Shearer minded to recall how Fergie put pressure on King Kev

ALAN Shearer believes Sir Alex Ferguson’s mind games were pivotal in Newcastle United’s downfall during the 1995-96 campaign.

Losing the Premier League despite being 12 points clear in January - is a wound which still stings Toon supporters to this day.

The Magpies’ failure to secure their first league title in nearly 70 years is regarded as one of the most memorable seasons, with the ‘Entertainers’ era in full swing, an iconic grandad collar jersey on show and Kevin Keegan’s infamous rant providing the ingredients for an unforgettable year.

Keegan and Ferguson were at loggerheads as the Manchester United boss used every trick in the book to make Newcastle implode. Unfortunately, for the Magpies, it worked.

The following summer, Sir John

Hall splashed out a world-record £15million to sign Shearer but Newcastle still failed to dethrone the Red Devils.

While looking back at the 1995-96 campaign, Shearer - a Blackburn player at the time - insisted Ferguson’s media manipulation was key.

He said: “Ferguson sucked Keegan right in. He had him where he wanted him really, didn’t he?

“I think at one point Newcastle were 12 points ahead in 1995-96, the season before I joined.

“Game after game Manchester United were clawing back. You could see all the little messages Fergie was sending out, just piling a little pressure on Newcastle and Kevin.

“Keegan wears his heart on his sleeve, always says what he is thinking. I would not call it a problem but that is just the way he is.”