Newcastle legend Kevin Keegan has stated thathis former club will always be a big side, even if they don't always "act like one".
Speaking to ESPN, Keegan insisted that Newcastle remained a big club, despite not being successful in recent years since his first managerial spell in charge of the club.
"It is a big club, it just sometimes doesn't act like one," Keegan claimed.
"That's happened with a lot of clubs, not just Newcastle. You could say the same about loads of clubs.
"I don't have anything to do with inside there now, but you'll never lose what these people feel about this football club. They might not like certain things at certain times, but they'll still be there, they'll always be there."
The former England boss was present at the unveiling of Alan Shearer's statue onMonday, and claimed that it was deals like the Shearer transfer that kept Newcastle in touch with England's biggest clubs.
"They'll always surprise you like they did when Alan signed, 15,000 people turned up.
"It's wonderful. Most times when you get a statue put up to you, you're dead, so that's a big bonus for Alan that he's actually been able to unveil his own statue! Not many people get that privilege.
Honoured to have my statue unveiled today in Newcastle. Thanks to everyone for their support during my career. pic.twitter.com/q3iMKc8qPV
"But he deserves that. He came to this club when he could have gone to Manchester United. He wanted to play for this club.
Following the retention of manager Rafa Benitez, alongside a successful summer transfer window and a positive start to the Championship campaign, Keegan believes that the club are well placed to return to the Premier League at the first attempt.
"Newcastle should be in the Premier League. They are not in there at the moment, but they will be this time next year."