Jimbo

Come on the toon

Derby day, a day for thudding hearts, visions of triumph over local rivals and gnawing, nagging dread. Plans to encourage a more measured existence for Newcastle United, a club who could have a rollercoaster enshrined on their crest, will be delayed until after the short journey back from the Stadium of Light this afternoon, when Chris Mort, the chairman, will return to his quiet revolution. Six managers since Kevin Keegan resigned in January 1997, no domestic trophy since 1955, stellar names and defective teams, chasing European glory and dodging relegation, memories to be savoured and exorcised. There has been a preconception that the soap opera will linger under the ownership of Mike Ashley, the billionaire, but for now at least, that theory feels defective. This week, Mort, the lawyer appointed by Ashley to succeed Freddy Shepherd, was holding forth in Northern Rock’s corporate box at St James’ Park, itself a fitting symbol of the turbulence of Newcastle’s recent history. Since the summer he has been conducting a review of all club affairs and an initial conclusion has been made – constant drama is destabilising. “It’s something Newcastle has a reputation for, that there will be overexpectation and overpessimism,” Mort said. “The fact that there are so many fans who keep the club close to their hearts and take it so personally when the club’s not doing well is part of the reason why we’re here. That passion made the club attractive to us in the first place. “But part of our game plan is to move away from the rollercoaster and getting on to a straight line that’s going in the right direction. The rollercoaster can be fun when you’re close to hitting the peak, but it’s the wrong way to run any business. It just isn’t sustainable. It’s impossible to plan ahead. “Over the last ten years we’ve had some Champions League football, but we’ve mostly ended up in the bottom half of the [league] table. We need to try for long-term progress that sends us in the right direction and helps us stay there. It comes back to that rollercoaster. It doesn’t make any sense to get us as high as we can this year if we’re just going to fall back again.” It will take time for that message to be appreciated. Newcastle are embedded in the public consciousness as a fount of intrigue and Ashley is presumed to have the same hair-trigger patience as Roman Abramovich, the Chelsea owner, as well as the wealth and aversion to the media. Those elements have combined to see speculation swirl around Sam Allardyce, a situation that Mort condemned as “ludicrous”. The manager’s appointment preceded Ashley’s £134 million takeover, but Allardyce’s relationship with Mort is solid. A new gym has been installed at Newcastle’s training ground, the academy is being bolstered – “if we’re going to get this club right, that’s going to be a vital part of it,” Mort said – and vanity will be removed from their transfer dealings. “We’d like players who’ll be here for a number of years; my focus will be on bringing in people that aren’t quick fixes,” Mort said. “Let’s build up a squad that’s going to develop together, instead of trying to put your finger in the dyke. From day one we’ve been determined not to panic and we haven’t been beaten up financially on any player transaction.” Shepherd’s regime was emotional, self-destructive and, on occasion, embarrassing. Mort, still a partner at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, the international law firm, in London, is an antidote, but hardly arid. He has met community leaders and fanzine editors, repairing bonds that had been stretched beyond safety. He and Ashley have drunk with supporters. “We’ve made a conscious effort to go out and meet people,” he said. “That’s partly to promote the club, but also to hear what they have to say, making this a club that they feel a part of. I spend a lot of time walking around the city, just to get the place under my skin.” Early validation for the new regime could come today and Ashley’s status will be enhanced by his decision to sit with away fans, clad in monochrome shirt. “I’m going there with the view that 8-0 would be great, blast them, win it all hands down,” Mort said. “But I’ve tried to make sure we don’t have a silly relationship with Sunderland.” It is another break with the past.

FYP

Rozehnal keen to remain at Newcastle By Colin Young - More by this author » Last updated at 23:11pm on 9th November 2007 Allowing a Newcastle United defender to be photographed blindfolded and being led through an obstacle course by a guide dog at St James' Park was perhaps not the wisest public relations stunt of the season. This was not a punishment handed out by manager Sam Allardyce, although it was the week Newcastle conceded four goals at home to Portsmouth and one of the back four was substituted after just 18 minutes. As Match of the Day viewers were reminded on Saturday, the club have spent more than £30million on centre backs in less than a decade . . . and still Newcastle are notorious for defensive weakness. Most top-flight footballers might have been uncomfortable donning a blindfold to promote a Premier League 'Creating Chances' scheme to help Tynemouth's King's School but David Rozehnal, one of the new faces in the Newcastle back line, was quick to volunteer. Rozehnal has also thrown himself into the Newcastle cause, and the city, since his summer arrival for £2.9m from Paris St-Germain. As he did in the French capital for two years, he spends his afternoons with wife Petra wandering the streets, museums and attractions, usually walking from their nearby home which was chosen for its proximity to a thriving city centre. 'I've noticed three things,' he said. 'First, it is a fantastic city and we feel at home here. Second, when the people recognise you, they are friendly and happy to see you. I can enjoy walking around and they always respect my family. And it's easy for me — it's not like I am Michael Owen or Nicky Butt. 'The third thing is they really don't care about the cold. Some guys walk round in T-shirts, no matter what the weather. It's crazy but I like it.' And while his Czech mate and former Newcastle favourite Pavel Srnicek may have worn the 'Pavel Is A Geordie' T-shirt, and earned his own theme song of the same name, Rozehnal has gone a step further. His first son Luka was born a Geordie a month ago. 'My wife and I wanted to stay together when he was born,' said Rozehnal. 'If she had gone to our home city, I wouldn't have seen them for weeks. 'We knew they would be looked after well in Newcastle and they are both very healthy. It is important as a footballer that your private life is settled and Sam Allardyce and the club have done a lot to make sure all the new players are happy.' Rozehnal has been introduced to Allardyce's intense group therapy and extensive match preparations. The 27-year-old, who started his career with SK Sigma Olomouc before moving to Bruges and then PSG, is encountering a new world. He said: 'This is a really high level and it is good for the team that the manager cares so much about making sure we are ready and everything is taken care of so we can just concentrate on our football. In Paris, I had to organise things myself but here, everything we need is at the training ground. 'Now it is up to us to perform.' By his own admission, that has not been easy. He may be settled at home now, but the Czech Republic international with 35 caps has found it harder keeping his place in Allardyce's back four. Much was made of Steven Taylor's absence from the side after Newcastle's miserable display at Manchester City in September and Rozehnal was the fall guy. Last week, Claudio Cacapa experienced his manager's wrath and his number was held up after Portsmouth scored three in four minutes. Rozehnal came on and, although he was fortunate not to give away a penalty for a clear hand-ball, the visitors added only one more, which was Taylor's fault. Rozehnal will keep Cacapa out for today's derby at Sunderland where Newcastle look to preserve a 27- year unbeaten record on Wearside. Winning a derby contest with Kenwyne Jones and Michael Chopra at lunchtime could reestablish the Czech in Allardyce's evolving team and he knows the significance of his recall. He said: 'The Premier League is the best in the world and I couldn't wait to sign for Newcastle because this is the level I want to play at. 'I did not come here to be on the bench but I can't disagree with the manager's decision. I have to show, in training or when I play that I'm the best and I want to play for him. 'I have never played at this level so regularly before and it is still a challenge. Every single week you know that you will play against a very good striker. 'There are some big names out there but even if they are not big stars, they will be strong and dangerous and it's a real test, but that is why I came here. Those are players I enjoy playing against.'

Yes

I was just about to say, 21 posts and no one's suggested a big wank yet? you can count on me.

A vigorous wank often cheers me up.

The Hilton is great, would happily stay there again.

where are you from again ? oh yes

ahh yes, I forgot Boca didn't qualify for the UEFA cup last season

best start to a season in 11 years one week, to crisis the next, get a grip.

If cameras are about safety rather than making money, then lets have them outside schools rather than on A roads and motorways.

Roeder was on LookEast tonight saying he's not planning on signing Shola, clearly he's not as dumb as we thought.

Looks like it might be getting a bit damp in this part of the country tonight !

http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=...5&q=hasidic

A glorified pub team, thats about his level

Yeah, we should probably leave our best striker on the bench in a must-win game. Sounds like a plan. Just like we did against Portsmouth

Shame the producer didn't take note of that tag-line before comissioning the sequals.

MY EYES !!!! MY EYES !!!!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jenkem

Mr Jon Snow of Channel 4 News doesn't think so He's clearly still on dial up

I don't even own one for reference, sounds as exciting as reading the dictionary....which I know some people do too though. Canny cheap at Amazon, I didn't realise it had writing about the places in there . I might ask for it for christmas and see what the fuss is all about. With the likes of google earth and local.live there hardly seems the need these days.