Defender Steven Taylor has hit out at Newcastle over their
current predicament, labelling the club "a joke".
The Magpies head into their first game outside the top flight
for 16 years at West Brom on Saturday evening, with no full-time
manager and uncertainty over the club's future ownership.
Taylor expected Alan Shearer to take up the managerial hotseat
following the club's relegation in May, but with no permanent
appointment yet made it will be caretaker Chris Hughton in the
dugout at The Hawthorns.
The 23-year-old said: "The players are very frustrated because
all we want to do is have a manager and a bit of stability. That's
all we ask for.
"The new manager should be given time to do it his way and if he
wants something just give it to him. The chairman, if he loves this
football club, would do that. I'm devastated Alan Shearer has not
got the job. As players, we haven't a clue what is going on.
"I've read every week that next week Alan is going to be named
manager. Then Joe Kinnear is going to get the job, then Kevin
Keegan and then Alan Shearer again. I don't get it. The club is a
joke."
Taylor continued: "Everyone thought he would be back in place.
We thought it might take a couple of weeks but then Alan would be
the manager.
"And that's why I missed the (Under-21) European Championship.
He wanted me right for the start of the season and of course I was
happy to do it. I have so much respect for him and whatever he
says, you do it.
"He said he would be back and would do it his way. I guarantee
if he was still manager now, all our big players would still be
here. The chairman would have had a headache over the wage bill but
whatever Alan Shearer wants, you give him. He commands that much
respect and he would take us straight back up."
- Football365