Welcome home Kev - now take us back where we belong

not a magpie wrote...

Back where you belong?
Historically that is up and down between the top 2 divisions.
Beware that you do not wish for something you do not want.

Ryder's reply: Historically eh?
Since the Premier League started the overall League table reads that Newcastle are in sixth place, plenty of teams would like that record.
I wonder who you support.

Posted by: not a magpie  | January 17, 2008 9:11 AM

Mosh wrote...

"Ashley's choice"... actually Ashley's *second* choice. I'm still staggered that we were chasing Redknapp for the role.

I'm as happy as anyone that KK is back in charge, but I'm not going to start bouncing just yet. Let's see how the rest of the season pans out and then what happens transfer-wise over the summer. I've been let down by my club too much in the last few years to risk getting excited just yet!

Incidentally, I was out last night (I work in Chamonix in France) and I bumped into supporters of the Boro, Blackburn, Liverpool and Colchester amongst others. Without exception they were all glad to see Keggy back in the news.

Posted by: Mosh  | January 17, 2008 9:39 AM

julie from wallsend wrote...

lets just hope he is given the time to take us forward as KK is pretty much alot of the fans choice of manager

Posted by: julie from wallsend  | January 17, 2008 9:54 AM

Duncan Baines wrote...

How far can KK take us? To the title!

Posted by: Duncan Baines  | January 17, 2008 11:32 AM

nov|ce wrote...

Wow! I never would have thought that Keegan would come back! But at the end of the day, he fell out with the board. Where are they, now? Probably sitting in the same room, calling our sisters, mothers, daughters etc. dogs, branding Big Al' "Mary Poppins" for not accompanying them into a brothel and finally, insulting the fans for spending hellish amounts of money on merchandise, that costs them a fraction to produce. Let's not forget that Special K turned his car around when he walked out on that pathetic bunch for one reason only. He couldn't do it to us! The loyalist football supporters the world will ever have!!
New billionare owner, completely new board and the return of the messiah...
Special times - Special K

Posted by: nov|ce  | January 17, 2008 11:44 AM

tomfitz wrote...

I can hardly believe it kk is back. I really thought he had left for good, but it was nice to see he still has the passion and desire to finish the job he started with sir john. I also saw shearer on the beeb last night and that was the most animated I have seen him since he hung up his boots, maybe the dream ticket is on, lets hope so.
Onward and upward, the louder you scream the faster we go whaheeeeey!

Posted by: tomfitz  | January 17, 2008 11:46 AM

Peter wrote...

Actually Lee, I believe that Newcastle are still in 5th place in the all time PL points league. They still have the 5th best UEFA Coefficient, and Chelsea only passed that last season.

Last night proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that when you allow modern players to play a modern game they'll wallop lesser opposition. Allardyce was a dinosaur, a throwback to a bygone age when kicking people (like Emre, lol!), hooliganism, and allnight alcoholic match preparation were the order of the day. Football in the UK has moved on and caught up with the continentals. We may not be able to in every way, but we can match and beat them regularly, and not just one team, but many PL teams can do it.

I was listening on the radio, and I haven't heard commentators get enthused about watching Newcastle since Bobby Robson, let's not forget him and what he did here. It was dreamlike because the buzz was back that hasn't been there since Bobby Robson had us wandering around Europe on a regular basis. It was dreamlike because who honestly thought we were going to beat Stoke until we heard the KK news? I for one wasn't relishing the thought of 2130hrs (original end time), but then I wished it couldn't end.

What was wonderful was knowing the same players out there consumately destroyed Stoke with ease, and that was with 10 men. In fact, they were better when they had 10 men, probably because they all have to work hard and pass the ball to maintain possession. My girlfriend is an Arsenal fan, and we're looking at watching NU at the Emirates. The problem was up until 1630 yesterday, I had to say "well we'll definitely have the league game." Now, I can say that we will match Arsenal in the Cup and give them a good run for their money in the League.

This will be a common factor from now on. Teams will have watched us play last night, and they will have sat up and take notice. Players like Owen, Duff and Emre, have played Champions League football. Taylor, Milner and N'Zogbia have always been amongst the hottest youth prospects, and Viduka is an old warhorse with a great goal record at Leeds. Add in seasoned campaigners like Butt, Geremi and Smith and we have a decent side. The back four are decent, as long as the forwards and midfield look to keep the ball. Players like Rozenhall and Cacapa, I think will settle in and get better as the team gels.

I hope KK gives Shola a chance. I don't understand his marginalisation when he carried this club willingly, even when he had a serious hip injury. Ameobi under KK will shine. I would still like to see another striker, a playmaker and possibly another centre back. I spotted Torres several years ago, and Roeder had whispers about him. Shame he went to Liverpool. Luca Toni was another who I was really mystified we didn't pursue. KK will attract the big name players again and Mike Ashley will bank roll a revolution that will change the face of PL football again.

Liverpool's place in the top 4 is there for the taking. They have had more false dawns than us and that's with stable management and loads of money. I really thought they'd win the league this season. Arsenal and ManU now have years of winning, and it's true, it becomes a habit. I'm still waiting for the Russian Secret Service to arrest Abramovich for Chelsea's bubble to burst. Man City have gate crashed the party and so proved it's still possible to get in the elite 4.

I can truly see us finish in the top 6 because if we beat Bolton by 4-0 (that's my prediction) the KK factor will frighten the pants out of teams. Nothing is worse than the legend of a man to scare the life out of him. Most teams that play ManU have lost the game before a ball is kicked. So it will be when we beat Bolton resolutely. It's funny because 10 days ago we were dreading the FA Cup replay, and the thought of Bolton, Arsenal etc. Now we can't wait to see what happens.

Well done, Mike Ashley, top appointment and top stewardship of a club!!!! You have delivered the improbable, now help KK deliver the impossible!!!!

Posted by: Peter  | January 17, 2008 11:58 AM

karl wrote...

MA has certainly pulled that one out of the proverbial bag!! I was watching sky sports special last night and just seeing KK go into SJP made my hairs stand on end! Let's forget what all the other muppets who support other clubs are saying - it's got nothing to do with them - we've at last got someone who recognises and more importantly understands the extraordinary passion for football and Newcastle we have up here. I truly believe we are unique, no matter what anyone else might say. Lets give KK and his staff 110% backing - lets be realistic about what we can achieve and how long it is going to take - but more importantly - LETS ENJOY THE RIDE!!!

Posted by: karl  | January 17, 2008 12:13 PM

Anonymous wrote...

As I believe that Taylor, Milner, and N'Zogbia have talent to play top flight. The King will have to bring the best out of the talented experienced players. Emre, Owen, Duff, Given, Viduka, Carr, and even Smith and Barton. As well as preach defense. And be prepared to bring in the African players when they arrive. Allardyce must be in shock now that he looks back to reflect on the team he had and how it was underutilized.

Posted by: Anonymous  | January 17, 2008 12:19 PM

Ed Harrison wrote...

Great article Lee. I never thought Kevin would come back. As you say in the article, it's hard to replicate former success - but if anybody can do it - it's Kevin.
And all the fans will be pushing with him in the direction of success, as we saw last night. He hadn't even took over but had a fabulous and positive influence on our players last night - especially the younger ones.
Just can't wait.

Posted by: Ed Harrison  | January 17, 2008 12:27 PM

andy wrote...

KK is back and the one thing that he does bring more than anything is excitement. Whatever happens from here on in the excitement is back in the club. No-one else ever gave the club that feeling (well, maybe Gullit...) and THAT is what the club needs. Winning isn't important right now, it's the want and need to support the club that was missing. The passion was being killed and the man who gave it to us all is back.

Posted by: andy  | January 17, 2008 12:32 PM

Mark wrote...

History, Lee, in football terms did not start with the advent of the Premier League.

Newcastle is a potentially big team without a track record of success (Arsenal, Liverpool, Man Utd, Everton, Villa, Spurs, Chelsea... the list goes on of clubs more successful) so get a grip and stop going on about 'where you belong', as that would probably be towards the lower middle of the league...

Kind of where you are now.

Ryder's reply: Oh I didn't know that actually my memory only starts in 1992, the year we weren't in the Premier League thus giving the four teams ahead of us in the all time top four a head start.
Now it's starting to come back to me though oh yes we werei in the Second Division when KK took over and he did save us before we played the best football the world has ever seen.
Our track record is four League titles, six FA Cups and one European trophy.
History, Mark is a wonderful thing.

Posted by: Mark  | January 17, 2008 1:10 PM

Tony Greener wrote...

Absolutely Fantastic. I never thought he'd come back but I never gave up hope either. And just look at the effect he had on the team even without meeting them.
Move over Mourinho; KK is the Special One now. A couple of good signings and we'll be flying again. Huntelaar? Deco? Ben Haim? even Woody back? That's the sort who would come for King Kev.
thank you for ever Mash

Posted by: Tony Greener  | January 17, 2008 1:13 PM

Keith Whalen wrote...

Glad to see him back, I just hope we can all be realistic. There was only two ways the board could go at this stage. Should they go for broke and adopt a boom or bust attitude and spend £175M+ on a respected big name European Manager and a squad of big name players who are only here for the money as the club is not that attractive at present. With the ultimate goal being that we leap-frog the big four and win the Premier League. Thereby facing the threat of being the next Leeds United

Or are we honest enough to say look its been 50+ years and no sign of a domestic trophy so instead lets aim to become a regular finisher in the top 6, thereby becoming a more successful club with regular European experience which would make us more attractive to a respected big name European Manager and a squad of big name players who come to the club because we are in a stronger position to push for the title? Only under BR did we have three top five finishes in a row and this should have been built on. So perhaps a 3.5 year plan with KK is the way forward.

Posted by: Keith Whalen  | January 17, 2008 1:49 PM

Shane wrote...

i'm over the moon, this is the best thing to happen to this football club since the robson era. lets all get behind kk and not expect instant miracles. we know what he can do so lets all just give him time to test the water and get used to the new set up. good times are ahead! i'd love to see dean ashton in a newcastle jersey next season. fingers crossed

Posted by: Shane  | January 17, 2008 2:11 PM

Gerry Hagon wrote...

In the words of Alan Hanson.......

Unbelievable.

Posted by: Gerry Hagon  | January 17, 2008 2:43 PM

hadrian wrote...

its amazing , tyneside is buzzing and ive never been so exited about this club for years .
i note the southern press are already sharpening their knives , least this time we can count on our local rag to defend wor kev , the city and its supporters .. cant we ?

Posted by: hadrian  | January 17, 2008 3:57 PM

NIGEL WRIGHT wrote...

For my sins I am a Norwich City supporter. I think that your team is every other supporters second favourite. Good luck to the legend, your team and supporters.
Keep your hands of LEE CLARK

Posted by: NIGEL WRIGHT  | January 17, 2008 5:00 PM

yiannis mazis wrote...

KEVIN KEEGAN can take us to one level where everybody will respect us like a club.Once more a big thanks to Mr ASHLEY and MORT.YIANNIS MAZIS FROM AGHIOS NIKOLAOS KRETA GREECE.NEWCASTLE FOR EVER.

Posted by: yiannis mazis  | January 17, 2008 5:02 PM

Mark wrote...

Yep…see you’ve kinda proved my point there Lee…drawing reference again to this ‘all-time’ top of the Premier League table you seem to hold so dearly.

I don’t get it. Football wasn’t invented then, and even so, you still never won anything! You played some nice football, had some big players and did well to harness the power of 24 hour football on SKY to boost the club’s profile and image (something the powers that be at Newcastle United need immeasurable praise for)

I think Newcastle has a decent history, but one that doesn’t measure up to half a dozen or more clubs in the top division at the moment so if you think you belong in the top four of the league, you’re kidding yourself.

But fair dos, you dream of getting to the top and staying there… But wait… do you? If celebrating Keegan’s return as manically as possible reflects anything, it is that you crave glorious failure more than success. Epic 4-3 defeats to Liverpool, 5-0 demolitions of Man Utd. Great days. But no trophies.

What do you see Kevin Keegan doing for the club in terms of tangible success? I’m not referring to glib tributes rushed out on SKY, gullible fans yapping into microphones about how ‘we’ll be back next year’…but actual trophies…. Any chance of that?

Posted by: Mark  | January 17, 2008 5:04 PM

mag in boro wrote...

Mike Ashley said one reason he bought newcastle was to have fun....so let the fun begin

As for entries from opposing fans who "love it" when we either under perform on the pitch or make headlines for wrong reasons didnt want keegan or shearer to be appointed certainly not both(hopefully)
They want to visit a SJP with no atmosphere not one that is again buzzing

Kings kev and (hopefully)al will motivate the current squad and we know Ashley is gonna put the financial muscle behind them

No teams like being attacked and that is what teams are going to get from us now its the only way keegan knows how to play not lets try not to lose and sneak 3 points football we have endured this year

it was said months ago the atmosphere hadnt disappeared from the terraces it was just waiting for the right time to reappear..Come saturday the geordie roar will be heard again..not out of loyalty or principle as in past out of pride once more because we all know what could happen with KK...Kev has said he has unfinished business here and he has the backing 110% of each and everyone to finish what he started
he brought shearer back home as a player
time to bring him into management

And just to put an even bigger smile on all geordies faces today please remember THE MACKEMS STILL BOTTOM 3 :)

BRITISH BY BIRTH
GEORDIE BY THE GRACE OF GOD

Posted by: mag in boro  | January 17, 2008 5:14 PM

dawn rankin wrote...

to not a magpie, i think you might have been thinking of the sunderland, thats the yoyo's to us geordies as they are the ones that go up and down, up and down. i think there is not one geordie who is unhappy about kk coming. Sexy football here we come, haway the toon x

Posted by: dawn rankin  | January 17, 2008 5:15 PM

kt wrote...

"Gone are the days of ProZone ..."

Football has changed a lot since KK was last at the Toon and whether you agree or not Lee science now plays a major role in the preparation of teams and the analysis of matches. Whatever you say about Big Sam he was doing the right things behind the scenes, building a backroom staff that would leave no small detail unchecked in their pursuit of excellence.

Now what KK has that Sam didn't is charisma, enthusiasm, an excellent eye for a player and an understanding of how we want our team to play. But if he wants to really succeed in todays modern premiership he will need to adapt. He will need to get the right people around him to compensate for his weaknesses and he will need to listen to those experts on what is best for the team. Sir Bobby Robson did this; he didn't have much of a clue about strength and conditioning and sports science but he gave then coach Paul Winsper a major role to play and the result was we were one of the fittest teams in the premiership (remember all the late comebacks we used to make?) and our injury record was largely due to contact injuries received in game ... contrast this with Souness who completely marginalised the sports science staff and 6 months down the line was looking for excuses why his players kept picking up muscles strains, pulls and tears (it wasn't the training pitch, it was poor athletic preparation).

If KK can adapt and, more specifically, get (or keep) the right people in around him to compensate for his weaknesses I think he will do really well. And I hope to god he does really well because he is a fantastic bloke and the memories of that previous Toon team practically make up my adolescent childhood, I don't want them to be soured!

Posted by: kt  | January 17, 2008 5:26 PM

Phil wrote...

Fantastic!! The man was bubbly and inspirational as a European Footballer of the Year, and similarly amazingly motivational as manager of NUFC. We have been subjected to "stars" who have been not putting out for Alladyce - the whole atmosphere has changed now. The "ho-hum" attitude of one or two "top" (in reputation) players will not be tolerated now - Kevin Keegan is big enough to light a fire under their asses and demand they give the 100% he gives.

Posted by: Phil  | January 17, 2008 5:39 PM

Andrew Davis wrote...

Hi Lee,

I must admit i was eating Ben & Jerrys ice cream at the office here in DC, USA and i must say i nearly collasped as i was in complete shock and as i emailed Alan Oliver and i had to leave work and get back to the TV at home and watch Sky Sports over here as they show it twice a day.

I must say i did not really want him back after he left in the 1st place but he is the guy whom i am sure this happened to you, as he get's the hairs on the back on your next and not many people can do that to me.

I think if had got Jose Mourinho or Alan Shearer then that would of happened as lets be fair there were nobody else who can and have lifted the geordies as much as KK.

I hope shearer is assistant but i will be surprised if that happens but with newcastle you never know.

I agree about never going back but he will have the geordie nation behind like never before and that will buy him time as well as that is what is needed.

All the best lee.

Andrew
Ben & Jerrys

Posted by: Andrew Davis  | January 17, 2008 6:23 PM

Ian Whitfield wrote...

Great News after 30 plus years of exile in Australia and only a handful of games I've managed to see on trips back to the Toon,KK will I'm sure take us to greater heights ,only Sir Bobby ever got anywhere near his record .

Gone will be the boring long punts down
the field ,and back to using wingers such as Milner &Co to get balls to the inside forwards ,yes football as it should be played .

With a little bit of patience because he'll need some time to sort this current mess ,including what they do with players like Barton we can look to the sort of classy football we haven't seen for a few years ,and start giving Arsenal Man Utd and others a run for their money .

Welcome back Kev

Posted by: Ian Whitfield  | January 17, 2008 6:36 PM

Dazza wrote...

I cant believe KK is back,just him being in the stand was enough for the whole team to shine and play as we knew they could.Just cant wait for saturdays game now,no more missing match of the day cos we lost,again!KK is back and so is the excitement of good entertaining football, the style that made me fall for this football club.

Posted by: Dazza  | January 17, 2008 7:10 PM

Sentimental Old Goat wrote...

The appointment of KK has had me reminiscing about my old Granps who was an ex Gateshead/Blyth Spartans player and was involved in the British Army football team during WW2. I'll never forget him leaping out his seat like a twenty year old not an 84 year old when we scored against liverpool in that dramatic season. He loved the football we played during the KK years. Alas, he died a few years after Keegan left and i'm sure he would be well excited if he was still around to see yesterdays news.

But at least he had a good innings, its sad to think about the hundreds of 'canny lads and lasses' who've gone to the big Gallowgate in the sky, over the last 11 years who aren't here to see the 'unfinished business'. How they all would 'HAVE LOVED IT'

Sing a song for them this Saturday.
TOON ARMY

Posted by: Sentimental Old Goat  | January 17, 2008 7:21 PM

DANIEL RIDLEY -- TORONTO wrote...

SUPERCALIFRAGILISTICXPALADOCIS!!

ALL WE NEED IS 8 STRIKERS AND 3 GOALIES AND WE WILL BE BRINGING SILVERWARE IN NO TIME..........CONGRATULATIONS K.K.

Posted by: DANIEL RIDLEY -- TORONTO  | January 17, 2008 7:42 PM

nov|ce wrote...

...and oh yeah... Well done Nigel Pearson! Let's not forget HE was caretaker manager last night, HE picked the players (well, from what little choice he had) and HE gave them their tactics.

As Milner says in his interview in tonigts Chronicle on Keegans return, "It could have been very different with all of the hype before kick off. And it would have been very easy for us to put the game on the backburner. Credit to Nigel Peaqrson for getting us prepared and focused on the game, it would have been easy to switch off. But we kept our minds on the job. We prepared well and we needed to."

NOW let's see what Keegan brings, and thank Pearson for doing his job. Of course it's undenyable Keegan's mere presence was a catalyst for our success on the night, but you don't win games with your favourite uncle turning up to watch you play, alone. Let's see what presents he's brought us from his travels! Spotted the new Shearer yet, guv?
Welcome home Your Highness! King Kev the first and the last. Let's hope this era does exactly that... LAST!

Posted by: nov|ce  | January 17, 2008 8:21 PM

STEVE wrote...

i wonder who he signs...amongst others i would go for the belgian Daniel van buyten who he had on loan at man city,now at bayern....also....a long shot though...Diego at bremen...he is awesome....coveted by many clubs but with KKs gerry links who knows?????? exciting times that i hoped,but never thought i would see/experience again... bring on bolton...the atmos will be electric...

Posted by: STEVE  | January 17, 2008 10:19 PM

medan wrote...

Growing up as a kid Keegan was my all time favourite palyer after Pele, I believe he will bring the wining attitue that was missisng in the previous managers, not to mention attacking entertaining football.

I am assuming all the fans who were shocked and upset at SAM being sacked are rejoicing and see the wisdom of the act by Mort and Ashely. The fans have a big part to play in ensuring the success of KK, we need to be behind him 150% through good time or bad times as he is inheriting a messs he did not create.

Posted by: medan  | January 17, 2008 10:33 PM

Paul Bradley wrote...

Mark the only team that plays real football now is Arsenal, KK played the best thats ever be seen and his side was loved by all of England.
Its gonna happen again (and yeah we might not win anything) but the whole country is gonna get Value for money when they watch a Newcastle game, unfortunatley the same cant be said for the team you support unless its Arsenal.

Posted by: Paul Bradley  | January 18, 2008 12:39 AM

Big Jonn wrote...

The more i think about this the more it feels right. It feels like a minor miracle, i can't believe it.

I live in London now and am considering moving home again because of this.

No matter what happens it feels like our club has got its soul back.

We can dream again

Posted by: Big Jonn  | January 18, 2008 8:37 AM

Dave B wrote...

A note to that Chelsea presenter AJ on Talksport who states that he’s sick of having the Newcastle story rammed down his throat. Hey why not try doing more than read the papers in preparation for your show and talk about something else? His failure to see irony is on par with his failure to recognise a world exists beyond the Kings Road.

Posted by: Dave B  | January 18, 2008 9:46 AM

pete boyle wrote...

great to see KING KEV back.No room for slackers now or they'll be out.He'll get them giving 100%.Let the good times roll

Posted by: pete boyle  | January 18, 2008 12:33 PM

Ronnie Lambert wrote...

Forgive me Lee for doing this but I have as usual, too much to say on this subject of Keegan coming ' home Newcastle ' which I've screamed from the rooftops for 11 years, so I'm gonna cut and paste the very lucid words of novIce, who wrote.........Wow! I never would have thought that Keegan would come back! But at the end of the day, he fell out with the board. Where are they, now? Probably sitting in the same room, calling our sisters, mothers, daughters etc. dogs, branding Big Al' "Mary Poppins" and finally, insulting the fans for spending hellish amounts of money on merchandise, that costs them a fraction to produce.
The loyalist football supporters the world will ever have!!
New billionare owner, completely new board and the return of the messiah...
Special times - Special K

Posted by: Ronnie Lambert  | January 18, 2008 7:39 PM