SHEP: KEEGAN'S QUIT OF TROUBLE

By Rob Shepard

NEWCASTLE chairman Chris Mort described Friday's meeting between Kevin Keegan and Mike Ashley as productive and constructive.

Given Mort's track record of dubious steers — Sam Allardyce WON'T be sacked, anyone? — today's visit to Everton could well be Keegan's last game as Toon boss.

If, in front of Mort, Dennis Wise and others, Keegan was really read the riot act by the billionaire boss then that relationship will have broken down irrevocably

And it's just matter of time and terms before the divorce is settled.

In the past, Keegan has been a serial quitter as soon as things have not gone his way. He doesn't do humiliation.

But this time around, he is more likely to wait for the push because he could do with the compensation.

And I don't blame him. Keegan does have faults, not least a toys-out-of-the-pram habit, but overall he is a top geezer.

Opinion Let's not forget he was a heroic and iconic player. And his track record as a manager is far better then many give him credit.

One thing is for certain. Keegan is a proper football man. He loves the game. When you talk to him he speaks with so much passion but also, trust me, insight.

So why shouldn't he be allowed to express a true opinion about Newcastle's chances of Premier League success in the foreseeable future?

I suspect Keegan does hold back on one truth though: that he is no longer in love with the game because of all the baggage that now surrounds it.

From the outset a harmonious relationship between Keegan and Ashley seemed unlikely.

Deep down Keegan will have little time for a businessman who has belatedly struck an interest in the game but is more expert in the rules of roulette.

Having got the team going, Keegan has the punters on his side, which is probably why Ashley agreed a truce.

But the only chance of Keegan staying on long term is if Ashley sells and buys the club many believe he wanted in the first place ... Tottenham.

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FA hasn't a clue about 'winning mentality' LAST week the FA rolled out yet another blueprint for the future.

Fifty glossy pages entitled "The FA's vision 2008-12: A world-class organisation with a winning mentality."

Oh really — so what sort of winning mentality is it when merely qualifying for the next World Cup and reaching the semi-finals of Euro 2012 are set as targets? No wonder Fabio Capello was embarrassed.

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Carlisle O Leeds 2
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Hull 4 Watford 1
Bristol 2 Crystal Palace 1
Wigan 0 Man Utd 2
Chelsea 1 Bolton 1
Portsmouth 0 Fulham 1
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Everton 3 Newcastle 1
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