Renton

Very true. The difference is, I suppose, we had no choice but Shearer did.

I don't recall him publically slagging off Bellamy. What did he say? Also, why do you assume Bellamy was the wronged person? Given his personality, I seriously doubt this (and no, I really don't want to start another Bellamy thread). It pissed me off when he backed Souness though I admit, but then so did most the players including Solano and Given.

If Shearer ever does become a manager, it will be interesting to see how he man-manages players like Bellamy. Personally, I think the guy is too intelligent to let his ego get in the way of using a great player who happens to be a dickhead. He gets a lot of stick on here and other forums for his "role" in the dismissal of Bellamy, but let's face it, it's all hearsay, and the worst I've heard him alleged to have done is show a text to Terry Mac.

As I was walking past SJP I saw about 20 lads huddled outside the box office, presumably queueing for these tickets (can't think what else it could be). Mad bastards.

Wasn't that last season? And iirc correctly you were definitely someone who supported Souness longer than was reasonable.....

Read the article again. The law lords have overturned the original decision, so they are in fact in agreement with you, me, and Leazes.

Hard to disagree with any of that. Cheers for clarifying, I thought you had it in for Shearer. 109788[/snapback] Aye, fair enough UM (he says back-peddling like mad ).

Loss of freedom is nowt, have you never seen Porridge? He'll end up with his own half of a chess board, a snout racket and will freely abuse poor Mr. Barrowclough. If only the warders were all made of sterner stuff, like Mr. Mackay, it might be like punishment, but as long as he's running kangaroo courts to find out who stole the tin of preserved fruit, then life will be sweet. 109737[/snapback] Good point.

Your mongish first response then your reasoning afterwards. 109732[/snapback] Aye, you're right. I don't usually respond with half liners or smilies - that's more your style.

Righto. I've had many a discussion with Alex about Shearer before, I know where he stands. And I wouldn't expect Gemmill to back me on anything..... 109723[/snapback] Why the dismissive rolleyes at first then reasoning later? uh-huh 109725[/snapback] They were directed at UM and his obsessive Shearer bashing. What's your point? How am I backtracking?

Righto. I've had many a discussion with Alex about Shearer before, I know where he stands. And I wouldn't expect Gemmill to back me on anything.....

You must've missed the bit where I said "No one's saying let him off scot free, but a hefty fine would be satisfactory." 109703[/snapback] Aye, fining a jobless alcoholic is really going to hurt him, isn't it? 109705[/snapback] But supplying food and lodgings, getting him off the drink and probably teaching him a trade is? 109716[/snapback] Loss of freedom is, yes. As for detoxing him, that's good, isn't it? And the state already pay for the rest.

None of us really knows what goes on behind the scenes though. It's one thing to be critical about Shearer, fair enough, he deserves it for his performances this season and aruably even the two seasons before. But its obvious to me that some people have a chip on their shoulder about him - UM can't resist bringing him up every other post.

You must've missed the bit where I said "No one's saying let him off scot free, but a hefty fine would be satisfactory." 109703[/snapback] Aye, fining a jobless alcoholic is really going to hurt him, isn't it?

That maybe so - lets hope the new manager can do his job without a monkey on his back and can bring enough relevant success to render the need for Shearer to be in the very distant future - if ever at all. 109702[/snapback]

That sounds exactly like the old Wembley tbh.

So if I commit a crime, any crime, and I'm unlikely to reoffend or need rehabilitation, I should be let off scot free then? Regardless of the consequences of my crime? Or is that only if I'm not caught for 25 years, thus proving I'm unlikely to reoffend?

Be careful Pud, remember his libido!

They were cruising. If we'd had Owen, they'd have stepped up. We were never going to win yesterday.

I can really see why you antagonize Leazes so much Rob. You give us do-gooders a bad name.

He would play better with Owen, or dare I say it, Bellamy . Anyway, I hope you're right as what you're saying is we van only improve without him. I don't think you are though.

Considering how bad he's been for the past couple of seasons I can only see any half decent replacement being a huge improvement. 109560[/snapback] Thing is, I would admit that Shearer has been exceptionally poor the last three games (against outstanding opposition), but I think people are forgetting about the contribution he makes when he is on song, even this year. We'll see, but remember I'm usually right about these things. You don't always know what you've got 'til it's gone as the song goes.

I can agree with that Alex, Shearer is living on his past reputation and I always thought he should have retired last year. However, there is now only 8 games left for him to play (which probably aren't even important), so these concerns will sonn be in the past. Edit: whereas my concerns about Ameobi are for the future.

But instead, you leave with the booby prize of 20 million pounds..... 109526[/snapback] 'I'll count it out for the lad, while we go to a break.' 109539[/snapback] We'll be back in five years..... 50, 100, 150......

Hmmm, not sure that makes sense. I think Shola gets stick because he's not good enough - especially in the air and his first touch. Surely if Shearer is so shit he should compare favourably and shine? Blaming Shearer for Ameobi's crapness is daft imo. One thing I think will be interesting is how we are going to cope next year without Shearer. Unless we break the bank (again) and get a world-class replacement in (that's on top of Owen), I think some people are going to be very unpleasently surprised.