Butt Says Shearer Appointment Has Boosted The Club!

"As players, you always look up to players who have been there, seen it and done it, and Alan certainly has done that.

"He's made it clear what he expects and what he's trying to do. Everybody's happy with it and we are all delighted. We know he's in charge and we know who the boss is.

"Joe (Kinnear) had his illness and it was difficult for Colin (Calderwood) and Chris (Hughton). Going from coach to being in charge is always difficult.

"Now we have somebody in Alan, we know he is in charge. He's the man you go to with a problem and he's the man we all answer to. It's good to have somebody like that.

"He has come in at a difficult time, put his name on the line and now we have to repay that.

"We have got to feed off that. We have got to do that by performing well and not being afraid to play football.

"When you speak with your mates and family, they will tell you who is playing who.

"They say other results can help you - but, if we don't help ourselves now, then nobody can help us in the next few weeks.

"We need to win the games we are playing and get points. Regardless of other teams, we have to start performing.

"We are in the bottom three and we need to use the Stoke game to get out of it."