Gemmill

He chose Blackburn ahead of Man Utd because Dalglish and Walker sold him what they were planning to do where as Man Utd never quite did that and to be fair, he made what looked like the right decision at that time because not only were Blackburn challenging, they would later go on to win the title from Man Utd. I think most accepted, unless Blackburn could sustain their succes, he was always too big a fish for them and that eventually he'd move, I think at least in Shearer's mind that was always the case anyway. Even while at Blackburn he said in an interview (the season he was injured, our first in the Premiership), that his dream was to play for Newcastle before he retired which pissed off a few Blackburn fans at the time especially as we were coming fresh onto the scene. I personally think that was Shearer letting the powers be at St. James' Park that he wants to come back home sooner rather than later, when he's done at Blackburn, in an ideal world anyway. Had NUFC not been challenging at the time (i.e. stuck in a division below or fighting to stay up ever season), he'd have joined Man Utd without doubt and probably tried to come to us in his 30s as was always his dream to pull on the shirt, but everything at that time was perfect for him, we could afford to pay a player of his quality the wages he demanded, we had a great squad, top manager, were genuine challengers and looked like winning trophies season in season out, him being a Geordie was the icing on the cake and made it all too easy for him to snub Man Utd again. I'm not surprised Man Utd still regret the fact he snubbed them though because had he joined them, even signing after Blackburn, they'd have won much more than they did and wouldn't have spent all that money they have done on trying to find that right leader of the line, something like £70m by my reckoning over the years as Shearer would have lead that line for 10 years or so like he lead ours. I liken it to the regret of SBR not taking over KK here at Newcastle or Schmeichel being in goal THAT day which still plays on wor minds. On reflection joining NUFC proved a mistake for Shearer in my opinion (certainly professionaly) but by the same token, what he got personally from wearing the shirt he had always dreamed about, breaking the club's goalscoring record and as he put it himself just living the dream, proved far more valuable to him as an individual than trophies or awards ever could and that's what a lot of Man Utd fans can't understand but if you were from this region, you would. To a Geordie playing for the club is the biggest reward of all, nothing would ever top that, not Championship medals for Man Utd or playing in a European Cup final. That devotion to the club is what gives us our gates to be honest, not trophies or the promise of them and its the same for lads good enough to play football in our city, they don't dream about winning trophies, they dream about playing for Newcastle, probably because they've accepted the Toon and trophies isn't gonna happen When Shearer came back to Newcastle while a Blackburn player to visit friends and family, he would drive around the newly revamped St. James' Park a few times and those childhood dreams of his were right there in front of him, and something when offered, he couldn't say no to as had he, even with medals thrown in, I think he'd have truly regretted it, not playing for Newcastle at some stage of his career. Fergie to this day is still pissed at not getting Shearer and too rights because had he, well, just how much more unstoppable would they have been? They already had three great leaders in Fergie himself, Schmeichel and Keane, imagine another up front, and then there is the goals, the ability to perform consistently without an arm around the shoulder or a kick up the arse, to any manager he and his type are the perfect footballers and pretty much priceless. God, I'm fucking glad we've had 10 years of him. I wouldn't swap those 10 years for any trophy, if I'm being truthful. No doubt statements like that will rankle with some Toon fans like but we got a lot for our money. i'm sure you could have said all that in a pargraph or two instead of an 800 word op-ed I could, but why should I? I like to write down my thoughts in length, if I have a bit to say on the subject which I clearly did. No problem is there? No problem at all as long as you realise that nobody actually reads it all. So in answer the the "why should I" question: because people might be more inclined to read your posts. I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one that scrolls straight past your snoozefests.

To be fair, Talksport had Nigel Benn on this afternoon, apparently Benn saw that clip on youtube and was so moved that he has arranged a charity gala night will all proceeds going to the McClellan fund. www.geraldmcclellan.co.uk Nice one. Mind, how could you not be moved watching something like that knowing you did it to the bloke, albeit with no intention to see him end up like that.

In his defence, the signings he has made haven't been bad. As he himself says, he could go out and sign several bad players for the sake of it. When you look at the players who he is aware of but not interested in signing, or the players he's watched, you see that the net is wider than Oliver's targets suggest. The "I could go out and sign several bad players but I'm not going to do that" speech is utter bollocks tbh. Does he want a fucking medal for that? Do you hear any other managers making that speech? No because it goes without saying. What we want is for him to shut his mouth and identify some GOOD players that he CAN afford and go about signing them. So far all we've seen is him witter on longingly about Peter Crouch, almost sign a Serb who he's since learnt is shit, and keep letting us know that he won't be signing bad players because that's not the right thing to do (Really Glenn?? Did they teach you that as part of your badges?). The bloke is a total fucking mong imo.

Great celebration though.

It's because you're a penis. If you stop being one it would work fine. The ball's in your court.

I think Mourinho's in a great position tbh. Either Abramovich stops meddling or Mourinho fucks off to a huge job elsewhere. The bloke has got the world at his feet and will have his pick of the big jobs - make no mistake, he won't be having to take whatever is available at the time, clubs will dispose of their current manager to install him. IMO. Oh yeah? he's going to be run off from Chelski - and Abramovitch won't give a toss - he can just give the next guy another £ 200 million - and Mourinho will never get that sort of money to play with anywhere else Mourinho is a little man TBH - and he's lucky that Mr A is such a forgiving type Some of his fellow countrymen would sort Djose good & proper You're not one of these idiots that thinks that as long as Abramovich is there throwing money at it, that they're guaranteed success? Chelsea are the success they are because of money AND Mourinho. Stick another manager in that job and the trophies won't come as easy. It's not just anyone that can join a new league and win it in his first season, and then retain it the next year. If Man United give them a sniff this year he'll win three on the bounce ffs. I'm no big fan of Mourinho as a man, but he's brilliant at his job, and Abramovich would do well to recognise that before he runs him out of town. As for not getting £200m somewhere else - he didn't need £200m to win the European Cup with Porto, did he?

Bloody hell, that's desperately sad. Awful that no one from the boxing community bothers with him too.

I think Mourinho's in a great position tbh. Either Abramovich stops meddling or Mourinho fucks off to a huge job elsewhere. The bloke has got the world at his feet and will have his pick of the big jobs - make no mistake, he won't be having to take whatever is available at the time, clubs will dispose of their current manager to install him. IMO.

Distin off to Spurs in exchange for Mido apparently. At least neither of them play in positions that we need to strengthen in.

It was a brilliant fight. Horrendous how he ended up though - I'm assuming it's McLellan (was that his name??). Can't watch that clip from work, will have a look at home.

No problem. Perhaps next time you'll remember to respond to a direct question with a direct answer. Especially when someone is helping you out.

Shit jokes? That was a classic! Anyway FCUM do I have to ask for the THIRD time what ebook this is, or what? It's a bloody ebook, what the f*ck do you think it is I've directed you to the poker thread where I've said it's a book that will help low limit players if they follow the strategy when starting out. I've told you the name of the ebook earlier on this thread. What else do you want to know You told me the name of the file, tit-features. At no point did you explicitly give me the title of the book which was what I asked for. I now know that it is the same name of the file. I now sincerely hope that you don't get a solution to your problem.

Shit jokes? That was a classic! Anyway FCUM do I have to ask for the THIRD time what ebook this is, or what?

Spent by yourself, in bed, with your laptop on here no doubt. Is there any such thing as an actual holiday anyway if you've got your own workload? Serious question. I find you tend to work harder in the run up to clear your decks and then you come back to a shed load cos no-one else is responsible for doing it in your absence. The work doesnt disappear, you just apportion it differently to accomodate a few days off. Anyone else find that? Christ I've depressed myself. Nurses etc have it easy like. Aye you're right about that. Sometimes coming back off holiday you wonder why you bothered going away in the first place when you open up your emails or listen to your voicemails or whatever.

I'm fucking speechless... It was a joke man!

Nice one. I only played on Party for about a month until Bush passed that bill and I moved to Stars, so I've got knack all in the way of those points. Is there still loads of yanks playing on there? If so, how are they getting their cash on?

Spent by yourself, in bed, with your laptop on here no doubt. Unlikely, but even if it was it would be preferable to work. Which is where you'll be.

I've still got a few days left Renty baby. Hee heeeee!

I saw that, I was just wondering specifically which book it was. Can you not RAR it. RAAARR. That should scare it into sending.

If it's zipped it shouldn't be showing as an exe file. What book is it btw?

I'd rather be in perfect health and ring in sick.

We're fucked. Oliver is more likely to win a beauty contest than a prize for his writing though. Jesus wept, it's childlike. "He had a list....but I bet it's been crumpled up and put in the bin!"

Midweek matches are normally canny hard to get turned around and out to the pub in time without breaking your neck to do it, so doubt I'll be there before or after tbh.

It doesn't involve poo, does it?