Defeat has Roeder quitting and Magpies fans' fuming

NEWCASTLE United games tend to draw more questions than offer any definitive answers - and the Magpies latest match against Blackburn was no different.

The game marked Michael Owen's first return to St James' Park since December 2005 but even he could not inspire them to a much-needed victory, and it turned out to be Glenn Roeder's last in charge at St James' Park.

The 2-0 defeat means the club equalled a 56-year-old record of not having scored in five consecutive home matches and they have won only once in their last ten games.

The England international was a little rusty on his return, which is understandable given he has spent almost a year on the sidelines, but he was still better value than many of his under-performing team-mates.

Owen had only two opportunities in the game - the first he blazed over the bar on the stroke of half-time from 15 yards, the second was headed clear by Christopher Samba after he had rounded goalkeeper Brad Friedel.

United's only other notable effort came when Kieron Dyer had a header saved by Friedel after six minutes.

But despite Newcastle going behind in controversial circumstances when an offside Benni McCarthy headed home a Stephen Warnock cross they can have little complaints about the result.

And when Jason Roberts netted Rovers' second on 73 minutes it resulted in a typical angry response from the terraces.

Supporters turned on the Newcastle manager for the first time since he took charge of the team in February 2006, and that could have been a major factor in his decision yesterday to resign.

But it looks like he jumped before he was pushed.

Shepherd failed to back his manager when the rumours began circulating about Sam Allardyce taking charge at the club. And when Shepherd did make a comment on the speculation yesterday morning when he said: "I haven't spoke to Sam Allardyce and he's never spoken to me" the writing was on the wall for the former United skipper.

Shepherd has always been a populist chairman and if he is thinking about replacing Roeder with Allardyce it will not go down well with the home supporters.

But given the chairman is currently as popular with Newcastle supporters as Margaret Thatcher was with the mining community, it does not matter what he does as long as he finally makes the right decision.

Despite the anti-Roeder chants immediately after the game he remained a popular figure with the majority of Newcastle fans, and not just because of his playing career as a captain at the club.

The current Magpies boss has always been an amiable, honest and likeable man. The problem supporters have had with their former skipper is that they don't believe he had the charisma or personality to attract top players to St James' Park or move the club forward. And after only one win in nine games, Shepherd seems to have drawn the same conclusion.

Roeder has managed admirably given the horrific injury list he has had to deal with this term but he has let himself down with his team selection and tactics on several occasions, as he did so on Saturday.

Newcastle's game plan in recent weeks seems to be get the ball out wide to James Milner and pick up the pieces from whatever he does.

The former Leeds United man was the pick of the Magpies bunch and went past his Blackburn markers with ease on Saturday. But given his final delivery is not up to standard United inevitably fall short.

But the simple truth is that several of United's squad are not up to standard and will have to move on - Roeder agreed.

He said: "There are players who have been here too long and they will probably have to move on. That is a reference to nobody but I think some players will benefit from moving to another club. Very few players stay at a club a long time and do very well all the time.

"We have a few players that have gone stale."

While Roeder wouldn't name names his comments are likely to have been directed at the likes of Kieron Dyer, who has been at the club since 1998, and Titus Bramble, a Newcastle player since 2001.

But the big questions will remained unanswered until Shepherd finally answers them.

You only need to look at how far the once Mighty Leeds United have fallen - the Mighty Magpies could go the same way.

Defender David Edgar has signed a new two-year contract.

The teenager has been rewarded with a deal until 2009 after breaking into the first-team this season.

Edgar has made four appearances and scored in the equaliser in the 2-2 draw against Manchester United on his home debut back in January.