Taylor - Newcastle are a joke

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 said: "I've read every week that next week Alan (Shearer) 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."

He added: "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.

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."