Shearer: We're set for hell of a battle

Apr 7 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

ALAN Shearer will spend this week bracing his Newcastle players for "one hell of a battle" at the Britannia Stadium – warning that Stoke’s direct tactics and febrile home crowd will make the game every bit as difficult as the Chelsea clash.

United need a victory in the Potteries but, with Stoke buoyant after securing their first away win at the weekend – and possessing a unity and spirit which is the envy of Shearer’s men – it promises to be another tough hurdle to overcome.

Shearer’s rallying cry comes as he prepares to remove the shattered Fabricio Coloccini from the Britannia Stadium firing line.

The Argentina defender was culpable for Chelsea’s opening goal in another poor display for United over the weekend and Shearer looks set to wield the axe – even if Steven Taylor doesn’t recover from his ankle injury in time for the Stoke clash.

Sébastien Bassong, who was 90% fit on Saturday but not risked for fear of aggravating his hamstring strain, will be back and will be paired with Habib Beye or David Edgar in the centre of defence if Taylor is not fit enough to play.

Coloccini is United’s only ever present this season but Shearer was unconvinced by the £10m man on Saturday – and with serious doubts about his aerial ability, he may be considered too much of a risk against a Stoke team who rely heavily on Rory Delap’s long throws.

Newcastle’s caretaker boss will spend this week assessing his options for the potentially pivotal clash.

“We all know what we’re going to face at Stoke, it’ll be one hell of a battle, but we’re in one hell of a battle anyway,” Shearer said after this weekend.

“We know we have to win matches. We have to win to get out of this trouble. Stoke aren’t a Chelsea, but the way they play and the atmosphere of their stadium will be equally as tough.”