Recently by Alan Oliver
NEWCASTLE United go in against Spurs at St James's Park on Sunday boosted by the acclaim for their super show at Portsmouth.
And Joe Kinnear had an extra spring in his step as he supervised today's training session after United were awarded the F and C Investments Performance of the week for their victory on the south coast.
The League Managers Association's five-man panel of chairman Howard Wilkinson, Sir Alex Ferguson, Joe Royle, Dave Bassett and Barry Fry were in complete agreement that the award should go to United.
JOE KINNEAR has leapt to the defence of Michael Owen after the Newcastle United skipper found himself under fire for his disappointing perfor-mance in Saturday's goalless draw with Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium.
The general consensus of opinion appears to be that Owen was lucky not to be substituted when Kinnear hauled off Obafemi Martins to give Mark Viduka his first piece of action this season.
However, Kinnear told me today: "I thought some of the comments about Michael Owen's display on Saturday were a bit out of order and well over the top.
JOE KINNEAR will NOT have to sell any of his first-team squad to find the cash for what he hopes will be a shopping spree in the January transfer window.
And Kinnear revealed today that he has put his full scouting system on red alert in the search for the new players he feels he needs for the second half of the season.
The United boss is clearly confident that, having been given a huge vote of confidence by Mike Ashley, the club's owner will back him with some cash in January.
STEVEN TAYLOR bounced back into training today - but is unlikely to bounce back into the Newcastle United side for Saturday's Tyne-Tees derby.
For Joe Kinnear insists that he is ready to give a huge vote of confidence to the back four which did so well in the goalless draw at Chelsea when they go in against Gareth Southgate's unpredictable side.
And if this turns out to be the case, Taylor could join Mark Viduka on the United bench at the Riverside.
CHARLES N'ZOGBIA insists he wants to stay at Newcastle United - but admits there is nothing he can do if the club decides to sell him.
And the United midfielder hit back at claims that he refused to go on Saturday's pre-match walk in West London saying that he had a "back spasm".
In his first interview since reports came out of France over the weekend that he wanted to leave St James's Park, N'Zogbia told me today: "In an ideal world, I would want to stay with Newcastle United.
WE all know about David "Calamity" James.
Now there is Scott "Clanger" Carson.
So just where does this leave Steve "Consistent" Harper?
Once again wondering if he would have won an England cap had he moved away from St James's Park.
Harps probably had his feet up at home on Tyneside on Wednesday night watching his big pal Shay Given leading out the Republic of Ireland in their friendly with Poland in Dublin on the telly.
NEWCASTLE'S director of football Dennis Wise has made the first move to give United the left-back they so badly need.
For Wise sent his top two scouts Jeff Vetere and Lil Fuccillo to take in Blackburn Rovers' game with Sunderland at Ewood Park on Saturday to run the rule over England international Stephen Warnock.
And it cannot be a coincidence that, while Wise's men were checking on the Rovers left-back, Jose Enrique was having a wretched time as United played out a 2-2 draw with Wigan Athletic at St James's Park.
JOE KINNEAR is ready to give Sebastien Bassong his first Premier League start in his favoured central defensive position in tomorrow's crucial home game with Wigan.
That is if, as expected, Steven Taylor has not made a complete recovery from the groin injury which saw the England Under-21 skipper miss last Sunday's defeat by Fulham at Craven Cottage.
JOE KINNEAR is to apologise to referee Martin Atkinson after calling some of his decisions "Mickey Mouse" in Newcastle United's defeat at Fulham on Sunday.
The adrenalin was still clearly pumping for United's interim boss in Sunday's Press conferences after he has seen his side throw away a great opportunity of making it three games on the bounce.
SHOLA AMEOBI'S re-birth as a Premier League player is now official.
For the Newcastle United striker has been named as the clubs Carling Player of the Month for October, with 43% of the vote.
Recent Comments
"A brilliant piece which captures the depressed mood of us all. I await the response with interest, b..."
"bang on mate bang on!..."
"I have been a season ticket holder since 1974 and attended most games before then i.e since 1960. La..."
"I have had my doubts about Ashley for over a year - sacking SA in the January window;approaching Har..."
"Very well written article John! Nice to see someone with some literary skills unlike the gutter pre..."
"Everytime I look at Joe Kinnear I think what a 0 ass manager he is a big joke!!..."
"" Hey Lee, dya think Mr Kinnear would appreciate our 'Battling' qualities?"..."
"What a disgrace i am gobsmacked one of the worst players to wear the jersey no pride in it at all. H..."
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"We need major investment which I don't think MA is prepared to do. When I say major I mean 4 to 6 pl..."