Big Al could quit early if goals dry up Alan shearer will walk away into retirement during the coming season if he is not producing the goals for Newcastle. That is the opinion of his chairman Freddy Shepherd, who negotiated a new one-year contract with United's skipper and legendary goal king. Right now, Newcastle are desperately threadbare up front where they have only Shearer at 34 years of age, Shola Ameobi, who has still to win over the bulk of the Toon Army, and Michael Chopra, who was fifth choice last season and farmed out on loan. That is a desperately weak strikeforce following the high-profile departures of Craig Bellamy and Patrick Kluivert, though Shepherd has revealed another striker will be signed before the end of next month. Shearer caused a major surprise when, a man never used to making u-turns, he decided against retirement and to play on for another year. "It may have been a risk but we are delighted Alan has taken it," said Shepherd. "Once he has Jackie Milburn's club record - and he only has a few goals to go - then I believe he would just quit if it was not going for him. He is a proud man - he would never cheat the fans. "Shearer is absolutely imperative in the dressing-room. He is a major influence as we go about sorting that out. Players listen to him, look up to him. He has that charisma. "I think he wants to help Graeme Souness as much as anything else because he sees a lot of himself in his manager. He understands where Graeme is going. "They are the same strong characters, good pros who do not suffer fools gladly. "What Alan Shearer has done for his home-town club is truly magnificent and I know our fans appreciate that. We are not likely to see a repeat very quickly, if ever." Robson signed last year's flops There has been a growing belief within Newcastle United's fan base that Freddy Shepherd - and not the manager - was responsible for last summer's flop signings. That is why United's chairman has taken specific criticism following the disastrous form of Dutch superstar Patrick Kluivert and former Manchester United and England midfield anchor Nicky Butt. However, when I asked Shepherd if he had over-ridden Sir Bobby Robson's decisions in the transfer market, he shot back: "Certainly not. That is simply ridiculous. "We signed four players last summer - Kluivert, Butt, Stephen Carr and James Milner - and every one of them was sanctioned by the manager. He will tell you that himself. He was particularly keen to get Kluivert. "I know things have changed from when Bobby first started out at Ipswich. Then the manager negotiated the transfer fee and the player's wages. He did everything. "Now, after the manager has decided upon his targets, I do all the negotiations with the club, player and his agent. That is the way of modern-day football. "My qualities are in negotiation, not in judging a player. It needs a professional to do that - I learned that when Kevin Keegan was here. They see things in a player neither I, nor you, nor the fans could possibly see. "I have my own opinions, as everyone has, but I leave the judgement purely up to my manager. "If I bought a player and gave him to the manager - as happens a lot on the Continent - the manager may not like him and therefore not play him. That would be a waste of money. "No, Bobby Robson bought the players at Newcastle and Graeme Souness does now." | 
