The massive attention surrounding Kevin Keegan's return to the Newcastle hot seat was inevitable; but some of the less imaginative hacks in the press are using it as an opportunity to indulge in some lazy journalism.

The number of column inches that have been littered with fanciful transfer rumour would stretch from St James' Park to sports desks in London. Micah Richards, David Beckham, Aleksandr Hleb and Peter Crouch are just some of Keegan's alleged targets. If you add Wayne Bridge, Daniel van Buyten, Ledley King, Scott Brown and David Bentley, Keegan would have spent over £80m.

Most amusing is the reaction of the rival fans: "Bentley wouldn't go to Newcastle - it would be too big a step down.'' As a Newcastle supporter I would be quite worried if players of Bentley's calibre considered themselves too good for for the Toon. That would leave only the average, poor and Sunderland players to choose from.

Another player's name to elicit a ferocious fan response was Ledley King. I would be more inclined to sign a surgeon as he spends less time in hospital. And if we are brutally honest King is no Sol Campbell or John Terry. He's not even a Jonathan Woodgate or Jamie Carragher, so why all the fuss?

Keegan will sign the right players and as a club with huge financial backing, a huge loyal fan base and a ground that easily ranks in the top five stadia in the country. So why wouldn't those players want to come to the North-East if they think they are good enough to improve on what is already there?

Besides, if anyone is punching above their weight I'd have to say it's Middlesbrough. If they sign Fred, I'll eat my proverbial hat!