Newcastle chief insists he won't walk away

The Magpies chairman was the target of fans' anger on Saturday night after a 1-0 defeat at home to Sheffield United saw Glenn Roeder's side drop to second bottom, with just goal difference keeping them above Charlton.

Shepherd was not at Saturday's game to witness the protest with several hundred supporters calling on him to quit, but reiterated his wish to welcome what he described as a "Geordie Abramovich" to the club.

Shepherd said: "I am from Byker and I used to fight my way into school and fight my way out. It's tough but I'm not running away from a fight.

"I'm like the supporters, you do feel hurt but at the same time we're still in four competitions.

"If a Geordie Abramovich knocked on the door we'd have to do business. I'd gladly do whatever to secure him.

"But I don't want to lead supporters up a cul-de-sac because there's no-one there.

"I will not walk out on the business. I've made mistakes but so has everyone in football. Probably the biggest criticism is that I've been too kind to managers with funds and too generous to players.

"But when you are in Newcastle you are competing with Tottenham, Chelsea, Manchester United and we are 300 miles from London.

"I've been accused of many things but I can't be accused of not providing for the manager or giving players great wages."

While talks have been on-going with the Belgravia group for around six months there are no offers on the table and a power shift at St James' Park appears unlikely in the near future.

The chairman's priority yesterday was to hold an inquest into Saturday's dismal performance and the current unacceptable league form, with Roeder, his assistant Nigel Pearson and senior players Scott Parker and Shay Given in attendance.

Shepherd revealed afterwards he remains confident in his manager and there is enough quality in the squad to reverse their flagging fortunes.

"We've had a meeting with Glenn and senior players - there were frank discussions, good discussions," said Shepherd, who doesn't envisage the transfer window opening in January with the club still struggling in the bottom three.

"As a team and a club we've got to get on with it. We've got to get behind this team and support them. I will certainly get behind them.

"It's not a task that can't be done. They've all admitted they played badly but they've assured me they are all together. Let's crack on together - there is 75 per cent of the season left.

"The players have got to stand up beside their manager. I have taken flak for it but the players have to stand up and be counted as well.

"You cannot blame Glenn for hitting the bar or missing an open goal. We're in this as a team.

"Football is not an exact science. We have to get out and get some points and progress."

Despite admitting to mistakes during his time as chairman, Shepherd defended his record, insisting he has given the fans the managers they wanted - excluding Graeme Souness.

The chairman, whose salary from Newcastle is around £550,000 per annum, also claimed whatever money he has made from Newcastle has gone back into the club.

"Yes, there have been mistakes but regardless of what people say I have only ever dismissed two managers - Bobby (Robson) and Graeme (Souness). Gullit resigned, it was John (Hall) who started Kenny (Dalglish) but everyone wanted him and everyone wanted Bobby and we bought into that.

"Everyone wanted Keegan and Kenny. When Gullit came there were 5,000 people in the crowd saying 'we want sexy football'.

"The only one the crowd did not want 100 per cent was Graeme. I got loads of e-mails saying 'give it to Glenn Roeder', but not many telling me not to.

"I'm not daft - of course I listen to the supporters because I'm one of them. Hindsight is a great management tool."

Shepherd also defended the fans' right to protest, claiming he could even have been among them on Saturday night if the situation was different.

"I'm living here and I'm doing my best for Newcastle, whatever it costs. I still have to run it.

"I love them all (fans) because I'm one of them and I don't have any problem with Geordies.

"If things were different I might be with them calling out about someone else.

"I don't get upset by the protests. It's up to me to see it through and I'm not going to run away from it - what am I going to do? Walk out on this club. There is no-one else to sort it out.

"We still have the team to get out of it. If it was Christmas I would be worried but we still have five months of the season.

"What I can do better is in the transfer window to help the manager as much as I can. I'm the same as the supporters.

"There has never been a quiet January at this club."