Should the gaffer ‘man up’ and leave his best mate on the bench?

During his first press conference as Newcastle Utd manager, Alan Shearer defended his intention to play Michael Owen, insisting that he would show the Toon striker the same faith that Terry Venables showed him prior to Euro 96.

Many folks on Tyneside, however, are starting to question Shearer’s belief in a striker who last found the net nine games ago. During Sunday’s crucial tie at White Hart Lane, he touched the ball just twice in the Tottenham penalty area, and the Magpies only really threatened the opposing goal when Mark Viduka and Oba Martins came on in the second half.

So, should Shearer stand by the man who takes a helicopter to work, or should he pick his team on the basis of form, rather than reputation? Let us know below…