Ashley certainly deserves a huge portion of the blame.

But equal portions of the blame need serving to Kevin Keegan and the previous ownership/board.

But you'll probably never accept that Keegan is even slightly to blame. Far easier for you to direct the blame at Dennis Wise rather than Keegan.

Keegan must surely shoulder alot of the blame.

The fans wanted Ashley out after Keegan walked away (again) so he tried to sell the club. In this time, rather than employing a massively paid manager, he went for a short term measure in Kinnear, so the new owners could bring in who they saw fit. Not a bad move. The issue arose when no buyers were found. So then, they were f**ked. If the fans wouldn't of sent Ashley the threats, abused his family and generally made his role as owner a nightmare, he may've employed someone more suitable than Joe Kinnear as manager.

it is amazing how many, many newcasle fans see keegan as whiter than white.

Keegan walked because he wasn't given what he was promised, because he didn't get the players he publically stated time and time again that he needed (left back and creative midfielder) and because he had Wise bringing players in that he didn't want.

Keegan is a strong willed individual, why should he work with people not giving him what they offered him, after all Ashley and Mort were both quoted as saying that Keegan had "last word on all transfers", which unfortunately, wasn't how it worked.

I don't expect the Newcastle haters on here to take in the facts, at the end of the day they have their own agenda towards Newcastle and i doubt that will change. But why should Keegan stay? ? ? So he can be undermined and dictated to as manager? ? ? No way, i dont blame him at all for walking. Yes it left us in the s*it a bit, but there is no way he should be dictated to and lied to by the owners and chairman.

http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/09/04/28/manual_085519.html 'Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has admitted he will have to sell players to help fund summer transfer targets. Ryan Babel and Andrea Dossena have been unconvincing and could be sacrificed, and Sami Hyypia is reported to have been offered a deal to join the coaching staff.'

http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/09/04/28/manual_085519.html 'Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has admitted he will have to sell players to help fund summer transfer targets. Ryan Babel and Andrea Dossena have been unconvincing and could be sacrificed, and Sami Hyypia is reported to have been offered a deal to join the coaching staff.'

Also guys, bare in mind that when one of your loyalist players in Given, jumps ship because he doesn't want to be part of the Ashley regime, then there is something wrong. But again, don't let fact get in the way of your hatred for Newcastle.

not because he was offered mega-bucks, the chance to jump a sinking ship and the chance to play in europe?
this is what gets me with newcastle fans. 'newcastle hatred'? i couldnt give a monkey's about newcastle. if st helens were going to be relegated then i'd be interested.

Good post, I would agree with all of that. Keegan walking did leave Newcastle in the mrie but he had little choice after the way he was treated and undermined.

Good point. Southall every time. Andy Gray's spoken for - have you got a number for Peter Reid?

Gaz, do you think every manager in the league gets exactly what they want? You said he wants a creative player. They don't grow on trees. Maybe there wasn't one of the required quality available to the club. Same with a left back, you shouldn't just bring any old left back in, surely you should get one that fulfils your requirements.

It's all well and good Keegan saying he needs this and that, what he gets is a different matter - the same with any club.

I'm sure Tony Mowbray wants a rock of a centre half and a 20 goal a season striker, but he can't have one. I don't see him walking out.