Shearer: Andy Carroll has to earn no 9 shirt

Mar 4 2010 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

Plenty of English strikers have scored goals regularly in the Championship, but only a select few have carried that form into the top flight with them.

And Carroll still has to prove he is good enough to fill the boots once worn with such distinction by the man who he began his career trying to emulate when he was just a ball boy at St James’ Park.

Shearer said: "This is just the start for him. He is still a young guy, 20 years old playing for the club he supported as a boy.

"He has a lot of talent, but he can still improve in almost every area.

"The challenge for him is carrying that on, next season and the season after that.

"He has done a really good job this year, but it’s his first season of regular first- team football.

"It looks as though Newcastle will be promoted and it will be a big season for him if they are back in the Premier League."

And Shearer has warned Carroll he can not afford to be distracted by the trappings of fame and fortune which come with football success.

He said: "There are one or two things going on off the pitch that he has to sort out.

"Everybody makes mistakes and I’m not going to hammer him for them.

"Nobody is perfect and we have all done things we regret, but you can’t keep making them when you’re in his position."