Renton

It was on the radio when I was at the sandwich shop. Apparently the car burst into flames.

It does seem a matter of pedantics/semantics concerning Barnwell, until you consider that Shepherd was making it sound like Wilkinson was the chairman of a body equivalent to UNISON last night, and kept banging on about how a "Union" man could act like that. 137419[/snapback] Admittedly, I didn't see Shepherd in action. Shame he can't resist making unnecessary comments to the media when anyone with a bit of class would keep their gob shut. As Barnwell alludes to a line could have been drawn under this whole thing. Especially seeing as the dispensation has been granted and Roeder has been appointed. 137423[/snapback] Exactly. Totally unnecessary and unprofessional. It sounded like a pissed rant, and Sky loved it. You'd think with a face like his and his past comment, Shepherd would avoid the limelight, but he just can't resist it.

It does seem a matter of pedantics/semantics concerning Barnwell, until you consider that Shepherd was making it sound like Wilkinson was the chairman of a body equivalent to UNISON last night, and kept banging on about how a "Union" man could act like that.

Childish as fuck tbh. He comes across almost as unprofessional as Freddy. 137402[/snapback] Yeah, but Freddy started it ner, ner. I assume you didn't see Shepherd last night then, being in Houston? He was a total embarassment, as usual.

He was on Sky last night, whinging about Wilkinson's comments (which in actual fact were quite correct imo). What a cockend and an embarassment to the club. I feel uneasy about the new season already, I have a horrible feeling of impending deja vu.

Same here, Roeder has shown even with all the injuries and taking over the mess fuckwit left that he can out do all the crap and average teams and challenge the ones just below the very best. We need to see how he does with new players, less injuries and a whole pre season + full competitive season. But i can't see us finishing below 6th at all. 137075[/snapback] We'll see. Two things I think you are forgetting is his ability to spot and attract good players (pretty low I suspect) and that when he hits a bad spell (which so far as short-term caretaker he has avoided) he seems to have little ability to pull the team round (ask fans of Watford or Gillingham or West Ham). I hate always being the voice of doom on these boards but this seems to be my lot unfortunately. I think we could finish almost anywhere outside the top 4 next year.

Agree with that. Shola is just about a premiership player, Chopra never will be.

Should be a Geordie-only shirt. Step forwards Ameobi or Chopra.

Occasionaly play when I feel like it you mean.

5th to 17th I reckon.

N-O should manage us, plain and simple.

SJH (leazes) L4, to the right (as I look at it) of the goal, not far from the away fans, and beneath the "ultras". Pretty good view but some knackers in front of me.

You are completely unable to grasp the fact that everyone makes mistakes in football Alex. 136716[/snapback] There are mistakes, then there are gargantuan fuck-ups. Only an idiot or an eternal optimist would have thought that Souness's tenure would have been anything other than the latter. 136724[/snapback] Strange that such a brilliant board of directors thought fit to appoint him as well eh ? Along with all of those people who backed his changes, therefore backing the board appointing him ... of only myself, Renton, HTL and only one or two others said would be disastrous. 136731[/snapback] Who backed Souness then eh? All those people my arse. I never wanted him and I'd love to see you find one little bit of support for him from me. To be honest, I think the general mood was one of stunned, silent, apathy; as was obvious from the crowd at the matches. Plus, as has been pointed out many times, the only person who backed him who mattered was Shepherd. 136737[/snapback] From my memory few, if any, people were happy with the appointment. Even Gemmill only supported him by successfully talking himself into the notion that we needed a "no nonsense" manager, and then foolishly sticking to his guns when it was obviously not working. And iirc, HTL gave Souness a fair old chance before turning on him too. But as you say, the relevance of this in somehow exonerating Shepherd of blame is lost on me. It was an idiotic appointment, and what type of person makes an idiotic appointment? An idiot, surely. This time round I don't think any of us are as worried with the appointment, but for some us there is still a strong sense of disappointment.

You are completely unable to grasp the fact that everyone makes mistakes in football Alex. 136716[/snapback] There are mistakes, then there are gargantuan fuck-ups. Only an idiot or an eternal optimist would have thought that Souness's tenure would have been anything other than the latter. 136724[/snapback] Hiring Souness is incompetence on the scale equivalent to me deleting half my works database. Should this happen, I'd be out like a shot. Besides, Souness is not the only fuck up, is he? The list is endless.

At least it would scare the pidgeons away and stay shit free.

Ok, for that scenario I already say that in that case Shepherd will have been (grammar?) very lucky. Shepherd will deserve praise for being brave enough for just sticking to an easy option instead of coming up with a ingenious masterplan. 136706[/snapback] I'm not trying to pointscore, or type good grammar on an internet message board, just stating what I hope will happen, and accepting the clubs decision for whatever reason. We all know its possible the club may have its hands tied financially, well most of us do apart from those who stupidly think we should carry on throwing money around like there is no tomorrow ie those who backed the changes instigated by Souness which have put us in this position. If Robert and Bellamy were still at the club, and we had not needlessly bought the heartless Spanish twat, we would now be 2 players and 9m quid better off for starters. 136713[/snapback] By far the most important investment in a club is the manager though - this should have been made the priority by a country mile. Roeder at least seems like a cheap option - not the position you should be making cost savings, I fear.

Daglish wasn't given enough time to be successful though, wouldn't you agree? He was sacked far too early and, therefore, wasn't given the necessary backing imo. EDIT: Totally agree with SLP's and Zico's sentiments too. 136665[/snapback] Possibly. The singing of "attack attack attack" was one of the worst things ever sang at a Cup Final by any fans anywhere, have you forgotten ? We hoped in the summer he [Dalglish] would take heed but when he didn't, he had to go. I am not one who just wants to be entertained by showboaters like Arsprilla, never have been, and never will be. The contrast with the Keegan years was what brought it on. Those who do think they put entertainment before winning....well if we had won tht day and bored the arse off the whole world would anybody have gave a damn ? It would also, obviously, have prolonged Dalglish managership, boring or not. And of course the appointment of Gullit was made because he was the opposite of Dalglish, but he was still a trophy winner and we all thought or at least hoped he could do the same for us. Neither of these managers had the heart for the club, and that is why they didn't succeed and were sacked when it became obvious. If I was forced to say one of them could have been given longer it would have been Dalglish. By "backing", I meant financial backing and freedom to run the team the way they liked Alex, you know that. Which they did. Gullit acknowledged that when he took responsibility and walked away without compensation. A bigger man than Souness for that. 136709[/snapback] Of course, there is ample anecdotal evidence to suggest Shepherd does meddle in the affairs of his managers, and this is problematic. Glenn Roeder I feel will not be strong enough to stand up to him, although I admit this is pure specualtion on my side.

I judge him on his deeds not his words. Not on the bench against Chelsea? Mysterious pains doctors can't find a cause for? Not at Shearer's testimonial but spotted walking around Chester race course the next day? Aye, he's really committed. Read his autobiography and maybe you will see what a selfish money orientated individual he really is. And say what you like, but at least Bellamy has passion.

Because you'll fucking well need it 136576[/snapback] Miserable bastard 136598[/snapback] Oh aye Obviously I wish him all the best, but the more I think about it, the more I think he's a cheap, lazy, uninspired, short-term appointment. I'll be delighted if he proves me wrong. 136616[/snapback] If this is so, then its down to the reckless excesses and poor judgement of the last manager in recommending his sales and buys to the board 136642[/snapback] If this is so, it's at least partly down to Shepherd, on both counts. 136643[/snapback] Hindsight. Nobody always goes forwards. There are clubs that have done better than us that have gone further backwards when they have changed their boards or managers, or both. 136646[/snapback] I'm not saying they do always go forward, you're employing hindsight to blame Souness though, is there some reason why I can't do the same to (quite rightly) apportion at least some of the blame to Shepherd? 136656[/snapback] I'm not using hindsight to blame Souness. I despised him and thought he was a shit manager when he was at Rangers and I was working in Jockland. You can blame Shepherd if you like, but I didn't see you blaming him when we won in Rotterdam. And if Roeder does well, ie gets into europe/wins a cup/stablises the club during a time of financial accountability then I look forward to the comments you will make, which I'll be watching with interest. 136695[/snapback] What if he does badly? What then for Shepherd?

"London Bridge is falling down" ? 136687[/snapback] It actually works!

Really? 136679[/snapback] He'd do Jade Goodey (in one of his 'weaker moments') iirc. 136684[/snapback] Jesus wept! I'm making a mental note of that. Jade Goody!

He hasn't earned it yet. 136613[/snapback] Why am I reminded of Tom Hanks? 136682[/snapback] Don't know. I'm reminded of the Smiths.

Really?

Actually yri. I'm sure Solano played in the '98 final and a few games before. 136672[/snapback] Solano didn't play in the 98 cup final, he was signed the summer after I think. 136676[/snapback] Must be thinking of '99 then? Oh well serves me right for being a pedant.