This was a classic case of what happens when a team trying to play attacking football (but doesn’t have the players) comes up against a team that is great from set pieces and generally good defensively.

First half we were the only side that played football and were deservedly 1-0 up. Had we just been able to do the simple things right - Aston Villa had no threat whatsoever unless we were going to gift them…

Sam Allardyce finally speaking for the first time to the press yesterday after his parted company with United last month. Sam Allardyce said that he has done what any best manager can do for Newcastle. He also said to have not enough backing from Mike Ashley to buy new players last summer.

“I am smarting, I think that for me (given) the timing, and the few games I had, it was a massive shock when they…

Well, another two points down the toilet as things become ever more worrying. On the overall balance of play a draw was probably a fair result.

There were some signs of general improvement, particularly in the second half, but for me we still have problems in midfield where we were never really able to establish any degree of control, apart from a spell in the 2nd half during which we scored.

Once again, we failed to create…

Second half started with the visitor attacking. Aliadiere gets away down United left side and pass the ball back from the by-line for O’Neill to shoot, Taylor blocked the midfielder’s low effort and deflects the ball behind for a corner.

Newcastle responded well with Emre makes a run forward and skips three Boro challenges before slipping the ball wide to Duff, the Irish winger twists and turns before tries to cross the ball but deflected behind…

Joey Barton and Emre have been recalled by King Kev for today’s North East derby match. Today’s match is also Barton’s second game since before Christmas as a starter.

Emre, missed the last three matches following the red card against Stoke. This is his first Newcastle game under Kevin Keegan and he is determined to repay the glowing praise from Keegan yesterday. While James Milner and Mark Viduka were dropped to the bench.

Newcastle in search for…

In a decent interview with the BBC football focus yesterday, Keegan has describe his visions for Newcastle United team after making a shock return and his future plans.

King Kev said that on the last January transfer window, He actually didn’t want to bring in any new players. Although he has said about bring in three more players, it turns out that the type of players that he wants to strengthen the current team were not…

Keegan admitted today that he ever tried to sign Turkish playmaker Emre when he was manager of Manchester City. According to Keegan, Emre certainly a player that he love to play the classy ball-play and someone who can unlock opposition defences.

Newcastle still have to score goals since Keegan’s return to the club, and to break the deadlock Keegan tempted to give a start to the former Inter Milan’s ace on Sunday’s derby clash with Middlesbrough.

“He…

Keegan and Shearer have spoken in couple occasions about the possibility for the Toon’s record goalscorer to get involved in a role at the club as Keegan’s staff. And after their last conversation, Shearer said that he will not be joining Kevin Keegan’s backroom team at Newcastle United.

His decision to pull out himself was for the best of the club and Shearer insists that he is not snubbed anyone or anything with that.

“I chatted to…

Kevin Keegan will have Turkish midfielder Emre returns from suspension and Mark Viduka is also set to return after wins the battle against his latest calf injury that sat him out from Keegan’s recent games.

Joey Barton who was introduced as a second-half substitute at Arsenal on Tuesday will again be available while the returning home Africa Cup of Nations duo Habib Beye and Abdoulaye Faye will possibly still be missing.

In his pre-match press conference, King…

I have come up with a big question to what is Keegan’s role at signing new players to this club after read about Newcastle United have completed the signings of Italian striker Fabio Zamblera and Swedish goalkeeper Ole Soderberg without the presence of Keegan.

Both player are aged of 17, to have penned four-and-a-half-year contract at St. James’ Park and are part of the club’s new recruitment policy to bring the best young talent to Tyneside.…