Alan Shearer: "No-one has worn the No 9 since Andy Carroll’s departure in January.
“It is a fantastic shirt and I had 10 years of wearing it.
“I would love to have seen somebody come in and wear it, but it was not to be.
“Whatever the reason it has not been, it no longer has anything to do with me. I am a fan like the rest of the 52,000.
“There are two ways of looking at it.
“One way is it is a great honour and a privilege to wear it. The other way, you can be scared of it because of what has gone on beforehand, not just because of the goals I scored, but the ones before.
“The Macdonalds, the Ferdinands and other players like that.
“It is fantastic to wear it. It is a little bit sad that nobody is wearing the No 9. That is strange, but what can we do?
“I saw it (transfer deadline day) on TV like everybody else did.
“There were bids going in for other players with two or three hours to go.
“However, if you looked at it logically you realised nobody was going to come in on deadline day that late in the day.
“I was hoping and wanting one but I didn’t expect it.
“It was not to be and they probably looked at the start they made to the season and felt the players had done a good enough job and they could now carry it through.
“In the Premier League if you take the big six out, there is very little difference between the rest of the teams.
“If Newcastle can continue their form and get through the iffy periods, they will be OK.
“I am not surprised they have not bought in as many players as the fans would have liked.
“Maybe it is because they have had a good start to the season, they have looked at it and felt there was no need to add to it.
“The start to the season will give them great confidence and stand them in good stead. Hopefully, they will carry that on and finish in mid-table or above again.
“They have more than enough to be in mid-table. I hope it is not going to be a relegation battle.
“I think everybody was looking for a marquee signing because of Andy leaving.
"Alan Pardew has done a very good job and in difficult circumstances since he came in. I hope that continues.
“We all know there are millimetres between seventh and bottom place."