Roeder and Shearer, how we might have thrown away our best hope of lasting success – 20 years onThe phrase ‘one step forward, two steps back’ is all too familiar for us Newcastle United fans. How many seasons have begun with great hope and genuine cause for optimism, only to have gone off the rails by Christmas? How many campaigns have witnessed considerable success, only for it to be back to business as usual the following term? The timing was particularly cruel since the legendary Alan Shearer had just hung up his boots. As a result of this, when Souness was sacked, Shearer became assistant manager under Roeder for the rest of the season.