ALAN Shearer has admitted Newcastle's poor start to the season has piled the pressure on an under-fire Graeme Souness, but denied that Wednesday night's trip to Bolton could have catastrophic consequences should the Magpies fail to record their first Premiership win of the season.

The odds on Souness becoming the first managerial casualty of the campaign were slashed even further in the wake of Saturday's goalless bore draw with West Ham.

Chairman Freddy Shepherd might have thrown his weight behind the Scot again yesterday, claiming suggestions he was about to fire his manager were "absolutely ridiculous", but a number of critics are already likening this week's trip to Bolton to last season's visit to Aston Villa.

Then, Newcastle's 4-2 defeat, which followed hot on the heels of an under-whelming home draw with newly-promoted Norwich, cost Sir Bobby Robson his job.

There are fears Souness could suffer a similar fate should the Magpies also implode at the Reebok Stadium but, while Shearer admits everyone is under increased scrutiny with United still to score a league goal this season, he does not expect his manager's fate to rest on the outcome of one game.

"The manager will be under pressure," admitted the Newcastle skipper, who suffered from a chronic lack of support as his side failed to get the better of ten-man West Ham at the weekend. "But that also applies to the chairman and the players because of the lack of results - it's as simple as that.

"I don't want to pile pressure on by saying (the match at Bolton) is a must-win game because they are all must-win in the Premiership. Last week was, Wednesday will be and next Sunday will be as well.

"It is difficult, but hopefully we will turn the corner. We have stability and we are stable here. But results will determine everything and we know that. One point (against West Ham) is not enough."

With Shola Ameobi suspended - the striker is available for Wednesday's game - and Michael Chopra injured, Shearer was forced to lead the line on his own against the Hammers.

James Milner and Charles N'Zogbia offered sporadic support from their respective flanks but, for the second game running, Newcastle were crying out for a second striker to take some of the weight off their captain's shoulders.

"We are thin on the ground," admitted Shearer. "It does not take a genius to work that one out. The players know that, the manager and the chairman know that, I know it and the fans do too.

"We needed someone to put their foot on the ball, beat one or two players, and open them up.

"The more it went on, the more frustrated we got. We lacked guile and quality when we needed it in the second half. No-one can fault the effort, but we know what is missing.

"At the moment I am the only one up there. I can understand the fans' frustration because everyone else feels it as well."

That frustration was increased by Newcastle's inability to exploit the unfortunate dismissal of West Ham defender Paul Konchesky.

The full-back was ordered off despite appearing to take all of the ball in a last-ditch attempt to prevent Jermaine Jenas bearing down on goal, and even Shearer told referee Dermot Gallagher he did not agree with his decision to produce a straight red card.

"I didn't think it was a sending off," he admitted. "But it is a 'Catch-22 situation' when you are there with the referee, because you are telling him it is not a sending-off but, in the end, you are also thinking 'If he goes off we might have a better chance'.

"The referee had a word with the linesman and I went over and told the referee I thought the lad won the ball. I know how they feel because we had the same feeling last week. But they hung on for the draw."