End of the Roed

Rob -- Baku Azerbaijan wrote...

Its a tough old life Lee, but there you have it, you dont perform then you are out, its commen commerce sense in any langauge, hell GR has had a 15 month reign in order to turn things around, but was not tactically aware or astutely assured in anything he said or did, granted some of the players must have turned against him, but not performing for him and us is not on, that is not only noticed by the manager but also we the supporters who are funding their wonderful life styles, get rid of Dyer, Carr, Baby, Moore, Goochie, Parker, Duff and Bernard. So we wait with baited breath as to what is next for our beloved club what the circus manager brings on next.

Posted by: Rob -- Baku Azerbaijan  | May 7, 2007 9:00 AM

Gerry Hagon wrote...

Obviously Glen was pushed into resignation by the bored, sorry, board. It may well be the best thing for a likeable bloke but one who never gave the impression that he would compete at the highest level. However, he stepped in when needed and did a good job in keeping us in the Premiership last year. Unfortunately that seemed to be the only thing that he was capable of doing just keeping us in, there was never a sign that we would be competing for honours anywhere.

So who next?

I liked the style of play of Alkmar and Le Guen handles the press well. I also like the style of Reading but it is probable that their manager feels he is building something special and will stay there. Similarly Hughes. So it looks like going abroad - if anyone will come - booing your own team would certainly influence anyone thinking about it.

The season ticket situation might well decide in the end. I am afraid my two tickets are available to anyone who does not demand entertainment to the value of £960 in June. I have absolutely no confidence in those in charge to change the situation and in that I am not alone.

Good luck to the Toon but I shall be watching from my armchair in future at Football First.

Posted by: Gerry Hagon  | May 7, 2007 11:08 AM

Bob wrote...

As a veteran supporter (I can remember Albert Stubbins)I have a sickening feeling of deja vu. We have had more "beginnings of new eras" than hot dinners and nothing ever seems to change. Will it be any different this time? I doubt it because the real problem at SJP is and always has been at the very top and this never changes.

Posted by: Bob  | May 7, 2007 11:12 AM

Drew wrote...

I personaly would like to see us try to get louis van gaal from AK

Posted by: Drew  | May 7, 2007 1:33 PM

Roy Chapman wrote...

Once again the mindless minority who protested on Saturday have won and a nice guy, not given nearly enough time, has gone.
No doubt the minority will have their way again and that chap from Bolton will take over - God help any Toon fan who wants to see quality football.
Only hope is that those players who had their money under false pretences and disgraced the Newcastle shirt aka Parker,Dyer Duff, Bramble, Onyewu, Emre, Babayaro will exit too.

Posted by: Roy Chapman  | May 7, 2007 1:43 PM

Ronnie ( Busker ) Lambert wrote...

No-one's shocked or sorry that Glen's gone, saddened maybe, that an ex-player and lover of the Toon failed ignominiously in his genuine attempt to lift his former club. But as usual, the real acrimony from the fans at another waste of hard earned season-ticket money, is universally acquiesced as belonging to those above Glen's head, who shouldn't have dawdled last season when he was screaming from the rooftops that he didn't want the job. But then, the question is, and has been for years , ' Who the hell would want this job anyway ? ' There is no doubt that this club is a sleeping giant, the fans have been giants for years, but giants have a tendency to eat little intruders, so the next manager will have to be a giant himself to stamp his authority on the board, the dressing room and most importantly on the pitch. Otherwise this embarrassing soap-opera will continue until we do a Leeds United, and judging from the season tickets on the pitch after Saturday's debacle, albeit spent tickets, it's definitely the thought that counts. Big Sam is undoubtedly, er, big, but if there are any bigger names out there, you will have to bust a gut to get him, to satisfy your wage payers. ' Big noises ' will have to be what comes from upstairs long before renewal ' begging letters ' start dropping through letter-boxes in a couple of months time or many recipients won't even curteously reply. Geordies are a fiercely loyal breed, but they're not as stupid as ' Daddie's little boy, Douglas Hall once inferred ' and the supporters are waking up to the relativity of players wages, boardroom wages and the blood and sweat it takes to attend the poor fare they've been fed for decades. It's wake-up time Freddy, to keep a hold of this golden goose, you will have to find, and pretty soon, outside investment just to keep up with the Liverpool's, Arsenal's and Chelsea's. We are even falling behind Aston Villa in investment, heaven help the club if Sunderland overtake us next season with their 'new broom ' attitude. Perhaps a new broom might be your first purchase next week eh?

Posted by: Ronnie ( Busker ) Lambert  | May 7, 2007 2:32 PM

WORDANNYMAN wrote...

We should not worry about Big Sam and his long ball philosophy -- success at any cost is what we need!!!

Posted by: WORDANNYMAN  | May 7, 2007 5:09 PM

oxboy wrote...

Another panic move by a board as unprofessional as its managerial signings.
I feel no relief after this inevitable act because of the inevatibility of the consequence, that is more of the same.
Roeder was regarded as Freds last chance after previous debacles and until we have changes in the boardroom we will surely continue this spiral of decline until the club goes bust. Lets face it the list of similar examples is growing season by season and why should we have exemption?
Its time for change at the top for leadership, integrity, proper financial stewardship, inspiration and forward planning so we can rebuild the club none of these attributes can ever be said to belong to the present board.

Posted by: oxboy  | May 7, 2007 5:51 PM

Fred wrote...

Sorry we need a manager who can bring players from all over the planet. They should try to get better technically and stronger in the back.
Gavrancic - CB
Taylor - CB
Bridge - LB
Coloccini - RB
That's a way better back four capable of passing the ball and go forward with it.

Posted by: Fred  | May 7, 2007 5:52 PM

Old (tired) Supporter wrote...

Freddie has a record worse than Newcastles when it comes to choosing managers.
He could do worse if he gets Sam.

Try Louis van Gaal and if you cant get him then get Diedre from "Corrie" (she is about the same stamp as your past choices)

Posted by: Old (tired) Supporter  | May 7, 2007 6:07 PM

Dave (Gosforth) wrote...

End of the Roed - and along time coming. This is not the result of a 'mindless minority' but a vast majority of season ticket holders that are no longer prepared to spend money on a season which ends just after Christmas. Roeder was average, his track record was average, so should we really be surprised that our season was average? Whoever the next manager is, he needs to sell Dyer & Bramble within 10 mins of his tenure, or face the same inevitable outcome as the previous managers which stood by/defended/played them.

Posted by: Dave (Gosforth)  | May 7, 2007 6:14 PM

Ian Teasdale wrote...

I agree with Roy,
Yet again the mindless minority has pushed out one of the toons most faithful fans, not just out of the job, but out of the club as well.
I know GR was tactically inept but to force him out the club like that was a disgrace!!! Someone should have been brought in along side him to share the burden.
I was at the match and stayed till the bitter end, applauded the players for a FULL season of games. Every player in the team has had a few good games at some point during the season and for that fact alone they shouldn't be disrespected like that.
Big Sam will be a BIG MISTAKE, If he's so good what did Bolton ever win with him in charge? they didn't even win fans with their hard tackling, break players legs, hoof it up the pitch style of play.
I don't know who the best man is for the job, BUT I NEVER WANTED THE PREVIOUS MANAGER OUT EITHER.
Who ever the next man into the hot seat is, i hope he doesn't have a life to ruin because this club has broken the toughest in the business so good luck to him.
I am sorry to see you go Glenn, good luck in everything you do,
All the best M8.

Posted by: Ian Teasdale  | May 7, 2007 6:45 PM

Dave Taylor wrote...

Louis Van Gaal - if we want success this is the sort of manager we need - no doubt about it.

Posted by: Dave Taylor  | May 7, 2007 8:53 PM

Andrew Donohue wrote...

Allardyce's 'boring brand' of football is observed by narrow-minded, part-time supporters who clearly have no idea what's going on. At Bolton, Allardyce had an extremely limited budget yet has this season led his (former) side to a higher position in the league than Newcastle. Given a larger budget - which no doubt Freddie Shepherd will ensure - and the same shrewd buying, Allardyce can transform Newcastle into an exciting, passionate, and most importantly, winning team. Whatever happens at Newcastle, we can't sit around, scratching ourselves and moaning at how 'bad' things have become. If you truly support the team, get out to the terraces and support the team. That doesn't mean we should jeer at the players when they're not performing as well as they can, it means singing louder and harder to make sure they know that you're behind them. Do everyone at the club a favour and start to look at the positives, be optimistic. Pessimism will send Newcastle one way only, and that's downwards.

Posted by: Andrew Donohue  | May 7, 2007 10:10 PM

Blandandtedious wrote...

Lee, I have just read John Gibson’s article in today’s chronic and the blighter has nicked my, ‘bring back the noose’ joke from your blog! But in all seriousness it’s good to see that the grand old man can write the type of article which is in keeping with the thoughts of the fans, albeit in hindsight…and fifteen months too late…and after the horse has bolted…etc.

Please feel free to use any of my ideas, without obligation or royalty payment!

Shepherd Out! Now that’s a good idea!

Van Gaal - the fans choice! How about producing a dossier of the main candidates showing their characteristics, record, and history, and letting the fans vote...you have just seen the result of ignoring the fans and trying to pass Roeder on as the fans choice, so how about it, or are we going down that same road again?

Posted by: Blandandtedious  | May 7, 2007 11:42 PM

mt1892 wrote...

The one thing you can say about Glenn Roeder is he is a decent honest bloke. His resignation is another sign of this. He realised he wasnt up to the job and was decent enough to step aside and let another man take over rather than sit there while things got worse then pick up a fat pay cheque when Freddie gives him the chop(Like Souness did). As for the next manager Allardyce has one key thing over the other supposed candidates. In the past NUFC have been accused of not preparing for games, seasons etc. Allardyce had a ridiculous amount of coaches and staff looking after all aspects of the players welfare. This can only be a good thing for Newcastle. As for the accusations of being a long ball merchant, whats to say he will do that at Newcastle anyway. It suited Bolton fine but he will realise it wont suit us. I say give him time and money(if its there) and get behind him. At least there will be no shirkers in the club when he comes in(Carr, Luque, Baba, Dyer, Onyewu, Bramble etc etc etc)

Posted by: mt1892  | May 8, 2007 12:28 AM

Anonymous wrote...

as much of a nice guy,reoder may be, nice doesnt win trophies. The fact is at xmas time the team picked its self and we were showing signs of being dangerous, However as soon as the "BIG" players came back glen had to then pick his team and he sinply could not do that. Look at the reading game two right sided players on the pitch playing on the left and we had a natural left winger in n zogbia on the bench he cant do tactics

Posted by: Anonymous  | May 8, 2007 10:24 AM

Andy Ferguson wrote...

Good luck to Glenn whatever he may do in his future.
I beleive Glenn had to go but I also think he should not have been installed in the fist place.

Next welcome the latest chapter for the Idiots Guide to Destroy a Football Club by Freddy Shepherd.

We are all wondering who will be the man to lead OUR club to the promised land, well the answer is simple forget the manager for now look to the very top, with this guy leading the charge we have no chance of dragging ourselves back to be a top 4 team.

It may be time to vote with our feet and also with the £.
The board still is responsable for revenue and this is one thing we can affect and if the money is not coming in eyes will start to be openend.

Just as matter of intrest please check Glens last 16 match results compared with Big Sams !!!!!!!!

Posted by: Andy Ferguson  | May 8, 2007 10:48 AM

David Rooney wrote...

WE MUST GET BEHIND THEM !

Right apart from Watford – season over and managerless again !

Freddie SHEPHERD must be wondering where it is going to end, if the press speculation is to be believed then ‘Big Sam’ is nailed on after his last two appointments he has to get it right !

I still do not know how or why Mr SOUNESS & ROEDER were selected, but I recall SHEPHERD saying how SOUNESS was enthusiastic about the prospect of managing Newcastle well who wouldn’t be on that sort of salary and also when you are minutes away from the sack at you current club basically SHEPHERD panicked after sacking Sir Bobby ROBSON others turned him down and SOUNESS was, well enthusiastic.

ROEDER on the other hand was a money saving exercise in my eyes.

Both were decent men and I believed tried but their abilities did not match up.

The writing was on the wall for me for ROEDER when at Reading the TV cameras showed the close up of the laid back PEARSON (literally horizontal on the sidelines) and the confused ROEDER, they looked as if they didn’t have an answer between them let alone understanding the question.

So once again we are on the lookout for a manager, but we the fans have a huge part to play in this.

First we must understand and accept that the KEEGAN days are not coming back, we were fortunate to have experienced ‘The Entertainers’ style of football, however the game is different it is not the same league.

The cash involved controls everything; the amount that can be lost makes it an almost impossible task for ANY manager.

So whoever is employed and regardless of the perceived style of football they usually play let us give them a chance and get back behind the team vocally and in a positive manner.It may never be the level of backing KEEGAN & ROBSON received but it has to be close!

Finally I read Spurs are after Dyer ? – Part ex him for HUDDLESTONE but how much we will have to give them is the issue !!!!!!!!

Posted by: David Rooney  | May 8, 2007 12:19 PM

Andy wrote...

I feel sorry for Roeder. OK, he may not have been the best choice for manager, but that's thanks to Freddie. Once again, a decent and committed servant of Newcastle United has been chewed up and spat out. Its just a shame that all the good work he did with the academy will now end.
If I was Big Sam, I wouldn't touch our joke of a club with a bargepole, but lets for arguments sake say he does come. What happens when we don't qualify in the top six at the end of next season? Boos? Cries to sack the manager?
We could bring in Mourinho, Ferguson and Wenger tomorrow and it'd still take us years before we were in any sort of challenging position, plus we'd need to have the same corporate level backing that all the contenders now have. Big Shep chucking in a star number 9 and a foreign mercenary every few years does not a team build.
The fans do need to accept the Keegan days are over and we don't have a divine right. We have to build from scratch again - just like every other club has done.

Posted by: Andy  | May 8, 2007 1:34 PM

Gutted Gordon wrote...

Glen's stepped down and that was the right thing for him and the club (although we all know who pushed him).
The real shame here is that we have lost someone who cared deeply about the club and who could have help us build for the future in the Academy.
Freddie cannot select good managers. The only two flirts with success we've enjoyed were with managers that chose themselves (Kevin and Sir Bobby). If you are going to support managers with large transfer kitty’s and to his credit, he always does, then this is an even bigger problem because his poor selections not only affect the team, they affect financial position of the club. If we hadn’t beaten Shef Utd we could have been the next Leeds…
Roeder was used by Freddie and he must go if we are to compete on and off the field. He is bad at his job and a disgrace to the Toon!
I have no doubt big Sam could do a job (top 6) but at what cost. I'm concerned about the football. I want to be entertained. Louis van Gaal gets my vote...he's got the experience, the contacts, plays entertaining, attacking football and he is big enough to stand up to the board...yes please (but we all know it'll be big Sam).

Posted by: Gutted Gordon  | May 8, 2007 4:21 PM

Stephen James Priestnall wrote...

Nice guys and Newcastle.
Try this link for some thoughtful and light-hearted advice for Freddie.
http://www.oomphagency.com/blog/index.html

Posted by: Stephen James Priestnall  | May 8, 2007 5:22 PM

Tom wrote...

The problem NUFC always make when appointing a new manager is they always appoint a manager with a personality or a view of how football should be played that clashes with how us fans think the game should be played and what we expect of our manager and team. Is it a conicidence that the two most succesfull managers in recent years have been Keegan and Robson ?
I doubt it when you consider there footballing ideology. For that reason alone there should be only one candidate that Freddy Shepard should be going all out for and that is Juande Ramos of Sevilla.

Allardyce likes to play the hard man as did Souness but have either been knocked out stone cold by a glass bottle thrown by opposition fans in the local derby and returned a week later to carry on managing whilst refusing to make a scene at the expense of his local rivals like Ramos has at Sevilla.
The last thing NUFC need is another outspoken and brash manager.

In his first season Ramos led Sevilla to victory over Boro' in the UEFA cup final which was there first trophy since 1946 and he has also got them into this years UEFA final beating Spurs along the way.
Sevilla also beat Barcelona last season to win in the european super cup and now lie 3rd in la liga this season only 4 points off Barcelona. Not bad for a manager who has had to deal with Sevilla selling there best players (a club policy if the price is right) Ramos to madrid for 18m, baptista (who scored 50 goals in two seasons at sevilla) to madrid for 13m and reyes to arsenal for 13m. But Ramos with the able help of footballing director Monchi has let Sevilla reinvest that money wisely and signed the likes of Danish holding mf Poulsen on a bosman, kanoute from Spurs for £4.5m Dani Alves the Brazilian rb for $300k - he is now courted by the worlds biggest clubs and is commanding a fee in excess of £12m.

Ramos' footballing philosphy is the perfect match for NUFC an attacking 442 system which he claims could make any club great given the chance. A chance he himself wants to take up having recently made it clear his ambition to manage in england one day and has already been learning english to make such a move possible.

People like to praise Allardyce for his motivational techniques and tacics but again you cannot doubt Ramos' class in this area, you only have to look at how hes turned underachiever Freddi Kanoute formerly of Spurs and West Ham into la ligas second top goal scorer and linch pin of sevillas teams , hes also masterminded defeats over two premiership clubs in Middlesborough and Tottenham, which points to his knowledge of the english game.

Put Simply is Allardyce a better manager than Ramos...NO.

Posted by: Tom  | May 9, 2007 8:57 AM

Davy Crockett wrote...

Isn't allidyce a long ball merchant, yawn!

Posted by: Davy Crockett  | May 9, 2007 3:45 PM

Dave Russell wrote...

Big Sam could be the best move we have had since KK?!!

Think about it, every manager we have had since KK , apart from SBR, has been desperate for a job

Dalglish - out of work after Blackburn.

Gullitt - out of work after Chelsea.

GS - About to be sacked by Blackburn. (Let's face it he is the worst of the lot, even Gordon Lee was better than him. I scream at the telly every time he is on to provide his "expert" opinions!!)
For Heavens sake he surfaced tonight to provide said "expert" opinions on Chelski vs. Man U.
Why?!! - He is the most inept, useless and overrated football club manager I have come across. Mind you he can pick the right tie to go with his suit, pity he can't pick the right tactics to go with his team?!

GR - Never good enough, an easy option for Fat Fred but a stupid decision. 2 faced and contradictory, I do not subscribe to this "He is an too nice to be a manager" tosh. Ask Harry Redknapp, think about how GR changed his position everytime he was under pressure - "I won't make injuries an excuse" being a good example.

Big Sam is under no presure to come to NUFC. We need him and he knows it. He can sit tight and will get a top job if he wants it. So for once in FF reign he will have a character that will be strong enough to rival him and one that is not frightened of him. Perhaps it's what we need?

Or should we go for Roy Keane?!! Let's not be silly, Roy Keane = Stuart Pearce = Alan Shearer. Some level of experience is essential. Shearer should distance himself from NUFC it would be good for the club.

Big Sam for me.

Posted by: Dave Russell  | May 9, 2007 10:42 PM

Richard wrote...

Tom, in the main some fair comments but....(1) How much time do you realistically think a foreign manager who the majority of fans have not heard about would be given by the crowd? Judging by everyones perceptions of Luque or Tommosson after about 5 starts i suspect not very long (admittidly unfairly). More and more if a foreigner doesnt perform immeadiately then they are written off. We need to lose that mentality in all aspects of the fans. It does not help the club and costs the club money and....(2) Everyone wanted Dalglish (won things with Liverpool and Blackburn) Everyone wanted Gullit (who won things at Chelsea as boss with sexy football which we all wanted). Everyone wanted Robson too. Souness and Roeder were highly contested decisions and failed. There is no correlation between success of managers and our preferred style of play. And theres been a few managers who have been succesful abroad who havnt in England so there is no guarantee.

I am a positive guy and will focus on the positives of any appointment and hope for the best until im proven wrong. Allardyce has quite a lot of positives but as with all candidates has some negatives too. Whoever is appointed lets get behind them and make the job easier for them rather than making it harder by complaining before they have even been appointed. Its going to be a busy summer and thats one thing we can all look forward too.

Posted by: Richard  | May 9, 2007 11:54 PM

Peter Harper wrote...

1.Two years have passed since Freddie Shepherd promised he would appoint an "international class manager" He appointed Roeder and now appears to be appointing Allardyce
2.Last year Shepherd sacked Kevin Bond over the "bungs scandal".Allardyce is still reported to be heavily involved in this investigation and has not been cleared of wrondoing.
3.Last year I wrote to you and informed the readers of the get out clause in Michael Owen's contract.Regardless of injuries and loyalty ,Shepherd agreed to this contract which meant that if Owen exercised his option rights
Newcastle's minimum loss would be £8million plus wages.
4.Add to the first three points that Shepherd has been a total disaster area where the appointment of Daglish,Gullit and Souness was concerned would someone please explain to me how he remains chairman of a club the size of Newcastle.If he says one thing you have to accept that the opposite is probably reality.He is an absolute disgrace and it is due to unswerving support by the fans that Newcastle have not gone bankrupt.Unfortunately I do not expect you to print this letter in it's entirety as any criticism of Shepherd is never printed and journalists appear afraid to ask Shepherd the most relevant and pointed questions.
cc Sir John Hall (if he cares at all)

Posted by: Peter Harper  | May 11, 2007 9:46 AM

rich wrote...

Got some good and bad news for everyone on the Allardyce front (speaking as someone who spent 2 years living in bolton and to get a "football" fix had to visit the Reebok - or as it should be known Theatre of Whispers). The positive side is Allardyce can get players who were well below par performing i.e. Kevin Davies, Campo, Anelka, Djorkaeff (although for every one of these there has been a Diawarra, Bridges and countless Mexicans etc). But as for the entertainment value i watched 50% of Bolton's second halves from the bar on a telly with a pint. Certainly no return to "The entertainers" on the cards but maybe a change of attitude from Dyer and Co. I'm sure most of us would be much happier to see players trying to compete for the club we love and not just going through the motions like this season. Big Sam will get them playing, its just the way they play that worries me.

Posted by: rich  | May 11, 2007 2:58 PM