Martins backs Kinnear

Striker calls for stability

Last updated: 21st November 2008

Obafemi Martins

Martins: Support for Kinnear

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Obafemi Martins has joined the growing chorus of players calling for Joe Kinnear to be handed the Newcastle job on a permanent basis.

Kinnear is currently interim manager of the Magpies after being brought in by owner Mike Ashley to steady the ship following the shock departure of Kevin Keegan.

Shay Given and Damien Duff have both given their backing to Kinnear for the role and now Martins believes the club should stick with the former Nottingham Forest and Wimbledon boss.

"Joe should get the job permanently because stability and support are what the club needs," Martins told The Sun.

"We have a manager who does not seek the glamour of handling a Premier League club, he does his own thing the best way he can and so far we are just having fun.

"The club should stick with him."

Kinnear has sparked controversy since taking over in September with his no- nonsense approach, including his infamous foul-mouthed tirade at reporters.

But Martins insists the players have no problems with Kinnear's management style.

Passionate

"Joe has a soft mind outside football but the fire of the game burns inside him and you can tell from the way he speaks," added Martins.

"I don't mind that he swears. Every manager has his style so you could call that the Joe Kinnear way.

"What you hear is a passionate man. As long as it works for Newcastle, the fans and players don't care what the rest of the world thinks."

Meanwhile, Kinnear has revealed his planned talks this weekend with Ashley regarding his future have been shelved, leaving him in limbo.

"I said it would be after the Chelsea game but the goalposts have moved since then," said Kinnear.

"Every time the club gets nearer to being sold, a problem pops up - the credit crunch, or whatever else.

"When I walked in they said the club would be sold around about the Chelsea game. It's month to month, so the last game of the month is Middlesbrough.

"Then we start another month if the club is not sold.

"They keep saying we are getting close but obviously we have not seen any finances coming up from the American group interested. That is all they tell me."