As we suspected it looks like the big problem with Joe in a couple of weeks is how to keep him away from Newcastle.
Joe Kinnear – apparently he’s feeling better already
Chris Hughton talked about Joe this morning:
“Everything that we’ve heard is good news, he’s recovering very well. He moved into his own room today and his progress has been good,”
“I haven’t spoken to Joe, I have rung him quite a few times but I appreciate where he is and that he’s not going to be accessible. He’s had major surgery and we are only five days post-surgery.”
“But at some stage he will be very much itching to get on that phone and to know what’s happening. At what stage that will be I’m not sure but it’ll no doubt be at the earliest convenience.”
“Joe’s the kind of person who’ll find it hard to take a backward step from it all. He’s the type who’s always very involved, used to being on the training pitch and in the middle of everything.”
“When you’re like that it is difficult. But Joe will be back. The way that we’re looking at it is, the statement we made last week that he’d be away for a two-month period still applies.”
Of course the strange thing with a heart bypass is once the effects of the operation leave you, you immediately feel a lot better than you did, with the blood pumping through your heart a lot better and more blood getting through to the body in general. You seem to have more energy.
But Joe needs to recover fully from the open heart surgery, and also put new diet and exercise procedures in place so he’s not back in the same boat in 5 years time. That should be part of the new copntract – if he decides to take it – keeping himself extra fit for the massive challenge that is Newcastle United manager.
Until the time Joe and his doctors think it’s right for him to come back Chris and Colin Calderwood will be in charge on Tyneside, but we don’t think it will be a full 2 months.
When asked whether the next few months will be the biggest challenge of his coaching career thus far Chris answered:
“I think so, yes,” “You put pressure on yourself because you desperately want to get results, you want this team to be winning football matches.”
“That’s my responsibility for the time being and that’s the pressure you put yourself under.”
“I’ve had experience of being in this position before so I’m quite capable and confident of coping. What we’re sensing here is that things have settled down. The transfer window is over and during that period there’s always speculation about players.
“There was Charles (N’Zogbia), and the Shay Given issue was one which ran for a while, but we’re at the stage now where we know what we’re working with.
“The players who have gone have gone, there’ll be no more players coming in and we have three new players who have acquitted themselves very well.
“The group now have to see it through to the end of the season. We have been through a lot, but I sense that we’re a little bit more stable now, so we can get on with the important matters of playing football matches, playing well and pleasing the supporters.”
“You don’t switch off,” “What goes with the responsibility is the amount of time that you’re thinking about the game, what you need to do to win the next one.”
“You enjoy the moments when you win but you quickly think about the next game. I’m still sleeping though!”
And the news from the FA is they are putting back the FA disciplinary hearing to look at Joe and Phil Brown’s sending-off last month, after their altercation on the sidelines. It’s being delayed on compassionate grounds.
It’s a pity they couldn’t have really been compassionate and just forgot about it, since this will be on Joe’s mind during his recovery, maybe.
But you can never accuse the FA of being sensible, they have their rules and they’ll stick to them.
Comments welcome.
33 comments so far
workyticket
Feb 18, 2009 at 9:51 AM
Comment #1“Wigan Athletic manager Steve Bruce, has reacted to the rumours linking him with the Newcastle United manager’s job.
He was also less than complimenatary about the club and the fans’ treatment of current boss, Joe Kinnear and his feelings.
Commenting on the speculation he said, “I’m going to Newcastle am I? Well, it’s news to me and I think it’s a little bit disrespectful when their manager is going through what he’s going through right now.”
He also stated that he was very happy at Wigan Athletic, with whom he is currently trying to gain entry into Europe. Any manager with half a brain knows that a stint as manager at St James’ Park, at the moment, is not worth the hassle.”
Pons Aelius
Feb 18, 2009 at 9:55 AM
Comment #2I read something similar workyticket from a Wigan fans site, but methinks you added that last bit about ‘any manager with half a brain’ yourself.
I take it you’re not a Bruce fan 🙂
Pons Aelius
Feb 18, 2009 at 9:57 AM
Comment #3SORRY workyticket – total retraction, I read that article again and it does say that.
murvar
Feb 18, 2009 at 10:00 AM
Comment #4I trust AShley will ban JFK from the training ground and SJP. For everyone’s sake. Have you noticed how pleasant it is not to have him shooting his mouth off with inaccurate nonsense all the time> Hughton’s inanities are equally worthless but at leat they are not stupid. I wish Joe a full and speedy recovery back home wherever he lives, and I hope he stays there.
Pons Aelius
Feb 18, 2009 at 10:01 AM
Comment #5As far as Kinnear’s concerned the sooner he gets back the better IMO. No offence to Hughton but we never look our best when he’s in charge. Then again with Calderwood by his side who knows?
Tony
Feb 18, 2009 at 10:03 AM
Comment #6i think the half a brain quip was from the reporter
Davies
Feb 18, 2009 at 10:04 AM
Comment #7I read that too Workyticket. He’s right, it is a little disrespectful, but I don’t see that as being less than complimentary about the fans, just respectful opinion.
Anybody read about Ramos?
workyticket
Feb 18, 2009 at 10:04 AM
Comment #8No I didn’t add the last bit Pons Aelius, I don’t do things like that.
He’s ok, but like Bruce, I think it’s disgusting the way the fans are treating Kinnear at the moment, and it isn’t good for the club’s reputation.
MickMack
Feb 18, 2009 at 10:07 AM
Comment #9You’re right Tony – there were speech marks added to the half a brain comment from the Ye Olde Tree and Crown site – its a bit like someone quoting Ed.
Micky Toon
Feb 18, 2009 at 10:12 AM
Comment #10Did Bruce really say that? Unless he’s been approached by the NUFC board then he shouldn’t really be making comments like that.
The only people I’ve seen comment on Bruce coming to Newcastle are people on here and other similar sites.
valle
Feb 18, 2009 at 10:12 AM
Comment #11Bruce says NOTHING about the fans, its total fabrication, end of…
Monster
Feb 18, 2009 at 10:15 AM
Comment #12workyticket, I’m obviously missing something here – what are the fans doing to treat Kinnear disgustingly?
batty
Feb 18, 2009 at 10:15 AM
Comment #13think we are in trouble with Hughton and calderwood in charge ,think ashley needs to get some one in NOW
Toronto_Toon
Feb 18, 2009 at 10:17 AM
Comment #14This whole affair will provide an interesting perspective on Ashley and his loyalty to those who work for him.
Thusfar, he seems to be the sort who sticks by his guns, and doesn’t give in to pressure. If he does that here, JK will stay as manager.
I personally think this will be terrible for him personally, and potentially disastrous to the Toon. His heart may well have been damaged already, and however well he recovers, high levels of stress are the last thing he’ll need. I also think that Hughton and Calderwood are not up to the task of providing cover for him for the time required.
I would get a new manager in straight away, though there may be legal complications if JK has been promised $1 million (or is it pounds?) if he keeps the Toon in the Premiership, and is removed before then.
The cost of failure is too high for all concerned to take any risks here.
workyticket
Feb 18, 2009 at 10:18 AM
Comment #15valle // Feb 18, 2009 at 10:12 AM
“Bruce says NOTHING about the fans, its total fabrication, end of…”
Bruce isn’t the only one valle, lots of people are.
Toon_Factor
Feb 18, 2009 at 10:23 AM
Comment #16Remaining fixtures Everton, Bolton, Man U, Hull, Arsenal, Chelsea, Stoke, Tottenham, Portsmouth, Liverpool, Middlesbrough, Fulham, Aston Villa, I feel we need 11 more points to survive so about 4 more wins should do it, If we win all of the “SHOULD” win games like Bolton, Hull, Stoke, Portsmouth, Tottenham, Middlesbrough and Stoke which we proberly wont their is an extra 21points and we could be challenging for europe!
batty
Feb 18, 2009 at 10:24 AM
Comment #17we have treated JK and the rest better than they have treated us fans
batty
Feb 18, 2009 at 10:27 AM
Comment #18Toon_Factor what makes you think we should beat hull and stoke .hull have beat us twice at sjp and stoke drew
Born Again Geordie
Feb 18, 2009 at 10:27 AM
Comment #19Don’t want Bruce anyway – tugger !!! 🙂
Pons Aelius
Feb 18, 2009 at 10:28 AM
Comment #20workyticket – yeah mate, my apologies.
I jumped the gun a bit there 🙂
workyticket
Feb 18, 2009 at 10:29 AM
Comment #21That’s ok Pons Aelius.
Toronto_Toon
Feb 18, 2009 at 10:30 AM
Comment #22Agreed, Batty. The fans have had it the worst in this whole shambles of a season.
Appointing a manager who will build a side for the next five years is the way out of that situation. Ramos would be a good appointment.
There may be no truth in it – I personally don’t believe it – but I’m not surprised we’re linked, since Gus Poyet was his assistant at Spurs, and he’s connected with….
Toon_Factor
Feb 18, 2009 at 10:33 AM
Comment #2318 batty
Because with some of the injured players back we should be able to beat a team on the slide and a a bunch of WWE wannabees
valle
Feb 18, 2009 at 10:38 AM
Comment #24Workyticket… Well, your in full right to that opinion, but i read that article as well and they state both in the headline and in the text that Bruce “slams Newcastle and their fans”… Thats bull and lousy fabrication, the only quote they have from Bruce says that He would find it disrespectfull to Joe to talk about the NUFC position at this time… What does that have in common with the headline?
batty
Feb 18, 2009 at 10:45 AM
Comment #25toonfactor but we got knocked out ov the cup by hull reserves m8
Stardust
Feb 18, 2009 at 10:54 AM
Comment #26Worky “He’s ok, but like Bruce, I think it’s disgusting the way the fans are treating Kinnear at the moment, and it isn’t good for the club’s reputation.”
and Toronto Toon – “This whole affair will provide an interesting perspective on Ashley and his loyalty to those who work for him. Thusfar, he seems to be the sort who sticks by his guns, and doesn’t give in to pressure. If he does that here, JK will stay as manager.”
I say good on the board for sticking by the man who jumped in the trenches to take on the Mob. At least the board acts with more integrity than the Mob (who turned their backs on the club in its time of need)
cashleyout
Feb 18, 2009 at 11:19 AM
Comment #27i wish joe all the best but hes still not the man to lead us into the next season, sorry but his record here isnt any good and hes not that great a manager anyway!
waddler
Feb 18, 2009 at 11:37 AM
Comment #28Bruce doesn’t mention the fans, he only said it was disrepectful because Kinnear isn’t off his sick bed yet.
Anyway its the press who are manufacturing this story to sell newspapers, as usual.
Llambias has said Kinnear will be back, when fit enough to manage.
edwincjx
Feb 18, 2009 at 12:08 PM
Comment #29I think whatever the fans are hoping for now is just for the best for the club..
all the shite we have gone through is too much!
Tom_Toon
Feb 18, 2009 at 12:37 PM
Comment #30Look, Kinneae wasn’t good enough before his health scare so he isn’t good enough now.
workyticket needs to get off his high horse, wake up and smell the roses, or sht shall I say.
batty
Feb 18, 2009 at 12:47 PM
Comment #31ED thought you would have wished sir bobby a happy birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIR BOBBY YOU WERE AND STILL ARE THE BEST .
Tom_Toon
Feb 18, 2009 at 12:55 PM
Comment #32–
Tom_Toon
Feb 18, 2009 at 2:11 PM
Comment #33=