NO QUICK FIX

Despite the fanfare, there's no honeymoon. Shearer's first game in charge is a 2-0 home defeat to Chelsea, followed by a draw with Stoke, a loss to Spurs and a draw with Portsmouth.

Then, on 3 May, Joey Barton is sent off as Newcastle are thumped for a second time by Liverpool, a result which leaves the Magpies third from bottom with three games to play.