Joe’s the man for the job, says Taylor

Nov 13 2008 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

JOE Kinnear has the overwhelming support of the Newcastle United dressing room in his bid to secure the manager’s job permanently, according to Steven Taylor.

Kinnear will head into meetings with United’s key power brokers Dennis Wise, Derek Llambias and Mike Ashley at the end of the month looking for assurances over his own future and the owner’s long-term plans for the club.

The interim manager is still in the dark over his job prospects but Taylor believes Kinnear should be permanently installed after managing to turn around their fortunes since the departure of Kevin Keegan. While Kinnear’s record of two wins, two defeats and two draws might sound modest that does not take into account the battling mentality he has managed to instill in the players.

Kinnear remains in the box seat and if there are no fresh developments on the takeover front – and a reported link with Philip Anschutz was denied by the American billionaire’s people yesterday – he is likely to be handed the reins until the end of the season.

That, according to home-grown talent Taylor, would be a popular move among Newcastle United’s players who have been impressed by his ‘no nonsense’ approach. “Joe doesn’t get the credit he deserves. I think he’s been fantastic since he’s come in,” he said.

“I think he gave a Press conference when he came in and some people didn’t like what they heard but he’s an honest guy. He’s a man’s man. I don’t think he can win no matter what – even when we win games he doesn’t get the credit he deserves and that’s disappointing.

“Of course I’d like to see him get until the end of the season at least. I think all the players would because we’re all behind him.”

Taylor and his team-mates can enhance Kinnear’s job prospects with a victory over Wigan in a game that has considerable significance at the bottom of the Premier League table.

Newcastle’s chances would be improved if Taylor, as predicted, manages to return from injury in time to take up his position alongside Fabricio Coloccini in the centre of defence. Taylor is optimistic about returning – and bullish about United’s chances of taking three points.

He said: “It’s a game we need to win – we need to get back to winning ways, it’s as simple as that. There’s nothing else to it – we know what we have to do and that’s get the points.”

MARK DOUGLAS