Troubled times Tyneside

Given that the level of intrigue at St James' Park over the past couple of years has been almost decadent in scale, it should hardly have come as a surprise yesterday morning that even after one of the most tumultuous days in Newcastle United's recent history, the club's press office was happily chirping "business as usual". They did issue a statement in response to the vast media interest, but the statement said there would be no statement.

Business as usual seemed to cover a bloodletting without blood, outlandish remarks from Ruud Gullit's advisers, a possible offer of resignation from Gullit, albeit emotional and verbal, a forthright rejection of that offer by the Newcastle board and, of course, the continuing general malaise.

Sunday night's frenetic return from the soul-crushing 4-2 defeat at Southampton that left Newcastle pointless and bottom of the Premiership ended with Gullit arriving at Newcastle airport to be confronted by a van-load of Sunderland fans on their way to Ibiza, but also saying that he was staying.

"I want to stay," Gullit said. "I want to take this club where it has to go. I did not say I was going and I did not say I was leaving when I was asked if I would be here next week. But this was in the context that if you are a manager and you are losing matches, you can be sacked. I do not want to go from Newcastle of my own accord. But I like to be in good harmony."

Harmony, however, has been conspicuous by its absence at Newcastle since Gullit arrived 350 days ago, and while there was a rumour of a clear-the-air meeting between Gullit and his players, one did not take place. It should have.

If Newcastle are to deal with the personality problems plaguing the club, then Gullit and Alan Shearer have to compromise over their non-relationship and the issue of Robert Lee's marginalisation has to be addressed.

Fan anxiety fills the vacuum left by the club's and Gullit's silence. Shearer did speak at a function in London but it was to say: "The club have asked the players not to speak and I have to respect that," though that was in marked contrast to Gullit's agent, Phil Smith, who said on BBC Radio 5 Live: "Ruud's staying, he was never going anyway. He's not a quitter, he's a winner."

Smith then added: "A few inspirational performances from the captain would be a help" and, ridiculously, "Ruud's probably the most popular manager they've ever had, and that includes Kevin Keegan."

If that is a reflection of Gullit's thinking then it is a possibly suicidal misjudgement.