Interim Newcastle boss Alan Shearer is pragmatic enough to know that getting the points to avoid relegation is the bottom line. Shearer said: "Points are the most important thing.

"I believe in trying to play the game the right way, if there is a right way. But I don't really care, to be honest.

"As long as we get more points than the other three at the bottom between now and the end of the season, I don't care how they come."