While all the fans were still on his side he did seem to be secretly trying to sell Newcastle for a vast profit without much success.

And as far as I can see he’s not doing much differnt now he is actually offically selling.

Yes, Keegan has done alot for the club. But I don’t think he should have been re-appointed in the first place.

I’ve always felt that it was a publicity stunt / distraction tactic by Ashley. Basically, he gave the mob what they wanted for a short term fix when things werent going well 10 months ago.

Whats Keegan actually done since walking out of Newcastle the first time round? Exactly.

If Ashley had made a sensible appointment (ie - someone who was used to working under such a system he was putting in place)then none of this would have happened.

He appointed Keegan as a short term fix to pull the wool over the eyes of those with rose tinted specs for a few months, which was damn silly as Ashley must have known he’d lose a popularity contest with him if things got tough. Van Gall. Advocat. That would have been a sensible choice.

Ashley has saved this club from Shephered’s idiocy, taken us away from the financial brink and hasn’t had the credit he deserves. And gets abused and hounded out.

Long story short - this entire mess is Ashley’s fault for re-appointing Keegan in the first place.

Keegan was supposed to be manager, not a puppet or a figurehead for the club to try and appease the fans. I’m glad he had the integrity to stand up for what was right instead of hanging around for a big payout like some of our recent ‘managers’.

Ashley had a sound, concrete business plan, after a proven and successful role model. I’ll take a couple of mid-table stability over this pile of mismanagement anyday.

What the fans should do now, and they will never do it, is to see reason and apologize to Ashley. Ashley has completely given up on the club, and who out there can say that he does not have the best interests of the club in his heart?

It is clear that Newcastle was deeply in debt, especially after buying Owen; the numbers obviously do not add up. Ashley’s not in it for immediate profit.

By attempting to drive Ashley out in support of a man who walked out on the club for the second time is just insane. Like Keegan, a majority of the fans fail to see the long-term impact of their actions. Indeed, they seem to think that any change, premeditated or not, is good for the club.

Keegan gave us 2nd place and attractive football. Twice. And left the club twice. Why crucify Ashley over a quitter?

It boils down to this; Kevin Keegan was assured that he would have the final say on player transfers as stated in public forums by Wise, Mort & Ashley on separate occasions. In the ‘resignation’ statement issued by the LMA, KK stated ‘It’s my opinion that a manager must have the right to manage and that clubs should not impose upon any manager any player that he does not want.’

The question is therefore straightforward;

Do you believe Dennis Wise or Kevin Keegan? Malevolent Little Goblin or Mighty Mouse?

Crumbs, I hate these tough ones…