by Ian Allen

Created on: February 04, 2008

There's no doubt that Keegan has taken on a huge challenge in attempting to turn the Newcastle ship around for a second time. And while most people are wondering why he's done it, opinion is divided as to his chance of success.

Let's look at the advantages Keegan has over his predecessors. Firstly, and most importantly, he's got Geordie credibility' behind him. The fans are likely to indulge him for far longer than they did poor old Allardyce, whose reputation for direct, unattractive football meant he would only be accepted if he got results quickly. Keegan, who stands almost on a par with Alan Shearer as Tyneside's favourite son, and whose Newcastle team thrilled football-lovers everywhere last time he was at St James', will be given more time by the fans.

Secondly, owner Mike Ashley has (sensibly) retreated to the directors' box. One can only imagine the effect four months of having to listen to the supporters moaning about Big Sam must have had on Ashley's mindset.

Thirdly, expectations for a while will be reasonable. If he has any sense, Keegan will not try to raise them too quickly. He started off making the right noises about having a big job to do, but his natural enthusiasm means he can get just as carried away as the fans by a few good results.

But it's not all good news for Keegan (let's face it, it never is at Newcastle). He has a limited squad of players, which he has been unable to strengthen much during the transfer window. That's fine if he can avoid nosediving towards what seems likely to be an incredibly close relegation struggle this season, but a few more matches without a win and his squad could be exposed as short on quality, especially at the back.

Then there's Shearer. Despite his best efforts, the new manager so far has been unable to bring him inside the tent, so Keegan has to brace himself for calls that he's not in fact the second coming of the messiah, just Shearer's John the Baptist. As a letter to the Sports Telegraph said recently, Until Shearer has tried and failed, NO ONE will be able to manage Newcastle United'.

You wonder whether the game at the top level might have moved on from KK now. Always a wonderful motivator of players, all the evidence seems to suggest that more is required than that in the Premiership. This is the man, after all, who walked away from England admitting that he just didn't what to do when his team went a goal down to Germany.

If it does all end in tears, as I suspect it will, Newcastle's owner can take some consolation. Keegan is unlikely to wait to be sacked, so no huge payoff this time. Shearer will have had a bit more time to pass his coaching badge, get the experience' that Newcastle currently say is vital, and make up his mind whether he is ready for one of the stiffest challenges in football. And maybe, just maybe, we will all have had a few more thrills and spills along the way.

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