An interesting if slightly patronising Op Piece

[The Fish 11080]

Honesty, optimism: no wonder Keegan's spirit riles the cynics

 

Newcastle's recent run of form has been uplifiting, and the manager provides a refreshing alternative to the norm

Lawrence Donegan

April 10, 2008 1:48 AM

 

There may be sorrier-looking satellites in football's great empire than Kevin Keegan's Soccer Circus, but it was hard to imagine such a possibility while paying a visit on the morning when the proprietor headed to St James' Park to reacquaint himself with the perils of managerial life in the Premier League.

 

As Newcastle rejoiced, the callow staff gathered in this Glaswegian outpost, sandwiched between an indoor ski slope and a pizza restaurant, commiserating over their boss's departure and whiling away the time between customers (and there was plenty of that) by chatting with reporters. "We wish him well," one of them said of Keegan. "He'll do brilliantly."

 

It says much about a man's human qualities, not to mention inspirational powers, that he can still command loyalty and respect from those he had left behind on the very day of their abandonment. But then what value should a billion-pound sporting industry place on the opinions of shop-front receptionists and table wipers?

 

Not much, came the answer from the opinion formers and experts who had escorted Keegan off the premises after his ultimately fruitless spell at Manchester City, presumably never to be seen again. His list of supposed failings was aired once again, from his alleged lack of staying power, to his tactical naivety and, most tellingly, his apparent lack of interest in the modern game. "He hasn't seen a live match for three years," came the cry, as if possession of a fully stamped season ticket was a prerequisite for managerial success.

 

None of us are perfect in our profession and no doubt some of the scepticism over Keegan's resurrection as the messiah of St James' was well-founded. It seemed especially so when his Newcastle United side failed to win any of their first eight games under his stewardship. Worse still, the promised return of a free-flowing style of play seemed like a laughable fantasy as Manchester United and Liverpool extracted their pound of flesh. Even Aston Villa, a limited side in anyone's estimation, were made to look like Barcelona.

 

"The performance today was just not good enough and I told the players," Keegan said in the aftermath of a 3-0 drubbing at Anfield. "But I still believe we will turn it round."

 

It is hard to know what truly goes on inside the head of another man, but if Keegan's antecedents tell us anything it is that he usually means what he says. But even if his defiance was a facade it was enough to convince those who matter most, his players. Their winning response - three victories in four games - has been as impressive to the neutral as it has been uplifting to the devoted.

 

Of course, 10 points from four games hardy constitutes a revolution, especially when Fulham and Reading were among the statues toppled, but at the very least it is an invitation to look on the bright side. Keegan, of course, needs no second invitation to do that.

 

Steve Coppell and his men had barely departed St James' Park last weekend and already the imaginations were running wild on Tyneside, spinning hopes of Champions League football by 2009 and the imminent arrival of Thierry Henry. "I would really like to fetch Henry back to England," Keegan said this week, doing nothing to crush such outlandish hopes.

 

There is a certain joyful madness to the notion that an iconic figure such as Henry would swap the Ramblas for the Bigg Market, and some people might roll their eyes at those who propound it. But there is an alternative response, which is to say Keegan's peculiar spirit, his unfailing optimism and palpable honesty is something worth embracing.

 

At the very least, it serves as antidote to the mean-spirited and bilious conduct that all too frequently blots the football landscape - a disreputable category into which must fall Arsène Wenger's self-deluding to Arsenal's defeat after a pulsating night on Merseyside.

 

"The game was over so to be out is down to a dodgy decision, I believe," he said, before embarking on an extended rant that touched on everything other than the fact that it had been a wonderful night of football and that Liverpool had deserved to progress.

 

It is probably stretching matters too far to argue Wenger could learn a thing or two from Keegan, just as it is premature to say he will do brilliantly at Newcastle. But it is not too soon to say this: welcome back Kevin. It is good to have you around.

[Sima 0]

It is hard to know what truly goes on inside the head of another man, but if Keegan's antecedents tell us anything it is that he usually means what he says. But even if his defiance was a facade it was enough to convince those who matter most, his players. Their winning response - three victories in four games - has been as impressive to the neutral as it has been uplifting to the devoted.

 

Of course, 10 points from four games hardy constitutes a revolution, especially when Fulham and Reading were among the statues toppled, but at the very least it is an invitation to look on the bright side. Keegan, of course, needs no second invitation to do that.

 

Backhanded compliments ahoy in that part tbh

[Asprilla 96]

blah blah blah

 

 

Integrity is something Keegan has but something journalists hardly ever have.