Speaking after his side's 2-0 defeat at the hands of Chelsea, Toon boss Kevin Keegan had to admit that his Newcastle side are a good few steps behind the Premiership's elite.

Keegan was in an unusually realistic mood as he said "I was thinking, 'what have I got to do next year to get near them' - and the truth is there's nothing I can do at all. The fans have to know that.

"I haven't got enough money and I wouldn't be able to get the players anyway, so I will soldier on with what I've got and maybe add one or two, maybe three depending what's available.

"I was looking around thinking, 'who can I bring on' and I'm seeing Shevchenko and Lampard coming on and Joe Cole thinking about coming on.

"Maybe the owner [Mike Ashley] thinks we can bridge that gap - but we can't."

Keegan was slightly more positive about his side's performance today as he went on to add "I think we gave Chelsea a hell of a game in the first half today but their class shone through. But they are both quality sides with great players, who will be worthy champions."


Although the pundits weren't exactly queuing up to tip Newcastle for the title next season, owner Mike Ashley will certainly be expecting a top half finish.