Keegan attacks the Ashley regime

11 December 2010 17:43
KEVIN KEEGAN last night urged Newcastle United supporters to treat Alan Pardew fairly but warned the new man in charge not to expect the club to go anywhere under the ownership of Mike Ashley.[LNB] In an incredibly frank attack on Ashley and managing director Derek Llambias, Keegan described Newcastle's new boss as merely the meat in the middle of the sandwich[LNB] after accepting to succeed Chris Hughton at St James' Park.[LNB] Pardew is due to oversee his first match in charge when Liverpool travel to Tyneside tonight in the Premier League, with angry fans planning to protest against the Ashley regime who are due to attend and its treatment of Hughton.[LNB] Keegan has been disgusted by the events in the last six days, bringing back memories of the way his relationship with the Newcastle owner and Llambias turned sour before ending in court after his resignation in September 2008.[LNB] And he has warned Pardew, who admitted his reservations about working for Ashley led to his demands of a five-and-a-half year contract, not to expect too many favours from within the boardroom during his time in charge.[LNB] Ashley has made no secret that he wants to sell Newcastle,[LNB] stated Keegan in a blog for broadcaster ESPN, who will televise tonight's game.[LNB] The best day will come when someone buys it from him and runs Newcastle like that club should be run. The club can never go anywhere under Mike Ashley and Derek Llambias I promise you that.[LNB] Keegan also outlined his sympathy for Hughton by saying he took his hat off to Chris for getting on with it for as long as he did and that is sacking was a sad reflection on people running the club[LNB] rather than on the job he did.[LNB] But the former Newcastle manager, whose fractured relationship was never repaired after he was awarded £2m in compensation for constructive dismissal last year, thinks the club's angry fans should back Pardew.[LNB] The former Southampton and West Ham United manager held his first meeting with the playing staff he inherited before yesterday's training session and it is said to have been very positive.[LNB] And Keegan, speaking on the day it emerged a window was smashed at St James' Park ahead of a 4pm prematch demonstration planned for today, thinks Pardew should be given a fair deal by the Newcastle faithful.[LNB] Alan is not vastly experienced,[LNB] wrote Keegan. He has managed for 17 months in the Premier League. Alan's a good lad. I know him well. He is very dedicated and works very hard.[LNB] The fans would be wrong to pick on Alan. If results don't go well then they may start to voice discontent but Alan is just the meat in the middle of the sandwich.[LNB] Ashley wants to sell but also wants to make money and in the current financial climate that will be difficult. Newcastle are in a bit of a corner.[LNB] Pardew hopes the players will grow to love him, having previously enjoyed positive working relationships with his squads in the past. But he knows winning over the fans is just as important.[LNB] I have obviously brought teams to St James' Park and it is a brilliantly supported club.[LNB] It is a working class club so I can relate to that because I am a working class guy, he said.[LNB] West Ham was another working class club. That passion and excitement they bring to the stadium is special. I had some special nights at Upton Park and I want to have special nights here when the stadium is fizzing. There are not many stadiums that do that.[LNB] Pardew heads into today's match with Liverpool looking to include Joey Barton, reportedly the subject of a bid from West Ham, but he does not intend to make false promises.[LNB] I'm a manager who gives fans information, I won't really withhold anything, he said.[LNB] The brief is, my immediate concern is, to consolidate our place in the Premier League, but there is an opportunity here, with such an open Premier League.[LNB] With the spirit and unity here, we could surprise ourselves and finish pretty high.[LNB] We're 11th now and that's a great position for a team which has only just been promoted.[LNB] It's a tough challenge. I need to make sure there isn't a massive impact on the team.[LNB] Obviously this week there has been, and that is not good for any group of players. It's important I bring some stability back to the dressing room.[LNB]

Source: Northern_Echo