Football FanCast columnist Rob Facey argues that while Keegan will remain in his job, he must be held to account for his comments denouncing his Newcastle side's chances of breaking into the top four.

Kevin Keegan's bizarre comments this week made interesting reading for the press, but I can't imagine how they went down on those that pay to watch at St James Park every other Saturday. Though accurate - for Newcastle are light years behind the top four - his comments must have been as welcome as a Sunderland shirt on your birthday.

For someone who talks about the importance of belief, Keegan has a lot of explaining to do to Mike Ashley.

"I've got three years on my contract and I am looking forward to the next three years - at least - here," Keegan said in The Guardian.

Talking ahead of today's meeting he has said that it is "a good thing, I look forward to it."

But he is missing the reason the meeting has been called in the first place. Mike Ashley, Chris Mort and all of the other members of the Newcastle board are trying to rebuild Newcastle and if the manager doesn't think that they can break into the top four, then why bother?

Since his arrival, Keegan has not beaten a side in the top half of the table. Tyneside actions citing the ‘Kevolution' or the ‘Second Coming' are totally misguided. But, despite this, Keegan must believe in the cause, for if he doesn't then how can he expect the fans, and more importantly, the players to.

He talks about keeping Owen at the club but the England striker, who manipulated and bargained his way out of Liverpool to join Real Madrid, is not stupid. The fact that his manager has stated that the best that his team can hope for is UEFA Cup football, though realistic, means that if his star player hands in a transfer request, Keegan only has himself to blame.

He has given his squad a get out clause effectively. Players would be able to claim that the club does not match their ambition and look for pastures new.

Keegan may be a realist, but sometimes optimism is needed.