Sun 24th May - Villa Park
Last updated: 13th December 2008
Kinnear: Staying positive
I feel like I am on trial in every single game, or every moment of each match, with how important things are.
Joe Kinnear
Quotes of the week
Newcastle boss Joe Kinnear has admitted that he feels like he is 'on trial' in every single game.
Kinnear was made interim manager at St James' Park following Kevin Keegan's departure, before his deal was extended until the end of the season.
The Magpies have made solid progress in recent weeks but Kinnear accepts that the intense scrutiny the club attracts means his every move is closely examined.
Kinnear nevertheless has faith in his players to pull clear of trouble, starting with Sunday's game against Portsmouth.
He said: "I feel like I am on trial in every single game, or every moment of each match, with how important things are.
"But on the positive side, I have always said one more point each week is one point closer to safety.
"I always look at the teams we are playing against considering the team we are putting out, and I always have a fear factor.
"But I have to make sure my side is well keyed up for it, and as far as that has been concerned, that's been excellent.
"I have had a fantastic response from any player I have asked to do a difficult job.
"We have had to play various players out of position this season, but nevertheless, we are still in there."
Kinnear's preparations have regularly been disrupted by injuries and he has previously stated that he hopes to strengthen his squad in January.
He explained: "You have to get on with it, I am not making excuses over that. That's part and parcel of having a strong squad at the club.
"Unfortunately, we haven't got a strong squad and injuries hurt us - well, they don't make us any better.
"I have yet to get the best XI (on the pitch) since I have been here. Hopefully, that will change in the new year."

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| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 11th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 15:00 | Shamrock vs Newcastle |
| Saturday 18th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 12:30 | Darlington vs Newcastle |
| Tuesday 21st July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 19:45 | Huddersfield vs Newcastle |
| Sunday 26th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 14:30 | FC Utrecht vs Newcastle |
| Wednesday 29th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 19:45 | Newcastle vs Leeds |
| Sunday 2nd August | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 15:00 | Dundee Utd vs Newcastle |
| Saturday 8th August | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 17:30 | West Brom vs Newcastle |
| Saturday 15th August | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 17:20 | Newcastle vs Reading |
| Wednesday 19th August | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 19:45 | Newcastle vs Sheff Wed |
| Saturday 22nd August | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Crystal Palace vs Newcastle |
| Monday 31st August | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 19:45 | Newcastle vs Leicester |
| Sunday 13th September | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 14:05 | Cardiff vs Newcastle |
| Wednesday 16th September | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 19:45 | Blackpool vs Newcastle |
| Saturday 19th September | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Newcastle vs Plymouth |
| Saturday 26th September | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 17:30 | Ipswich vs Newcastle |
| Wednesday 30th September | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 19:45 | Newcastle vs QPR |
| Saturday 3rd October | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Newcastle vs Bristol City |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Sunday 24th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Aston Villa 1 - 0 Newcastle | |
| Saturday 16th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Newcastle 0 - 1 Fulham | |
| Monday 11th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Newcastle 3 - 1 Middlesbrough | |
| Sunday 3rd May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Liverpool 3 - 0 Newcastle | |
| Monday 27th April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Newcastle 0 - 0 Portsmouth | |
| Sunday 19th April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Tottenham 1 - 0 Newcastle | |
| Saturday 11th April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Stoke 1 - 1 Newcastle | |
| Saturday 4th April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Newcastle 0 - 2 Chelsea | |
| Saturday 21st March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Newcastle 1 - 3 Arsenal | |
| Saturday 14th March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Hull 1 - 1 Newcastle | |
| Wednesday 4th March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Newcastle 1 - 2 Man Utd | |
| Sunday 1st March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Bolton 1 - 0 Newcastle | |
| Sunday 22nd February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Newcastle 0 - 0 Everton | |
| Saturday 7th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| West Brom 2 - 3 Newcastle | |
| Sunday 1st February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Newcastle 1 - 1 Sunderland | |
| Wednesday 28th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man City 2 - 1 Newcastle | |
| Saturday 17th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Blackburn 3 - 0 Newcastle | |
| Wednesday 14th January | |
| The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON | |
| Newcastle 0 - 1 Hull | |
| Saturday 10th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Newcastle 2 - 2 West Ham | |
| Saturday 3rd January | |
| The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON | |
| Hull 0 - 0 Newcastle | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Leicester City | 0 | 0 |
| 11 | Middlesbrough | 0 | 0 |
| 12 | Newcastle United | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | Nottingham Forest | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | Peterborough United | 0 | 0 |
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