Alan Shearer will still be a living legend, no matter what the outcome of Newcastle United’s very public relegation battle.

The former England captain and sports pundit was a brave man to put his reputation on the line when he took over the manager’s job for the last eight games of the season.But for Shearer, Newcastle has always come first. Many a time over the last couple of years has his name been linked with the permanent Newcastle manager’s position but he has always declined, preferring his broadcasting commitments to the pressure of management.

Taking over temporarily from Joe Kinnear whilst he recovers from a triple heart bypass was an invitation he just could not refuse. Newcastle is one of the dearest things to his heart and to reject them in their hour of need would be unthinkable.Amazingly, Shearer still managed a smile for the cameras when interviewed after Newcastle’s lack-lustre 0-0 drawn against Portsmouth. Not so his fans. The pictures of them sitting with their heads in their hands said it all. Staying up is going to be a very very tough battle.

No doubt Alan Shearer felt the same but he conducts himself with the pride and staying power which has made him such a firm favourite with football fans the world over. He was a tremendous servant to England and, of course, to Newcastle and Blackburn themselves. How easy would it have been for a lesser man to walk away from the challenge?

Shearer still strongly believes Newcastle United have a chance of staying up, despite failing to notch up his first win in four matches. He says it is all about confidence and how right he is. Once they get their first win under their belt, they will no doubt be revitalised. But when will that first win come and will it come too late?

Shearer was understandably very disappointed that Newcastle failed to win the three points they so desperately need in the Portsmouth match. He blamed his strikers for missed chances and that included the very man he brought back, Michael Owen. He too is a hero but will the fans react the same to him as to Shearer if Newcastle go down? The suspicion is no. Shearer holds that magical touch whereby people just love him. It’s as simple as that.

Football, of course, is a funny old game, as Shearer so rightly says. Anything could happen. Their next match on May 3 is against Liverpool at Anfield. The outcome shouldn’t be in doubt. Liverpool have been piling away the goals and a win for them is as important as a victory for Newcastle. Liverpool are chasing the title, if not second place, and fans say the only thing Newcastle will pick up during the afternoon is a programme. There will not be a lot of sympathy for Newcastle from the Cop, despite Shearer’s service to England.

The odds are Newcastle United won’t stand a chance but no-one would bet against a shock outcome. It’s like the old syndrome of bottom of table meets the top, only to win the honours. Or the ten-man football team still reigning supreme over a full opposition.

Perhaps Shearer should pick himself to play in the remaining matches? He has tried everything else. Even a three-pronged attack, courtesy of Owen, Obafemi Martins and Mark Viduka, failed to transform his under-fire team. They just couldn’t hit the net. Whether they were to blame or the superb goal-keeping of David James, ironically the England stalwart between the posts, is open to question. The trio certainly had plenty of chances but just could not put them away. It was impossible to crack the well-organised Pompey defence. Michael Owen had by far the best chance on 63 minutes when he found himself clean through on goal, only to be denied by David James’s legs. When you are down, everything seems to converge against you. Even Viduka could not capitalise on his one mistake when James dropped Damian Duff’s cross. By this time, Newcastle had run out of all ideas and Portsmouth finished the strongest. On the plus side, however, Newcastle at least prevented them from scoring which would have been the kiss of death.

Shearer refuses to believe Newcastle United are already relegated. Far from it, he insists. There are four remaining matches to prove the point. Liverpool on May 3, Middlesbrough at home on May 11, home to Fulham on May 16 and the final match away to Aston Villa on May 24.

Shearer sees the two home games as absolutely crucial and wants six points from them, perhaps leaving it all down to the wire when all nerves will be tingling.Shearer believes that is the case. Would he rather be sitting on the manager’s bench or on the touchline, biting his nails and praying for a victory or sitting in the commentary box with Gary Lineker and Mark Lawrenson?

Neither would be a comfortable seat but at least as the temporary manager, Shearer’s heart and presence will be with his fans and if there are tears to be shed, his will be genuine. Will the tide turn against him if Newcastle go down? No. Shearer will remain a legend and there should be applause for all his efforts, not cat-calls. Newcastle fans should know how much he has gambled to join their fight and no Geordie should ever forget it.