Football FanCast Rob Facey reacts to Kevin Keegan's latest comments and suggests that Newcastle
fans might want to keep their voices down when it comes to discussing the
so-called Kevolution to avoid embarrassment.
Kevin Keegan last
week declared the Premier League boring. However, reflecting on a day that saw
the title won and two relegation spots filled, the one thing that was boring and
predictable was Newcastle's abject performance at the hands of Everton, as the
Toon Army once again contemplate another summer of rebuilding.
Apart from the
defeat, the only thing more worrying than for the fans than Kevin Keegan's
initial remarks were his post match comments yesterday where he admitted he was
wrong to suggest that Newcastle are too far behind the top sides.
"It is impressive for anyone who finishes just outside the top four, who I thought were running away with it, but I'm now convinced by so many people who know the game that I was wrong," he told The Guardian after yesterday's defeat.
Quite who these people "who know the game" are remains unclear but if it only took one afternoon of harsh words with the company of Chris Mort, Mike Ashley and Dennis Wise for Keegan to totally change his viewpoint, then that is a worrying sign of times ahead for the club.
Boundless self belief was always Keegan's key management skill but the fact that he so limply agreed that he was wrong forecasts another long summer at St James Park.
His comments have not changed the situation. The manager, with the heavy hand of his chairman on his back, halfheartedly suggesting that the club can actually become a Premier League force will fool nobody.
Keegan is in real danger of losing the club and this summer will not only make or break his future in football but Newcastle's status in the Premier League for years to come.
He went on to praise David Moyes' side, stating that they are the template for clubs - including Newcastle - that are intent on closing the gap on the Big Four.
"They do not have a massive squad but they invested well last summer and they have taken fifth spot, which is a terrific situation to be in. They are where we want to be."
In reality, Everton are light years ahead of Newcastle and Moyes should be receiving praise for his role; but probably not from a rival manager.
Yesterday's defeat means that Keegan failed to beat any of the sides in the top half of the Premier League since his arrival earlier this year, so quite what is to be expected next season remains unclear. Keegan's semi-apology, semi-acceptance that he was wrong, is a farcical end to one of the worst seasons in Newcastle's history.
There is a lot of money around at Newcastle, but you can't help but feel the club is more likely to go the way of Leeds than that of Chelsea. Can Kev turn Newcastle from also-rans into a force to be reckoned with, or is he only delaying the club's inevitable explosion?
What the owners expect to happen next year is anyone's guess, but with Keegan at the helm, chances are it will be anything but boring.