It might be a little strange to continue speculating about who will be the next Newcastle manager when the current one is still limpeted to the job, clinging with the last of his "fight" to the hull of a ship that looks suspiciously close to sinking, but the situation dictates as much. Whether Mike Ashley pulls up his pants, realises that Pardew is not the man to lead Newcastle out of the dross and finally hands over his P45 or not, something has to change at Newcastle United, and as long as maximum effort and dogged spirit are only good enough for seven winless games, the manager looks the most changeable. And as bookies fall over themselves to suggest that David Moyes, Steve Bruce or Tony Pulis would be the men to take over from Pardew, one manager who had been mentioned in the same breath as Newcastle has indirectly ruled himself out of the job by going and getting himself another - probably better - one. Former Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo was a 33/1 outsider for consideration for the job - along with the likes of Lee Clark and Chris Hughton (who should be at 500/1 in all honesty) - but this morning has seen him handed the reins at Schalke, who jettisoned Jens Keller after an inconsistent start to the season that has seen the Germans in 11th in the Bundesliga after seven games. They have eight points - imagine having that many points after seven games and still sacking your manager, Mr Ashley. Meanwhile, Newcastle persist with Alan Pardew, who was won two less than Keller did at Schalke, and who looks like a fish riding a bicycle at the minute on the touchline. But at least he's trying his best, eh?
