Third strike and out for Roeder

Three times this season, Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd has had to listen to the club's supporters call for his head, and his patience finally snapped as he watched his team endure their fifth home defeat of a miserable campaign against a side who, unlike Newcastle, are now serious UEFA Cup contenders.

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Shepherd wanted to stay loyal to Roeder. Sick of his reputation as a hirer and firer, the chairman wanted stability at a club still reeling from Alan Shearer's retirement and which has never really recovered from Sir Bobby Robson's harsh dismissal.

Robson has now become a regular at St James' and he was alongside Shepherd to watch this Newcastle debacle Although fit-again Michael Owen came close to scoring his first home goal for 20 months, only to be denied by Christopher Samba's incredible headed clearance, Newcastle were totally outplayed by a well-organised Blackburn side who could yet squeeze into the top seven.

Before the game, Roeder and Shepherd had pencilled in a meeting at which the manager hoped to see his transfer targets and budget on the agenda. Yesterday morning, Shepherd brought that meeting forward and made the agenda his manager's future. Roeder left with his P45.

The previous home defeats which woke Newcastle fans from their apathy came against Sheffield United and Manchester City. During both games, supporters turned on Shepherd and protested long and hard outside the main entrance. Saturday was different. The Taxi for Roeder' chants were the first signs of unhappiness with a man who guided the club to Europe but has never looked likely to repeat the feat.

The lap of shame after facing Blackburn was an embarrassment, but Roeder insisted the players were right to show their appreciation to the few who stayed. The fans didn't know whether to boo or applaud, so did both.

It must have made perplexing viewing for Robson who once paraded his team in front of an even smaller audience. His crime was finishing fifth, back in the days when Champions League qualification was a realistic ambition.

The presence of Albert Luque was laughable, although he has become very rich for doing very little thanks to the club. Like Celestine Babayaro, Titus Bramble's excuse was an injury, although Emre was out there with a foot brace.

Totally unacceptable was the reaction of Stephen Carr, hardly a Toon Army darling, who raced down the tunnel after he had been torn to pieces by David Bentley.

To Shepherd and the fans, it was clear evidence Roeder had lost elements of his dressing room. Carr shouted expletives at his manager and thundered off to get some ice' for an injury which was a surprise to the medical staff.

"I suppose he could have walked around with an ice pack on his thigh or hamstring or whatever it is," said Roeder. "I'm not going to criticise him more than that. The majoritycameout. Theywon't have enjoyed it but you've got to be strong in life. It's easy to take the applause when you're winning."

Bramble and Carr were just waving for offside when Benni McCarthy converted the excellent Stephen Warnock's cross to put Blackburn in front. It was a borderline decision but they surely waved farewell to St James' in the process. Carr was guilty again when Bentley eased past him to cross for Jason Roberts to nod a second.

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Had he survived, Roeder intended to rebuild the Newcastle squad. Whoever does it now must start with an entire back four, a more cohesive midfield and, if they can hold on to Owen, possibly a new strike partner for him. Obafemi Martins may have netted 11 goals but successful passes to Owen were rare.

Roeder said: "There are players who have been here too long and probably need to move on. Some will benefit from a new experience and motivation. We have a few players who have gone stale and need to move.

"Very few stay at clubs for long and do well the whole time. It can be a cruel business, but decisions have to be made and if you don't let players go who are not what you'd expect a Newcastle player to be and good enough to be in a team that's challenging for Europe, then actually it becomes a very easy decision. Because it's the right one."

Newcastle could have done with McCarthy, who is the third highest Premiership scorer with 15 goals, but admits he is looking forward to the end of his first English campaign.

He said: "I'm starting to really miss my family. It's been a very long season and especially hard for me. I've tried my utmost and adapted really well, but gone a whole season without seeing them and without having anyone very close to me.

"People say I've done fantastically well but they don't understand how much I miss my family and how I've had to adapt to a new culture. It's been really hard, so I'd love the season to be over and done."