www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/420376/Ripped-apart-pound60m-Toon-flops-humiliated-by-Orient-freebies.html

£60m Toon flops humiliated by Orient freebies

By MARTIN HARDY, 25/07/2009
SO now Newcastle fans know. It CAN get worse. MUCH WORSE.

Forget the humiliation of relegation, forget the embarrassment of failing to find a buyer.And forget the inability to install a permanent manager. Their team is now not even good enough for the third tier of English football.

The Toon's demise hit new depths at Brisbane Road when Leyton Orient hit them for SIX. Yes, SIX.

And the Geordie XI humbled 6-1 at the League One strugglers could easily be the team that starts at West Brom in less than a fortnight's time - providing no one buys them, which seems increasingly unlikely after such a pasting.

This was a Newcastle side that cost £60million. The Orient team were all free transfers.
Shockwaves

This was a Newcastle side with Obafemi Martins and Joey Barton and Damien Duff - the real A-listers. But it was a display to send shockwaves through Tyneside and one to demoralise the 2,000 Toon Army foot soldiers who trekked down to London.

Owner Mike Ashley now seems certain still to be in charge when the Championship season kicks-off.

And caretaker Toon boss Chris Hughton admits he will have to step up, too. But the former Spurs coach, now in charge for the third time at St James' Park, has told Sport of the World he will NOT be allowed to sign any players and he will have NOSAY in any sales.

He revealed: "It's a strong possibility I could lead Newcastle out for the first game. My role is increasing. It will continue to do so. It will build to that first game. My thinking has been to prepare the group of lads as well as I can until someone comes in and takes over the role.
Passion

"The fact that hasn't happened means it starts to change. I have enjoyed my time at the club. I feel the passion the fans have for the club and it's always a very proud moment for me to be in charge of this group of lads.

"I am certainly prepared to be in charge of this team for whatever period the club want me to be. But I am not in the position where I can fight to keep players here."

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Alan Shearer has yet to give up hope of taking over. But he will not be offered any role until a new buyer comes in - or unless Ashley takes the club off the market.

And Hughton has already warned his players there is a real danger they could follow Leeds' path.

He added: "We will be THE scalp this season. The players are aware of that. Now they have to combat that and be good enough to come back again."