Alan Shearer believes Jonás Gutiérrez can be vital difference

Apr 4 2009 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

jonas gutierrez, Jonás Gutiérrez

ALAN Shearer believes a rejuvenated Jonás Gutiérrez will be vital if Newcastle United are going to stay in the Premier League as he urged the Argentina international to remember how to hurt teams.

Having watched the vast majority of Newcastle’s games this season, new Magpies manager Shearer has seen Gutiérrez ’s form dip over the last few weeks – but he knows the winger remains the most potent creative force in the side.

With that in mind, Shearer has already spoken to the former Real Mallorca star at length to remind him he is at his most dangerous when he is playing in the opposition’s half.

Gutiérrez has earned plenty of admiration this season with his impressive work ethic, but Shearer feels he has to focus more on worrying opposition defenders than helping his own.

He said: “Jonas will definitely be crucial. He has a crucial part to play, but we need him to get further up the pitch and hurt teams in their half. I don’t think anyone works harder than he does, but I want to get him nearer the opposition’s penalty area so that he is creating things for us going forward.

“He has the ability to really hurt teams and we want to see him doing it regularly. It’s about getting him higher up the pitch so that when he gets the ball, he is in a position to attack the defence.

“He definitely has something about him. He also defends very well for a wide player, but I’ve told him I want him to be moving forwards more.”

Having spent all season worrying about Newcastle’s slide down the table as a BBC television pundit, Shearer now has the chance to do something about it.

But, unlike most new managers at a club, Shearer knows plenty about the strengths and weaknesses of the team, as well as the individual players whose ability has not been reflected in results this season.