Nicky Butt says that Alan Shearer has left his players in no doubt who is in charge at Newcastle.
Newcastle legend 'commands respect' in the dressing room
Alan Shearer has already stamped his authority on the Newcastle United dressing room, according to Nicky Butt.
The 34-year-old midfielder says Shearer's accomplishments as a player means that he is highly respected amongst the Newcastle players.
However, Butt has revealed that his new manager is not relying on reputation alone to save the Magpies from relegation to the Championship.
"He commands respect, especially at this club," Butt said.
"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."
Performing
Newcastle, who are currently three points adrift of 17th-placed Sunderland, face Stoke on Saturday in a match that Butt believes they cannot afford to lose.
He added: "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."
Shearer agrees that if his side are going to survive this season, they need to turn their poor run of form around quickly.
"You could sit here and talk about: 'This team has a tough run-in', or 'That team has got an easier run-in'," he said.
"I don't think you can look at it that way, I really don't."You tell me which of our games is going to be easy? None of them are.
"They are all going to be different challenges; they are all going to be playing different formations, different tactics.
"Now, are we good enough, are we clever enough and are we brave enough to go and get results in those games? Starting on Saturday."
