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Blog on the Tyne is dedicated to bring Toon fans everywhere the most up to date NUFC views, opinions and comment.

The author Lee Ryder, proudly born and bred on Tyneside, has followed the fortunes of the club over the last three decades as a Toon fan and football writer.

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Dignified silence? You're having a laugh!

Posted by Lee on July 4, 2007 12:34 PM | 

Well that dignified silence didn't last long did it?

Just weeks after resigning from Newcastle United after a woeful run of form, Glenn Roeder has come out of the woodwork to slam Sam Allardyce - before a ball has even been kicked.

Glenn did well to lead United away from relegation and into Europe but we all know what happened after that.

This has sour grapes written all over it and any respect the Geordie public did have left for GR must surely be in question today after what can only be described as a stupid and pointless attack on Big Sam.

Roeder says: "It's a sad excuse for Sam to ask the fans to be patient while he builds the team for the next five years.

"I think the supporters of Newcastle United will be angry at being asked to be patient. All they have ever done is show patience.

"The current squad finished last season well enough to be playing in Europe this season. Without so many injuries, we would have qualified again for Europe."

What? We played well enough to be play in Europe? Where? Reading? Portsmouth? Alkmaar? Charlton? Fulham? Wigan? Everton? Bolton?

Or was it at home to Man City? Boro? Blackburn? Sheff United? Charlton?

The astonishing interview goes on to say that Big Sam should be in Europe by the end of next season.

Well we hope he is.

But surely the new boss is just having a sensible approach to the job.

In some ways it's good to hear when managers say, why shouldn't we be challenging for titles?

But the best thing is surely to let Allardyce get on with his job and judge him in stages.

He knows the score anyway, he's a tough guy who fights his corner and takes stick on the chin.

And for Roeder to make judgements on July 4, is simply a disgrace, no matter how he feels about how his stint in charge ended.

His rant continues: "Big Sam says he's aiming for a top-six finish in five years, but they should be finishing in the top six next season without any problems.

"He's already been able to strengthen the squad in a way that wasn't available to me, so I'm not sure quite what else he needs to get them into the top six.

"The world and his wife could see that Newcastle needed to strengthen its defence last season, now Sam has got those funds to do that and he should be grateful for them.

"Instead, he's making his excuses before a ball has even been kicked. The truth is that he hasn't got any excuses for not finishing in the top six.

"He's made criticisms of panic buys at the club but I'll stand by my record on that. Obafemi Martins was an outstanding success, Antoine Sibierski was the best free transfer of the season and the fans will see the best of Damien Duff when he recovers from injury.

Worse still, Roeder brings in Alan Shearer into the argument, who Allardyce is already said to have a good relationship with.

And had Shearer's name been thrown into the pot when Glenn was in charge, surely he would have been the first to complain?

"The other problem Sam has is that he and every other new manager will live under the shadow of Alan Shearer, who is the fans' favourite son and rightly so," Roeder said.

"Shearer will not wait for ever to manage the club. He was supportive of me last year and he could see that a rebuilding job had to be done.

"There will come a time when he will want to manage the club, and in those circumstances Sam can ask for five years - but I don't think he'll get that long.

"He is trying to buy himself some time before a ball has even been kicked. Sam should just be grateful for what he has got.

"The players he has got and the ones he has added should guarantee the club European football straightaway."

In many ways Roeder does not come out of this interview looking good.

I think most fans appreciated he had little money to spend and that he had the worst injury crisis to deal with in the club's history.

But now, how do you feel?

Comments (32)

shaun wrote...

Part of this interview is a lie not just an opinion. Where are these transfer funds that Allardyce has been given and were denied to Roeder?. So far Allardyce has spent 2m net.
Sam never said he was aiming to finish 6th in 5 years time and the Newcastle fans are not angry because we know what he really meant.If Glen Roeder is such a great manager then let him get a new club and prove it, i just have the feeling as with Souness there wont be many takers.

Posted by: shaun  | July 4, 2007 1:22 PM

oxboy wrote...

I'm afraid Glens rant is just as irrational as his management style.
He would have been better served telling us why he wasn't allowed to sign anyone.
Another PR disaster I'm afraid Glen.

Posted by: oxboy  | July 4, 2007 1:42 PM

Kev wrote...

And they say "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned"!GR was rubbish, and to say that Sam has spent more money at the present time is not true. He has spent just under £2m overall and GR spent £5m on Duff and £10m on Martins, so SA has a long way to go yet to catch up to GR.Already I for one can see the way Sam is thinking re players. Roeder you are nothing more than a jealous PRATT!!!

Posted by: Kev  | July 4, 2007 1:49 PM

Anonymous wrote...

i clearly agree with you lee, i am a die hard newcastle united supporter residing in india and i am actually quite pleased with big sams comments. it is only a sensible method of management, anyway the toon supporters are wise enough to judge big sam only after giving him appropiate time to prove himself. GR was never good enough to manage a club as big as nufc,any feelings of sympathy i had for him has evaporated.
By the way Lee do u think edmilson will be a good signing or should we go for a proven premiership player in the form of hypia

Posted by: Anonymous  | July 4, 2007 2:28 PM

Paul Patterson wrote...

O.k. Lets calm down everybody. I hate having a go at former managers but in Mr Roeders and Mr Souness's case it's VERY easy.

Roeder has no place as manager at a premiership football club, his tactics were mistifying and his team selections were almost like he wanted the sack.

Playing youngsters and getting good performances out of them is brilliant, but dropping said youngsters for senior players and then getting bad performances and sticking with them is rediculous.

He, and HE alone lost himself the job of Newcastle Manager.

Injuries shouldn't even come into the equation Mr Roeder. You had injuries and got results, then they cleared up and you failed big style.

Im not going to rattle off the list you did Lee, of fixtures that we lost last season, because in truth performances didn't even give us the chance to say "Well at least we played well and ran them close"

WE WERE AWFUL.

Minus Blackburn and West Ham away and Man U at home, I can't remember a game that didn't see me coming out of the ground thinking "?????" scratching my heed, or wanting to kick the nearest cat. (Lets not condone animal abuse because last year the RSPCA would have been overworked on Tyneside.

This rant smacks of "If I can't have the job, then Im going to make it difficult for the new guy"

Big Sam WILL get time, but he has done something that Roeder didn't, he's impressed the fans with his first moves, identified problems and sorted them, remember Roeder didn't even consider full back to be a problem position??

Good Times ahead I hope. Paul.

Posted by: Paul Patterson  | July 4, 2007 2:46 PM

Sid wrote...

I think GR had his limitations as a manager, but thought he was sensible - but obviously he is not with this pr gaff.

Worst of all is to label Sibierski as free transfer of the season. Nothing wrong with that assertion, but if you consider Allardyce's record for taking older players and surprising everyone with the commitment and performance he gets from them, it was a bit of a mistake. As older French freebies go, Djorkaeff or Sibierski? Or peanuts for N'Gotty...? Or Spanish, like Hierro and Campo...

Posted by: Sid  | July 4, 2007 2:51 PM

weebowie wrote...

well it appears as if im in a majority of one!!!.i think lee's sensationalised headline is nothing short of disgraceful. forget about how good or bad GR was as a manager ive read the article twice, perhaps im just a thick geordie, or perhaps lee is getting his brownie points built up for future "exclusives" with big sam, but for the life of me i cant see how anyone could claim GR was being a bitter and stupid pointless attck on big sam.GR, after justifiably being sacked as the toons manager was obviously responding to questions being put to him for his views on sams saying everyone conected to the club including supporters would have to be patient, and lets face it we havent been too patient over the last 10 years, from what i read all gr said was that the expectations were so high at this club if he didnt produce asking for time before a ball has been kicked wont help him,and we all know it wont!!i for one think the signing nade by GR were pretty good, though we all know lee doesnt rate martins!!!,so i think glen has a right to defend the "panic buys" statement by big sam, the point about transfer funds i have to admit, im not too sure about, but tha alan shearer in the wings, come on we all know if AS goes into management the toon is the only club he'd manage.so come on you toon supports hands up, with the remains of the squad of last season together with the new additions this season, who expects us NOT to qualify for europe next season, and if sam doesnt manage it or the next season (dont forget other clubs are out there buying),will you be baying for his blood, i know the doom and gloom merchants will be.
apart from the normal journalistic creativity, i honesty have found nothing in gr article to warrent the sesantionalised headline the likes of lee ryders and other so called journalists to make me loose any respect i may or may not have had for GR, i do doubt GR sanity for even wanting to take to any member of the press though.i always thought the job was too big for gr and believe big sam WILL take us into europe, again i know it looks as if im in a majority of one,but thats just the sign of the times i suppose

Posted by: weebowie  | July 4, 2007 3:56 PM

Shelley Levine wrote...

"The current squad finished last season well enough to be playing in Europe this season. Without so many injuries, we would have qualified again for Europe."

Newcastle got six points out of the last nine games. This was relegation, not European form.

Roeder's comment towards the end of his reign were increasingly absurd. I thought it was the pressure getting to him.

Infact, these comments discount that idea - he is just a plain old bitter man, who has been found wanting whenever he has tried to manage a football team.

We were appalling last season. As ever, Roeder shunted the blame, yet when things went well, while he was caretaker, he enjoyed the credit.

He's best off keeping quiet as his time as a player, captain and as head of the academy will be forgotten.

Posted by: Shelley Levine  | July 4, 2007 4:02 PM

Adam wrote...

Personnel and injuries aren't the only thing...the point is that GR didn't (and doesn't) have the personality to inspire players to play to their best and he seemingly doesn't have that much tactical knowledge either! I hope GR does very well in the future, because he's intelligent and capable in many ways but not as a Premiership manager.

Posted by: Adam  | July 4, 2007 4:24 PM

RAY WILSON wrote...

Hi Lee. Well GR has made himself look stupid big style.It is good that Sam is working hard to bring in more players,but lets not forget we are not the only club spending money,The premier clubs are more awash with dosh than they have ever been and the likes of West Ham,Villa,Spurs,Liverpool,Arsenalare all spending big time,so Sam is right to advise people not to raise expectations and get carried away. The premiership is going to be more competitive than ever this next season so lets keep things in perspective. My last word I hope Sam does not forget we have some great kids,He will know about Taylor,but I was very impressed with Edgar and Carroll last season so I hope they can be given some games and encouragement,they are the future.Get off Sams back Roeder and grow up.

Posted by: RAY WILSON  | July 4, 2007 7:15 PM

nufcarmy06 wrote...

Whilst Roeder was in charge I stuck by him right up until the game at Reading when Owen returned. I first discovered his irrational tactics in the UEFA cup and things got worse from their.

His motivational skills were very poor, hes tactical skills were baffling and his team selections were biased. In the transfer market I agree he was careful after the panic buys of Souness but he was just too slow!

The comments he has just made have evaporated all of my respect for him.

Allardyce has spent around 7 times less than Roeder, has addressed our main problems already and has brought hope and confidence to Newcastle's staff and fans already.

Judge Sam on results and if you are going to judge him like Roeder at least use some sort of factual evidence in the interview.

Posted by: nufcarmy06  | July 4, 2007 10:35 PM

Ted Kane wrote...

Roeder wasn't the only manager who faiuled to address our glaring problems at the back - Souness and Bobby were equally bad on this point - in fact they even bought some of our glaring problems!

However, to say I'm disappointed in GR for coming out with this is putting it mildly - but I also think your response is OTT.

Posted by: Ted Kane  | July 5, 2007 9:07 AM

m.stephenson wrote...

last couple of years have scanned t.v.texts several times a day thru may-june-july into august hoping for buying movement from N.U.F.C.Almost zero whilst all around everyone else was getting stuck in.Now this year, at last,brilliant start from new brooms.The posibility of new style, sensible tactics and real club management are so exciting.The defence has always been a problem and already this has been recognised.Well done big Sam and co.Brilliant outlook.

Posted by: m.stephenson  | July 5, 2007 9:10 AM

Rob -- Baku Azerbaijan wrote...

Poor sad Glenn, why has he decended into the depths of sniping at Sam, only he knows, Glen, Sam has done what you were afraid to do, he has got shot of some of the dross and more will follow, and again you mention the unmentionable, Injuries.
He has brought in players for next to nothing and addressed the areas we were very much lacking in, so you should just stay quiet on these matters at least until Sam has had a go at trying to bring the club some stability and creditability and leave the future of the toon in the hands of Sam, you had your turn and failed, dont go making it any worse with some cheap shots.

Posted by: Rob -- Baku Azerbaijan  | July 5, 2007 9:37 AM

Andy wrote...

Glenn Roeder should never have been given the job. While nobody can blame him for taking it, he was completely out of his depth.
His comments have no doubt been sensationalised,nevertheless we are well rid of him if he thinks we came close to qualifying for Europe last season. He had a chance and he failed and I believe his major problem was he could not handle senior players at the club, who seemed to dictate team selections. The treatment of James Milner was a disgrace. Roeder would discard youngsters who appeared to want to play for him, for senior players who did not give a monkey's. The fact that these senior players tended to perform against the top sides and disappear against supposedly weaker sides proves that Roeder could not motivate his team.

Posted by: Andy  | July 5, 2007 12:47 PM

stuart malucci wrote...

what the hell was roeder thinking? he did a great job taking over from the shambles that was the souness regime, getting us into 7th position and qualifiying for europe but we all know what happened after that dont we? i always said after that season ended he should of stepped back down into the academy where he was doing a fantastic job and doing what he does best discovering outstanding british young talent, im still baffled as to why he wasnt sacked after 'that' sheff united game last november. his tactics baffling, man management frustrating and motivation seemingly non existent, why did he always feel the need to stick with underperforming ego's who were getting us nowhere and yet drop the youngsters i.e. paul huntington, david edgar etc, etc who did such a fantastic job, i personally believe if roeder had the guts to stick with the younger players we would of finished much higher than we did, though i must agree ,with the exception of duff who the jury is still out for me, his buys of sibierski and martins were inspired. Big sam is the perfect choice for newcastle at the moment and already he has made decisions that roeder, souness and dare i say it bobby robson could neer make and tha was identify the problem areas first and not making 10 million panic buys. gettinng viduka, barton, gerimi, and rozenthatl in means he has bought more players in the 7-8 weeks he has been manager then glenn roeder did in all the time he was in charge. hopefully we can get wayne bridge, gudjohnson and edmilson to sign then the newcastle garden will be looking very rosy indeed. oh i mean injuries and below average performances admitting of course. toon for europe? not gonna even hazard a guess.

Posted by: stuart malucci  | July 5, 2007 1:27 PM

John C wrote...

Shelley Levine? Is that what you're calling yourself these days Mr Roeder? Lee, I applaud you for the blog. What Roeder did yesterday confirms everything I suspected about the man, the attack was cowardly. Roeder, Mr I'll never use injuries as an excuse, come on, you're STILL going on about them. Facts are Newcastle performed WORSE when all the players were fit. Sam is doing the right thing, play things down a bit, keep Newcastle under the radar, then explode out the blocks at Bolton.
I cant wait for the season to start, for the first time since Sir Bobby was in charge, we've got a manager at the helm capable of taking us places. Who knows he may even turn Kieron Dyer into a fans favourite, where lets face it everyone, he deserves to be!

Posted by: John C  | July 5, 2007 1:58 PM

Gordon Hudspith wrote...

When reading that article one had to think, was it the journolist having mischief with Roeder just a sucker to talk to him, or did Roeder seek the journolist to spill his anger to. Whatever way it was it stank, coming from a man with his track record in management, how many games did we win in the last 10, not many. And before anyone says about him with the kids, he was employed in the June and became caretaker manager 7/8 months later, not a great deal of time to develop them. His reign will NOT go down as one of the best in Newcastl's history, even with one sided stats of tema we have never heard of in the micky mouse inter toto.

Posted by: Gordon Hudspith  | July 5, 2007 2:03 PM

gavin wrote...

BS has addressed the problems already has he?. He has not found a left back and frankly we need two. Roeder has many valid points. No body wanted Allardyce as manager at the end of the season and there is too much blind optimism already over his signings. How can people say he has spent only 2m? Barton was 5+ and we paid his "loyalty" payment to city to finalise the deal. This for a player who could be eating porridge next year as he cant control himself. The other signings are squad players at best. Liverpool and Man Utd are already investing 40+ mil in players. Come on get some perspective out there and dont fall for this "spin", GR is right, we want results much sooner than 5 yrs from now and we wont get them without left sided defenders and players who would push to get into the squads of the top 4 uber-league teams. So far we are signing players whom the boro wanted, oh well if you all want to get over excited....

Posted by: gavin  | July 5, 2007 6:32 PM

joseppie wrote...

Glen,you did a canny job at SJP mate and you left with great dignity, but now you go and spoil that with the attack on Big Sam.

Sam was not my first choice, but now that he's here, we have to give him a chance.

I think that Big Sam will succeed, so come on, let's show those, southern/scouse/manc,fkers.

With a few more good buys, a good season might be comming up, so come on you mags, let's have some pride and commitment.

Posted by: joseppie  | July 5, 2007 10:01 PM

Alan Dobison wrote...

Looks as if GR is getting his own back because Sam critisised his getting the job without the neccessary qualifications, how sad can you be, cant see where GR sees that Europe was a possible, given the teams record over the final 8 games.

Posted by: Alan Dobison  | July 6, 2007 12:40 PM

medan wrote...

I agree that Geln has no right to critisize Sam, he is out of it had his chance and blew it, no execuses. But I still have to wonder how SAM says give me five years to get a top 6 or succesful team while so far he is signing players that are medicore and over the age of 26. I understand you need experience but if the intent is to build a team for the next 5 yrs you need younger talented players. Because in two to five years Viduka, Germi, Barton etc will be close to retirement sort of. I believe we are building a team that needs to be succsefull in the next 2 yrs.

Posted by: medan  | July 6, 2007 2:57 PM

Brewcastle, Oslo wrote...

OK, GR may have given some stupid comments. But I suspect the journalist to blow it up a bit.
I can understand if Roeder is frustrated, but I don't believe his purpose is to give Sam A. a kick on the leg. But in this tabloid world the story sells better if it's looks so.

Roeder did a fantastic job as a caretaker, with good help from Shearer, after Souness. Many fans wanted him for permanent manager. And nobody with a heart for NUFC says "no thanks" if they're offered the job to manage the team. So don't blame Roeder for taking the job. Then blame the Chairman instead. My thoughts about the fact that Roeder were offered the job, is that many fans did mean he was a good choice to continue the good run from last part of 2005/2006-season. The Chairman haven't been that popular among NUFC-fans. So I guess he didn't want to risk to much with hiring a new manager. No big names seemed to be aviable. And with Souness in mind, why take a risk with a manager on that level. Roeder had succeeded for the club. Most of the fans liked him. So offering him the job was a small-risk choice for the Chairman at that moment.
-OK, Roeder could have had better results last season. But he got allmost everything against him. Worst injury-story ever and lazy "up-nosed" players. Fans will of course be inpatient whatever, and with some big names brought in we expected "something" from last season. And that didn't make it better for Roeders case.

Roeder have anyway left some of his work for the comming season(s). Bigger names than Sam have brought in seems to still be playing for the club. But if he have brought in one or two top-class defenders, maybe Roeder still have been in charge?

Posted by: Brewcastle, Oslo  | July 6, 2007 3:16 PM

Anthony wrote...

FAO Gavin: Yes Barton was 5.8 mil +300k (I think) Loyalty. And Rozenhal was 2.8 mil.But we got 7 mil for Parker and about 200k for O'brien. Thats why Sam has only spent about 2 mil so far.
And complaining that Liverpool have spent 40 mil+ compared to our 2 mil is exactly the attiude that has caused past Managers/FF to pay over the top for big players to simply pacify the supporters.
Big Sam is buying sensibly, despite a reputed war chest available to him, and filling the necessary gaps in the squad that have needed filling for years. He is giving this club stability from the ground up and despite my earlier doubts about him I am more excited about the way things are going now than when we blew 17 mil on Owen (Money that in my opinion could have bought serveral squad players and eased our injury crisis over the last 2 seasons).

Posted by: Anthony  | July 6, 2007 3:32 PM

M Green wrote...

I think he's entitled to have a pop at Big Sam. Big Sam turned down the Newcastle job only to covert the job later when Glen was doing such a great job at it. Big Sam then underhandedly supported new pointless rules to try and get him removed in a season where the 'unqualified' Roeder finished above Big Sam's 'scientific' Bolton.

Then after the worst season ever for injuries Glen was thrown to the wolves and Sam ended up in the job he coverted.

I still wonder if the order of Big Sam's Resignation, the dispensing of Glenn Roeder and the Toon Capture of Big Sam weren't decided in another order. Especially when you consider that no-one else seemed to be interviewed, despite a wealth of interest.

Let's just say if Big Sam was after my job (however unlikely) I'd be looking nervousley over my back expecting to see the glean of steal. ;)

I'm sure Big Sam will be given more time and hopefully he wont be a Graeme Souness, but we the fans WILL consider him a failure if we're not in Europe and above Sunderland at the end of next season.

Posted by: M Green  | July 6, 2007 4:07 PM

Dave Russell wrote...

Sour grapes from an incompetent Football Club Manager but very nice man, very very nice man, very very very nice man. Shut up Glen, maybe you can get a job at the club that Graeme Sourpuss buys???!
Frankly after that outburst you deserve each other.

Posted by: Dave Russell  | July 6, 2007 9:39 PM

Desree wrote...

Poor Glen

I think these sensational outbursts should be tempered with how the fella acted in his whole time at St James' with dignity. I reckon there is a bit of peotic license there. And hasn't every manager been expected to get a top six finish. Souness, Dalglish, Gullit and Roeder have all got the chop because they failed in doing this.

I don't think there is a single supporter out there who doesn't believe that Roeder's heart was totally committed to the job. Unfortunately he was totally out of his depth. I think Roeder has a unique opinion here, he is a fan and a former manager, I think he was just playing Devils advocate and if anything giving Sam some friendly advice, despite the fact that Allardyce was opposed to Roeder getting the job.
Let's face it, will our fickle fans (who hero worship mediocrity one week and boo it the next) really give Sam patience?

Posted by: Desree  | July 6, 2007 10:46 PM

oliver newton wrote...

Why do we even care what GR thinks?? He is our past and we have to look to the future. My concern is will we be getting a big name signing or is that where we have been going wrong? Big names dont always give success. Heinze would be a good buy and we may be able to get him on a special deal with Smith if one of the front two decide to leave the ship. Bring on the start of the season this break is getting me really depressed.

Posted by: oliver newton  | July 7, 2007 12:14 AM

Siomi Oman wrote...

Poor old Glen. You have to feel sorry for the guy; even if he didn't mean his comments to look like this, why was he talking to the media anyway? He had to know he can't say anything without it looking like hard cheese! But I guess he feels that his time at the helm allows him to make some comment, and at least it shows he does still care about what happens to the club, unlike some of the other misfit managers who moved on without even a backward glance.

And I think he is right to comment on the "patience" "give me five years" comments floating around. Allardyce is on a Champions League salary (apparantly earning more than Wenger) with funds available to create 'his' team over a whole summer with the transfer window wide open. I think we should expect a top 6 place next season. If he can't manage that, bring in Wenger or anyone else with a proven track record in Europe.

Posted by: Siomi Oman  | July 7, 2007 5:43 AM

gavin wrote...

FAO: Anthony
Fast forward 12 months and Barton's in Jail for a savage assault (from behind) witnessed by many. Our previous captain and in my opinion lion heart is pushing West Ham into europe. How much has Sam spent now?
Much as I admire your optimism and respect your views I (as a supporter of 30 yrs) have massive misgivings about this man
. Its obvious the toon is divided on this man and I still feel we are better off keeping him on his toes. If I am to be proved wrong and he leads us beyond the top 6 (which GR is right in saying he should do anyway)then I will be happily corrected along with my mathematics skills!

Posted by: gavin  | July 7, 2007 8:28 AM

Duncan baines wrote...

I am expecting to finish between 4th-6th next season (barring something like selling Owen). Roeder could never have accomplished this. Will he ever manage another Premiership team again? I doubt it.

Posted by: Duncan baines  | July 7, 2007 10:50 PM

mr toon wrote...

Very bitter comments from Glenn Roeder who's only good spell whilst manager of NUFC was whilst he had Alan Shearer alongside him. Left on his own he was totally out of his depth. Injuries were just his excuse. If Glenn Roeder was manager of a fully fit Man Utd/Chelsea/Arsenal or Liverpool team he would still prove to be a bad manager. Personally, I find nothing wrong with Sam Allardyce asking for patience - he is trying to build the club/team from the bottom up rather than papering over the cracks of the past. If you need a new lawn, you put down seeds and wait for it to grow - it doesn't grow overnight (unless you buy turf like Chelsea did!).

Posted by: mr toon  | July 9, 2007 3:38 PM

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