Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has admitted that he was "taken aback" by Fabricio Coloccini's decision to pen an open letter to the supporters.

The Magpies captain apologised for the team's recent displays, which have resulted in eight consecutive defeats, and falling just two points above relegation from the Premier League.

In his letter, Coloccini called for the fans to join together to support the team for their final three games of the season, but Shearer believes that his words were unnecessary.

"I was surprised that Coloccini had written a letter to the fans asking them to stick with the team," Shearer told BBC's Football Focus. "If there is one thing that is pretty much guaranteed at Newcastle, it's that the fans will turn up and support.

"Despite there being protests and fans not turning up for specific games, there has always been 46,000-plus there. So for a player to come out and ask the fans to still support them, I was a bit taken aback and disappointed in that."

Newcastle will take on West Bromwich Albion at St James' Park on Saturday.