Kinnear: 'Sticks And Stones Don't Hurt Me'!

Last updated : 27 January 2009 By Footy Mad - Editor

Joe Kinnear: "We were second from bottom when I came here and I said it was going to be tough then. I didn't realise we were going to have to cope with so many injuries and that has really hurt us, but we are in a better position than we were in September and I'm not a doom and gloom merchant.

"Other people can throw stones at us and criticise me, but it won't get me down. There is a lot of pressure in this part of the world, but we will get on with the job we have to do and that's keeping Newcastle United in the Premier League.

"We will work right until the final minute of the final day of the window to bring in the players we want. We are working around the clock to get the players we need but it's not an easy time of the year to do business and it's been hard work.

"But I do feel as though we are getting somewhere and if I can bring in the two players we're close to agreeing deals for then I'll be feeling a lot happier about the state of the squad.

"I identified Albin Ebondo when I went to see Toulouse play a few weeks ago and he will be an excellent player for us, I'm confident about that. Hopefully he'll be here and in training with the rest of the squad straight after that.

"With Habib Beye still on crutches and likely to be out of action for at least another couple of months we desperately need a right-back.

"We've asked Steven Taylor to play there in the last few games and he's been struggling with a calf problem and has needed pain-killing injections just to get out on to the pitch. That's not been fair on him or us.

"People haven't fully appreciated the plight we're in. We're getting on with things the best we can and the new players will give us a lift."