Isegrim

IIRC correctly from reading his biography his problem wasn't the reserves per se but that he thought the club didn't have the facilities to accomodate two teams without the first team suffering from it. He didn't scrap the reserves at Fulham and Man City, did he?

And? I've never seen people being worried about having three (or more) right-footed players in midfield... In general left footed players tend to be more one footed than right footed ones (was going to say normal there - sorry ) - when you look at Charlie and Emre I think it illustrates my point. Sorry, imho this is really nonsense.

And? I've never seen people being worried about having three (or more) right-footed players in midfield...

I read something which suggested that they spent an obscene amount for a German club but are only just ahead of second so it was considered "failure". They started brilliantly, playing decent football for a change, which was something they tried to focus on. But they lost their momentum quite quickly with a couple of goalless draws where they failed to convert a plentora of chances. They have only lost one game this season though. The biggest criticism was the draw against Bolton at home, where Hitzfeld took of his best players early because they had to play another games less than 48 hours later but was heavily attacked by Rummenigge ("football is not mathematics"). It seems that Hitzfeld then made his decision not to enter talks about a new contract. It really seems that he isn't really bothered about club football any more. As I've now said a couple of times people really should forget about him. He made clear that he either takes the Swiss job or none at all.

Don't know, a manager who is doing a good job will always get the respect from the players.

Not even worth to be put into my avatar.

Bolton next week will become a crunch game, if we lose are even further in danger.

Pah, I bet someone was editing the interview...

People (fans as well as journos) should forget about Hitzfeld. He was a remote possibility two years ago, but isn't anymore. The next football job he will take is either the Swiss post or none. It's really questionable if he will ever a club job again. At this moment of time he is rather likely to retire.

Alles Gute!

Soon to see Newcastle tonkings in HD quality...

Which makes Allardyce's decision to leave him out and play N'Zogbia even more misjudged. Or right in introducing him slowly into English football and helping him adapt...

When it comes to managers I think it is not only always about quality. Of course there are the likes of Capello, Hitzfeld, Ferguson, Mourinho, Robson etc. who would probably walk into every job and do ok. But I think that most often it depends on the chemistry between club and manager. They have to share a mutual understanding that creates a positive buzz which helps both sides to (over)achieve. At Newcastle Keegan was able to create this buzz for several years, other arguably mediocre managers are able to create it for a shorter period of time, e.g. with newly promoted teams. The biggest problem with the most recent appointments was always that they were greeted with indifference at best, disaffirmation at most. Souness, Roeder and Allardyce had to fail because they were never able to build a relationship with the club. Roeder's temporal success was foremost a result from the buzz created by the sacking of the preceding tosser. It went the moment he got appointed permanently. Journalists often get rightly criticised for stereotyping Newcastle fans (rather lose 4-3 than win ugly etc.). Though, they are probably right about the pressure of fans. They can create an atmosphere were a manager can only fail unless he works wonders to win them over. Imho the biggest task in appointing a new manager is to chose a person that isn't greeted with discomfort by the majority which results in hostility the moment things are not going to plan immidiately - which then gets misinterpreted into fickleness (is this a word?). Keegan might be past it as a manager and done horrific jobs at England and Man City. But in the right constellation, maybe with Shearer and the right coaching staff (like Irvine and Fazackerley in the past) it might work to re-install a feel-good feeling about the club which is more likely to bring success than the constant doom and gloom of the last three years.

No.

Agree wholeheartedly - two players of quality would make a hell of adifference I'd even narrow it down to just one central creative player.

Knee-jerk-tastic tbh. Yes, the team fell apart in the second half. How much has it to do with Allardyce though? The players he signed? Cacapa and Enrique did quite ok in the first 45 mins. Smith is appalling though, I give you that. But with all the turmoil that is going on at the club I don't think it is a great surprise what happened after Manchester went ahead 2-0. Do you think it would have been any different if he's still been in charge? - I don't for a nanosecond. If Rooney had had his shooting boots on in the first half they would have had 10 - acceptable? I've seen us got to old trafford with infinitely worse squads than today and not get as badly beaten. If the dog hadn't taken a shit, it would have caught the rabbit. Were we that bad in the first half? I don't think so. It was as much Allardyce's team as the one in the secand half. Would the team have fallen apart in the second half without the recent tohobohu? I don't know. Have I seen Robson's teams, still being in with a shout for the title, getting tonkings by Manchester. Yes. Don't take my view as an attempt to defend Allardyce's shambles for which he in the end got rightfully sacked. But I don't have to use today's second half performance to further bitch about it.

Knee-jerk-tastic tbh. Yes, the team fell apart in the second half. How much has it to do with Allardyce though? The players he signed? Cacapa and Enrique did quite ok in the first 45 mins. Smith is appalling though, I give you that. But with all the turmoil that is going on at the club I don't think it is a great surprise what happened after Manchester went ahead 2-0.

slightest of touches tbf Rather a cynical attempt of trying to stop Ronaldo scoring imho. Anyway, has nobody ever thought of organising some kicking lessons for Shay? Back to his Gaelic football worst today...

Smith still giving away free kicks in stupid positions. I'd rather have Emre in the first team ... and that says a lot tbh.

The problem is that is only Bobby Robson (who really is too old and ill now ) and maybe a few managers the really aren't "good enough". The Robson who turned us down once and was holding out for a better salary the next time. Not NJS dream candidate either tbh...

A little? Drunk? More stoned than a muslim committing adultery tbh.

Not convinced. The avatar stays.

I can think of worse scenarios tbf. I'm not complaining. Just seriously doubt he'd bring Burley in. Sure, wasn't really a serious suggestion, but rather my dream scenario in case Shearer accepts the job anyway.

I can think of worse scenarios tbf.

Pfft, it was me wisely adjusting my avatar yesterday.