Given Shearer’s problems with Obafemi Martins, as well as the difficulty in telling two senior international players like Fabricio Coloccini and Jonás Gutiérrez that they have been dropped from the starting line-up, there have been some tough calls for a new manager to make in his first fortnight at the helm.
But Shearer is revelling in the responsibility and there is no suggestion he is missing the comfort of the pundit’s sofa on BBC TV’s Match of the Day.
By his own admission, the 38-year-old is having to learn as he goes, as well as draw on the experience of his assistant Dowie and the rest of the coaching staff.
But there is a glint in his eye as he talks about the different problems he is encountering as a manager.
He said: “I’m thoroughly enjoying it. It’s been a good week, but it’s all about what happens on Sunday.
“That’s how it will be until the end of the season, get one game out of the way and then prepare for the next one.
“You’re learning all the time how to deal with different problems and situations. What you say to players, and what you don’t say to them, is very important.
“Some need a kick up the backside, or to be pushed harder than others, I’m learning that all of the time.
And, having secured a battling point at the Britannia Stadium last weekend, Shearer believes the players have shown they have the qualities needed to drag themselves out of the drop zone over the last six games of the season.
He added: “We said we would go to Stoke looking to win the game, depending how the game went.
“In the end we were happy to get the point, but it could have been more, particularly in the last half an hour.
“Not only did we prove we are up for the scrap and can fight, we showed we can play a little bit as well. It has given everyone a big, big lift and it’s been a decent week for us.
“We saw players step up to the mark and accept responsibility, not just from Andy Carroll who scored a magnificent header, there were a few big performances at Stoke.
“I think we proved something to ourselves and to our supporters last week.”
