Newcastle interim manager Joe Kinnear launched an expletive-laden attack on his critics in which he swore more than 50 times during his pre-match press conference.

Kinnear, set to officially take charge of his first match against Everton on Sunday, was a surprise choice to fill the void left by Kevin Keegan's departure.

His unexpected appointment a week ago - the former Wimbledon, Luton and Nottingham Forest boss had not been involved in football for four years - had fans and observers questioning his chances of dragging a club in crisis out of trouble.

But he came out fighting with an onslaught of his own against journalists he believes have ridiculed him and tried to undermine his position.

His responses to numerous questions were littered with profanity and personal attacks on journalists. He insisted he would not deal with national media but said he would pick to local papers and speak to them.

Edited, he said: "I will stand up and fight for myself in any corner. You're not going to frighten me in any manner.

"Whatever you do, or whatever headlines you run, you're not going to embarrass me.

"I'm not going to stand for it. I've come up here for a simple chance to prove myself. Get off my back and let me get on with my job. That's all I ask."