Keegan's Boys See Bright Future On Tyneside

Warren Barton: "Knowing Sir John as I have done for a number of years now, I know he would only have let the club go if he was sure it was to someone who will benefit Newcastle United.

"He wouldn't have handed over control to someone unless he was sure they were as committed to the club as he is. As Newcastle fans we put our hearts in Sir John's hands. He's passionate, he's a Geordie through and through and I don't see him doing anything which will harm the club in any way.

"The money Mike has available to him is phenomenal, and anything which helps Newcastle challenge the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal has got to be welcome.

"It's very exciting. I'm very pleased with Sam's appointment as manager, now let's just get behind him. Hopefully the good times are ahead of us because that's what the club and its fans deserve."

Rob Lee: "It will be sad to see John Hall go.

"The club almost went under before he bought it and the Keegan years, which everyone remembers fondly, were all down to John and Keegan.

"I'm sure the fans would love to see those times back, but I can't see them ever coming back I'm sorry to say.

"I don't really know what his intentions are but they need an injection of money because they're falling behind.

"It should be good for the club. Most of the big clubs are having billionaires take over now and it's a case of trying to keep up."

Meanwhile, left-back during Keegan's brightest spell as Newcastle manager - John Beresford - hopes the Toon Army back Big Sam and give him time.

"He is not going to come in and all of a sudden get them in the top four. It's a big job but I think he's the right man for it, given time.

"The biggest problem Sam has got is the expectation at Newcastle, they want instant success and that's why a lot of the managers have fallen by the wayside there.

"As much as Sam thinks he knows what he is in for he isn't until you have lived and breathed it up there. It's very intense.

"They expect a certain way of playing and a certain way of winning. They will allow him until Christmas but if they are in the bottom half he will see the monster raise its head because they are an impatient crowd.

"Probably they have been spoilt, especially from 10 years ago maybe when I played and we played a certain style of football. Now they will put up with maybe not as much attractive football if they are winning. He has to try and find that balance.

"If you spend £11 or £12 million on a player like Albert Luque and he struggles to make the bench that is not good business. When Sam Allardyce comes in he has got to look long term and think 'right, the players I'm buying are good characters and in the long run they will be a help'.

"They have not scored particularly many goals and they have let goals in. It's all about balance.

"If you can get everyone pulling the same way, Newcastle have some good players - the problem is they haven't got a good team. It's like a jigsaw, they have a few pieces missing but if they get them it's an unbelievable club to manage."

NUFC HISTORY

1995/2002 W.D.Barton 193/27 5
Born in Islington, one of the Wimbledon wild bunch. Signed for £4m from Wimbledon and was the most expensive defender in the country at the time. Went through a very difficult spell but won the fans over in the end. Transfered to Derby County for a nominal fee. England international when he played in the abandoned game against the Irish Republic in Dublin. Never played again, although the Rothman's Yearbook insist he was capped as a Newcastle player. He wasn't.

1992/2002 R.M.Lee 368/12 56
Made 298 league appearances for Charlton before moving to Newcastle for £700,000. England international who has been a superb servant to Newcastle. Was going to sign for Middlesbrough but Keegan told him Newcastle was nearer to London. The little liar! Signed for Derby County soon after Warren Barton but couldn't save them from relegation.

1992/98 J.Beresford 224/5 8
Missed a penalty that could have taken Portsmouth to the FA Cup final. Newcastle signed him after Liverpool turned him down after a medical. Brilliant left-back who had a sparkling career at SJP. Born in Sheffield. He joined Southampton in 1998.