Doncaster
v
Newcastle
Tue 23rd Mar - The Keepmoat Stadium
Sat 20th Mar - Ashton Gate
By James Dall Last updated: 5th April 2009
Robson: Backing Shearer
Former Newcastle United manager Sir Bobby Robson believes that Alan Shearer is the club's 'only hope'.
Shearer was appointed as the Magpies' new short-term boss during the week as Joe Kinnear recovers from heart surgery.
The ex-Newcastle striker suffered defeat in his first game in charge, with Chelsea running out comfortable 2-0 winners on Saturday.
The Tyneside club sit three points adrift of Premier League safety, but Robson feels Shearer is the right man to guide them to survival.
He said in the Mail on Sunday: "Newcastle United have needed a strong leader for months, if not years. The departure of [former executive director (football)] Dennis Wise last week proves to me that, in Alan Shearer, they now have that man.
"But Saturday's performance showed just how strong Shearer will have to be in the coming weeks. This is a team on their knees, fighting for Premier League survival and a million miles from being able to take on sides like Chelsea.
"Thankfully for Newcastle, they have Shearer. He is really the club's only hope now because not only does he have the heart of a lion, he has a much shrewder football brain than many people might realise.
"People talk about his passion and will to win. That is all true but, most importantly of all, he has a deep knowledge of the game and the ability to impart that knowledge to the dressing room."

Bristol City 2-2 Newcastle - Carey
Bristol City 2-2 Newcastle - Millen
Hughton awaits City response
Newcastle 3-0 Scunthorpe - Highlights
Newcastle 3-0 Scunthorpe - Managers
Barton on the road to recovery
Middlesbrough 2 - 2 Newcastle - Highlights
Hughton wont rush Barton
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Tuesday 23rd March | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 19:45 | Doncaster vs Newcastle |
| Monday 29th March | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 19:45 | Newcastle vs Nottm Forest |
| Saturday 3rd April | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Peterborough vs Newcastle |
| Monday 5th April | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 19:45 | Newcastle vs Sheff Utd |
| Saturday 10th April | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Newcastle vs Blackpool |
| Tuesday 13th April | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 20:00 | Reading vs Newcastle |
| Monday 19th April | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 19:45 | Plymouth vs Newcastle |
| Saturday 24th April | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Newcastle vs Ipswich |
| Sunday 2nd May | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 13:00 | QPR vs Newcastle |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Saturday 20th March | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Bristol City 2 - 2 Newcastle | |
| Wednesday 17th March | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Newcastle 3 - 0 Scunthorpe | |
| Saturday 13th March | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Middlesbrough 2 - 2 Newcastle | |
| Saturday 6th March | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Newcastle 6 - 1 Barnsley | |
| Saturday 27th February | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Watford 1 - 2 Newcastle | |
| Saturday 20th February | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Newcastle 3 - 0 Preston | |
| Wednesday 17th February | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Newcastle 4 - 1 Coventry | |
| Saturday 13th February | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Swansea 1 - 1 Newcastle | |
| Tuesday 9th February | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Derby 3 - 0 Newcastle | |
| Friday 5th February | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Newcastle 5 - 1 Cardiff | |
| Saturday 30th January | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Leicester 0 - 0 Newcastle | |
| Wednesday 27th January | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Newcastle 2 - 0 Crystal Palace | |
| Saturday 23rd January | |
| The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON | |
| West Brom 4 - 2 Newcastle | |
| Monday 18th January | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Newcastle 2 - 2 West Brom | |
| Wednesday 13th January | |
| The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON | |
| Newcastle 3 - 0 Plymouth | |
| Saturday 2nd January | |
| The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON | |
| Plymouth 0 - 0 Newcastle | |
| Monday 28th December | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Newcastle 0 - 0 Derby | |
| Saturday 26th December | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Sheff Wed 2 - 2 Newcastle | |
| Sunday 20th December | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Newcastle 2 - 0 Middlesbrough | |
| Saturday 12th December | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Barnsley 2 - 2 Newcastle | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newcastle United | 37 | 77 |
| 2 | West Bromwich Albion | 38 | 75 |
| 3 | Nottingham Forest | 38 | 67 |
| 4 | Swansea City | 38 | 61 |
| 5 | Leicester City | 36 | 60 |
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Peter Beagrie is saddened by Gary Johnson's exit - but still has plenty to enjoy in the Football League.
Can Posh make a miracle escape? What's wrong at Cardiff? Peter Beagrie talks Football League.
Newcastle recovered from two goals down to snatch a well-earned point in a 2-2 draw at Bristol City.
West Brom got the better of Preston in a thriller, Newcastle fought back for a point at Bristol City.
Bristol City have the unenviable task of halting Newcastle's seemingly unstoppable quest for promotion.
Newcastle aim to take a step nearer to promotion and there are some big games at the bottom of the Championship.
Former Newcastle striker Mark Viduka says he is 'in two minds' about whether to return to the game.