Isegrim

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. 136719[/snapback] Even with appointing Roeder I think it would have been possible to try installing a more progressive managment structure. I am for example very much for installing a director of football as assistance to the manager. A Arnesen type of man who supervises transfer dealings might be better able to minimize transfer flops as just leaving it to the manager who rather should concentrate on the actual playing staff. I also remember an article a couple of months ago describing how foreign signings feeling a bit forlorn at Newcastle and suffering from something like a cultural shock. I think keeping players happy would also contribute to minimizing the risk of more expensive foreign failures at Newcastle.

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.

I'm not uncomfortable with the choice. I don't give too much about what happened at his previous jobs because I can't see how this is of any relevance for what might happen at Newcastle. As far as I can see Roeder definitely has some coaching skills and knows how to address obvious problems. So Newcastle might the perfect job if he has learnt from previous failures. That is in contrast to the tosser before who because of his lack in character and managing skills had written disaster all over him. The problem I have his with the appointment his because it his so uninspiring. It doesn't look progressive at all. I hoped a new man (like Hiddink or that kind) would have brough in a new type of more professional football culture with new coaching methods, better match preparations etc. I really hoped Newcastle were taking their time to come up with a though out long term plan how to close the gap to other teams who look well ahead in this department. We ended up with a decent bloke as manager backed up by local chaps as his staff. You don't need more than two brain cells to come up with this idea...

True. Ballack is an absolute top drawer player, one of my favourites. 136323[/snapback] You're gonna be quite torn then aren't you? 136343[/snapback] I just see this picture of Gol & Sima (wearing their new Chelsea tops) walking arm in arm into the sunset...

I thought that Bergkamp day was a good idea, i.e. a celebration at the match of a great player who is retiring. 136317[/snapback] Surely that's what a testimonial would be for? Particularly as Bergkamp has done his 10 years? 136320[/snapback] Well, wasn't the idea of testimonials for players picking up the money as reward for their long standing services and a sort of starting capital for their time out of football. So players (in todays commercialised game) don't need the money any more. You can argue about giving it to charity. But as tribute for loyality I think those theme days are fantastic idea.

They already have this kind of scarf for 7 quid, just with the normal club crest. 136266[/snapback] Agreed, they are very similar, my argument is that selling the testimonial scarf in the club shop or via the website would have been good the the chosen charities. 136269[/snapback] You mean Fat Fred spending his dividends at Gregg's?

Well, I for one hope that his stint in the Premierleague benefits his game and he stops his theatrical antics. Perhaps if the referees and the Premierleague were setting up a tougher stance on this. One thing I heard why Ballack has signed for Chelsea is for commercial reasons and is that he is a key advertising figur for Adidas who become Chelsea's new supplier. Apparently it is rather a Kenyon than a Mourinho signing...

They already have this kind of scarf for 7 quid, just with the normal club crest.

Actually, I think that's a canny idea strangely enough. 5 goals awarded if you hit a Goth. 136106[/snapback] If we are playing outside, I'll play too. I even will try to get a Jorman shirt with KUNTZ on the back.

isnt there a mexican stadium that holds just under 120000 ? 135988[/snapback] The Azteca does, not sure if their local team fills it though. Dortmund had the highest average attendance in Europe last season, therefore, going by people's wafer thin argument about support being the be all and end all of club size they are bigger than any other side in Europe, possibly the world. 135990[/snapback] It just demonstrates that they are a big club with loyal supporters. Something they were always considered down here even when they remained trophyless for a couple of decades.

I wouldn't argue the toss between them, the biggest question regarding the pair is why can't the play as well for their country as they do for their clubs ! 135744[/snapback] Can they play together ? If you had to choose, I'd go for Gerrard every time. 135919[/snapback] I think that is the main problem of the English midfield. Accomodating two very good players. The fact that they are so much better at club level might have to do that the one has his Makelele the other one his Alonso who keep them their backs free. It will be interesting how Mourinho tries to accomodate Ballack and Lampard next season...

Well, the last balance sheet didn't look too good. Bur with the miracle of still going into the Intertoto and picking up extra money due to the relatively good final place it could have been much worse. I think there will be money available, though if not being able to sell some of the failures it will come with a big risk. In the end Newcastle cannot afford another season of transfer failures.

Im sure this was said tongue in cheek but you have got more chance of shearer coming out of retirement at sunderland than bellamy coming back here. The board, the players, most fans and most likely the manager hate him with a passion. he wouldnt be safe to walk the streets on a night in the north east. Its been over a year now since he left and he aint coming back, never ever, no matter how much people bang on about it 135848[/snapback] all incorrect 135870[/snapback] So the stumbling block is the board?

I am definitely in. What are the further plans anyway. Is anyone staying overnight until Sunday as I don't think I will travel back to Birmingham on Saturday.

Weren't the French FA against the move to Newcastle and sided with Le Havre? 135859[/snapback] And? They can maintain this stance. Calling him up doesn't mean that they are happy how things went in front of court so far.

Last summer maybe, this summer no. I think other position need strengthening before and I wouldn't throw 50k a week at him (I read these were the wages Fulham offered to him)...

Even I wouldn't sell Moore now. I do pray that he doesn't have to become a regular first team player, though...

I fail to understand of what relevance the dispute is for the inclusion in the national team?

I am still amazed about how angry some people get when talking about him. He certainly was a waster in the sense that he could have provided much more due to his talent. Overall I'd still say he was a success. We got rid of him at the right time, though. But I still think that it wasn't him who was the selfish person when the tosser axed him from the squad against Lisbon.

http://home.skysports.com/list.asp?HLID=38...ball_Home&f=rss

Well, he hasn't mine...

Cheers, sounds like a good option.

Isegrim, who is the best carrier to get a pre-paid in jormany from and where is the best place to buy one? I know it sounds like a stoopid question but the network I'm on here in 'stralia doesn't travel and as I;ll be in jormany for almost 6 weeks I may as well spend a euro. 134696[/snapback] I don't know too much about mobiles so I am the totally wrong person to ask. But I remember that I helped a Japanese guest to buy one at a T-Mobile (German Telekom) for something like 20 Euros. I guess you are coming to Stuttgart for the match against Croatia, aren't you.

Here in Jormany you can buy pre-paid mobiles where you don't need a contract. Is there something similar in the UK, so that you can get a mobile for a short time without paying too much. I'd hate to use my Jorman mobile all the time in the summer as roaming costs are f***ing expensive.

We just need to find out how early those who are having to travel can get there... 134624[/snapback] Hadn't thought about it - did wonder about coming up on Friday afternoon - all depends on Pud I guess.... 134643[/snapback] Hmm, I was thinking about this too, but I just negotiated that I don't have to come to the UK until after the WC final, so I am not sure if they are happy when I say that I am not going to work on Friday either... Anyway, I think I can make it to Newcastle sometime between 10 and 11 am.