THERE appeared to be a certain degree of optimism amongst Newcastle United fans ahead of Saturday’s game at St James’ Park.

No doubt it was down to interim manager Joe Kinnear’s assertion that Kevin Keegan and Alan Shearer were waiting in the wings to step in when the new consortium – South African, Nigerian, Chinese or American – buys the club sometime during next month.

If the supporters expected the Newcastle team to help ensure that optimism was well-placed then they were wrong. By half-time the chants for Keegan and Shearer had diminished and the near 45,000 in St James Park had been subjected to yet another inept display by the home side.

There was an improvement after the interval but after yet another defeat things couldn’t get any worse for supporters?

Unfortunately, Shearer on Match of the Day denied he had been in contact with anyone about a return in any management capacity, and then Terry Venables told Radio Five Live he had been informed the club might still not be sold by the end of the year.

Slightly different from the version relayed to Kinnear when he was offered the chanced to make a highly unpredictable return to topflight management.

Venables was dissuaded from taking over because of the uncertainty at the club. He was told it could be sold in weeks but also that if he took the job he could be still there in December. Kinnear appeared clear a sale was imminent.

The former Wimbledon boss could therefore still be at St James’ Park through the January transfer window and he is adamant that Ashley will not be investing on the playing side “What I can say is that there will be no more players,” said Kinnear. “I can say that for absolutely sure.

“I think Ashley has made a statement that he is waiting for new buyers and will not be investing any more money.

“I assume the new people will be in by January. I can only assume. If that happens there might be lots of players coming in.”

The news for fans just keeps getting better and better.

On the pitch they currently have the worst side in the Premier League. Off the pitch they appear to have the worst run club in Britain.

Kinnear’s priorities, however, are on-field. The team appear incapable of defending, have no pace, and are reliant on Michael Owen digging them out of a hole very week.

By the time he scored his fifth goal of the season they could have been four down.

They were only two behind thanks to Blackburn’s profligacy in front of goal, Shay Given, and a goal-line clearance from Sebastian Bassong.

The importance of Owen is clear to Kinnear “He is a quality player, no question about that,” said Kinnear. “With the experience he has got he has seen it and done it. I would like to get similar players around him.

He is a Newcastle legend, England legend and Liverpool legend.

“No reason why he won’t continue to be my captain. He is a very good voice in the dressing room.”

The voice in the dressing room at half-time on Saturday belonged to Kinnear. He wasn’t happy with what he saw and made sure the players knew about it – no matter how many didn’t even know who he was.

Paul Ince’s side were all over Newcastle and led through two headed goals.

Despite looking offside, Christopher Samba stole ahead of Steven Taylor and headed home Carlos Villaneuva’s central free kick just after the half hour.

Taylor had made his first error of the game far earlier but was thankful to Shay Given for saving low from Matt Derbyshire.

Given could do nothing about either Samba’s goal or Santa Cruz’ second.

Brett Emerton’s cross was skilfully guided back across Given’s goal to give Rovers a well-deserved 2-0 half-time lead.

“I went in half time and spoke to the players openly told them what I expected and bitterly disappointed the way we conceded goals and didn’t compete with the headers,”

said Kinnear, whose most recent work in football has been scouting in South America.

“We need to stop feeling sorry for ourselves and focus on playing football.”

Kinnear’s input seemed to have a positive effect as Newcastle came out and put Rovers on the back foot.

They should have had a penalty a minute before they were awarded a spot-kick.

Damien Duff, playing as well as he has this season, put in a teasing cross that Martin Olsson pushed away with his hand with Geremi threatening.

Referee Steve Tanner missed it.

He later missed a foul by Ryan Nelsen on Charles N’Zogbia that should have resulted in the Rovers centreback’s dismissal.

Nelsen was also guilty of giving away the penalty that offered Newcastle a glimmer of hope – a clumsy challenge on Owen on the corner of the box.

Owen scored from the spot but Geremi’s inability to control Duff’s cross aside, Newcastle didn’t create much despite plenty of possession.

Kinnear already appreciates the scale of the job in front of him with optimism again in short supply at St James’ Park.

“What has not helped matters is that six or seven of our best players are missing – that has certainly not helped,”

said Kinnear, who confirmed he will not be bringing anyone in to work alongside him.

“With the international break we could have four or five back. It is the first time I have seen the team and they are lacking in confidence.

“I have six games and 18 points and I would like to be in a position where we had the full choice of players.

“I know who I am following in the footsteps of (Keegan) and who turned the job down.

But for me is a fantastic opportunity.

“It was too good to miss out on irrespective of the turmoil it is in.”