Newcastle United have failed to win in 11 Barclays Premier League matches and not at all since Kevin Keegan's return as manager in January. They are only three points clear of the bottom three and are in the midst of a relegation battle. Next up is a match away to Liverpool on Saturday. As Newcastle again squirm in the spotlight, we ask what has gone wrong at St James' Park and why.

Are Newcastle genuinely in crisis?

Transition is a kinder word, but transition has also become a permanent state on Tyneside, if such a thing is possible. Crisis, no, but crisis management, yes. Keegan replaced Sam Allardyce, who had been appointed only the previous May complete with a small army of technicians and backroom staff. Constant change is unsustainable.

On the pitch there have been too many messages, not enough coherence and some massive underachievement. Off it, important restructuring work is taking place, but that has been overshadowed by constant, sapping speculation about takeovers.

Who is to blame?

A squad containing Shay Given, Steven Taylor and Michael Owen should not be near the foot of the table, but few players have performed to their potential (Charles N'Zogbia and James Milner can be excepted) and others, such as Joey Barton, Alan Smith and Mark Viduka, have been grave disappointments.

Dispensing with Allardyce's services two months ago was aimed at avoiding another summer of upheaval and, while that was understandable, positive results have not followed. Most fans would point to Freddy Shepherd's regime as the cause of the difficulties, from financial imprudence and vanity signings to poor decisions.

Is Mike Ashley, the owner, trying to sell the club?

Chris Mort, the chairman, insists not and the rebuilding being undertaken behind the scenes points to a long-term project. The academy is being restocked and a new boardroom and management tier established - which was needed desperately - although Dennis Wise's arrival as executive director (football) was unfairly painted as a dent to Keegan's authority.

Just as in the final months of the Shepherd era, interested parties were constantly inquiring about the possibility of buying Newcastle, but Mort has said that neither he nor Ashley has initiated contact. The reluctance of the club's billionaire owner to discuss his motivation has added to the uncertainty, however.

Why has Keegan not inspired his players?

Seven matches without a victory do not prove it, but he has. Saturday's performance against Blackburn Rovers went unrewarded, but improvements were noticeable; Mort has spoken of his satisfaction at the higher level of creativity, while Damien Duff has compared fitness levels favourably to those during Allardyce's spell.

“The more we work together, the more influence the manager is having,” Smith said. “We are getting fitter and there is a camaraderie and that's something the gaffer has emphasised since he came in. Everyone is playing for each other.”

Where do they go from here?

Not to the Coca-Cola Championship, hopefully. Get through the remainder of this season intact and there is promise for the future. Few people tap into the Gallowgate psyche as Keegan does - which should guarantee him patience from the stands - while Ashley's resources offer exciting potential.

There is reconnection taking place at Newcastle. Mort has again met fans' representatives this week, repairing relationships that were destroyed under Shepherd, but the team must take the strain.