Newcastle United boss Joe Kinnear is proud of the work he's achieved since his arrival.

The former Nottingham Forest manager told the News of the World: "Since I've been here, we've managed to improve and improve and improve.

"Whatever happens, I will leave this place in a lot better shape than it was in when I came here. That is for certain.

"I'm not going to walk out as a loser. I'll walk out as a winner. I said that to Mike Ashley and I believe that more than ever. There were lots of things missing when I got here. The place was like a morgue and I was not used to it.

"Wimbledon was an exceptional place. It was on fire every day and full of characters. But now I am seeing more characters here by the day. These players are looking for stability, they are looking for a leader, they are looking for somebody to guide them, looking for somebody to give them confidence.

"Take Shola Ameobi, for example. He was two seconds away from being sold to Ipswich. He hadn't scored a goal in two years.

"Since I came here, he has got three and is playing out of his skin.

"I am very strong and forthright in my views. And we've had a look at training as well, myself and Chris Hughton. We've got that into top gear now.

"Previous training was more or less the old five-a-sides and head tennis. There was probably other stuff as well but we've tightened up on sessions and I think they have gone down very well."