It Could Just Happen At Newcastle!
Last updated : 05 August 2008 By Footy Mad - Editor
Kevin Keegan, as usual, keeps on smiling ... but even the Messiah (with all his experience from his previous times on TYneside) must be sick to the back teeth of all the rumours that follow the Magpies.
He has problems of his own - three successive defeats, no goals scored, a boat-load of injuries, and players refusing to sign for the club because we cannot offer them European football.
But the Joey Barton situation has got the club back on the front page of the newspapers (rather than the back) and KK will have to deal with the reaction from fans (both sets) when the former Man City player returns.
And now, the last thing KK needs, we hear of takeover speculation ... with the London media suggesting a takeover would see the Toon boss out on his arse!
For the sake of the club and the manager, although fans are sick of the poor performances in pre-season, judgement MUST be suspended until Keegan shows things are not as bad as they seem.
He leads his players to Old Trafford on August 17 and then, 14 days later, the transfer window closes. That fortnight is crucial to the club.
Mike Ashley is not helping matters by inviting big money investors a piece of the pie at St James' Park ... which tells us he is simply NOT going to back the club himself.
I was delighted to see him push Freddy Shepherd out onto the streets, but he does not seem to be the man to lead us to glory.
His interest in his hobby seems to be slipping, and he's probably already looking at his next venture - buying a set of golf clubs or buying a pub.
Ashley has a problem - the Geordie fans have belief in Keegan, even if he doesn't.
As far as the club's ownership is concerned, a blunt denial has emanated from India, but there will be others.
And they won't want a "bit part" either.
Ashley continues to play fantasy football with Newcastle United, but the owner's refusal to talk to the media has caused a major rift with the fans.
He keeps on shooting down the rumours ... but the rumours continue because he doesn't let us know what is going on.
