Craig

Stupid fucking Aussie. If you're going to post on an English message board, use the proper acronyms!

Good article and I think he's spot on with the chicken and egg theory. The players need the fans to inspire them just as much as the fans need the players to inspire them. Interesting note about the stuff coming out of SJP that isn't in the public domain at other clubs. Along the same sort of lines that we were shouting about for years about Fred blabbing to the media far too much. And that's coming from an ex-manager! Considering the way he was fucked over in the end, he's not bitter at all and you have to respect him for that.

Only because we keep appointing managers of that calibre. Sure our position makes it harder to attract a more viable solution but Citeh managed to do it so why can't we? My issue is not with the fact that we've (well, it looks likely) appointed Redknapp, it's the fact that we haven't tried for anyone better.

There isn't one that's likely to be interested, therefore giving Big Sam the time he should have been given was the best option. I'd honestly be disappointed barring the appointment of Mourinho. Any of the ones listed then I'd have much rather have given Big Sam the time he deserved. This is the crux of the matter: Hiddink or Mourinho or Lippi would be lovely but they are not going to come here. The level we're at (Harry, Hughes, Moyes etc) are no real improvement on Allardyce. So what was the point? Back to square one again before repeating the process again in a years time. Not really. The problem with Allardyce was his philosophy and style of football. People are saying we should have kept Allardyce because he'd get there eventually once he could impose himself on matters, but no one really wanted to see the team set up like Bolton. So if we swap him for someone of equal calibre but with a more attractive philosophy, then it's an improvement. Especially since the new man will have Ashley's full backing, which Allardyce clearly did not. Good post. As I said earlier, I think Redknapp will will surprise a few on here, especially if Ashley throws money at him. Harry has done an 'OK' job with a mediocre club and turned them into a side which is on the peripheral of qualifying for Europe each season. Much the same as Souness did at Blackburn and Allardyce did at Bolton. If we do go for Harry it'll be the 4th consecutive appointment where we've taken a step sideways (arguably Roeder was a step backwards!). The last manager who was a step forward was Sir Bobby Robson. Ironically, the last to be warmly received at SJP. tbf, we're a mediocre club atm to whom qualifying for Europe for the next couple of seasons would be a pretty large step forward. If that was the case, surely Souness and Allardyce should have succeeded? Newcastle is a massive club and an even bigger job (primarly because of the fans expectations). Under estimate that at your peril as Ruud Gullit found out.

There isn't one that's likely to be interested, therefore giving Big Sam the time he should have been given was the best option. I'd honestly be disappointed barring the appointment of Mourinho. Any of the ones listed then I'd have much rather have given Big Sam the time he deserved. This is the crux of the matter: Hiddink or Mourinho or Lippi would be lovely but they are not going to come here. The level we're at (Harry, Hughes, Moyes etc) are no real improvement on Allardyce. So what was the point? Back to square one again before repeating the process again in a years time. Not really. The problem with Allardyce was his philosophy and style of football. People are saying we should have kept Allardyce because he'd get there eventually once he could impose himself on matters, but no one really wanted to see the team set up like Bolton. So if we swap him for someone of equal calibre but with a more attractive philosophy, then it's an improvement. Especially since the new man will have Ashley's full backing, which Allardyce clearly did not. Good post. As I said earlier, I think Redknapp will will surprise a few on here, especially if Ashley throws money at him. Harry has done an 'OK' job with a mediocre club and turned them into a side which is on the peripheral of qualifying for Europe each season. Much the same as Souness did at Blackburn and Allardyce did at Bolton. If we do go for Harry it'll be the 4th consecutive appointment where we've taken a step sideways (arguably Roeder was a step backwards!). The last manager who was a step forward was Sir Bobby Robson. Ironically, the last to be warmly received at SJP.

I wouldn't be surprised at all if Pompey will insist that Adams remains at Fratton Park, probably to take over from Harry. As for Harry at Newcastle (if it happens)! Well I'll give him a chance, like I've given every manager we've had since Arthur Cox but I don't hold much hope of getting back towards the top 4. EDIT: Jesus wept, the Sun are reporting he'll be getting a £20m transfer kitty and 'permission' from Mort/Mike to sign Chimbonda! Surely that's not the boardroom trying to run the transfer policy is it?

I've never understood why they aren't FAO. The aussie seems quite keen to called them FOA (this isn't the first one! )

I think the reactions to Souness and Roeder were in the context of Shepherd with a limited (though generous) budget - its the waste of the chance to spend big with someone up to it that actually makes me feel this is more disappointing. I don't think we'd get Mourinho but.... if you don't try, you'll never know. Seems pretty evident that Ashley/Mort knew Redknapp would come hence why they've let Sam go. And with that thought it looks like Mourinho hasn't even appeared on their radar. If he wants the best for this club he should be using all his muscle, both in terms of business and finances to try (and i emphasise that word) and secure the best man available for the job. In Redknapp, I don't think he has.

I'm loving the way SSN are shouting the fact that we'll approach Pompey in the morning.. Wonder if they're building the barricades as we speak outside Fratton Park? Looks like Harry is the man they want and to be honest I feel totally disillisioned by it all. It's not quite as downbeat and negative as I felt when we appointed Souness and Roeder but its not far off. I certainly don't see it as a step forward in any way, shape or form. This isn't having a go at those who were keen to see Allardyce offloaded but I'd like to know what their opinions of Redknapp being his successor are? Is he the bloke you wanted or were you hoping we'd go for someone better?

Sky keep saying Redknapp is most likely. Given that they've been plugging the 'Englishman only' line since the story broke, they have to really...

For the record I think long term he had to go but surely they should have waited until May? My only thought is they wouldn't have sacked him unless they had someone lined up but then we've been caught thinking that before and got our fingers burned... My real fear is that the translation of "going through the proper channels and taking as long as it takes" translates as whoever it is will not be released until February 1st and if that's the case, we've been seriously fucked over.

If it's either Hughes or Redknapp it's a massive sideways step. Both have done 'OK' with their current, mediocre clubs.... smacks very worryingly of Souness and Allardyce all over again!

You think so?? I think she's got a massive chip on her shoulder where NUFC are concerned. The woman spouts bile!

Fuck! If Akabusi is saying it... I'm definitely worried!

Sounds like he knows what he's doing to me Precisely.. A shrewd businessman by all accounts.

Eh? The price has been on the slide since the IPO and shares are now worth less than a third of their initial value, hence why Ashley has been buying them back. To say the floatation has been a disaster would be closer to the mark. The 'flotation' was considered a success - what's happened since was not what I was referencing....

Ashley seems to know what he's doing as a businessman. That rather depends on who you ask. Who should we ask, fellow self-made billionaires? sports direct shareholders and City types in general seem to think he's a bit of a joke tbh I won't even pretend to know what the city thinks of him although I've heard he's a bit of a maverick which probably ruffles a few feathers. As for Sports Direct, the floatation didn't go to plan. Are you seriously suggesting a bloke who is now a billionaire after starting with next to nowt and leaving school at 16 isn't business savvy though? Conceeding that Mike Ashley is business savvy wouldn't fit in with Dan's whinging agenda though Sports Direct flotation exceeded expectations by all accounts. As has been said, he's not the common-old-garden type of businessman - he does it his way which does look a bit maverick and leftfield but there's absolutely no doubt he's a success in his field.

What really makes me chuckle is other fans perceptions of who it actually is who wants Shearer as manager. I asked a few at work and they all replied "the Newcastle fans..." Seems that the media have well and truly hood-winked people with this one...

Agreed.... If it's between Redknapp, McLaren, Hughes or Shearer, I'd give it to Shearer so it's done and dusted. Giving it to one of the other 3 would be as productive as the appointments of Souness or Roeder.

And sitting with the Fans wearing a replica shirt, listening to what they're saying had no influence on Ashley? Why sack him now then? Surely he would have gone after the Liverpool match. It might have been a small factor though. Given his reputation as a shrewd businessman, I'd be very surprised if Ashley allowed his decision to be led by what a small area of the crowd were chanting. He gives the impression that he's very much the boss and I'm pretty sure he'll have not allowed himself to be pushed around by the minorities in the businesses he's acquired over the years. As Alex said, had it been purely on account of the fans reaction, he'd have gone very soon after that event. Suggesting otherwise I can only see as a view of vindication from those who got vocal about getting him removed. I too was absolutely disgusted that it was being chanted. We were getting creamed on the pitch and rather than get behind the team (something in the past that Newcastle fans ALWAYS did), some of them turned on them.

That's the one for me.... I don't want him as manager but until he has done a stint, there is no way that the media are going to let go of the idea... FFS this is the 4th managerial appointment where he's been considered a 'serious' possibility! And not once has he said he wants it!

Well this is something I was unaware of and gives me some hope..... Now...just Mark Hughes to get of the list somehow...

Sky aren't saying it on the telly, but from what the Sky blokes in the Back Page earlier were saying, they reckon it'll be Redknapp. Hes come out and said he doesnt want it? This whole episode is smacking of when we sacked Robson. Certain quarters wanted him out for a while and now he's gone are wax lyrical about which (frankly unrealistic) target they want to replace him. The rest feel that it's been done at a bizarre time (in a transfer window) and worry about the impact it'll have on the club. The early favourite (Bruce, then - Redknapp, now) quickly rule themselves out. Shearer categorically states that he's not ready for the job yet. I just hope to fuck that we don't end up with a similar sort of situation as we did back then - paying another club a shit-load of cash to release their manager who they'd considered sacking in the non-too-distant future anyway.... Interesting stat I was reminded of at lunchtime was that Michael Owen has played 26 times for Newcastle and is about to be working under his 4th permanent manager!

I'm still confused. What is about Mourinho's football which isn't "good"? Or are you pining for the old Keegan style days of no matter what the result is, we'll entertain...? Mourinho rapidly brought domestic success to a club that was effectively 'sleeping' almost as much as we are. His time at Chelsea came to an end because he was fed up of interference to team matters from the non-footballing personnel. And frankly, who can blame him?? Do I think he's a realistic prospect? No. Would I welcome him as our next manager? Damned fucking right I would! And anyone who says otherwise is a few sandwiches short of a picnic!

Same old shite isn't it...? All our rivals are busy strengthening their teams 2/3 of the way into the mid-season transfer window and there's us... managerless! I sincerely hope whoever is lined up to take over is brought in quick.