Kevin Keegan has talked about what the training was like at Newcastle when he first arrived.
Kevin Keegan – when I cam training wasn’t focused
Kevin talked to the Newcastle Journal this morning:
“They are more together now, I can see it,†“When I first came I thought a couple of them wanted to hurt each other in training. I had to stop it sometimes and say, ‘Hey, whilst I want training to be realistic, you should not want to hurt each other because you might need to play with that guy on Saturday.”
“I felt there was a bit of frustration which you get when you are at the bottom, but it is all gone. The club is so together at the moment, you can see he respect for each other.”
“You have got to realize what training is. Training is working together, sometimes against each other for a match, not working together to hurt each other. I felt there was a bit of that.â€
The former England, Fulham and Manchester City manager stressed this was not criticism of his players for any lack of professionalism, simply that he wanted a change of emphasis in the training.
Kevin continued:
“You shouldn’t be surprised,†“It happens at a lot of clubs when results are not going well, the frustration comes out. I am not saying they were maniacs or anything like that.”
“Sometimes I was saying, ‘Hey, we don’t want to hurt each other, we want to get ready for a match. We want to save some of that aggression, within the rules, for Saturday.’ It’s not criticism, it happens at a lot of clubs.
“Players think they should be in the side, other players have opinions of each other which are sometimes misguided by the situation they find themselves in and their frustrations come out.â€
Kevin seems to be pleased by the whole attitude of the squad and even the players who are not currently in the side, appear to be doing everything they should be to get back into the side. It seems like Kevin has indeed inherited a professional squad, and he has always said that while the squad is small it is stacked full of quality.
Keegan continued:
“All that aggression was probably because of the situation and not quite channelled right,†“It is now and that is why we got this performance against Spurs. And the guys who are not in the side are doing what is right to get back in.”
“They can’t argue. Normally, they would come knocking on the door saying they should be in the team but certainly in training, the ones who aren’t in (the side) are doing it right.”
“We have real good spirit and that is why we have got the results. If you haven’t got everyone rowing the boat the same way, you ain’t going to win a football match.â€
What we do need today is an early goal. It’s obvious the crowd will be humming right from the start, and an early goal can give the lads the confidence they need to go all out again for another good win.
A good win and performance today will send the Newcastle faithful ecstatic.
Comments very welcome.
7 comments so far
lee
Apr 5, 2008 at 8:42 AM
Comment #1well done
Geordie Gerrard7
Apr 5, 2008 at 8:44 AM
Comment #2this to me is the king at his best, with this qoute i know now he is back for sure: “We have real good spirit and that is why we have got the results. If you haven’t got everyone rowing the boat the same way, you ain’t going to win a football match.â€
The bloke definatley comes out with the qoutes of a primeminister.
Geordie Billums
Apr 5, 2008 at 9:42 AM
Comment #3I never doubted Keegan. He is possibly the best man manager in the business.
The problem with Fat Sam was that he restricted our players, telling what they could not do, which left them in a negative mindset.
Keegan allows his players to have complete freedom, he does not punish them for trying something which does not work. This allows Martins and co. to perform without fear.
I am so optimistic about the future. The club is finally being run like a business, getting the right people in the right jobs. Like the recruitment team. As well as investing in promising kids
This is the start of something big………….
Ed Harrison
Apr 5, 2008 at 9:50 AM
Comment #4Geordie – we agree with you!
hanzemre
Apr 5, 2008 at 9:52 AM
Comment #5let’s make SJP a fortress again. soon anybody’d fear us!
Leo
Apr 5, 2008 at 10:10 AM
Comment #6if we were all honest it is only kevin keegan who could have brought back the noise really. bobby robson did it also but there was no one around who couldhave done it…
shearer is the future hopefully he is writing notes just like carroll for viduka
Pk
Apr 5, 2008 at 11:08 AM
Comment #7I LOVE IT I LOVE IT..if u watch the highlights from the spurs game…i think after geremis or butts goal..u see viduka scream to the players to come and cheer with him….i cried….