By Tyne Talk
January 24 2006

Under-pressure Newcastle United boss Graeme Souness insists he still has the backing of chairman Freddy Shepherd.

Many so called Toon fans were calling for Souness to be sacked following Saturday's 1-0 defeat to Blackburn Rovers, but the Scot held talks with his chairman on Monday.

The talks were not 'crisis talks' and speaking to The Times, Souness said: "I popped into the stadium for a cup of coffee and a brief chat with the chairman.

"It was all very amicable. We spoke about the match on Saturday and he told me he was supportive of me and behind me. It was all very positive and upbeat. I'm absolutely fine."

But why should there be any crisis talks at the moment?

While Souness' record is hardly anything to get excited about, it remains marginally better than that of the three managers who preceded him in the build-up to their departures.

Souness' side may have lost seven games in the last three months, but they have also won seven and drawn two.  Of Sir Bobby Robson's last 16 games the club won just three; Ruud Gullit won two of his last 16; and Kenny Dalglish four.

If your look at their records in the last eight games in charge, Robson won none, lost three and drew five; Gullit won none, lost six and drew two; while Dalglish mustered one win, three defeats and four draws.

Souness' own record in the last eight games is better.  Newcastle have won three, lost four and drawn one.

For now, Souness is determined to stay at the helm. But the decision on whether he sinks or swimns now rests firmly with Shepherd.

 
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