Shearer could turn to Damien Duff at left-back
Apr 10 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal
The threat posed by Stoke is obvious – aerially and physically they will probably dominate Newcastle, but Shearer believes that United must approach the game in a different way.
And that means providing better ammunition to Michael Owen and Obafemi Martins, who have been feeding on scraps over recent weeks.
“It’s a very different challenge and a very different game to what we faced against Chelsea,” he said.
“Can we free Michael up? Can we free Oba up? Can we create chances for those two?
“If we want to win games and score goals, we have to try and do that – we have to give them some ammunition.
“A lot of top teams would like to have Michael and Oba up front, but we’ve got to find the right balance.
“Going into Stoke will be difficult enough, because we all know the size and power of what they have.
“Now, can we go into the game and play those two up front against giants at the back?
“Can we slot the balls in between the defence for those two to run on to? That’s our aim.”
Shearer is fully aware of the perils posed by Stoke’s likely physical and aerial bombardment – and has warned his players accordingly.
The injury to Enrique means that Fabricio Coloccini, who has struggled of late and looks suspect in the air, is likely to play a part at the Britannia Stadium.
“We know what we’re facing on Saturday but knowing and doing something about it are two totally different things,” he said.
“Not many teams have gone there this season and been able to handle everything Stoke are about.
“Can we take them on at being physical? Probably not. But can we take them on at football? Probably yes.”
While the news on Enrique and Taylor is not good, there are more positive developments on both Mark Viduka and Joey Barton – who could be involved for the Spurs game.
Shearer believes that Viduka has a big role to play in the run-in, and even hinted at a return to the three-pronged attack that served Kevin Keegan so well at the end of last season.
“A fit Mark Viduka would be massively important.
“He, along with Michael and Oba, at this stage last year when they were playing together up front – they were the main reason we got out of trouble last year.”
