we went out all went out we took all the crew out and everyone out I booked a restaurant on Monday evening Kaikai in Newcastle lovely Indian restaurant beautiful and we all went there Monday evening had a couple of beers a couple of glasses of wine we were really well looked after and then yeah we met up or all met up Tuesday afternoon for the game so but it was it was yeah it was tough

35:08Alan Shearer:It's difficult without Jeopardy it's one of those I mean I've worked on them over the years and sometimes it's been like the last group stage match of the Champions League which often were a lot are dead rubbers and Tim's are already qualified. And you try for all your worth to kind of build them up a little bit. And I always think with these things, it's, you know, what did you win the first six, six, one, wasn't it? Six, one. And, you know, and you start by saying, well, obviously Newcastle are going to go through and then you get close to kickoff and you start going, well, well, if, you know, if Carabag get an early couple of goals and you're trying to, but it's just, it's, and it must be quite hard as a co-commentator because you can't, You can't give it full whack, can you?

35:50Alan Shearer:Because otherwise people go, you've got to leave yourself, I always think. And some, you know, I watch presenters, I watch pundits, I watch commentators. And some of them, some of them go too big on everything. So therefore, they leave themselves nowhere to go when it is truly exceptional. So you've got to be a little bit cautious, haven't you?

36:10Gary Lineker:Well, what happened was that normally I do all the core comms for Amazon with the brilliant John Champion, who's superb. And we normally do the team together in camera, in vision. I normally do maybe one hit at pitch side with the rest of the pundits. Then I sort of head up maybe 35, 40 minutes before kickoff just to try and get ready for the game. But yesterday, with it being Newcastle, they got me doing it a little bit more. so we're actually on air at 6.30 so 90 minutes before kickoff

36:44Alan Shearer:to build up for that game it's already won

36:47Gary Lineker:but actually we went to the bar that's named after me Shearer's Bar it was me, Sir Les Ferdinand and Gabby Logan I would have worked out that it was named after you I just didn't want to sound wanky and just say Shearer's Bar we did a nice interview in there And then myself and John Champion then interviewed the chief executive, David Hopkinson, who was brilliant in the hospitality area. Then I went down pitch side and did sort of 15 or 20 minutes there with Wayne, Les and Theo and Gabby, obviously interviewing us. And then went up to the commentary position. So it was like you had to try and keep in energy because you've obviously got to try and tell the story, but not go over the top, as you say.

37:38Gary Lineker:but you are we I should say Newcastle are leading 6-1 which I mean it was never going to be overturned and it was just a matter of what team Newcastle were going to put out and we spoke to Eddie we interviewed Eddie beforehand and I asked him in terms of what was the balance to terms of was he going to put the young kids out three or four of them or was he going to be pretty experienced and he said it was really important that he had to play squad players who had been out injured. And in the end, he only started one youngster, which was Alex Murphy down at left back. And then, of course, they get the two goals too after, what, six minutes?

38:22Gary Lineker:And then that really is it.

38:24Alan Shearer:Yeah, that really was. With a game like that, let's take away the fact that it was already done that we talked about previously. I know you. I know you quite well. I've watched you watch Newcastle games for years. right, years, and you, let's say, you get a bit up and down. You know, you're either incredibly ecstatic or absolutely kind of manically depressed. That's how football can affect us. If you're doing the co-coms, and I suppose last night was slightly different. You've done Newcastle before, I'm sure.

38:59Gary Lineker:Yes, I have, yeah.

38:59Alan Shearer:How difficult is it to restrain yourself, your own emotions, and sometimes, because I know you, if the team, I've sat next to you, right? I know you won't mind me saying. And like Newcastle defender makes a mistake and they're like, what the fuck? They fucking go absolutely mental. Yeah. You've got to obviously be careful not to do that when you're live on air.

39:23Gary Lineker:Yeah, I actually find that all right because certainly in the core comms, I find as if I can restrain myself a little bit. And I think if anything, as we've said before, when you're criticising, you actually go more over the top than perhaps you would with anyone else because I think it's your own team. And you probably know, well, you do, you know the own team and we know the ins and outs perhaps and who's playing well, who's not playing well, who should be playing, who's not playing, how many mistakes he's made, has he made another one? So if anything, I think when you criticize, you actually go over the top.

40:06Gary Lineker:And then when you praise, you're perhaps keeping it. Or I do. You perhaps try and keep it back to not go over the top when you have to praise. Because I just think it's important that people see you as, or you try to be neutral anyway. Because when you're doing the core comms or when you're being a pundit, yes, I know that we support them and what have you. But particularly core comms, I think it's important to come over as neutral as possible.

40:33Alan Shearer:Yeah. I think you're quite good at not being biased in terms of when referees' decisions. You know, I don't think it'd be possible for someone like you or even me to hide our favoritism of a side. Yeah. You know, there's a lot of people that are terrified of, and I think particularly commentators, they hate it if the public know who they support. Yeah. I think you're better off just being really upfront. Me too. And then I think it's fine. It's not like politics, is it? I mean, it's really different.

41:05Gary Lineker:It's easier for core commentators, obviously because the vast majority of us have played the game and everyone knows who we support. But the commentators, yeah, you're right, they tend to be a bit more shy in seeing who they support. Because of that, they want to be seen as very neutral and not taking A side, but for us.

41:26Alan Shearer:The only trouble is with that, though, Alan, is that social media will then decide how biased they are to whatever team they feel. So I would encourage commentators just to be open about it. If you support Chelsea, you support Chelsea. That's fine. And just say it. There's no need to hide it. And then people at least know. And then when they criticize you for being biased, you can at least say, yeah, probably.

41:55Gary Lineker:Particularly core commentators, They get hammered anyway, so it doesn't matter who you support.

42:00Alan Shearer:Well, you don't seem to get hammered too much. Yeah, it's all right. It's not too bad. So far, yeah. It's all right.

42:05Gary Lineker:Yeah. There's always something around the corner.

42:08Alan Shearer:Yeah, there is. You'll play Chelsea or Barcelona. Yeah. That's a good... I mean, either way, for different reasons, that's the big tie. Chelsea, obviously, because it's all Premier League. Yeah. Barcelona, because, well, it's Barcelona. That'd be huge.

42:21Gary Lineker:Yeah, I mean, I don't know. I think the romantic side, because when you go back... I mean, Newcastle played Barcelona. I think it was the first game, wasn't it? This season when Marcus Rashford scored at St James' didn't he? Yes, of course. He had a great night, didn't he? But then going further back, Tino Aspria with his hat-trick at St James' Park and all of that. So I guess the romantic side says, yeah, Barcelona, we'd love to play. But I think... Probably have more chance against Chelsea. More chance against Chelsea, albeit Newcastle haven't got a great record at Stamford Bridge. But they might not have to because they might do enough at home anyway.

42:57Gary Lineker:Who do you want, Al? I think because of probably slightly better chance of going through against Chelsea than maybe Barcelona. Although Barcelona's high line might suit the pace of Newcastle up front. But I think realistically, chance-wise, Chelsea.

43:12Alan Shearer:Yeah, and I suppose as well, the fact you've already played Barcelona this season, it's not quite the magic draw, is it?

43:20Gary Lineker:No, and you've got the Newcastle are away on the second leg because of them having to play in the playoffs there. That's already decided. So they're going to have to do it the tough way, whoever they draw. But yeah, I think because of Chelsea and how they can concede, particularly set pieces, and we've seen them draw it home to Burnley and Leeds. So I guess chance-wise then, yeah, maybe Chelsea would be better.

43:48Alan Shearer:Nice show of support for Eddie Howe, I thought, from the Newcastle faithful last night. what they call him, a T-fo, don't they? Is that what they call him? That's what they call him, yeah.

43:57Gary Lineker:Yeah, no surprise. Quite rightly so. Absolutely, absolutely right. Because we had this discussion, didn't we, when there were one or two, particularly on social media, I think. Shock. Yeah, having their say, and he should be gone and this, that, and the other. But I think the sensible people, the people that understand, and I would put most Newcastle fans in that bracket, that they realise what he's done, what he can do, what he will do. And they realise the tough situation that Newcastle were in and how they've been hampered this season through no fault of their own. And the vast majority were behind Eddie and I don't think it took a genius to work that out.

44:42Gary Lineker:But it was a nice show of support, not only from the fans last night, but in recent away games, there's been a lot of the players sort of pushing him forward and talking well about him and what have you and rightly so.

44:54Alan Shearer:Yeah. I mean, players, when they do that and they've gone out of the way to do it, I think is the difference. It's not just like they're being interviewed after the game. Correct. What do you think of Eddie Howe's position? Yeah, yeah, yeah. They've come out and done it voluntarily, which is, I think that speaks volumes. I mean, after all, as you just said, he won the club's first trophy for, what, 70 years. And also, and also, this is the first time now, isn't it, that you've qualified for the proper knockout stages of the Champions League in the club's history. So they're definitely heading in the right direction and it would be utter madness to tamper with that.

45:32Gary Lineker:Honestly, it's like you're getting to semifinals of cup competitions, you're getting to Wembley, you've won a trophy, you're getting into the Champions League on a regular basis, you're now in the knockout of the Champions League, you're now in the last 16 of the Champions League, with a realistic chance of getting to the quarterfinals. I mean, goodness me, if that doesn't send a message out to say Newcastle have got the right manager and have done for a number of years now, then I don't know what would, you know. So, yeah, he deserves all the credit. And yes, I get when you're not winning games, you're going to get criticised.

46:08Gary Lineker:And he understands that. But he has delivered something what the brilliant Sir Bobby Robson couldn't, what the amazing Kevin Keegan couldn't. He's given us a trophy. and he's now given us year after year great things to look forward to i.e. semifinals and Champions League football and all of these things and playing good football I would say as well

46:30Alan Shearer:I suppose on the downside this season a few defensive issues only three clean sheets in the last 28 games now in all competitions dating back to a 2-0 win against the Athletic Club on November the 5th

46:45Gary Lineker:yep that will have to improve if they want to get through to the quarterfinals of the Champions League and progress in the FA Cup. If that doesn't improve, then they won't go much further because you're playing against top quality now. Whoever you get, you know you're going to be playing against top quality. And you give chances away, then you're going to get punished. So if that doesn't improve, then they'll be out.

47:08Alan Shearer:I don't think we can read too much into the game at St James' Park on Tuesday night because of the circumstances. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But where do you think this Eddie Howe team ranks compared perhaps to sides you've played in or sides you've watched at Newcastle over the years?

47:26Gary Lineker:I would love to do a combined XI. I think there would definitely be defenders getting to the team that I played in. Go on, who? Well, when you look at Lewis Hall, I think he's one of the bright... Absolutely. Tino Liveramento when he's fit. I think what Newcastle paid for Fabian Shah 3 million quid has been unbelievable I mean Dan Byrne Who's the defence when you played Al I'm trying to remember Warren Barton right John Beresford left Steve Howie and Philippe Albert and maybe Darren Peacock in there as well I get your point I think you would look at the back four now of Newcastle or the players anyway and you'd probably take three or four that are there now and if you I could add that and mix that.

48:13Gary Lineker:Yeah. But then you're getting into a debate. I think you're getting out up top

48:19Alan Shearer:because they're still a bit short there. I think you'll be all right.

48:22Gary Lineker:I think your place is safe. Although Anthony Gordon has. He's scored more goals in the Champions League season than I did. But he's not really an out and out nine, is he? No, he's not. Make do nine. No, and then you're getting into Beardsley and Ferdinand and all these, I mean, Rob Lee in the midfield and David Batty and all of these guys. So, yeah, it would be a good debate if he could mix and match. But what I would say is Eddie's delivered. Eddie's done what these... I mean, when you come to Newcastle and you realise, and they talk about the amazing Bobby Robson, as I said, he saved my career.

48:59Gary Lineker:And you know how much I think of Kevin Keegan, who's my hero. But when you come up here and listen to the fans talk about and talk in glowing terms about those two, Eddie's done something that those two couldn't. He delivered that trophy. He delivered that first domestic trophy since 1955.

49:17Alan Shearer:I know, it's extraordinary. Obviously, I played for Bobby Robson myself for England. And like you, Kevin Keegan was, I've only met him a couple of times in my life, weirdly, but I love watching it. I mean, there's a footballer and his attitude and the way he succeeded in his career particularly when he played abroad. And then his enthusiasm for the game. And that I think he shared with Bobby Robson, that in different ways. They showed it in different ways, but really enthusiastic. And I think it speaks volumes for Eddie that is in the same bracket. And I think he'll always be whatever happens, if it falls away, it falls away.

50:05Alan Shearer:very very few managers don't get the sack at some stage in their careers but I think he'll always be for what he's given them that brought in those memories that he'll always be we're talking as though he's about to retire or get the sack which is certainly not the case

50:18Gary Lineker:he's coming up to end of this season I think he's coming up to five years which Bobby did and Kevin did and Bobby obviously was sacked and for whatever reason Kevin left after that I mean I know Kevin was a brilliant player for Newcastle as well and came in very difficult circumstances. So that's why he's, he's loved as well. But Eddie's coming up to that five year itch, if you like, but I think he's in, he's in a really, really strong position because of what he's achieved and he's being able to deliver that trophy.

50:48Alan Shearer:I remember interviewing Eddie actually when he was at Bournemouth and when he started to make a bit of a name for himself and, and he was so kind and took time out and took me right round the training ground and took me into all how his training plans work and the backroom teams and all sorts of things. And I was thinking, this is very, very smart, intelligent. And he comes over very nice, but I think he's probably also got, and I think you've got to have that side to be a leader in football.

51:22Gary Lineker:Yeah, without doubt. You're not getting anywhere in football management unless you've got that little steel side to you as well. You have to have that. And there's no doubt he's got that. But he comes across really, really well. My thing would be looking forward is how he solves the forward conundrum at Newcastle. Is that because of the money that's been shelled out, as we've said on numerous occasions, £125 million on two forwards in Volta Marder and Visser.

51:57Alan Shearer:I still think Visser will come good if he gets fit.

52:00Gary Lineker:how he solves that conundrum because the Volta Marder one he's playing in midfield not a midfielder for me he's not done enough in the centre forward position yet either and Vista's hardly played but you've spent£125 million on those two and at the minute they haven't worked as forwards you can always take Esat back at the end of the season

52:30Thank you.

53:01Gary Lineker:miente интер weten