From the Telegraph
Frustrated Newcastle fans target Shepherd
By Louise Taylor at St James Park
Newcastle (0) 0 Sheff Utd (0) 1
Several thousand angry Newcastle fans congregated outside the main reception at St James' Park to chant "We want Freddy Shepherd out" last night after Sheffield United's first away win of the season left Glenn Roeder's side second bottom of the Premiership.
Danny Webber
Clever: Danny Webber's goal exposed Newcastle's deficiencies
So good in Sicily on Thursday evening when they beat Serie A leaders Palermo in the UEFA Cup, Newcastle were appalling here and, after Danny Webber headed the Blades' first away goal of the season, the ground echoed to calls for the chairman's head.
While the Toon Army largely admire Roeder for the attractive, slick passing, brand of football he is endeavouring to introduce and understand that he has been hampered by both injuries and the club's failure to make sufficient high-calibre signings during the summer transfer window, Shepherd is the focus of their ire.
How Newcastle's chairman — whose popularity will hardly increase if he makes Roeder the scapegoat by now sacking him — must regret agreeing to take the money for appearing in this televised fixture less than 48 hours after playing in Palermo.
"That was not ideal preparation and it hasn't helped but I don't want to use it as an excuse," reflected Roeder who had claimed the victory in Sicily was one of the best of his career. "It was a very tough day and certainly the poorest the team has played since I've been manager here. The lack of performance was totally unexpected. We've often played well this season and not got what we deserved but today we did. We looked a yard or two slower than Sheffield United but responsibility for results is mine alone."
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Despite putting on a commendably brave face Roeder looked stressed but although he had still to discuss the game with Shepherd, insisted: "I'm certainly not under pressure and I'm not fearing for my job. I have got broad shoulders."
Home fans definitely feared for Newcastle throughout an excruciatingly bad first half in which Charles N'Zogbia's cross-shot striking the top of the bar represented the home side's sole realistic scoring chance.
If this dearth of opportunity was partly down to Roeder's striker shortage —his first choice pairing of Obefami Martins and Shola Ameobi are both injured — Phil Jagielka and Claude Davis, Sheffield United's outstanding central defensive pairing also had quite a bit to do with the mounting Geordie frustration. Significantly both made some important clearances and interceptions and the wonderfully assured Jagielka looked a player reborn after his shaky start to the season in central midfield.
By the outset of the second half St James' Park was turning distinctly chilly and several fans donned woolly hats but, oblivious to the cold, the previously jacketed Roeder re-emerged in shirt sleeves. Presumably Newcastle's manager was making a point to his players, attempting to drop a hint that it was time for the tough to get going — or perhaps he was simply feeling the heat.
Yet with the insidiously clever Danny Webber and and robustly physical Rob Hulse enjoying the odd moment of menace in Neil Warnock's attack, that prospect looked to be receding as the new half unravelled and Steve Harper was required to make a fine save to repel a Webber shot.
It proved a warning Roeder's men failed to heed. Within minutes Webber had scored, the goal's preamble featuring a driving run and imperious right wing cross from Nick Montgomery which was met by the striker's incisive, Harper-defying, stooping header. "Are you Wednesday in disguise?," sang the gleeful away fans before serenading Webber whose darting runs and dangerous change of pace throughout deserved considerable acclaim.
"That was thoroughly deserved; another win and we'll be talking about Europe," enthused a delighted Warnock, whose team have moved out of the relegation zone.
"Montgomery's limited but he's produced the one bit of class that created the goal. Everyone will be writing and talking about Newcastle which is a shame for us but it's my night tonight and I'm going to enjoy every minute of it.
"We could have scored more; we were well organised and a threat. I had a few angry words with my players at half time when a few of them seemed pleased to be at 0-0. Yes, we're limited but we played the game in the right way and you saw our hunger and enthusiasm."
Warnock's happiness proved in marked contrast to that feral atmosphere outside where cries of "Shepherd out" still lingered in the frosty air.
A most uncomfortable bonfire night beckons for both Newcastle's chairman and manager.
