Newcastle fans must be punch drunk

Daniel wrote...

Why is no one talking about Stuart Pearce as our next manager? He'd have us playing with some passion!

Posted by: Daniel  | January 13, 2008 3:15 PM

Anonymous wrote...

Pearson left of exaclty where Allardyce did, but he put Enrique in and moved Nzogbia to midlfield. No change in personality what so ever. Pearce may be good.

Posted by: Anonymous  | January 13, 2008 4:29 PM

Yellow Kid wrote...

Because he was lousy at Man City and he turned a blind eye to Barton's excesses for too long.

Posted by: Yellow Kid  | January 13, 2008 5:18 PM

paul burns wrote...

I totally agree with Lee Ryder, that just about sums it up. Everybody, the football commentators on the tv, the national press and fans of all other clubs are having a pop at us. We are 'fickle', 'impatient' and only ever happy if our team win 4-3. Mr Pompey in particular seems to forget the abuse a lot of Portsmouth fans gave Redknapp when he returned and had a few dodgy results. The fans fork out a fortune of their hard earned cash and have a right to some degree of entertainment. This would never have happened in 10 years of Allerdyce. It's alright to say 'Give a manager time', but any fool could see he was never going to play any sort of attractive football, just stifling tactics. We don't expect trophies overnight or scintillating football every week. We would however like to see it on occasions, and have the hope that we might win something some time soon.

Posted by: paul burns  | January 13, 2008 7:12 PM

michael wrote...

GIV US A BREAK DANIEL STUART PEARCE?...WE WANT SHEARER AND KEEGAN IS DERE ONE TOON FAN WHO DOESN'T?SHOW ME HIM AND I'LL SMACK HIM UPSIDE THE HEAD...LEGENDS,HERO'S..1+1=2,SIMPLE AS A.B.C...FOR ONCE GIV DE FANS WHAT THEY WANT NOT SUM WASHED UP ASS LIKE...SOUNESS,ROEDER,ALLARDYCE...WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON EXCITING FOOTBALL AFTER ALL DON'T WE...WELL WE DID WEN KING KEV WAS DE BOSS...HA'WAY BIG AL AND KING KEV

Posted by: michael  | January 13, 2008 7:26 PM

RAY WILSON wrote...

Well said Lee-I am pig sick of the so called experts having a dig at us-I would not mind so much if only they got their expert analagies correct-it is not about us not having patience -or not winning a trophy since 69 -and a domestic one a lot longer-its as you correctly say -its about watching a premier team playing premier league football I was a big critic of Big sam on this blog for that very reason-he brought us players way past their sell by date and his method of playing the game was just awful- How on earth can anyone say we lack patience -walk down the streets of Newcastle any day and you will see how many people wear their black and white shirts. I travel a round trip of about 350 miles to watch our home games -and I know many fans who travel a lot further. I live on the wirral close to Merseyside and I get totally sick of the hammering we get off the Merseyside press-people tend to beleive what they read in the press and the criticism of Newcastle never stops-its actually quite sickening . I hope we can now move on -build a reasonable team-get a good manager and play some good football-after the Manchester United result they have had a field day of mocking us this week and no doubt that will be shown on the box over and over again and our experts will never stop reminding us of how bad we are.
I sometimes think there is a reason for all this that we do not know about as it has been going on for years-Proud to be a Geordie RAY WILSON

Posted by: RAY WILSON  | January 13, 2008 7:35 PM

STEVE wrote...

LEE,theyre all loving it man,the papers,the tv pundits,the other managers.Either fergie etc take the job or shut it for good.SOUNESS BACK,what a clown,benfica and galatsaray bigger??in their own respective countries maybe but otherwise no.Now to gary mcallister,a very,very overrated player who got a swansong at the scousers and now thinks hes an authority on BIG CLUBS! remember playing for coventry gary,you n telfer doubling up on ginola only to be made monkeys of time and time again....4-0 that day i beleive.......I used to get really annoyed at all this but its all laughable now,you get used to it when its all day every day which it is at the moment.I read an article from dalglish(who i think started the rot)saying the poisoned chalice crack is rubbish and that we are unique but loyal.He went on to say it was one of his favourite jobs and his only regret that he had to leave.He also said hed worked in some hotbeds of football in liverpool and glasgow,but none as intense as newcastle....and followed it all up with kind words about us (nice touch ken).Also anyone whose faith is wavering please read mike ashleys interview in the NOTW.Now lets get a TOP MANAGER,followed up with a few QUALITY SIGNINGS and build from there.......its all about BELIEF.....theres too many detractors and too much negativity........ITS A BRAND NEW START.....BRING IT ON.....TOON 4 LIFE....

Posted by: STEVE  | January 13, 2008 7:38 PM

john low fell wrote...

Well said Lee, some great points especially about the 'new experts'. I know it would seem harsh to blame everything on an individual, although I'm very very tempted, lets just say that the support given to that individual by the ex-manager and astonishingly by the inarticulate dinosaur in charge of the team yesterday is at the core of the incompetence and awful football played recently. I am now convinced that a Shearer and.... ? ( I would like Keegan but I don't think he'll come ) is the right answer. He'll have to be manager one day lets go for it now ! TOON TOON

Posted by: john low fell  | January 13, 2008 7:54 PM

David Cavens wrote...

Well i agree with the Souness thing he was rubbish & i wouldnt even let him in if was scotland`s manager lol.My ideal scenario @ St James`s wud b:- Sir Bob as Director of fotty. Keegan as manager & Shearer as deputy. Sir Bob 4 Tactics,Keegen 4 flowing footy & Shearer 4 respect of fellow professional players.A dream mamagement team 4 any nufc fan home & abroad.YES?

Posted by: David Cavens  | January 13, 2008 8:44 PM

Anonymous wrote...

We should try Keegan or Dalglish again.

If will be great if we can call David Kelly to come in as the assistant. Apparently Kelly had been the assistant manager at Derby when they beat us.

Posted by: Anonymous  | January 14, 2008 10:36 AM

Andy Poole wrote...

exactly when did us fans become the target for all the press in england? Was it when the club bought bowyer? Putting up with Dyer and co for so long? Or was it the sacking of managers with no plan and hiring of Souness?

Whatever it is it's irritating having to listen to Mark Lawrenson talking about a club he was asked to help at and made worse!

Do we have a plan? Course not, wouldn't be newcastle if we did! Do the fans want shearer like all and sundry are suggesting? I don't think that they do, I'm scared witless of the idea. Do we want good exciting times? Well who doesn't?????

We, the fans, should ignore what is being written by those who don't know, understand, or take the time to understand. This is our club and if the journo rag brigade in London want to fire shots up north then fine.

The romantic inside me would love to see Keegan back to reignite the club as he did before. The realist knows that this wouldn't happen, and that realist knows that finding the right manager may not happen for some time to come.

Posted by: Andy Poole  | January 14, 2008 10:53 AM

Andrew Humphreys wrote...

I dont think Pearce is the answer, then again who is?? If im being honest i dont think we will get a big name, weve had them before Dalglish, Gullit, they were both the fans choices and both failed.

People talking about a 'dream ticket' of Keeegan and Shearer, where has this come from?? My dream ticket would be Mourinho, but thats exactly what it is a dream!

I honestly dont think that any big name will want the job, no one has managed to get it right yet and it really doesnt look like happening anytime soon. The only manager i can see us getting(worth getting)is Alan Shearer, we could propably get Mark Hughes but could he do it? Doubt it. Maybe im wrong and Shearer will fail but at least then whoever is appointed after him wont have the London press continuously calling for Shearer to take the job!

However i think he would succeed, he would get away with practically anything, the players wouldnt dare not preform for alan, they would surely no that this manager wouldnt get the stick from the fans if they underpreformed it would be the players reps in question. So get him in, let him bring his own staff in, maybe an experienced assistant, not keegan (too many cooks), maybe someone like Venables?? What happened to John Carver? didnt he win some award for being top coach in the north east when Sir Bobby was manager? why was he sacked?

Posted by: Andrew Humphreys  | January 14, 2008 11:06 AM

Michael Becker wrote...

Couldn't give a fig for the opinions of the naysayers. They don't matter and its non of their business.

Posted by: Michael Becker  | January 14, 2008 11:18 AM

john gilroy wrote...

I had this nightmare or did I only think I was dreaming! It went like this, Newcastle go down this season, Sunderland stay up, and next season Glen Roeder takes Norich back to the premiership whilst Newcastle struggle in the Championship.

Do the fans and, I must say the press, think they have done Newcastle any favours by constantly attacking the managers here. Lets face it, changing managers hasn't brought success why cant we let someone have time to sort out the problems.

Just a thought if Big Sam had still been in charge we would have still lost to Man U but you've got to believe that we would not have lost 6-0. Did someone make the comment that the club were becoming a laughing stock.

The next manager. Well, I suspect Mark Hughes will do the same as Harry Rednapp and use an offer to extract a bigger salary from their present chairmen. frankly they have more sense than to take over here as will have Alan Shearer. Whoever comes will only come because of the salary and not for any love of the club.

Posted by: john gilroy  | January 14, 2008 11:19 AM

Karl wrote...

I thought MA wanted to take this club on? Is the height of his ambition Rednapp / Hughes???? What about Mourinho, Van Gaal, Houlier, Lippi??? He's having a laugh isn't he???.......

Posted by: Karl  | January 14, 2008 11:22 AM

John24 wrote...

Absolutely spot on Lee. The North/South divide has been clearly alluminated in the national press in the wake of Allardyce's sacking. The so-called expert hacks on Fleet Street treat Newcastle fans with absolute contempt and I for one am sick of it!!!! Most of these hacks are as clueless as Sam Allardyce, in short, a disgrace to their profession!

Most southern based journalists argue that Newcastle were wrong to sack Allardyce and given more time he would have got the job right - an absurd suggestion! Allardyce would never have got it right. For a man that stressed the need for modern scieiftific methods, his tactics where it really mattered, on the field of play, were archaic. Only two journalists managed yo get it right when they stated firstly; Allardyce was the wrong man for the job in the first place and that what he achieved at Bolton was the top level of his managerial ability (i.e. consolidation followed by midtable mediocrity).

Newcastle is not a poisoned chalice. Since Robson was fired we have repeatedly appointed the wrong manager. Souness, Roeder and Allardyce were from the very outset never going to be successful. In hindsight you can suggest Dalglish and Guillit were the wrong appointment, but nobody would have suggested that at the actual time of appointment. The point is, Newcastle are a massive club and if we make the right managerial appointment the potential for success and reward is massive.

Those on Fleet Street paint us geordies out as fools suffering from excessive delusions of grandeur, often pointing to to Newcastles lack of recent successas the primary reason we cannot be considered a major club. The fact that Newcastle have not won any significiant silverware for over 50 years is irrelevant. Newcastle are the only club in the Premiership that is able to compete with the big four in terms of fanbase support and finance (player transfer and player salaries). More than any other team outside the big four, Newcastle has the infrastucture for potential success on a large scale, this makes us a massive club.

I am a romantic and clamour for the dream management ticket of Keegan/Shearer. If this is not be I would, I would sooner see a manager such as Louis van Gaal or Slavan Bilic in the hot seat over the likes of Mark Hughs or Gerard Houllier. Whoever does eventually get the job the first thing they have to do is get Alan Smith and Joey Barton out of this great club.

Ryder's reply: I'm surprised Bilic hasn't been given more of a shout actually John.
He' wouldn't want mega money, is a top young coach who knows the Premier League and players know him and he will have plenty of knowledge about the undiscovered young raw talent in eastern Europe that could save us millions.
I hear he's not bad on the guitar either maybe him and Ronnie Busker could team up and come up with a song to lift the fans a bit!

Posted by: John24  | January 14, 2008 11:37 AM

Gary Wright wrote...

Chelsea are only bigger than NUFC through Abramovich but I'll grant Salford, Liverpool and Arsenal are bigger clubs albeit supported by far more people outside their natural catchement areas who are merely after success not support and that is why the top 4 clubs and their lickspittle lackeys in the media love to knock us. So it will always be I suppose. If that is what it takes to be successful then it is very empty and shallow and they are more than welcome to it. Forest never had that problem now did they.

Posted by: Gary Wright  | January 14, 2008 12:21 PM

Michael wrote...

Interesting article Lee, as usual well worth a read.

I would have to agree with Souness firstly - Benfica and Galatasaray are comfortably bigger clubs than Newcastle in terms of tradition and success. There isn't even an argument there.

Our passionate fanbase is our core as both Souness and McCallister point out and there can't be many teams in European football that can match our support, but that isn't going to win us trophies.

If all we have to cling to is our loyal support, then clearly our pretensions to achieve trophies will be laughed at by people keen to score points by referring to our empty trophy cabinets and mocking our supporters for their misplaced faith.

Football is about winning things, creating history. And to be honest fans lining streets after losing cup finals doesn't make the football annals, winning those finals does.

Posted by: Michael  | January 14, 2008 12:47 PM

Andy wrote...

Personally I think questions have to be asked of Mike Ashley. It's one thing to buy 250 pints of lager in the classy Blue Bambu and wear his shirt like one of the lads. Thing is, after sacking one manager without a replacement lined up, I suspect most fans would prefer him to be acting like the chairman at the moment and putting his all into finding us a world class manager, rather than hiding in the far east while a solicitor does his bidding. Surely any manager worth bringing in is going to want a face to face with the owner?
Allardyce's football was awful, but why would we pay all that money only to bring in Mark Hughes - another in the "good solid, no nonsense" British tradition who would take years to bring any visible improvements.
It has to be Keegan and Shearer - I just hope Shearer is humble enough to accept it.

Posted by: Andy  | January 14, 2008 12:47 PM

steve spence wrote...

bring back the ibrox legend(souness)its a whole new ball game now with a new owner&chairman

Posted by: steve spence  | January 14, 2008 12:57 PM

Terry wrote...

I am a Newcastle Supporter and live just up the road from Kevin Keegans House In Greenock Scotland,
Why not him and Shearer the answer is staring us all in the face??
we will probably end up getting another manager who will end up the same as the rest Mark Hughes (NO)
MOURINO (yes) But he will not come?

Keegan Shearer YES YES YES YES

Posted by: Terry  | January 14, 2008 1:06 PM

Big Kev wrote...

If big Al wants the job he has to be given it or certain fans will never accept whoever is put in charge. We'll go through the same old rubbish that we've just been through & be back to square one. Ashley must appoint his man NOT who the fans want, it's his club & he has to be his own man. Whoever Ashley appoints EVERY fan must get behind him & give him a fair crack of the whip like it or not, it's about time NUFC stopped being the laughing stock of football. Oh & every player should hang his head after Saturday, just when you thought the Toon couldn't get any lower they come up with a display like that. Big Sam may have gone but some of his players should be following him out of the door & if Michael Owen doen't want to be here then do the decent thing & go this month please, get whatever we can for him & use it else where.

Posted by: Big Kev  | January 14, 2008 1:28 PM

Sid wrote...

I remember on the day Mick Quinn scored four on his debut, we were a club in turmoil because of the fan's boycott, and we beat Leeds 5-2.

Interviewed on what is now Fivelive, he was asked why he joined Newcastle, a club just relegated and full of doom and gloom, fans boycotting etc.

Mick Quinn said something very telling and worth considering now:- 'That doesn't bother me, because goals and wins change things, very quickly'.

He was right, and it was never truer than when Keegan got his 13 wins on the trot - the first win, home to Portsmouth, was preceded by five defeats, it was all doom and gloom.

So with a new owner, a new manager in place, give us a few good results and the journalists and rent-a-mouth ex-pros will find another club ni turmoil to target.

Finally, there are plenty of good managers out there who will take the job on - let's show patience with Mort and Ashley and let them find the man who is qualified, committed and up for it. If it takes more than a few days, so be it...

Posted by: Sid  | January 14, 2008 1:33 PM

dean wrote...

OH my God!!!! Why would any newcastle supporter want Pearce as manager????? Did anyone see man city under him, they scored the least amount of goals in the league. NO WAY SHOULD HE GET IT. Like most I would 'love it' if keegan came back with big al, makes the hairs on my neck stand up just thinking about it. It would unite us as one again and the players wouldn't dare to take the micky on or off the pitch as they would then be finished here. Come on Ashley, go and get them and sort this club out.

Posted by: dean  | January 14, 2008 1:35 PM

Rich wrote...

I'm sorry, but whilst the football was undoubtedly turgid, to say that we were going to get relegated as a consequence is nonsense....

I agree with Gary McCallister, and until we recognise our realistic standing as a football club, we will never progress.

That said, I think it needs to be highlighted that it is only a minority of fans who behave in this unrealistic manner....the only problem is they seem able to shout louder than the rest of us....

Posted by: Rich  | January 14, 2008 1:58 PM

NORTHSHIELDSMAGPIE wrote...

It boils my blood how we've been portrayed by much of the media and football world. I've read a lot of articles lately,much of them slating newcastle as a club. Even alex ferguson saying we are a strange club ? what on earth is that supposed to mean>!?its expected fro mthe mancs but from someone of his standing in the game thats a joke! We want a good manager playing good football, Thats all, and if a trophy came along the way then exellent. I think mike did a great job sacking Sam, as the 2, newcastle and sams football dont go together, never would of,yeah, we like footballers who are battlers and fight for the cause, but if we arent seeing football being played at the same time then whats the point. Keegan and Shearer combo seemed a 10000/1 shot the other today. But by todays reports....maybe, who knows... We are allowed to dream !

Posted by: NORTHSHIELDSMAGPIE  | January 14, 2008 2:04 PM

kev ahern aka bulbchangher cullercoats wrote...

the fact blackburn are rumoured to be wanting to sign amdy faye tells me that sparky hughes should never become the newcastle manager EVER.bring back keegan to groom big al for the job.what a dreamteam

Posted by: kev ahern aka bulbchangher cullercoats  | January 14, 2008 2:08 PM

Tony Green wrote...

Since 1969 and the Fairs Cup only two managers have ever got us palying erally ell - Robson and Keegan. Sir Bobby is now too probably frail to be asked to repeat his tenure as manager ( a job from which he should never have been sacked) so that leaves Keegan as the sole flag bearer of our hopes.
Ashley should mortgage everything he has if necessary to persuade Keegan to return. Keegan's old foes - Fat Fred and Doglas Hall - have long gone, KK probably never wanted to leave anyway and with or without Shearer alongside him, King Kev is the only man who can take us back to the top. Without him well never be a truly "big club" again; with him the sky is the limit.

Posted by: Tony Green  | January 14, 2008 2:28 PM

Kamal wrote...

Michael the ALLCAPS HERO! I am an avid Toon fan and I DO NOT want shearer/keegan management. My heart says yes, but my head says no. They have the personality to succeed at Newcastle but unfortunately they dont have the experience to give us what we want long term. Shearer is a legend but has no management experience what so ever. Keegan was great at newcastle but lets not forget his spectacular fall from grace and his inability to cope with the pressure.
Admittedly the timing of MA's sacking of big sam has left us a bit short of options. Pearson is clearly inept as a manager and cannot be left in charge and no top class managers are available right now.
I think that Shearer should be given the job ONLY until the end of the season. the force of his personality should be enough to stop the sinking ship and see us through to the end of the season.
One the season is over thats when the managerial merry-go-round will begin, with klinsmann, mourinho, hitzfeld, rijkard all likely to move clubs. This is when we CAN get a world class manager, not unfortunately in the middle of January!

Posted by: Kamal  | January 14, 2008 2:47 PM

Alan Lee wrote...

Thomas Schaaf for manager!!!!!

He's been at Werder Bremen all his career (both playing and managerial)
his Bremen team have been in europe ever since he took over
has been in the CL for 4 seasons now
won the Bundesliga in 03-04(from the mighty Bayern Munich monopoly) and the German Cup in 04 and 99
a lot of teams fell away the next season after breaking this monopoly, but Bremen have managed to stay in the elite (look, they're level on points with Bayern at this point)
always get his team playing open, attractive attacking football (which is what the toon is crying out for)
signed quality players like Klose, Diego, Borowski, Frings, Mertezacker and co.

Surely he should be on the shortlist of potential managers!!

Posted by: Alan Lee  | January 14, 2008 2:57 PM

Duncan Baines wrote...

Exactly right about Lawrenson! We had just won 8 games in a row and were top of the league when we appointed him as defensive coach and then didn't win for 10 games culminating in Kev resigning once he started 'sorting out the defence'.

Posted by: Duncan Baines  | January 14, 2008 3:01 PM

Alan Lee wrote...

Thomas Schaaf for manager!!!

CV:
manager of the club for nearly 10 years
Bremen in Europe for about 8 seasons
in the CL for the last 4 seasons
Won the Bundesliga in 2003-04 (together with the German Cup) and another German Cup in 1999
got his team playing open attacking football
signing talented players like Klose, Diego and co. and young players like Frings and Borowski and Mertezacker

Posted by: Alan Lee  | January 14, 2008 3:38 PM

john bowery wrote...

Bang on Lee. The "experts" are all signed up members in the Mutual Admiration and Backslappers Association. Mischievous and misleading cretins in my view. Anyway, Mike Ashley has bought the club and he owes not a shilling to anyone, as opposed to near bankrupt situation with the previous regime. He is the owner, identifies the fact that BSA is not for his club,(he never showed a sign of being any use) hence he is entitled to sack him. When Allardyce was taken on by FS he had a near identically poor record at Bolton over his last 16 games than the man we were sacking Glen Roeder! The same pundits who crab Ashley for the sacking BSA would no doubt laugh at him for prevaricating too long if relegation followed, and we are clearly in freefall. He was NOT responsible for the previous sackings. Allardyce signings, Beye and Faye aside have been poor, especially the Barton fiasco. Good ole' Bobby Robson even warned the club that Geremi's legs were gone ( Mourinos words )yet BSA, not only signed him but made him captain! As for us insisting that we "are a big club" I have personally never prescribed to this view, (I am honest about it,) only that we have the best supporters in the land. I honestly believe that I will be in my box before the toon win owt,(I am only mid fifties, sad I know). All most fans want is a side that earns dignity and respect in the footie world , a side playing good competitive attractive football up there with the big boys, not the laughing stock that we have become (6-0 mauling ) 1 point out of 6 from Derby, clueless and chanceless games of late, esp against Sun'lun! I am in the words of Dave Gilmour "Comfortably Numb" with the recent situation but howay lads , we will see our day. TOON TOON BLACK'N WHITE ARMY

Posted by: john bowery  | January 14, 2008 3:41 PM

Ben wrote...

Hi Lee I totally agree, I just think we are at a major point in time as far as our fans go, I think after all the stick we have all endured this last week by a bunch of nobody`s in the whole I think the fans would love an appointment that they could get behind,and I think u would see the passion bk on the turnstyles if Shearer or Keegan was appointed, I just hope Ashley after sitting with the fans no`s a little more about what is required up here than I think he does, because if he appoints Hughes a man who has achieved nothing as a manager I believe that will be the final straw 4 a lot of people, and we will be in a worse position this time next year(if thats at all possible?),
What has he achieved?didnt quilfy with Wales, and qaulified for europe twice(ANy better than big Sams????). Its about time the southern press and our own board finally understand what is required up here, Passion and somebody the fans can relate to and get behind, I hope we dont appoint Hughes it will be a HUGE mistake!!!

Posted by: Ben  | January 14, 2008 3:41 PM

Topper Harley wrote...

I'm glad to see someone is bringing up the subject of the national press, I think It has been an absolute disgrace the way we have been subjected to abuse bodering on hatred by so called experts, writers etc.I can't belive some of the comments that have been made regarding the club, the City and the fans, It has become personel in some quarters of the press and I honestly dont know how they are getting away with it. Were do they get this so called Geordie mantra, you know the one, "Geordies are not bothered about winning as long as they have seen a good game of Football", patronising beyond belief, shall we just doff our caps in the general direction of the south and get on with looking after our whippets etc.If there ever was a time to adopt a seige mentality then i think NOW is the time, I for one I sick to death of being the press whipping boys. A certain Mr Henry Winter slagged us of for sacking Allerdyce and not giving him enough time, remember this is the same fella that was Instrumental in getting Dalgleish the managers job proclaiming Newcastle would win the League, cup etc and look what a mess he made of the club, experts ??.I would urge Geordies all over the world not use any National media outlet, phone ins etc because thats what they want, why pay there wages just so they can patronise, condesend, and generally take the mick.I think we are a different people to the rest of the country, and I think that what gets up there nose, and I for one I'm so glad.
Maybe a Special one for Special people, lets hope so.

Posted by: Topper Harley  | January 14, 2008 3:49 PM

Ronnie Busker Lambert wrote...

Cheers Lee, that song to lift the fans, it's been written for 3 months and recorded for 2 now, only trouble is it's got a mention of Big Sam in the fade out. And in that time I've seen a sharp decline in morale because of him, rendering it unsuitable until a new man comes in. This would probably be the right time for my cracking new crowd lifter, aptly titled,'Fanfare to the Toon.' My heart says Keegan/Shearer, but a successful european man would be good i.e. Van Gaal, Hiddink or as a German dinner-guest at my house t'other night said, Hitzfeld vood be ze good manacher for ze Toon, jawhol.

Ryder's reply: Well Ronnie it could be worse, think how that bloke with an Andy Cole tattoo felt the day he signed for Man U

Posted by: Ronnie Busker Lambert  | January 14, 2008 3:50 PM

OT wrote...

NUFC'S current state is a crying shame and care MUST be taken or another "Leeds" situation could be around the corner.. Personally, i would go along with 'Kamal' and appoint Shearer, with or without KK? until the end of the season, at which time everyone's position would be far clearer as well as other stronger "options" on the Managerial side of things

Posted by: OT  | January 14, 2008 3:57 PM

Dave Graham wrote...

I would stick my neck on the line and say that at least 8 out of 10 fans would love Jose Mourinho as next Manager, yet the boys at the Chron just totally and blatantly ignore this.

Posted by: Dave Graham  | January 14, 2008 4:18 PM

Brian Robson wrote...

That Shearer is inexperienced is obvious; however the right mentor could see him through the early stages of management; someone who knows how to develop talent, isn't afraid to give big name stars the boot and has a history of winning trophies in the UK. The only real candidate in my opinion is Houllier. Look at the French program and their player development; his ability to spot that Michael Owen was past his sell buy date, long before Souness did and the cup successes. Does anyone really think we can win the league in the next 4-5 years? But a couple of Cups would do very nicely and keep the fans satiated until the long term development plan pays off. Thank God Redknapp turned us down, hopefully Hughes will do the same, after watching several Blackburn games, it would be same old, same old.

Posted by: Brian Robson  | January 14, 2008 4:26 PM

Jack Forrest wrote...

I've never read such a load of moaning, self justifying, semi-literate rubbish as some of the comments on this site. There are one or two realists who contribute but the majority are as clueless as the idiots running the club. Forget Shearer, if he's got any sense he won't touch the job with a bargepole. Forget Keegan he's in the past which is where most of the contributors to this site live. I've read many comments in the press regarding how big a club we aren't, how thick and impatient a section of the supporters are and it hurts to read that sort of thing but what hurts even more is the fact that they are accurate comments and the supporters need to wake up and stop living in the past.The supporters shouting the odds against all the managers we've had over the last 2 or 3 years and not supporting the team fully are a millstone round the clubs neck.I've got very little idea who the next manager should be because whoever it is has got to be strong enough to withstand the stupid criticism he'll get if he hasn't won the Premiership and the F.A. cup in his first season. I don't know if such a man exists and if he does exist he deserves to manage a bigger and better club than the hideous joke Newcastle United have become.

Posted by: Jack Forrest  | January 14, 2008 4:46 PM

squidgy wrote...

At this moment in time, Shearer is the only person who can lift our club out of this nightmare. It would be great if Sir Bobby could assist in some advisory position (health allowing) I'm sure he would be thrilled to be involved again. However, I believe Houllier could do a good job and has won trophies. I also believe Mike Ashley has this club at heart and he has my full backing.

Posted by: squidgy  | January 14, 2008 5:13 PM

Newcastles Premiere NLE wrote...

It has to be Keegan. No manager is a guarantee of success as we all know after years of employing top managers only to see them fail.

Keegan is a man apart, regardless of the qualities he would bring as a coach, man manager or whatever, he will bring a passion back to the ground which he, and only he can bring.

It would be silly and unfair to expect him get us back up there again but certainly not impossible. If he can get the place buzzing again and get the club moving in the right direction then with Ashleys backing we can become a place players want to come to play football again rather than a halfway house for the thieves and vagabonds we have lined the pockets of for these last few years.

Come on Toon Army, lobby for Keegan and get him back. Bring the pride back to SJP!!

Posted by: Newcastles Premiere NLE  | January 14, 2008 5:16 PM

NORTHSHIELDSMAGPIE wrote...

Lee-
paul parkers blog on newcsatle a few days ago on eurosports football page was disgraceful. I gather people all over europe read that c*** as fact. It really does tarnish our club and supporters names.
Paul Parker said: "Why should fans of a club like Newcastle demand instant success anyway? They have no right. I can understand that kind of mentality at clubs that have won trophies over the last 20 years, but Newcastle have not picked up any meaningful silverware since the 1950s."

Ryder's reply: Parker is just another example of somebody who hasn't set foot in St James's Park yet thinks he knows the score, there is plenty of it about NorthShieldsMagpie

Posted by: NORTHSHIELDSMAGPIE  | January 14, 2008 5:57 PM

Chris Gray wrote...

Lee, why not Steve Coppell? A great record and he would promote the team ethic that his sides have always shown and which we have conspicuously lacked for yonks. Given the ability already in the squad, a bit of togetherness and hard graft would work wonders. Allegedly he is a strong disciplinarian which, despite his aura, I don't think Allardyce is. He might even get Viduka to break into a trot and Owen to look interested (maybe that's too much to ask). He's intelligent enough to buy well and take his time in a measured, thoughtful kind of way. Trouble is - no charisma and Ashley probably hasn't even heard of him. What do you think?

And as an outside bet (OK, about 5000/1) what about Benitez who looks very shaky at LFC and might be prepared to jump before he's pushed?

Posted by: Chris Gray  | January 14, 2008 6:03 PM

John H wrote...

You are aboslutely correct. I get sick of all these know it alls who, really know absolutely nothing about the Geordie passion for Newcastle United Football Club.
1969 was the last time this `great` club won a trophy (excluding promotion to the premiership).
Kevin keegan with Alan Shearer would be ideal, it would bring hope and `football` back to St. James` park.
Mark hughes? No thanks.
Steve McLaren...Never!

KK and Shearer are the men to do the job...go get them...Now!

Posted by: John H  | January 14, 2008 6:20 PM

marian.tom@talktalk.net wrote...

I ask a question but no one answerd. Man U game. Was it the same linesman that gave offside to Owen but onside to Ferdinand when they were they , and both level and the ball was not over the line for the last goal. I know they were bad but he was not in line to see clearly so home team rules.

Posted by: marian.tom@talktalk.net  | January 14, 2008 6:25 PM

Punch Drunk Cecil wrote...

Can I just borrow a phrase from Mr Keegan

"I'D LOVE IT, JUST LOVE IT" If he came back and teamed up with Shearer and built a team that slam dunks fergies circus of miseries from here back to kent, where all their supporters live.

And while I am on a rant tell that freaky looking bloke who plays for Man Utd that sucking a childs dummy after hes scored makes him look like a total idiot.

Come on lads and lasses look on the bright side, we might be rubbish but at least our players don't suck dummies like demented donkeys.

Posted by: Punch Drunk Cecil  | January 14, 2008 7:20 PM

bonnielad wrote...

being a passionate geordie and a devout united fan ( although living in oz for 37 years )it hurts to hear all the comments about how demanding the unted fans are.i totally agree with lee ryder's comments and believe that we as fans are probably the most tolerant in the premier league.which other team can boast supporters of the geordie faithfull who want nothing more than success for both the team and more importantly the area.please don't bring back k.k or shearer(at this time) we have to move on and try for someone like mourinho who appears to have the passion and desire to win.

Posted by: bonnielad  | January 14, 2008 7:47 PM

tomfitz wrote...

I do,nt think KK really wants to come back into management. shearer is the fans favourite but really has not pushed himself enough to impress the new owners.The best manager outside the top four is Neil Warnock he has done well wherever he has been and except for the fiddling londoners he would be consolidating sheffield united. He has now rejuvenate crystal palace and i believe he would jump at the chance to take on the toon with the resources available. sheare along side him would be a match for anyone, think about it.

Posted by: tomfitz  | January 14, 2008 8:19 PM

Alan Smith wrote...

Spot on, Lee. I've given up reading the BBC NUFC forum. At the moment, every Tom, Dick and Harry is telling us where we are going wrong. With a few noble exceptions, fans of other clubs simply do not understand what football means up here. Winning a trophy would be brilliant, but more important is having a team to take pride in, such as Keegan's. I wish people realised that, instead of simply parroting the lazy journalism of the southern press.

Posted by: Alan Smith  | January 14, 2008 8:24 PM

john miller wrote...

NUFC don't need players like Owen, Viduka, Butt, Duff. They are past their "use-by" dates. You need fresh blood, and a bit of passion and energy as given every game by Taylor.

Posted by: john miller  | January 14, 2008 8:53 PM

RAY WILSON wrote...

Sparky has done a good job at Blackburn on very limited resources-no one can deny that-but is he the man for Newcastle? I am not sure -remember Big sam came with similar profile. To my mind we need to get our pride back-its sickening what has happened to us the last week- Ferguson also needs to keep his mouth shut-had he not had the support of his board the last 20 years -he also might have won nowt-so keep your opinions about Newcastle United to yourself Fergie-had he not been able to buy some of the worlds best players over the last few years-who really knows what his record would be like. Kev said today -he loves this club-we know you do Kev-but I fear Sir John may have pulled the plug on that-shame if he has because Keegan is still no.1 choice to stir this club from its mediocrity-if AS could come with him and learn from him I cant see a stumbling block to AS taking over when King Kev calls it a day-ST. James Park is only half as exciting as it was in Keegans time-in fact it was pulsating and bursting at the seems-can every one remember how difficult it was to get a ticket during Kevs reign-and how many thousands just turned up at the ground and stood outside-Kev had the place rocking-and he would again.There is only one appt. KEEGAN with AS to support him.It would not only bring Newcastle United alive again-it would ressurect the city-remember he never signed rubbish-cant say the same about the guys after him .

Posted by: RAY WILSON  | January 14, 2008 9:16 PM

Paul gilboy wrote...

The southern press and 'so called experts'state Newcastle are not a big club. Unlike the top four teams who have won every trophy within the game between them, Newcastle has won nothing for fifty years.
However, in terms of fan base, infrastructure, and revenue Newcastle can comfortably compete even without any success for fifty years. If any of these other clubs had found themselves in the same predicament for fifty years their grounds would probably be retail parks and their fans and their families going shopping every saturday.
Our supporters make Newcastle a great club fifty years without any success is testament to its fans boasts

Posted by: Paul gilboy  | January 14, 2008 9:30 PM

Tony wrote...

A great comment by Lee Ryder!!!!!

I'm sick of the stick we are constantly on the end of at the minute and it doesn't look like ending any time soon. The nationals all seem to be jumping on the bandwaggon.

In contrast to the majority of the comments though; who wouldn't want the job? One of two things happen at the end of it all.

Either:

1. You bring success to a passionate and desperate club which means you would be a hero on Tyneside forever.

2. You fail like all the rest and walk away with a slightly tarnished reputation (oh, and ~£6M of course!!!).

Either way, sounds like a win-win situation to me.

Posted by: Tony  | January 14, 2008 9:42 PM

Sy wrote...

It's not exactly surprising that the perception of us around the country is so poor, when receiving a fair showing in the national media is virtually impossible. Sky Sports News for one only seem to read out email from the minority of fans which reinforce the stereotype of the denial-riddled Geordie who still thinks it's 1995, whereas the national newspapers with the likes of the afore-mentioned Winter from the Sunday morning show all seem to think they're Johnny Potatoes when it comes to putting Newcastle United in its place.

This also results in the misconception that we all demand a trophy within a year of a new manager. This fable is again down to the likes of Sky and these bargain-basement pundits who have nothing of substance to say about us, so fall back on the cornerstone remark of "...they haven't won anything for 50 years...".

So to put my own so-called "demands" out into the world (which might hopefully be seen in the south), here is a quick list of what would make me a very content Newcastle United fan:

1. To have a team who don't throw in the towel after losing the first goal in a game.
2. To have a team who can create more chances than a couple of 25-yard swingers from Nicky Butt during an entire 90 minutes. (I'd like to see how content the fans of any Premiership team were with barely a shot on target during an entire 90 minutes, regardless of the opposition.)
3. To get back into Europe and stay there. (Note please in the south, I didn't say Champions League and I didn't say within one season.)
4. I don't expect to win every game 4-0, but to be capable of doing it occasionally would be nice, especially with games against the likes of Derby and Stoke.

To finish, I'd like to echo Dave Graham's comment about the lack of attention the fan support of Jose Mourinho has received in the local media. I agree with Jack Forrest's point that the new manager must be able to handle criticism and the pressure of the job, so surely Mourinho's ego puts him top of this list. I for one would walk to Portugal and carry him back if he'd take it.

Posted by: Sy  | January 14, 2008 10:02 PM

Neil Povey wrote...

Can I just say that we have to get Keegan back. It is the only answer...he ticks every box; he understands the fans and the area, he is passionate, he is experienced, he is a great motivator, he can attract top players to join Newcastle, he'll have the total backing of every single Newcastle fan should he become our manager once again. Ashley will give him money to spend and we'll get back into europe.

Posted by: Neil Povey  | January 14, 2008 10:05 PM

Young Upstart wrote...

Hang on a minute, just how much 'experience' does Chris Mort have of being a Chairman of a major football club?? Er...none!

So if he's been on the phone to Shearer telling him he not going to get the job because of lack of experience, he has a bloomin cheek!

And I suppose sacking a manager without a replacement lined up allowing a vacum which means a 6--0 demoralising drubbling isn't much of a start is it!

I think potential TALENT overrules EXPERIENCE, there are countless examples in history of people without EXPERIENCE coming up trumps. How much experience did Neil Armstrong have of Moon exploration before they sent him up in a rocket er NONE, but he still managed to get their and go for a bounce around!

Give Shearer 10 years and by the end of it we'll have some silverware.

Posted by: Young Upstart  | January 14, 2008 10:18 PM

Keith whyaye wrote...

This 'team' wasnt playing for Fat Sam fact ! I dont know why they werent playing for him but they werent ! Fact ! So it wasnt looking good for him. But we are still mid table thanks to a good start and not yet in crisis. We got pasted 6-0 by probably the best team in the Premiership so what ! The reds are on fire ! Are we playing well enough at moment to expect anything else ? No ! The 'team' isnt playing as a team No urgency ! No spirit ! No teamwork ! No ownership ! So why are we upset at the score ? Remember when we beat them 5-0 when they were 'the' team to beat ?! What's their song ? "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" It happens from time to time so lets get over it ! Fast ! The 'team' is playing s*** but there are enough players in there that arent s*** and they are well capable of upping their game so we could stay comfortably mid table. KK and Big Al ? Perfect for this mix of players! The more experienced players, Owen, Duff, Smith, Butt etc would be embarresed purely by their presence, and their own pride would drive them to start sparking some life back into the 'team'! The younger ones would be impressed by the 'dynamic duo's' spirit and passion and would be fired up by it all! We could comfortably finish in the top ten for this season without spending a penny. That to me would be good enough for now ! KK and Big Al would stabilise and encourage them all, stop the rot then, if they could spend and build in the summer it bodes well for next season. We could all start dreaming again! KK will bring Big Al on, and Big Al would support KK and take some of the pressure for him, which didnt happen last time cos there wasnt anyone there who could do that ! So come on Ashley do it ! KK and Big Al the dream ticket !

Posted by: Keith whyaye  | January 14, 2008 10:28 PM

Mark Green wrote...

If I were building for the future and not just the next 7 months, my favourite would still be Gerard Houllier or another continental league winner. That's if Houllier is still interested after Fred snubbed him last time around.

The exciting other choice would be to give Keegan a chance to finish what he started. He has passion & experience and would leave if he was failing to take us forward, unlike some greedy failures, who have sat tight and waited for the pay off. It would also take a lot before the fans went against such a toon hero.

As for Shearer, I think all the kiddies must have voted for him. He has no experience and the club went steeply backwards during his stint as captain, during which we won also won nothing.
If you fancy an ex Newcastle hero for Manager give the job to Bobby Moncur. At least he won something with Newcastle.

Posted by: Mark Green  | January 14, 2008 10:56 PM

Terry Seacy wrote...

Player for Player we have as good a talent the top 4 in PL. What we lack is coordination and team spirit. Someone to bring back their confidence and play the kind of Football they can produce.
We have weakness with Nicky Butt, we know he is a great fighter but makes too many mistakes, gives too many free kicks away. This should be his last season and should now be replaced to the bench for the rest of this season. One of our greatest assets is our forward line. Michael Owens and Mark Viduka play well together but they do not receive the ball from the mid field.
Charles N"Zogbia and Emre should be given the chance every week not now and then. N'Zogbia is one of the best players in the PL and I would hate to think what Arsenal or Man UTD could do with him. It is a chilling thought that some of these players may ask for transfers at the end of the season if this Management position is not sorted out. Has anyone spoken to Mouriniho, he is the one. The players will come together under him and with him being master minded by Sir Bobby a few years ago he is one of the best.

Posted by: Terry Seacy  | January 14, 2008 11:07 PM

Andrew wrote...

To even consider Hughes for the job is a step backwards. Shearer would definately need help, otherwise his great reputation might get a bit tarnished. Remember, not all great players make great (or even good) managers. Even Keegan ran into problems, but at least he made it exiting. Maybe Al and him are up for it.
As for the players; Nicky Butt is way past his "sell by date." He can't run with the ball, pass, or shoot on target anymore. As long as he's in the team, it won't matter who the manager is . . . we'll win nothing.

Posted by: Andrew  | January 14, 2008 11:36 PM

Paul Leonard wrote...

Personally I would move heaven and earth to try and get Mourhino, the man has talent a proven record and the personality to pull the job off. If he cant be tempted I would go with Shearer and if Keegan could be talked into a role that would be fine by me. Al and KK would restore the faith of the fans and would be trusted. I think they would get the time to sort it out. Anyone else is really on a hiding to nothing as for me the other proposed candidates would not excite the fans or be creditable appointments. Ashley really has to get this right and back the manager with a transfer budget to attract real quality.
As for the stick we are taking from all and sundry stuff them.
I am a geordie and proud of that and love the club. I believe our time will come. Outsiders dont have a clue and live on cliche and guesses.
We get the stick because we are a big club, why is everyone on TV and in the papers talking about us if we are not? We matter. Our time will come.

Posted by: Paul Leonard  | January 15, 2008 12:20 AM

dexter cousins wrote...

I couldn't agree more. Allardyce did an awful job and yet fans were still willing to get behind him. The team under Allardyce won two out of 13 games. The players have no confidence, don't know what they should be doing and have a poor team spirit. It is the role of the manager to ensure this is right. If not he isn't doing his job and should be sacked.

Lets face it sam has been given 6m quid for spending 8 months in a job. Why does everyone feel sorry for him? Now England have got rid of McLaren there is nothing for the press to destroy so they turn to us.

If Newcastle aren't a big club we certainly get our fair share of headlines. As Oscar Wilde once said 'there is only one thing worse than being talked about. Not being talked about'

Personally I love being a Newcastle fan, in the last 25 years sometimes it's been exilerating, sometimes it's been hard, sometimes it's even been dreadful but it has NEVER been boring.

Posted by: dexter cousins  | January 15, 2008 1:50 AM

David expat in Oz Warriner wrote...

It saddens me to see what some people are saying about a club and its supporters that has proud and passionate tradition, however some of the blame has to lye with the fans. Our expectations are so high that I doubt any half decent manager will want to take a chance on us when they know that if they lose 3 in a row we'll be asking for his head.

I love Shearer like most in the NE but he has no experience and the one thing the next manager must have is experience, let him get it somewhere else and then come.

Keegan won't be back, as much as he might want to the current board aren't going to allow it.

I'd love to see Mourhino but he's not going to say yes, so it doesn't look to good for the foreseeable future. As long as we don't go down we can hopefully rebuild in the off season and whoever comes in to manage us lets have some patience and give him a chance.

Posted by: David expat in Oz Warriner  | January 15, 2008 7:15 AM

kenni wrote...

I like every Newcastle supporter am sick to the stomach of these pundits who are in the majority failed football managers. I think at present we need as supporters unite behind the team and new manager, vocally and in print.
We must not forget these Pundits and what they have said, we must boo them when they come to SJP, lamblast them in print. The great name of NFU is being dragged thro the mud unfairly. GET BEHIND THE TEAM NO MATTER WHAT

Posted by: kenni  | January 15, 2008 8:22 AM

A Real Toon Fan wrote...

The national media wants to tar all toon fans with the same brush - they want sensationalism - so they agitate for sacking the manager then critise the fans when it happens - they only care with filling the column inches and the airwaves with the toon "soap opera"

The tactic of the media is often to give the most sensational toon "fans" the voice to speak for us all - people like michael
"WE WANT SHEARER AND KEEGAN IS DERE ONE TOON FAN WHO DOESN'T?SHOW ME HIM AND I'LL SMACK HIM UPSIDE THE HEAD"
on this forum -

I want to make clear that as a toon fan I do not support threats of violence even in jest - i do not support calling exmanagers or players " SUM WASHED UP ASS" - or the much worse abuse i have heard on the terraces from a very few but VERY LOUD minority - What I would like is for the majority of toon fans to act to stop the national media claiming that these abusive people represent us - they dont and in my opinion - we should support an effort to exclude these people (all 30 of them)from the ground - we are 52 thousand - why do we let the 30 most abusive people speak for us?

Ryder's reply: The time is now to live up to the name of NEWCASTLE UNITED

Posted by: A Real Toon Fan  | January 15, 2008 9:15 AM

Dave B wrote...

I agree with the sentiment expressed the boy Ryder that as fans we’ve had it tough. Every day the column writers line up to put the boot in. Targets don’t come easier that the soap opera that is North Eastenders. NUFC are not blameless in this mind. One of the few things I admire about the Mancs is the willingness and ability to do things behind closed doors when necessary. Take heart though if we hang around 5 minutes they’ll move on to something else. Liverpool are criticised this morning for lining a replacement manager up whilst we’re criticised for doing the opposite. These same people will write the headlines about the consistency of our referee’s and fail to see the irony. Consistency doesn’t shift units though so we’ll just have to get on with it and I can sort of forgive them because they’re making a living like the rest of us. The sour faced ex-pros club is a different matter. I find the consistent pearls of wisdom dished out condescending in the extreme. As a fan of NUFC I’m viewed as confused, Impatient, unrealistic, and lets be honest a little short of the good stuff between the ears. I’ll take this on the chin from another fan, another person who spends a high percentage of their time and money following their team. I’ll not take it lightly from a bloke who in all likelihood hasn’t paid for a ticket in his life and has no idea what makes this region and its people tick. They don’t know what its like to be a fan, any fan, never mind a fan of Newcastle United. Your comments belittle whatever you achieved when your legs still worked. Go back to your golf clubs and after dinner circuits and leave us well alone.

Posted by: Dave B  | January 15, 2008 9:41 AM

Jay McCarten wrote...

having read through there have been a lot of good points made about the press, as for the next manager my hearts saying the messiah is to return, after all i travel up from nottingham(not as far as some i'm sure)and to see the football being played under sam makes the trip home a very long one, the price of a ticket out of 250 quid a week is alot, i am dreaming of the days under KK

Posted by: Jay McCarten  | January 15, 2008 10:52 AM

Tony wrote...

Surely the appointment of Shearer and Keegan has to be the only option. Time is of the essence and big Mike needs to get on the ball and sort it out. An announcement before the tie tomorrow night would be just the ticket. An injection of hope could see us ride out the inevitable storm from Stoke and see the supporteres get behind the team even more.

Come on Mike, it's what the supporters want and surely that would take the pressure off you a bit. If Al and KK don't succeed, then you can say that it was the fan's choice.

Posted by: Tony  | January 15, 2008 11:14 AM

Snapper wrote...

My daily excursion into the BBC Football website, brought me across a column by somebody call Chick Young, offering his jaundiced opinions of the Newcastle manager, who the hell is Chick Young? This is an opinion by a "chip on the shoulder" Scotsman, who has probably never ventured over the Roman Wall. I suspect he thinks the Roman Wall is the latest Italian defensive lineup. Why the Beeb should give this idiot column inches to spout his uneducated views baffles me. Of course the Scots are experts at appointing managers, look at Vogts and the current pantomime currently going on.

Ryder's reply: Yet another pundit who hasn't set foot in St James's Park.

Posted by: Snapper  | January 15, 2008 12:50 PM

Paulie'sWalnut's wrote...

Know nowt southern hacks having a go at Newcastle fans ?, water off a ducks back. Honestly, there have been reams written on why NUFC is not a big club, irony or stupidity ?

Posted by: Paulie'sWalnut's  | January 15, 2008 2:07 PM

BIG JOHN wrote...

Dosent matter who newcastle end up with if the 11 on the pitch dont want to play on the day they wont.
simlpe as that.
money for old rope.
players have to earn their wages thats what it comes down to, but at the minute they can have a rest and blame the situation at the moment .
surely 11 players on vast amounts of cash can work it out.
its not rocket science.
oh we carnt play we havent got a manager
good job they not fighting a war and the capt is shot, war over isint it.

Posted by: BIG JOHN  | January 15, 2008 4:10 PM

chris rannigan wrote...

you pick up any newspaper and read any columnist not even associated with football and they are all having their little digs at newcastle,because it's fashionable,know othing about football,they make me puke.

Posted by: chris rannigan  | January 15, 2008 9:27 PM

pete welsh wrote...

What fond memories..!KK was the greatest thing to happen to NUFC in my lifetime! As a player, and as a manager, he brought life to the club that had cosily plodded along dreaming of long gone days that most of us are too young to remember! He's to blame !! He's to blame for all the frustration, anger and disappointment since, (because he raised, no, he created, the expectations). He's to blame for the ridicule heaped upon us for daring to step out of the football shadows and take up the mantle of 'The Nation's Favourites', only to fall at the final hurdle. And we love him for it...but.. not again...! It's not the same any more, it's not about stirring up enough passion to better the mediocrity of the then 2nd Division, and riding that wave of confidence to the top of the Premier League, and almost,... almost staying there! It's a different world. Sir Bobby was the best manager we have had, and we sacked him for coming 4th! He should still be there now (health permitting), but he isn't, and now is the time to make our choice and stick by it! Wether we take the safe option of an international pedigree (Hiddink, Van Gaal, Houlier et al)or the romantic gamble of Big Al, we must give them time, 5yrs, 6yrs? So, thanks Kev, for those glorious, glorious years, but no thanks!

Posted by: pete welsh  | January 15, 2008 11:18 PM