Newcastle manager Keegan believes that getting Newcastle to challenge for the Premiership anytime soon is just not possible, and there’s nothing he can do to get the team anywhere close to Chelsea.
Kevin Keegan - we cannot even get close to Chelsea
Kevin seemed in a somber mood after Monday’s 2-0 home defeat by Chelsea, which ended Newcastle’s seven game unbeaten run, Keegan said:
“I was thinking, ‘what have I got to do next year to get near them’ - and the truth is there’s nothing I can do at all. The fans have to know that.â€
“I haven’t got enough money and I wouldn’t be able to get the players anyway, so I will soldier on with what I’ve got and maybe add one or two, maybe three depending what’s available.â€
“I was looking around thinking, ‘who can I bring on’ and I’m seeing (Andriy) Shevchenko and (Frank) Lampard coming on and Joe Cole thinking about coming on.â€
“Maybe the owner (Mike Ashley) thinks we can bridge that gap - but we can’t.”
Kevin was then asked which team would end up as Premier Champions this season, and the former England boss added:
“I like Avram Grant very much and think this Chelsea side is exceptional.â€
“In any other season they would have been worthy champions but I can’t see Manchester United slipping up at Wigan - even on that pitch, which isn’t very good.â€
“I think we gave Chelsea a hell of a game in the first half today but their class shone through.†“But they are both quality sides with great players, who will be worthy champions.”
The second half was almost an education for our Newcastle faithful, on just how far behind the top four teams we are. Chelsea went into a higher gear, and we struggled to live with them.
Kevin could see that this afternoon, and tried to fix things, and it didn’t help us that we lost Mark Viduka at half time, presumably because of his Achilles problem, and Alan Smith was nowhere near as effective.
We were well beaten in the second half this afternoon, but the lads put up a great show in the first half, and can hold their heads up high for a gallant overall effort on the day.
But surely with 4-5 top-class players we can improve even further on what Kevin has put together since January, and we can certainly challenge for a top 6 place next season - that’s our next step.
And after today’s performance from the lads, we’re still proud of them.
Comments welcome.
54 responses so far ↓
1 Leo // May 5, 2008 at 19:31
AGHHHHHHH another disapointing year next season 1 or 2 player!!!! i am soo angry right now! good game we played well but has keegan taken a blow to the head from something
2 toonbully // May 5, 2008 at 19:33
We wez robbed ! Naaa but seriously , soon as we took off Viduka and brought on Alan Smith , we looked like a Pierre Cardin jumper just come out of a fast spin wash , TOTALLY OUT OF SHAPE , and with no direction .
Second half it was men and boys in midfield so Michael owen and Oba were chasing shads . Why the hell does he persist with this Smith guy . Bring on the young Carroll NOW …sell smithy back to Leeds they need him ……
3 oba // May 5, 2008 at 19:36
by the way keegan sounds like theres not much money available like last season
4 Alex // May 5, 2008 at 19:40
Keegans comments gives Ashely and Mort a lot to think about in terms of investment for next season.Ok the truley top class players want champions league football and we cant give them that next season ,but lets go for the best players just outside the elite and keep Oba ,Owen and Taylor at the club and im sure keegan can get us in the mix for uefa cup places.Its up to Ashely to provide the funds heres hoping.
5 Tom_Toon // May 5, 2008 at 19:45
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/match_of_the_day/7384594.stm
thats the interview you want to see.
6 Hadrian // May 5, 2008 at 19:48
he’s right ,
we havent that kind of money todo it in one go .
we couldnt get the players in even if we did have the money .
what we can do tho is bridge the gap with everton , spurs , bburn,mancity .
and make sure we are pushing for uefa spot next season .
chelsea and manu are three steps above us , arsenal and liverpool two steps , and then we have the top 8/9 who are in a better position than us with strength and depth , but those are the teams we can compete with if we invest well this summer , we just have to watch out how much they invest and we MUST do more than them or it will all be in vain .
ashley needs to realise that if he wants to break the top 4 , then its going to need continued investment over a perior of time with and break even in a few year stratergy .
we need to keep plugging the first team with quality and adding youth untill the time comes when we can rely on those comming through the ranks to soften the tranfer money we need to spend each year .
really ashley should be looking to break even in 5 year , all the while building this club up so when that time comes to break even we need minimum investment all round .
7 Black and White Blood // May 5, 2008 at 19:49
Sorry Alex - its not going to happen, something has occurred behind closed doors that we don’t know about - Could it be Owen, board not prepared to fork out to keep him here….
All I can say is please, please let us support KK and his decisions ,regardless of Ashley, at least KK has the club at heart and not ££££…
8 Shaz // May 5, 2008 at 19:53
something big has happened and changed KK views,failure to offer owen a new contract,funds for better player,lack of good players wanting to go to Newcastle.anyway all good news because it means owen will be off,hopeful to Liverpool.lol
9 Viper // May 5, 2008 at 19:55
Comments above I only agree with. Bugger.
Smith ON. Performance OFF.
Must get shot of this summer, work rate or not.
10 Tom_Toon // May 5, 2008 at 19:56
He was basically saying he wont have THE MONEY TO BREAK THE TOP 4, because we may spend a lot, but the top 4 will always spend more and be able to attract better quality.
I dont know why people are jumping to conclusions and saying ‘we have no money for players’ etc, when today Mort came out and said we would have sufficient funds. The only question mark is what Mort considers sufficient funds.
Also, if we didnt have sufficient funds, why would we offer so much for Modric. Clearly more than Spurs did as Mort mention Modric turned us down for less money at Spurs.
As for the ‘1,2, 3 players’ part. KK has always said he just wants a few quality players and the numbers he says vary from time to time, so no change there.
Fair play to him for the realism which many, not just our club but a lot of the clubs in UEFA cup battle have forgotten.
11 Alex // May 5, 2008 at 19:57
Black and white blood - one thing is for sure, the toon army will always support Kev no matter what he really is one of us.
12 figsdad // May 5, 2008 at 19:58
i keegan doesnt get any money he will walk…
13 oba // May 5, 2008 at 19:59
keegan goes from saying we will get 4-5 quilty players to saying we have to stick with what weve got maybe add one or two maybe 3.Think a lot of players have rejected us still bitter about modric,failure to get owens contract sorted.Fort ashley would be great owner but would rather have sheppard at this time
14 Punk Skunk // May 5, 2008 at 20:04
Well said TT,
isn’t it sad how pessimistic people get after 1 f***in’ loss to a team in chumps league final & goin’ for the Premiership?..
…Oh, for a bit of perspective!..
15 oba // May 5, 2008 at 20:06
its not about the loss if you heard kevin saying his comments he sounded very down and upset,not just because we lost .Theres something else
16 Black and White Blood // May 5, 2008 at 20:07
Tom Toon - yes I agree, however, of late, I have repeatedly observed Special K indicate he would bring in 5-6 quality players. Ok that may be slightly unrealistic, although I would have expected possibly 5 players which would improve the squad to some degree. Something wasn’t quite right, KK body language was all down beat, and even JS picked up on it - No the guy has got principles as something is not right, that interview is a way of attempting to inform us the fans not to expect too much…Just my opinion though!
17 Graham // May 5, 2008 at 20:08
it’s not the result… it’s keegans post match comments.. verry worrying indeed.
18 oba // May 5, 2008 at 20:11
totaly agree balck and white blood something not right there.
19 toonarmy08 // May 5, 2008 at 20:11
Tom_toon -agreed ,your comments are spot on.We need to stop jumping to conclusions,we will be bringing players in ,just be patient guys.Iwould consider top 6realistic target.If we had no money how can we bid 15 mill plus for modric and 8mill for woodgate???we just cant pay 20-30 mill on 1 player until we get regular european football!
20 ronaldeano // May 5, 2008 at 20:16
TT, bang on mate, we cannot offer world class players CL football, thats why we cant compete with the ‘big 4′. We need to build over the next few seasons and earn our place in the CL. And under KK’s management im sure we will. Its a waste paying stupid money for every player we want, thats why we dident get Modric. Patience is the key. Lets just enjoy the new Keegan era and support the team all the way to the top!
21 oba // May 5, 2008 at 20:16
agree with you toonarmy but like big sam said spurs invested 67m last season to get where they are(not very far at moment)we need to ivest 60m plus toget intop 6 fact
22 Black and White Blood // May 5, 2008 at 20:16
@Punk Skunk have you watched the interview. Your right, it is sad, sad just how blinkered people can be. These comments have bugger all to do with a defeat, but rather the future of our club. No one is being negative, merely expressing an opinion as you did in many of your comments posted several weeks back when KK was yet to have a win - look back at the post achieves and you will see what I mean…Fed up of two faced posters….keep consistent for god sake.
23 DarkStar // May 5, 2008 at 20:17
Sounds to me like Ashley has changes his mind regarding money for transfers.
Its not looking good at all.
24 ronaldeano // May 5, 2008 at 20:19
Spurs must have more debt than we ‘HAD’!
25 ronaldeano // May 5, 2008 at 20:21
@DARKSTAR, MA DOSENT WANT TO DO AN ABRAMOVITCH AND SPEND ALL HIS MONEY ON PLAYERS WHO HAVE ‘REPUTATIONS!
26 oba // May 5, 2008 at 20:25
look where chelsea are and look where we are ,he put money in and they got instant result ashley hasnt and we havnt moved on.KK is ashley man give him 60m plus and put for trust in him
27 DarkStar // May 5, 2008 at 20:25
ronaldeano
Kev said one or two plays in.
Not long ago it was 5 or more players, then 3 or 4 and now its 1 or 2.
Any one can see that we need 5 or more players.
Also as of next season each team has to have 7 subs on the bench.
28 DarkStar // May 5, 2008 at 20:26
Spot on oba.
Chelsea spent big and won a trophy that year i think.
Look at them now.
29 ronaldeano // May 5, 2008 at 20:31
@ Darkstar, KK also said that he wants “quality” players in. Quality players are hard to come by when you are not in Europe! As much as i hate to say it…. We will have to get into Europe with the players we have, if we get anymore in, it will be a bonus. I hope im wrong, but im sick of living in dream world
As from now i am not going to think of new signings until they are signed!
30 oba // May 5, 2008 at 20:32
we need 60m spent to go from top 10 to top 6 or just outside then we can attract better players and move on to the next phase.At the end of day people only invest in clubs to make money not because they love football or the club.Ashley is the same he may sit in the stands but hes got to show the fans he wants success not just say it.He just doesnt want the club getting in to debt but you have to ,to win things.Man yoo are loads in debt look at them
31 Spuggy // May 5, 2008 at 20:35
I think it’s possible that we have been in for a few players already, including Modric as we know, but they have turned us down, are staying put or opting for a european competition club which is why KK is a little down - where do you go from here.
Keegan needs a 3 year strategy in my view (length of his contract anyway) with the final year being top 4. Next year should be aim for Europe but top 8 acceptable, following year top 6, then challenging top 4.
However, all depends on one thing - Ashleys desire to spend lots of sterling. For sure, football is changing with big foreign and domestic owners all challenging for a european place, competition is tough.
What a shame Spurs won carling cup - we may have stood a chance with Modric otherwise, not such a mickey mouse cup afterall if it allows you to attract top players.
32 Hadrian // May 5, 2008 at 20:44
chelsea didnt spend big , they spent silly . they could only sustain it on a break even if 5 year plan , something thats getting thrown to the wind this summer .
33 chuck // May 5, 2008 at 21:18
Other than the fact that Chelsea are a billionairs toy, Man U have a huge fan base with huge earnings and Arsenal have a large new stadium with prices to match and also a large fan base.
Where does that leave Newcastle? Third largest stadium in the P.L.,filled for every home game,sixth wealthiest club in the U.K,twenty first richest club in the world, plus the ambitions of Spennymoore Utd.(no disrespect Spennymoore)
Gets me pissed when i read we cant do this or we cant expect that and even worse ,we have to be realistic, thats the one that annoys most.
No one expects overnight success,but every one expects ambition and yes look at the amounts being spent by the likes of Man U. Etc. even Spurs who are on par wealthwise, hey thats the
cost of success these days, its not as if earnings in the P.L. are not substantial enough.
Its why are clubs being bought by outside interests , theres money to be made, but it also costs.
34 Scott H11 // May 5, 2008 at 21:40
One variable we’ll never be able to compete with is top players want to be in London if they come to the Premiership unless they sign for Man Utd or Liverpool. I feel some top players will even sign for lesser London clubs just to be in London.
35 Punk Skunk // May 5, 2008 at 21:42
Hey B&W Blood,
I think you’ll find i didn’t say a thing negative about KK during the point we weren’t winning!..
…I’m trying to be optimistic bro’!..
…It’s gotta be hard for KK to know he can’t spend £100m overnight to compete with the likes of chavski?..i just think some people take it to heart, too much!..We gotta be realistic!..
…Which is what i was when KK 1st got back here, i knew it would take several games to exorcise the ghost of past failing managers, which he has done, superbly!..
…But we can’t go ‘expectin’ an overnight sensation!..Personally, i feel KK is gonna do an excellent job, even if he doesn’t get the fat load of cash we all want him to get!..
36 M. Stockley // May 5, 2008 at 21:47
kk loves the club and he hurts when it goes wrong… thats passion and thats whn you know the right man is in charge..
ashley got the man he wanted and you gotta give your new manager money to bring in his own ideas. when kk has what he wants in his squad we can go far, but even kk cant work miracles on the likes of smith and geremi….
37 ObaFan2 // May 5, 2008 at 22:05
Lol @ u lot, he’s only said that we can’t spend like Chelsea or atleast attract the players they can because we arn’t in Europe….. yet.
Jose said ….. I want him, him n him and he got them and Chev(where’s the goal gone)chenko chucked in!!!
Also we’re gettin gazumped by the likes of Spurs so he’s keeping his cards close to his chest.
One thing is for sure, we’re enjoying watching the TOON again so quit ur moaning and look forward to next season.
Keep the faith fgs.
Oh 1 failing by KK, he hasn’t made Smith look like an epl player…… so maybe he is only human after all.
38 Punk Skunk // May 5, 2008 at 22:08
Aye!..
39 M. Stockley // May 5, 2008 at 22:08
oba2 i agree to a degree but kk seemed genuinely unimpressed
40 ObaFan2 // May 5, 2008 at 22:18
Probably and hopefully unimpressed with Smith as he let the side down imo.
Haven’t seen his interview yet but he does wear his heart on his sleeve and maybe still gutted (like me) over loosing out to Spurs for maybe one of his main targets.
Also we had a chance in this game, up until the second half anyway so he’s probably peeved about that.
He gets the best from players (usually, Smith an exception) so whoever he gets I’m sure will be good in Black n White.
41 Whumpie // May 5, 2008 at 22:19
2 points:
1) This is KK. He’s an emotional bloke who always says what’s on his mind at the time. After a reality check like to day (a predictable one) he was always going to sound pretty down. Don’t read too much into it.
2) Which part of “this will take a few years” do people not get? KK is just stating the reality, which is that we’ll do enough to get into UEFA next year, which will then let us build again, and in a few years we may be able to look at CL football. What the hell is wrong with that??
It’s looking good - but 12th to 4th takes years, so just shurrup moaning and enjoy the ride!
42 Geordie Gerrard7 // May 5, 2008 at 22:22
FFS! stop reading to much into what was said, and stop all the negativety. we wont know untill its happned so stop reading into it
43 scott9 // May 5, 2008 at 23:15
is kev gonna make up his mind one minute hes saying he wants 3-4 players then 2-3 players now 1 or 2 players how many does he want he keeps saying different in each interview im noit just saying this for the sake of i want to see new faces i do actually think we need at least 4 new players and i think realistically those could be.
dunne/if sven is sacked
riise
veloso
joaquan
gomis/bent
44 scott9 // May 5, 2008 at 23:17
given
beye dunne faye riise
joaquan veloso barton
owen
gomis martins
that team if was bought early enough in the window and settled down well i think would definatley finish in the top 6
45 iain // May 5, 2008 at 23:42
looking at todays performance we have 11 players who can compete with for 5th and maybe win an odd game against teh top 4.
smith/duff/cacapa/rozehnal/carr/shola these days in the money rich pl are nothingh more than bottom half standard players.
smith and duff dragged us down badly today with nothing performances.
if we want to improve we need to keep our best players and imrpove on the poorer ones.
46 Leo // May 5, 2008 at 23:48
well if we signed veloso we wouldnt have to worry about another left back really i havent seen him play there but i heard veloso plays left back as well as center midfield
47 Dr O'Style // May 6, 2008 at 0:38
No matter how much cash is spent, whether it be this year or any other, the London factor will always do us in.
48 Ausgeordie // May 6, 2008 at 1:03
Duff is very predictable and can only shuffle around at speed to trick defenders. He is a better crosser than geremi though
49 Vitorbarbosa // May 6, 2008 at 5:48
If we have 60 millions for 3 years, then it will be something like 10 for the first year, 20 for second year and 30 for third year. With 10m investment, we will get to top 10. Then add in another 20m, that will get us to top 6. Another 30 million will get us challenging top 4.
If we have more than that, then it will be great.
But as you can see, we don’t and can’t spend big now. We are in the bottom half. Foreign players won’t know how big we are.
That’s the msg I got from KK. We will move pretty slow.
But if we want MA to spend like FFS, then what’s the point of us having MA?
That way of spending ala FFS will only get our club into debts. Lots of debt.
50 Taiwantoon // May 6, 2008 at 8:04
60M in 3 year will be a big surprise to me. It will take a miracle to compete with the likes of Spur, Villa, Everton and Man City with that amount. While we have been doing well lately, the squad depth is not there.
We badly need some inforcement in the midfield. Butt and Geremi are doing their jobs decently but their lack of movement could cause us to lost battle of the mid park. Don’t get me wrong, I think they have done well enough recently, it is just I don’t feel they could go a step up as they lacked pace.
It’s true we are not doing that well in the league. Nonetheless, I am not too worried unless we are competing with the big four for a signature. Every footballer in Europe knows EPL offers the best pay and Newcastle certainly never underpaied anyone. Thus if we showed the ambition and the target is right, we can get them.
51 Gladstone Smallneck // May 6, 2008 at 8:29
It’s a circular problem really.
We can’t attract World Class players because we can’t break into the top 4, and we can’t break into the top 4 because we don’t have enough world class players…
i suggest a salary cap on transfer budgets and wages.
its the only way to solve the problem…
52 nightfall // May 6, 2008 at 9:58
kevin talks too much…
53 Alan // May 6, 2008 at 10:02
Oba,
You would rather have shepherd?
You mean the same Guy who sacked Bobby Robson and Hired Graeme Souness effectively ending our spell in the top 4?
The same Guy who spent all our sponsorship money before we had it and nearly ran the club into the Ground?
I’m going to stop writing now cause I’m working myself into a rage here but That is the Dumbest thing I’ve read on this site yet!
54 JakartaDean // May 6, 2008 at 13:32
Alan:
“The same Guy who spent all our sponsorship money before we had it and nearly ran the club into the Ground?”
“The same Guy who *stole* all our sponsorship money before we had it and nearly ran the club into the Ground?”
There, fixed that for you…
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