... that was the match that put doubts in Kevin Keegan's mind that we would hold off the threat of Manchester United's title challenge, and from that moment on we were never the same team. We could ... and SHOULD ... have won the title that year, and the sad fact is the Liverpool fans at the time were praying we'd stop Man Utd. That defeat at Anfield won't officially be seen as the match that cost us the Premiership, but those Geordies who were there know what it took out of the team.The Horror Of Liverpool Remains Today
... that was the match that put doubts in Kevin Keegan's mind that we would hold off the threat of Manchester United's title challenge, and from that moment on we were never the same team. We could ... and SHOULD ... have won the title that year, and the sad fact is the Liverpool fans at the time were praying we'd stop Man Utd. That defeat at Anfield won't officially be seen as the match that cost us the Premiership, but those Geordies who were there know what it took out of the team.Looking back, Rob Lee (talking to the Chronicle) claims the teams involved in this season's Premiership title race will NEVER be as entertaining as the Newcastle side that came so close to winning the championship under Keegan that season.
This week sees the 15th anniversary of Keegan's arrival on Tyneside, when Newcastle were staring relegation to the old Third Division in the face. Keegan went on to transform the team into genuine title contenders, and I have to say that period was the greatest I have ever experienced following Newcastle United.
Every game was not just a football match ... it was an adventure!
Lee: "The Keegan days were fantastic and I don't think they will ever be seen again. The only regret from that era was that we didn't win the Premiership. The players and the management team from back then deserved the title.
"I think we deserved better recognition than we actually got. The way we played football was fantastic and although we didn't win anything, the team we would have got even more recognition than any team that can win it now.
"I used to worship Kevin Keegan. I have said many, many times he was the main reason I came to Newcastle. They say don't meet your heroes because you will put them on a pedestal and they fall off.
"I always expected him to be a great guy and that's exactly what he was."