Yazz sang that ‘The Only Way Is Up’, although Magpies supporters will be wondering when there will be an improvement in the club’s fortunes. This season, things have gone from bad to worse, despite the sub-standard manager that is Kevin Keegan leaving the club. Getting shot of him was probably a good idea, but only if you have a long-term replacement lined up.
Instead, Newcastle have had to turn to Joe Kinnear, seemingly one of the few men prepared to take the first-team reigns for an interim period. Sky Sports reports that Shay Given now thinks that the club have reached an all-time low, although amazingly he remains hopeful that he can win some silverware at St James’ Park before his career comes to an end. Nobody would surely begrudge the United number one some glory after season upon season of disappointment.
“I have been there (Newcastle) a long time now and I would class it as my home,” said Given. “I have been there 11 and a half years or something, so it’s a big part of my life.
“At times like this, it’s difficult. Because I’ve been there so long, I feel a little bit how the fans feel. It’s been so frustrating.
“I’ve been through rough times at Newcastle, but this time with the club up for sale and the management up in the air, it just seems like the ultimate turmoil.
“As a player, it is easy to turn around and say, ‘I want to leave, I want to do this or that’.
“But I would love to see Newcastle really turn the corner. Hopefully, this is as low as it’s going to get and we will turn the corner and things will pick up, the club will get sold and the right people will come in to invest in the team.”
It must be encouraging for Newcastle supporters to read Given’s words, who knows where the team might be without one of their most consistent performers every season! It’s very much a case of trying to get enough points on the board to stay up this term, perhaps the ownership situation will be resolved before the end of the campaign so that things can start afresh next term.
Discuss the latest transfer gossip at the Brand New COS forum!