Roeder blasts Magpies

The Magpies are set to end another season without a trophy after their latest failure - throwing away a two-goal lead against AZ Alkmaar in the UEFA Cup - ended all hopes of winning some silverware for the first time since 1969.

"That result against Alkmaar is Newcastle," Roeder told the Daily Express. "Not just this season, not last season, it is the Newcastle which threw away a 12-point lead at the top of the Premiership, which you would have thought was impossible. That is Newcastle.

"The problem is, it has happened so often. If you go back years and years to when I was a player here and before, the fans are used to it, they expect it to happen. It's stitched into the badge. Somebody has to unstitch it and I want it to be me."

As a result of recent events on the pitch, Roeder's position has come under threat, with some supporters calling for his head and for him to be replaced by St James' legend Alan Shearer.

Shearer is currently forging a successful career in the media, but some Magpies' fans want to see him make the switch to management. Roeder, however, denies he is merely "keeping the seat warm" for the former England hitman.

"Alan texts me before every single game wishing me all the best. I don't think I am just keeping the seat warm for Alan," he told the Daily Mirror. "I see myself here long term, very much so.

"As a football person he understands the problems we have and he has endorsed that during the season, saying how difficult the job has been.

"I do not believe anyone else could have done any better, I do not believe it," he continued.

"Now, anyone who comes here will be my signing. I am happy to be judged on [Obafemi] Martins, [Antoine] Sibierski and [Damien] Duff, but three signings is not my squad.

"If we can get another four then half the squad will be mine."