Newcastle United manager Kevin Keegan has failed to lead his new club to a single victory in 5 Premiership matches and the situation at St. James’ Park is not too different from what it was when Sam Allardyce was in charge of the club. The Geordies are just 6 points above the relegation zone and although most would suggest that Newcastle are just too good to drop down, the reality is that the Geordies are involved in a relegation dogfight.
And Kevin Keegan accepts this naked, harsh truth and concedes that pulling the team out of the mire would be his first priority. KK says:
First we have to get the players to ensure our safety because we’re not safe yet. We need a win. That’s all we lack at the moment. The confidence will come flowing back and the football will get better and the players will start to trust each other that little bit more.
Then (when safety is assured) we have to start thinking about pre-season and then in the back of our minds there are players whose contracts are up,” he continued.
Then there are players we are looking to in terms of thinking can we get a wish list and can we get people to go and watch them?
Obviously some of these players play abroad and obviously I have signed the odd player having watched videos.
But to be honest I like to go and have a look myself.
The scouts bring them to your attention but I have to go and look at them because, at the end of the day, I am the one who has to pick the team and decide whether they play or not.
On the positive side of things is the fact that Newcastle have been boosted by the return of several African players from the African Nations’ Cup duty. Keegan would certainly be buoyed by this and would be exploring his options.
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