Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan fears the domination of the Premier League's top four is a threat to the top flight.

 

Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool will again head the division for the third season running as they leave the rest trailing in their wake.

 

"Maybe the owner thinks we can bridge that gap - but we can't," said Keegan after Monday's 2-0 loss to Chelsea.

 

"This league is in danger of becoming one of the most boring but great leagues in the world."

 

Keegan replaced Sam Allardyce at St James' Park in January and his comments will have extra resonance as he is renowned as one of the game's eternal optimists.

 

He feels fifth is the best the clubs outside the 'big four' can realistically aim for - even with plenty of funds.

 

"The top four next year will be the same top four as this year," he added.

 

"What I can say to the Newcastle fans is that we will be trying to get fifth and we will be trying to win the other league that's going on within the Premier League.

 

"I haven't got enough money and I wouldn't be able to get the players anyway (to do any better than that), so I will soldier on with what I've got and maybe add one or two, maybe three, depending what's available."

 

Keegan turned Newcastle into title contenders when he managed them from February 1992 until January 1997 but he feels it is not possible to do the same again.

 

His opinion was reinforced during the Bank Holiday game against Chelsea, who clinched the win to move level on points with Manchester United at the top of the table ahead of the final game of the season.

 

"I thought, 'What can I do next year to get near them' and the truth is there's nothing I can do at all," stated Keegan.

 

It is frustrating that Modric, like Woodgate before him, should take less money than we offered to move to the bright lights of London and European football with Tottenham next season

 

"I was looking around thinking, 'who can I bring on' and I'm seeing (Andriy) Shevchenko and (Frank) Lampard coming on and Joe Cole thinking about coming on."

 

Keegan has, however, been promised funds to attract big-name signings.

 

"Over the summer, we will look to strengthen the squad further," said chairman Chris Mort.

 

"In addition to immediate fixes, we will want to acquire players that can help make Newcastle United a top team for the medium and long term."

 

Newcastle have already missed out on the signing of midfielder Luka Modric, who rejected a lucrative offer to join Tottenham instead, just as Jonathan Woodgate did in January.

 

But Mort is confident that Newcastle are heading in the right direction and that they will soon be in a position to attract players like the 22-year-old Croatian international.

 

"It is frustrating that Modric, like Woodgate before him, should take less money than we offered to move to the bright lights of London and European football with Tottenham next season," conceded Mort.

 

"But these are the sorts of difficulties that should get easier to address once we build a squad that competes at the right end of the table."

 

And Keegan is positive he will get the funds he needs from owner Mike Ashley to improve his squad, saying: "I have no proof of that yet but I have no doubts he will (back me).

 

"If I can get three or four players in to add to what I have got here - and we have that bit of luck you need with no injuries to key players - then we might be able to win the second division of the Premier League."

 

Source: BBC Sport

 

Now Keegan's got into a spot of bother with these comments with the Newcastle owner, but I really don't see why. He's speaking the truth and being realistic. I honestly don't see the Top4 being broken in a long time. I know Everton did it a couple of seasons ago, and people can argue that Everton came very close to doing it again this season, but Liverpool were always going to get 4th as they've extra bit of quality and a much bigger squad and I can only see the gap getting bigger. The Top 4 don't have to sell their top players like, and even when they do they can go out and get ready made replacements - the other clubs in the Premier League don't have that luxury.

 

I honestly don't see how the Newcastle owner had a problem with Keegan's comments. Owen is nowhere near the player he used to be, Viduka's out injured and I keep seeing Martins linked with a move away from the club - and strikers don't come cheap nowadays. I know Keegan will be given a big budget but you can't buy success overnight unless you're owned by a rich Russian. They've already lost out on Modric and Woodgate this season, and now Keegan will be looking at his 'reserve' targets. Is absurd from the owner to think that they'll be in with a genuine chance of being able to break the Top 4 by the end of next season.

 

Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan fears the domination of the Premier League's top four is a threat to the top flight.

 

Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool will again head the division for the third season running as they leave the rest trailing in their wake.

 

"Maybe the owner thinks we can bridge that gap - but we can't," said Keegan after Monday's 2-0 loss to Chelsea.

 

"This league is in danger of becoming one of the most boring but great leagues in the world."

 

Keegan replaced Sam Allardyce at St James' Park in January and his comments will have extra resonance as he is renowned as one of the game's eternal optimists.

 

He feels fifth is the best the clubs outside the 'big four' can realistically aim for - even with plenty of funds.

 

"The top four next year will be the same top four as this year," he added.

 

"What I can say to the Newcastle fans is that we will be trying to get fifth and we will be trying to win the other league that's going on within the Premier League.

 

"I haven't got enough money and I wouldn't be able to get the players anyway (to do any better than that), so I will soldier on with what I've got and maybe add one or two, maybe three, depending what's available."

 

Keegan turned Newcastle into title contenders when he managed them from February 1992 until January 1997 but he feels it is not possible to do the same again.

 

His opinion was reinforced during the Bank Holiday game against Chelsea, who clinched the win to move level on points with Manchester United at the top of the table ahead of the final game of the season.

 

"I thought, 'What can I do next year to get near them' and the truth is there's nothing I can do at all," stated Keegan.

 

It is frustrating that Modric, like Woodgate before him, should take less money than we offered to move to the bright lights of London and European football with Tottenham next season

 

"I was looking around thinking, 'who can I bring on' and I'm seeing (Andriy) Shevchenko and (Frank) Lampard coming on and Joe Cole thinking about coming on."

 

Keegan has, however, been promised funds to attract big-name signings.

 

"Over the summer, we will look to strengthen the squad further," said chairman Chris Mort.

 

"In addition to immediate fixes, we will want to acquire players that can help make Newcastle United a top team for the medium and long term."

 

Newcastle have already missed out on the signing of midfielder Luka Modric, who rejected a lucrative offer to join Tottenham instead, just as Jonathan Woodgate did in January.

 

But Mort is confident that Newcastle are heading in the right direction and that they will soon be in a position to attract players like the 22-year-old Croatian international.

 

"It is frustrating that Modric, like Woodgate before him, should take less money than we offered to move to the bright lights of London and European football with Tottenham next season," conceded Mort.

 

"But these are the sorts of difficulties that should get easier to address once we build a squad that competes at the right end of the table."

 

And Keegan is positive he will get the funds he needs from owner Mike Ashley to improve his squad, saying: "I have no proof of that yet but I have no doubts he will (back me).

 

"If I can get three or four players in to add to what I have got here - and we have that bit of luck you need with no injuries to key players - then we might be able to win the second division of the Premier League."

 

Source: BBC Sport

 

Now Keegan's got into a spot of bother with these comments with the Newcastle owner, but I really don't see why. He's speaking the truth and being realistic. I honestly don't see the Top4 being broken in a long time. I know Everton did it a couple of seasons ago, and people can argue that Everton came very close to doing it again this season, but Liverpool were always going to get 4th as they've extra bit of quality and a much bigger squad and I can only see the gap getting bigger. The Top 4 don't have to sell their top players like, and even when they do they can go out and get ready made replacements - the other clubs in the Premier League don't have that luxury.

 

I honestly don't see how the Newcastle owner had a problem with Keegan's comments. Owen is nowhere near the player he used to be, Viduka's out injured and I keep seeing Martins linked with a move away from the club - and strikers don't come cheap nowadays. I know Keegan will be given a big budget but you can't buy success overnight unless you're owned by a rich Russian. They've already lost out on Modric and Woodgate this season, and now Keegan will be looking at his 'reserve' targets. Is absurd from the owner to think that they'll be in with a genuine chance of being able to break the Top 4 by the end of next season.

 

Disagree Josh

 

We came within 1 dodgy lasagne of being 4th 2 years ago so it can be achieved, we were ahead of Scum right until the final game of the season when Lasagnegate took place, the top 4 can be breached

 

With the capture of Modric and the seemingly imminent arrivel of Samuel Eto'o there is no reason why we can't be hot on Liverpool's heels next season

Disagree Josh

 

We came within 1 dodgy lasagne of being 4th 2 years ago so it can be achieved, we were ahead of Scum right until the final game of the season when Lasagnegate took place, the top 4 can be breached

 

With the capture of Modric and the seemingly imminent arrivel of Samuel Eto'o there is no reason why we can't be hot on Liverpool's heels next season

 

But for you to get Eto'o, you're gonna have to get rid of Berbatov! And he'll probably go to Man Utd, thus making them even stronger. I don't really rate Eto'o any more, don't get me wrong he's a very good player but I don't think the player he was back in his hey-day.

 

Called me biased too, but if you've gonna break the Top 4 next season I don't think it'll be at Liverpool's expense - more likely Arsenal's, but I don't even think that'll happen as they'll easily be able to replace Flamini.

But for you to get Eto'o, you're gonna have to get rid of Berbatov! And he'll probably go to Man Utd, thus making them even stronger. I don't really rate Eto'o any more, don't get me wrong he's a very good player but I don't think the player he was back in his hey-day.

 

Called me biased too, but if you've gonna break the Top 4 next season I don't think it'll be at Liverpool's expense - more likely Arsenal's, but I don't even think that'll happen as they'll easily be able to replace Flamini.

 

Eto'o has got 14 in 16 this season in La Liga and 20 in 24 in all competitions, if that is a has been then that is impressive stats for a has been lol, Berbatov is good but he has the same number of goals as Robbie Keane so Berbs can be replaced and Keane and Eto'o would be a formidable partnership

 

Man Utd and Chelsea are untouchable so if Utd get stronger then it wont affect us

 

Utd still owe the payments for Tevez (£21m unpaid) so can they afford Berbs ? hmmmmmmm

 

it depends how quickly Eto'o would adapt to the faster pace of the PL though.

 

Berbatov has well and truly settled in. Can you afford to take a risk with Eto'o?

He's wrong... The SPL is the most boring league in Europe... That's been dominated for Christ knows how long by TWO teams...... :lol:

What Kevin Keegan said was correct. But the way he said it was wrong, as it came across as him sulking. Still I suppose a 4 horse race is better than the annual two horse race north of the border....

 

As a Liverpool fan I hope Tottenham pay over the odds and buy Samuel Eto, because unless he can turn back the clock he looks slow & overweight compared to his peak two/three/four seasons ago and has the potential to be your Veron or Shevchenko waste of money purchase.

 

But as I've said before I think Liverpool could easily implode if they get rid of Rafa Benitez, because we can't compete with Man Utd or Chelski financially; whilst Arsenal's 60,000 stadium should push them ahead of us financially, especially why the owners the US muppets (see below) continue their friendly fire within the club.

 

http://www.liverpoolpies.tv/georgetomsmall%20copy.jpg

What Kevin Keegan said was correct. But the way he said it was wrong, as it came across as him sulking. Still I suppose a 4 horse race is better than the annual two horse race north of the border....

 

As a Liverpool fan I hope Tottenham pay over the odds and buy Samuel Eto, because unless he can turn back the clock he looks slow & overweight compared to his peak two/three/four seasons ago and has the potential to be your Veron or Shevchenko waste of money purchase.

 

But as I've said before I think Liverpool could easily implode if they get rid of Rafa Benitez, because we can't compete with Man Utd or Chelski financially; whilst Arsenal's 60,000 stadium should push them ahead of us financially, especially why the owners the US muppets (see below) continue their friendly fire within the club.

 

http://www.liverpoolpies.tv/georgetomsmall%20copy.jpg

 

But those two will be gone (hopefully). I really don't see Benitez leaving Liverpool unless it's of his own accord in the near future. Liverpool and Arsenal are in their own league of the Top 4 as neither of them can compete with Chelsea or Man Utd financially, and neither have the quality in depth that man Utd and Chelsea have.

 

If Spurs buy Eto'o then you can bet Barcelona will over-value him, is always the same with Real Madrid and Barcelona selling players (in the papers today ramos to Chelsea for £40 million and that rumour has strong truth in it imo). If I was Ramos, i'd much rather have Berbatov than Eto'o. Is a huge risk buying Eto'o rregardless of his goal ratio this season, as he's nowhere near the player he was a few seasons ago when he'd have walked straight into any team in the world.

He's wrong... The SPL is the most boring league in Europe... That's been dominated for Christ knows how long by TWO teams...... :lol:

 

I agree - I can't even remember the last time the top two weren't Celtic or Rangers.

Think Hearts came 2nd a couple of years ago but yeh it's been Rangers/Celtic top 2 since probably when Alex Ferguson left Aberdeen

in 1986 :unsure:.

 

Anyway why not let the Glasgow Giants play in the English Premiership? Might let the other teams in Scotland have a chance and

give the top 4 some competition in England? I think Celtic in particular could easily become the biggest club in the world if they played in England or an European league if you consider that all the Roman Catholics around the would presumly support "catholic" Celtic.

Edited May 9, 200817 yr by Joey Deacon

Think Hearts came 2nd a couple of years ago but yeh it's been Rangers/Celtic top 2 since probably when Alex Ferguson left Aberdeen

in 1986 :unsure:.

 

Anyway why not let the Glasgow Giants play in the English Premiership? Might let the other teams in Scotland have a chance and

give the top 4 some competition in England? I think Celtic in particular could easily become the biggest club in the world if they played in England or an European league if you consider that all the Roman Catholics around the would presumly support "catholic" Celtic.

 

Would never work if Celtic and Rangers joined the Premier League, and I thought it was decided it was never going to happen? I hope it doesn't. I know it ruins the Scottish League, but surely it'd be making the situation worse, and not better? Wpuld be all fine and dandy in Scotland, but they'd have to relegate extra English clusb to accomdate Celtic and Rangers and then surely there'd be a Top6 instead of a Top4? The likes of Villa, Everton, man City, Pompey wouldn't even be able to get a sniff in at European football.

Celtic and Rangers would HAVE to go to the Chamiponship first, just look at the players they play' Weir ,Davis, Daiily, Samaras, McCulloch, they're all has-beens who couldn't get into the Premiership or people who couldn't do much for teams in the bottom 5. To get to the Premiership they'd have to earn it first.

Celtic and Rangers would HAVE to go to the Chamiponship first, just look at the players they play' Weir ,Davis, Daiily, Samaras, McCulloch, they're all has-beens who couldn't get into the Premiership or people who couldn't do much for teams in the bottom 5. To get to the Premiership they'd have to earn it first.

 

True but Rangers made the UEFA cup final while Everton, Spurs, Bolton and Blackburn all failed to get to final stages. I also would imagine that if they played in England they would attract better quality players with more money. But tbh the only way Celtic and Rangers will get out of the SPL would be some form of European Super League

They got to the UEFA Cup final by beating a team on penalties who beat Everton on penaties, not really much difference... They played the most boring football ever and constantly relied on 0-0s to get through. I think if they were in the Premiership this season they would've been around the Spurs - Sunderland mini-league

He's wrong... The SPL is the most boring league in Europe... That's been dominated for Christ knows how long by TWO teams...... :lol:

 

23 years and counting :) Last non Old Firm winners were Aberdeen in 1985 when Alex Ferguson was still up North!