Mike Ashley made a critical decision at Newcastle in January, when he sacked Sam Allardyce after just 8 months at the helm, and then brought Kevin Keegan back to the club, to the delight of most Newcastle fans everywhere.
Kevin Keegan – bold appointment by owner Mike Ashley
But things didn’t turn around initially, and in fact they got a lot lot worse. Newcastle went a full 13 games without a victory in the Premier League and achieved only 4 draws during that time. 4 points from a possible 39 is the worst run Newcastle have ever had in the Premier league and Kevin was manager for the last 8 of those games.
After the Liverpool 3-0 defeat we were just a scant 3 points above the drop zone but Bolton, who were 3rd bottom at the time (and still are), had a much better goal difference. That’s the worst position we got to. After that we gained a good draw at Birmingham , with a great second half performance, and have since won our last 3 games fairly easily, if the truth be told.
It was a risk that Mike took, but he didn’t want to have to appoint a new manager in the summer and have the next season again be yet another rebuilding one. Of Course the gossip press have had a field day with both Newcastle and Kevin Keegan, and they have hardly been compassionate in their comments about Newcastle and Kevin Keegan over the last 3 months.
But Kevin has in fact done the job, and the team is now playing as well as it’s played since the great Bobby Robson managed the club. Make no mistake, Newcastle fans’ hopes for next season will once again be sky high come the summer months.
The only difference now is that Kevin’s hopes for the club will if anything be even higher, and he will be wanting to do some really good business in the summer transfer market. He will get lots of help from Mike, Chris and our recruitment team of Dennis Wise, Tony Jimenez and Jeff Vetere, who have been working hard in the market since January.
From the way Kevin has managed the squad he inherited, it now looks surprisingly strong, with youngsters like Carroll and Edgar pushing through, and former established first teamers like Smith, Duff, N’Zogbia and shortly Milner, fighting to get back into the first eleven.
Kevin was called a miracle man when he first came back to the club, and of course the press scoffed at that – given the poor results we achieved initially. But where are they now that Newcastle have been transformed?
We cannot wait for next season to arrive when Kevin Keegan can again demonstrate that he ‘s lost absolutely nothing of the skills he had when he was first at the club.
Roll on next August, indeed.
Comments welcome.
18 comments so far
Steve K
Apr 7, 2008 at 11:32 AM
Comment #1“But Kevin has in fact done the job, and the team is now playing as well as it’s played since the great Bobby Robson managed the club.”
Would argue that Roeder put us on a better run than this in his first half-season. Ed you’re doing your very best to push us all over the edge. Steady on.
tony
Apr 7, 2008 at 11:35 AM
Comment #2spot on mate all thoughs southerners eating there words now they will be eating humble pie nxt year
Eric
Apr 7, 2008 at 11:43 AM
Comment #3The more I see of how KK has got us playing the more I believe that he will be looking, in some instances, for skilled and experienced cover. It looks as though Beye and Enrique are going from strength to strength and will be the first choice backs. We do need a cracking midfield playmaker though, and something extra on the right wing – I still like Wright-Phillips. Aaron Lennon would be useful if his final ball could be improved. What about McGeady too. Time to sort out Pompey – they can have the FA Cup and we will have next Saturday’s 3 points.
ginkoh
Apr 7, 2008 at 11:43 AM
Comment #4At least we show on the pitch that we want to win not draw or lose. Long long time no see our team play like, We want 1 more goal to kill them off !! We will show them who’s boss today !! 55
I can’t wait for next season again ( even i feel the same since 4-5 years ago) This summer is so interesting and Let’s hope next season will be good season for all Toon army ^^.
joel
Apr 7, 2008 at 11:43 AM
Comment #5steve k & tony or anyone else who whats to look on my site, can you please visit my newcastle united site and do my polls and read some information about news i have written. copy and paste this site
http://newcastleunitedforever.blogspot.com/
Nev
Apr 7, 2008 at 11:49 AM
Comment #6it wont have pulled off until we have european football or won fa/leauge cup in my opinion
still looking like we will achieve somthing with KK hopefully
joel
Apr 7, 2008 at 11:50 AM
Comment #7so whos been on my site (so i can thank u)?
richierich
Apr 7, 2008 at 11:51 AM
Comment #8joel i checked your site out and done the votes
reading this story on this site looks good only thing though it says “Dennis Wise,Tony Jimenez and Jeff Vetere, who have been working hard in the market since January.” so who have they got lined up and will KK want these players
joel
Apr 7, 2008 at 11:57 AM
Comment #9if anyone wants me too get any information (i will do a mega seach for you and find out for you)
but it has too do with newcastle
Bill F
Apr 7, 2008 at 11:59 AM
Comment #10On a slight downer note, lets not forget that KK was not Ashleys first choice. If HR had accepted the job he would be manager now.
As it happens it seems to worked out as the best thing for us and him, although as Wellington said it has been a da*m close thing.
We were edging little to closely to the chasm of relegation.
Dunc
Apr 7, 2008 at 12:13 PM
Comment #11Another win and a clean sheet. I must admit to having been worried but it looks as if we are safe now.
We are playing much better football than we were under Allardyce and it seems we needed that one win to remind the players that, yes they can win games and to set us back on track.
My mood is sooooooo much lighter now it’s beyond belief.
I don’t think it was a bold move sacking Allardyce, let’s face it he had to go because we were awful. I don’t think it was bold bringing Keegan in either. Just a risk he took for the gain of some outstanding P.R. because again, let’s face it, there’s nothing worse than having all the fans against you as we saw with Liverpools dip in form triggered by the yanks at their club.
I seriously hope that Mike Ashley’s ambition for our club shines through in the summer (translates to: -puts his hands deep into his pockets) and we sign some top players who want to come to the club, not just for wages but to put a shift in. We have got the chance to play on in the Premiership next season and with the right signings I think we can push on. Top 10 would do me and is my hope after this season.
If we can be so bold as to sign a creative midfielder like Deco and a distributer of the ball like Carrick to play in midfield I think we could do well. Although I would like the distributer to be able to tackle and break up play too, and I don’t think Carrick has that in abundance. James Milner’s adsence has worried me also. Zemmama at Hibs is a prospect I have watched a couple of times and he looks decent for RM RWM.
As well as this a solid, experienced central defender would go down well.
Onwards and upwards Toon 🙂
Dr O'Style
Apr 7, 2008 at 1:30 PM
Comment #12“…to the unmitigated delight of Newcastle fans everywhere.”
Don’t think that’s right Ed. Yes, KK was a safe choice and mostly unanimous.
However, sacking Sam was not 100% backed by NUFC fans. A few of us out here think stability and giving a new system a chance were the way to go.
Martin's
Apr 7, 2008 at 1:55 PM
Comment #13Depending on who you believe HR was not offered the job therefore KK was still first choice.
Also Milner’s absence does not worry me as he has not been missed these past few games. It is difficult to see where he would fit in. Don’t get me wrong i like the lad but his head down pot luck crosses don’t really pay off.
Whumpie
Apr 7, 2008 at 2:00 PM
Comment #14The best example for me of the change in mood is that I’m actually relishing the visit of Chelski to SJP. Under Allerpies I would have been watching from behind the sofa in meek resignation to another thrashing.
We’ve yet to meet really good opposition since the up-turn, but I can’t help but feel that we have a chance of putting a few past even the top four at the moment. It may not happen, but ain’t it great to go in and genuinely try??
And while we’re on a gloaty note, here’s three reasons to be cheerful on a Monday:
1. We have as good a strikeforce as anyone, and they’re banging ’em in as fast as anyone. Owen’s current rate is up there with Torres and Ronaldo.
2. We’ve got our Messiah back and he’s as good as ever.
3. We have an excellent chairman who actually knows how to run a company, coupled to an owner who loves the shirt, drinks with the fans and will provide the dosh when it’s right to do so.
TOOOOOOOOOOOONAAAAAAAAAAARRRMEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!
Spyro
Apr 7, 2008 at 2:19 PM
Comment #15Whumpie your point about the chelsea match is exactly how i feel, i am now looking forward to that match. I want to see how the new way plays against a top side who are very much in the title race, we got a draw against them last year so who knows eh
Leo
Apr 7, 2008 at 4:02 PM
Comment #16haha joel until i saw the last bit there i was going to ask you to do some research on the techniques of creative accounting haha…
bold move is paying off for mike ashley isnt it. well done i guess
Ed Harrison
Apr 7, 2008 at 4:47 PM
Comment #17Dr. O’Style – agree – I’ve changed the wording a bit.
chris_toon
Apr 7, 2008 at 4:51 PM
Comment #18JOEL – it says in ur sight “Allardyce, who was sacked by Newcastle after just five months earlier in the season…” i thought it waz like 8 or summat???