Kevin Keegan gave an extensive interview yesterday on BBC Radio 5, and he discussed many topics.
Kevin Keegan – very positive, as usual, in interview with BBC Radio 5
Keegan was very complimentary of owner Mike Ashley, which will come as a surprise to a number of Newcastle fans, since Mike has had some poor publicity over the summer.
But some of the gossip papers seem to be out to get Newcastle and Ashley, and to believe everything they write about Ashley is probably dangerous, because a lot of it is simply untrue.
A case in point is that he wants to sell Newcastle, which he doesn’t, yet it hasn’t seemed to stop the news that he’s just after a quick buck.
Kevin also repeated his concern that the Premiership’s top four are getting bigger and better and that for the time being the rest of the clubs in the Premier, can only hope to keep up – and not particularly catch up.
This is what Kevin had to say yesterday:
“My argument was very valid then and it still is now,” “The more we try to strengthen to catch them, the more they try to strengthen to keep us away.”
“A lot of people said I should be more positive. But being realistic is important, and at the moment they are a little way ahead of us. The league table tells you that.”
“They have so many quality players, star internationals and that means a lot of the clubs in the Premiership cannot match that, but the club is trying.”
“Of course the odds are a little bit against you, especially when you are away, but you have got to believe you have a chance and we will go there believing we have a chance.”
“Do I have any regrets at coming back?,” “Not at all.” “I didn’t have when we went the first seven games without a win.”
“I came back to a club I really love, a club I played for and managed, and to supporters I really understand.” “In many ways a lot of things a new manager would have to learn I already know here.
“The next thing it to get the team more successful and that is the challenge ahead of us. To make sure Newcastle are not fighting a relegation battle again, but are moving upwards.”
“Yes, I am still enjoying the challenge. I must say that since coming back into it, the game doesn’t change that much but little things move on and it is an exciting place, the Premier League, even though sometimes you won’t get many people betting that the top four will not be the same as the top four last year.”
“Success would be top eight, I think. If you look at it purely from crowd’s point of view we are the third biggest stadium in the country.”
“If you look at how strong our fan base is in the North-East we should be able to make it a fortress, a difficult place to come and get points. Top eight would be fantastic and to progress from there.”
Keegan then talked about owner Mike Ashley and pointed out that his relationship now with Ashley is ideal:
“”He could be the perfect owner for a club like Newcastle. He comes up and wants to enjoy the day. But as you know he is a very clever man. He is not a fool.”
“People see him come up in his shirt and all that, but he is a very bright man and he doesn’t miss a trick. He knows where he wants to take the club.”
“He does not mind saying he doesn’t mind someone else coming in to share the load.”
But Keegan is always realistic, and admits Newcastle have been struggling in the transfer market, as Kevin and the club are trying to improve the squad before the start of this new crucial season.
We have only signed two new players in Jonas Gutierrez from Real Mallorca, whose registration we still don’t have as his club are appealing to FIFA, and 21year-old Danny Guthrie from Liverpool.
However the Newcastle manager has promised more signings within the next 10 days, explaining that the club’s determination to spend the transfer funds wisely (that’s a nice change) is what’s taking the time.
Kevin continued:
“The hard part is finding quality players.”
“Anybody can gather players, it’s the easiest thing in the world to get them in, but the most important thing is to get the right quality.”
“Everything is in place to take the club forward.”
Those are good and positive words from Kevin Keegan, and he doesn’t seem to worried about the fact Newcastle will get new players in eventually before August 31st.
And Kevin seems to really like the owner Mike Ashley.
So that’s good enough for us – all we want is for the club to be successful once again – it’s as simple as that.
Comments welcome.
24 comments so far
dan_from_france
Jul 28, 2008 at 9:26 AM
Comment #1hope so so splash the cash ash then maybe will think so to
1st comment to
Slam Dunc
Jul 28, 2008 at 9:27 AM
Comment #2Keegan is talking a lot of sense but the “Mole at the Mail” has been using it against him this morning.
http://www.trophy4toon.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=372.0
Someone at our London office is working against Keegan.
Davies
Jul 28, 2008 at 9:30 AM
Comment #3Love KK, hate the press, keep the faith.
Michael
Jul 28, 2008 at 9:31 AM
Comment #4Talk is cheap and actions speak louder than words, Keegan wants 2-3 players which in my opinion leaves us massively short. Top 8 is a pipe dream at the moment considering we’re always getting injuries and our squad is even smaller again.
Mark
Jul 28, 2008 at 9:34 AM
Comment #5wow the press stirring stuff up after a good interview? I dont believe it! must be one of the nufc employees -_-
dick
Jul 28, 2008 at 9:36 AM
Comment #6the trouble about getting quality players they cost a lot of money and like big wages, its almost impossible to get quality for no money,every team in the country are looking for them players, they few and far between
Graham
Jul 28, 2008 at 9:37 AM
Comment #7Slam Dunc – this is the same Mail that put a headline up last night “Shame on you Keegan” (refering to him backing Barton). I think it’s the Mail themselves who have got it in for Keegan (and Barton) and NUFC as a whole.
I thought Keegans interview was very well put and shouldn’t cause any upset whatsoever with Ashley & co.
If we had spent £100m this summer and Keegan said that then fair enough. But the club is looking long term not just next season so what Keegan has said seems fair to me
John
Jul 28, 2008 at 9:43 AM
Comment #8Lads ignore the press…..They need to sell papers..There is no mole , thats why there talking sh*te
darren grech MALTA
Jul 28, 2008 at 9:46 AM
Comment #9i can’t see 5/6 quality players coming to newcastle utd.that’s wath we need to fight top 8.everton,man city,pompey,spurs and aston villa are better than us.
MR ASHLEY NEEDS TO SPEND MONEY IF HE WANT TO BE SUCCSESFULBUT I CAN NOT SEE IT HAPPEN
KEEGAN IS ONLY HOPING ON NEW SIGNINGSAND IT REMAINS A QEUTION WETHER IT HAPPENS OR NOT
Allman20
Jul 28, 2008 at 9:48 AM
Comment #10I must admit ive been against the big man MA recently, but if KK’s happy then i guess i am, its a shame we havnt been more productive in the transfer side of things but then again, theres still a good month to go, and no one expected Spidey to come (mainly because it wasnt plastered all over some shitty tabloid) Hopefully there are a few cheeky players lined up to come in and if we get at least two good quality defenders and a versatile attacking CM then that woudlnt be the end of the world. Stop the pessimism towards this season are you forgetting how good we we’re towards the end of last.
tapir
Jul 28, 2008 at 9:54 AM
Comment #11dont sell the club
sell MA instead
John
Jul 28, 2008 at 9:54 AM
Comment #12just on setanta the agent for Collicini said he received an offer from us and that he is expected to leave as he was left out off the pre season friendlies in venezuela
dick
Jul 28, 2008 at 9:57 AM
Comment #13dont really think we need to many players anyway, smith says he’s going to get 20 goals this season ,we’ve no need to worry then
Ian
Jul 28, 2008 at 9:58 AM
Comment #14I think it is going to be tough, pleased with Guthrie though, so I trust his judgement.
We all know KK will do his best for us and the club and he can make the best of what he has.
Two decent defenders and a decent striker would secure the premiership for us though.
JOeT
Jul 28, 2008 at 10:07 AM
Comment #15C’mon Kev, keep us moving, sign up collicini before all the other clubs catch a whiff! Hopefully we’re already down the line with this one! I hope so, just think how much his experience would bring on the rest of the young lads at the club! Get spiderman on the case!
Slam Dunc
Jul 28, 2008 at 10:15 AM
Comment #16Graham, comment 7
You could be right, I don’t know who has got it in for us and using the Daily Mail to do it.
But you have to admit that the Mail do on occasions like this seem to have access to what is going on in the newcastle boardroom.
So someone in the club is briefing them.
sweendog
Jul 28, 2008 at 10:20 AM
Comment #17IF keegans happy with MA then some am I .. which also means theres signings coming .. wise and jimenez get the finger out ..
WesToon
Jul 28, 2008 at 10:21 AM
Comment #18Gr8 to hear from KK,i agree with him… its about quality not quantity… WE DNT WANT THE OLD REGIME,pls TOON FANS,Ashley is the man to take us forward!! We are 1 of only a handfull of clubs who are debt free!!! STICK TOGETHER FFS LADS
John
Jul 28, 2008 at 10:22 AM
Comment #19slam dunc what makes you think the mail know anything about us…
Everything they have said so far has’nt came through so there obvioously bull**********
Slam Dunc
Jul 28, 2008 at 10:28 AM
Comment #20well thats not right John. The day after the Keegan/Ashley meeting in May they quoted verbatim what was said about cutting the wage bill, signing young players, Keegan getting a b*llocking for talking to the press.
Everyone slated them then for making it up.
But it was actually what was said, so someone on the Newcastle board is briefing their journalists
sirjasontoon
Jul 28, 2008 at 10:47 AM
Comment #21I just hope we land some players…I want the toon to be great again and with investment Keegan can get us back up challenging at the top.
If we dont get some good signings though with the current squad we will be awful this season once injuries and suspensions kick in.
I like the upbeat Keegan and it gives us all a lift..but he is hardly going to come out and say the owner is tight and I think my job stinks.
Come on Ashley start spending and backing the Messiah.
Taiwantoon
Jul 28, 2008 at 10:59 AM
Comment #22I hate Barton, but if King Kev wanted him to stay then I want him to stay. MA should take a serious action if anyone in the board room is acting against KK or the all fans will turn against him very soon.
clinta
Jul 28, 2008 at 12:16 PM
Comment #23people still on here giving MA a hard time, you really need to stop reading so much tabloid toss and start thinking independently for yourself, an example of this has to be in the interview with KK owen hasn’t got the mumps he had them kat the end of last season!!
i for one agree with KK on MA and am glad to have him in charge,
hell there was someone on a previous thread saying bring back freddy shepard!!!!! what short memories people have? yes he gave fans exciting big money transfers, but what did we get on the pitch?
Ian
Jul 28, 2008 at 8:49 PM
Comment #24clinta, he is going to be bringing in someone, what did Freddy give us? Fifth in the premiership until Hall and friends decided to sack Robson and left Freddy to do it and take the flack!
I wouldnt mind Freddy and a few others buying back in, but this time in a more silent role!