"WHEN I look at this squad I think it is the best I've ever had as manager," was Graeme Souness' observation when he was unveiled as Sir Bobby Robson's successor at Newcastle last September.

He added; "I have my own ideas of course, but I won't be making any dramatic changes."

This was the first and the biggest of several contradictions Souness has made since he joined the club. As it happens wholesale changes have been made and more are expected in the summer.

At the time The Northern Echo commented there was a definite sense of dj vu and ominous foreboding about his statement.

Souness' friend and former Liverpool and Scotland colleague Kenny Dalglish echoed similar sentiments when he succeeded Kevin Keegan in the United hot seat. Dalglish then turned one of the Premiership's most memorable sides into one of the most unremarkable.

In the words of indie rock band The Hives, "I Hate to Say I Told You So".

Souness has surpassed the damage even his friend inflicted on the club. It took Dalglish a year to undo all Keegan's best work and turn 'It's a Wonderful Life' on Tyneside into a 'Nightmare on Elm Street' - it's taken Souness less than four months.

Newcastle are set for their worst ever Premiership finish and worst ever points total. And using the insipid displays against Middlesbrough and relegation-bound Crystal Palace on Saturday as a measure, you wouldn't back United to add to the 40 points already won.

The Newcastle boss says it isn't rocket science but the club's malaise is down to injuries. But every club suffers from injuries and no one more so this season than neighbours Middlesbrough. Yet the Teessiders are still in contention for a UEFA Cup spot.

United have been hit by serious injuries to key players in the last three seasons but they have still managed to finish in the top five on each occasion.

Is it the case of a bad tradesman blaming his tools? Or just a tradesman neglecting his tools? When Souness joined the club he said they were the best he was given to work with yet United's fortunes have sunk faster than the Grand Old Duke of York!

He discarded the club's cutting edge in Craig Bellamy; let one of the Premiership's best left-backs, Olivier Bernard, leave, and like one of his predecessors - Daglish - replaced them with inferior models.

When Laurent Robert answered honestly to questions on whether United were a worse side than they were last year, there was no conspiracy, he only uttered what every Newcastle fan knew anyway. It would be insulting to them to say otherwise, they aren't blind.

Souness insists he has had to play his kids - who have performed admirably it has to be said. This is not strictly true of course as Robert and Patrick Kluivert have been rotting on the bench.

Souness didn't offer his usual excuses after the disappointing draw against Palace he sent assistant manager Alan Murray to make them for him.

"We're disappointed with the result having dominated the game and created quite a few chances and opportunities especially in the first-half," said Murray.

"But we didn't quite have the quality in the final third to put them away. I do believe Patrick (Kluivert) wasn't offside and that goal should have stood. I haven't seen the video replay and I'm just going on what people have told me."

It has to be said Palace were fortunate to leave St James' Park with a point, but Murray was clearly clutching at straws.

Nevertheless, the game should have been over at half-time. Alan Shearer, Shola Ameobi, James Milner, Darren Ambrose and Jean Alain Boumsong all missed great chances; whereas Shay Given did not have a save to make.

With the football on the pitch failing to rise above the mediocre some of the St James' Park faithful entertained fellow fans by flying paper aeroplanes on to the pitch. Cheers were received on every one making the pitch.

Murray says he sympathised with the fans' frustration.

He said: "The fans want us to play well and win well. I think at times we did play well without putting the ball in the back of the net. We need someone to shin one in or go in off someone's backside.

"We are all disappointed in the way this season has panned out. I'm not going to harp on about it because you know the situation."

Murray was also asked about the manager's decision to leave Robert and Kluivert, proven players of international class, on the bench and play several youngsters.

He said: "They have an opportunity to impress the manager from now until the end of the season", before adding: "I think the manager knows what they are capable of. But he has been pleased with the younger players when they have been pressed into service and that is why he has continued to pick them."

If there were any positives to be drawn from the turbulent season on Tyneside then it has to be Charles N'Zogbia.

The 18-year-old Frenchman looks to be an excellent prospect and has a real chance of becoming a top player. The youngster was outstanding again on Saturday and was at the centre of everything. Not only does he have flair and the ability to find a killer pass but is not afraid to put his foot in where it hurts.

Murray admitted they are pleased with N'Zogbia's progress.

He said: "I think Charles has grown in confidence because he has had two or three games now and that bodes well for the future."

The immediate future of Newcastle United looks bleak of course.

When history looks back at Souness' time at the club, like Dalgish, he will be found guilty of crimes against Newcastle United. "I Hate to say I Told You So".

Result: Newcastle United 0 Crystal Palace 0.

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