I hadn’t been going to discuss the current managerial situation at Newcastle, which appears to be a bit of a shambles at the moment, but rather than get all worked up about it, I’d just like to make a few points.

• I support Newcastle United, not Kevin Keegan
• I don’t believe any manager would be keen on taking over a club where players get sold without their say-so (witness Alan Curbishley resigning today) or where players they didn’t ask for get signed
• I don’t think Dennis Wise would last five minutes as manager: I don’t think the fans would accept him
• I think Mike Ashley has lost the chance to mix with the fans now…
• If Jimenez/Wise have been in charge of transfer dealings, as I’ve been impressed with Coloccini, Gutierrez and Guthrie, I can’t fault them for those ones. Who would Keegan have wanted instead?
• Ashley made Keegan look a mug by giving him the impression the money from Milner’s sale could be used on inbound transfers and then nowt happening
• I think the board underestimated the fan backlash; and were either naive or plain stupid not to realise that KK will either do it his way or not at all

Personally, I don’t care who the manager is. As long as the manager is someone who has the team playing attractive football, understand the fans, and is supported in the transfer market by the board. Personally, I’ve got nothing against Dennis Wise, I think he did a good job at Leeds (couldn’t stand him as a player, mind you…), but like I say, I think if he tried to take over now, he’d have such ill-will toward him that he’d not last 5 minutes.

Nor do I have any objection to a transfer policy that is centred on bringing in those under 25, and bringing them on. In fact, I think it’s a good idea: simply because we’re not in a position where we can afford, or can attract, the best players at their peak. I’d rather therefore look to build the club up.

I just object to the shambles caused by people trying to sell players the manager wanted to keep, and bring in ones he didn’t want to buy, whilst not signing the transfer targets he did want. If you don’t rate his transfer targets, fine, sack him. But don’t expect him to carry on hamstrung…