Kinnear curses Allardyce legacy

SAM ALLARDYCE might have been the picture of diplomacy after this thumping win over the club that sacked him so abruptly a year ago, but Joe Kinnear is not the type to indulge in niceties.

Having been taunted by Newcastle’s travelling army here, Kinnear — as is his style — duly fired back with both barrels, blaming his predecessors at St James’ Park, including Allardyce, for bequeathing a squad ill-equipped for a Premier League survival battle.

“I’ve inherited this,” Kinnear said. “They are not my players, everybody has forgotten that.

“But our biggest problem is a lack of strength in depth. Why wasn’t it addressed by the last manager [Kevin Keegan] or the manager before him [Allardyce]? I am carrying the can for it. It is as simple as that.”

Kinnear claimed last week he has been offered a “lucrative” contract to stay at the helm past the end of the season, although he will have been concerned at reports yesterday linking Steve Bruce, apparently disaffected at Wigan, eyeing a job he still regrets turning down four years ago.

For the time being, Kinnear remains in situ and he is optimistic owner Mike Ashley will provide money to strengthen the squad this month. “I have spelled out the gravity of the situation. I say: ‘We’re not prepared for anything like the disaster we face and you’ve got to realise the importance of that.’

“We must look to stay up this season and have a big clear-out in the summer and address everything completely differently.”

“But I admit I lie in bed and worry and dread this situation. I’m a proud fella and I don’t want to be relegated.”

Kinnear’s problems on Saturday were compounded by an on-field shoving match between Luis Enrique and, inevitably, Joey Barton.

The former Manchester City midfielder, who has apparently been taking anger management classes after his six-month spell in prison for assault, also became engaged in a spat with defender Sebastien Bassong after Newcastle leaked a late third goal. All three players are expected to be spoken to by Kinnear this morning.

Allardyce would have been forgiven a wry smile at Kinnear’s woes. He boasted a significantly better record than Kinnear during his 24-game reign in charge, but was dismissed regardless after a fan-base unconvinced by his tactics turned with a vengeance.

He was baited again on Saturday by the travelling Toon army but enjoyed the last laugh thanks to an emphatic second-half performance.

The breakthrough arrived in the 61st minute, when Benni McCarthy was fouled as he tried to reach Brett Emerton’s cross to the far post.

Referee Rob Styles pointed to the spot and the South Africa striker picked himself up to fire past Shay Given.

It was 2-0 five minutes later when goalkeeper Paul Robinson’s long punt downfield was helped on by Morten Gamst Pedersen and Roberts blasted home.

Nicky Butt was sent off for a second bookable offence with seven minutes to go before Pedersen’s pass across the six-yard area saw Roberts stab home his second.

Allardyce declined the opportunity to pour oil on Newcastle’s troubled waters, instead contenting himself with praising his own side’s efforts, which were enough to lift them out of the relegation zone.

“It has been two months we have been in that bottom three. We have clawed our way out of it now and let’s hope we can stay out of it,” he said.

BLACKBURN (4-4-2): Robinson 6, Ooijer 6, Samba 5 (Dunn 45, 6), Nelsen 7, Warnock 6, Emerton 6, Andrews 7, Tugay 5 (Grella 59, 5), Pedersen 6, Roberts 8, McCarthy 7 (Santa Cruz 70, 5).

Subs Not Used: Bunn, Mokoena, Treacy, Derbyshire.

NEWCASTLE (4-4-2): Given 7, Edgar 5, Bassong 6, Coloccini 5, Jose Enrique 5, Duff 5(Gutierrez 79, 5), Guthrie 5, Butt 5, N’Zogbia 5 (Barton 74, 4), Carroll 6, Owen 5.

Subs Not Used: Harper, Xisco, Taylor, Kadar, LuaLua.

REFEREE: Rob Styles (Hampshire) 6: Harangued by Butt for the red card but the midfielder had no right to be aggrieved.

MATCH RATING: *** Enough sub-plots and on-field drama to keep everyone entertained — Newcastle excepted, that is.