Kevin Keegan sends new message to Newcastle fans & shares Eddie Howe verdict

Speaking at a talk at South Shields FC, former Toon boss Kevin Keegan has given his full support to Eddie Howe and encouraged supporters to be patient with the long-term project.

With three defeats in our first four Premier League games, Howe is having to manage his way through a difficult period at the club for the first time since he joined.

Despite the defeats, Keegan has claimed that the former Bournemouth boss has all the qualities to turn this rough patch around and that we are fortunate to have someone who 'understands the club'.

The 72-year-old also believes that the club has everything to succeed - from the player recruitment to the stadium, 'there's no reason not to be optimistic'.

Keegan adds that 'Rome wasn't built in a day', urging fans to have patience and 'give it two or three years' as we push to become a regular part of the big six and playing in Europe regularly.

Here's what he had to say, starting with this thoughts on the biggest changes since new owners came in:

"They've got pride and hope now at Newcastle. Pride and hope, that's the thing - that's what they didn't have under Mike Ashley, they didn't have any hope and they couldn't see any light at the end of the tunnel.

"Now there is a big tunnel there with plenty of light in it and it's not going to be easy but they've got all the boxes you need to tick to be one of the big clubs."

Keegan had to say on the future of Newcastle:

"They've got a great manager, Eddie Howe understands the club and you've got to get this club because it's different to any other club and he gets it.

"They've got good player recruitment so there is no reason I can see anywhere, if you're a Newcastle fan, not to be really optimistic about the future.

"They have massive attendance, it is a daunting place to go St James' Park like Anfield is and like Old Trafford is. They've also got people now running the club who have appointed the right people and they have got money.

"You put all those things together and you think the only way is up. It may take a little bit longer than some of the fans might think, Rome wasn't built in a day but give it two or three years."