Joe Kinnear's Slip Up Very Apt

Joe Kinnear's slip of the tongue on Wednesday night might just have hinted what's ahead of him over the next few months after referring to (Charles) N'Zogbia as "Insomnia".

Twice in the post-match interview the Newcastle boss insisted his French midfielder's name was a sleeping disorder, but after another reverse at Manchester City, Kinnear looks set to become better acquainted with the word.

The Magpies slipped to their fourth defeat in five games leaving them in 16th place in the Premier League, but only two points clear of bottom-placed West Brom.

And Kinnear has now lost Michael Owen and Joey Barton, who will be sidelined for six and eight weeks respectively after picking up injuries at Eastlands.

Barton has broken a metatarsal, while Owen has an ankle injury leaving Kinnear down to the bare bones ahead of Sunday's Tyne-Wear derby against Sunderland.

The Geordies are already without Mark Viduka (Achilles), Claudio Cacapa (knee), Obafemi Martins (hernia surgery), Shola Ameobi (knee), Habib Beye (ankle) and Tamas Kadar (broken leg), while Shay Given looks all set to jump ship to Manchester City.

It looks like more dark days for Newcastle, who are fourth favourites for the drop in the Premier League betting.

The Magpies, who have picked up 19 points in 18 games since Kinnear's arrival in September, are football odds of 3.85 for the drop, with only Stoke, West Brom, and Middlesbrough shorter.

"It is one thing after another and life is seriously tough at the moment," said Kinnear.

"The credit crunch is killing us.

"Mike has lost £2billion quid in his own businesses and shares. He is just about paying the wages but it is not an easy situation.

"You look at Tottenham paying £16million here and £14million there. I would love to spend money like that but I can't. You can see why so many people bottled this job."