Is the Toon tide turning against King Kev?

Filed in archive Managers on March 18, 2008

Last night's 1-1 draw with Birmingham wasn't the worst result in the world for Newcastle United. It takes them four points above the drop zone and keeps them two points above Birmingham.

It is against those facts that I was surprised to see the number of callers to Sky Sports last night calling for Kevin Keegan to be sacked.

Opinions on the fans forums are mixed.

Now it isn't all Newcastle fans calling for King Kevs head by any means, but I am amazed that there are any. Of course, a run of results like he has produced, with no victories, would upset even the most loyal fans. However, it is just nine weeks since he returned to St James' as the Geordie Messiah. I didn't hear any dissenting voices from the North East at that time. Keegan was the answer to all their prayers.

It is clear that with the appointment of Dennis Wise, the attitude of some of the players and the refusal of so many players to head North in the transfer window, all is not well at the wonderful old club. The performances on the pitch have, at times, been pitiful. Keegan's insistence that he can't guarantee survival won't have gone down too well with many.

I have written before about how poorly I thought Big Sam Allardyce was treated. He had taken a poor side to mid-table safety. He was gradually moulding the team and the club into what he wanted them to be. It wasn't exciting and in truth, they weren't very good, but he was making progress. Since he was sacked, it has all been downhill.

It was always going to be difficult for Keegan to return to his 'second home' and achieve anything like he achieved before. The only thing he could be 100% confident of was that he would keep the support of the toon Army fervently behind him. It seems at this crucial time of the season that the support for King Kev might just be slipping.

If Keegan fails to keep Newcastle up he will undoubtedly leave the club. If he keeps them up but the supporters are not totally behind him then his often fragile state of mind may well see him leave anyway.

I truly believe that Keegan has just eight games left in charge of Newcastle either way. What a crucial eight games they are for the club.