Big TRon

Yes he is. I really hope he doesn't though, As the original Messiah (AD) I would hate to see him fall from grace, and it's a risk he doesn't need to take. You're Jesus Christ? That could be one take on it, certainly

Nice to hear generous words from another club's fan, especially in this situation. Every time I see others gloating how we deserve everything we get from pundits to fans up and down the country, it really winds me up.

Yes he is. I really hope he doesn't though, As the original Messiah (AD) I would hate to see him fall from grace, and it's a risk he doesn't need to take.

I think he might be on Liverpool's radar now, as 'sources' close to him were denying he was after that job on tv yesterday.

Nolan scored a good goal, but he's still just a clodder, and saying so doesn't make me Baggio. Do you think everyone's in on a conspiracy to disagree with your opinion?

He mentioned speculation in general and never once referred to Newcastle United. IMO he was too focused on BRFC and what he wants from the season. If there was something in it, that snippet about NUFC would have developed more than it did. Don't think Hughes is that media-savvy to completely hood-wink them. He was plenty committed to Blackburn when he thought Redknapp had got the job ahead of him a few days ago. didn't sound quite so vocal about his great relations at Blackburn today did he?

So what are you trying to prove exactly?

One of the Sky team were suggesting that Shearer was playing golf with Fat Fred while all this speculation is going on. If that's true, it probably hasn't helped Shearer's cause.

2 more than Man Utd Correct. Only two more than Man U. People conveniently gloss over the fact that they scored seven more than us. The figure I was looking for was 37. Now without going and checking, how many do you think we've conceded so far this season? statistics, statistics, damned lies and statistics. Are you Allardyce in disguise? Oh dear I doubt Allardyce would be keen to point out how many we've conceded this season, don't you? No, he'd probably be telling us how well we played against Stoke or or Derby away, like most wankers who end up quoting statistics.

Baggio was spot on tbf. Nolan's still shite, has a poor touch but certainly hit a sweet strike today.

Six pointer. truth - in case no else noticed amid the furore.

2 more than Man Utd Correct. Only two more than Man U. People conveniently gloss over the fact that they scored seven more than us. The figure I was looking for was 37. Now without going and checking, how many do you think we've conceded so far this season? statistics, statistics, damned lies and statistics. Are you Allardyce in disguise?

Resorting to narrow arguments and statistics (as predicted) I see. I think I answered your crap question in any case which was so poor you ended up limiting the comparison to yesterdays' line up to your Keegan's select over 5 years. That says everything tbh.

The answer: no The discussion: he's an arsehole.

Experience needed to spend someone else's millions might be a better way of putting it. A track record is at least something to go on.

How many of Beresford, Albert, Peacock and Venison (at their peak) would get into the current side? Keegan's defenders were mainly bought for their attacking flair, of those you mentioned there, I'd say Venison was the best pure defender, and he left when we were promoted to be replaced by Barton who was fairly shit. I don't think there were many people who will argue that the main reason we didn't win anything under Keegan was that we lacked real class defenders. Not that they weren't good, they just weren't the best. No doubt there'll be glib types like LeazesMag who'll trot out statistics to back their argument for the sake of it, but that was the general consensus. Venison didn't leave until the end of the 94-95 season. Again, how many of them four would get in today's side? I don't know, it depends who is picking the side. Some managers rate defenders on their defending ability, others on their flair quality. I honestly think if we'd had a Woodgate at that time we'd have won the title. I'm going to make this simple for you. YOU are picking the side. How many of Beresford, Albert, Peacock and Venison would you pick over yesterdays back four of Enrique, Cacapa, Taylor and Carr? one? two? three? or four? Let me make it simple for you: Why did we blow a 12 point lead at the top and lose crucial games 4-3? a) The Attack The Midfield c) The Defence bear in mind, we could afford to buy the best in every department and spent heavily in all, if you want to talk in context.

Barton was picked once for England and never again. Winning over the fans and being a top quality player aren't always the same thing. I didnt go as far as to say they were top quality From memory, Barton, Lee and Howey were in the England team at the same time (once). But, more to the point, Peakcock and Barton suited our team. They both got a lot of stick like. Everyone saying both should get hair cuts as it got in the way In te end, Barton became a canny player for us. Another point, both could get in te team now. If you say they weren't top quality, then that's the point I am making anyway. Back then we were the biggest spenders, the only reason we didn't win the league was because we lacked 'top quality' in a couple of key areas. I'd have Beye and Faye ahead of those two any day of the week.

The only view that matters is that of Mike Ashley in the end. Everyone can have an opinion, but he's the one who will provide the big money to make it happen, so he'll want to decide who is best suited to spend it. if it's Shearer great, if it's someone else then let's hope it's a good choice.

Barton was picked once for England and never again. Winning over the fans and being a top quality player aren't always the same thing.

How many of Beresford, Albert, Peacock and Venison (at their peak) would get into the current side? Keegan's defenders were mainly bought for their attacking flair, of those you mentioned there, I'd say Venison was the best pure defender, and he left when we were promoted to be replaced by Barton who was fairly shit. I don't think there were many people who will argue that the main reason we didn't win anything under Keegan was that we lacked real class defenders. Not that they weren't good, they just weren't the best. No doubt there'll be glib types like LeazesMag who'll trot out statistics to back their argument for the sake of it, but that was the general consensus. Venison didn't leave until the end of the 94-95 season. Again, how many of them four would get in today's side? I don't know, it depends who is picking the side. Some managers rate defenders on their defending ability, others on their flair quality. I honestly think if we'd had a Woodgate at that time we'd have won the title.

How many of Beresford, Albert, Peacock and Venison (at their peak) would get into the current side? Keegan's defenders were mainly bought for their attacking flair, of those you mentioned there, I'd say Venison was the best pure defender, and he left when we were promoted to be replaced by Barton who was fairly shit. I don't think there were many people who will argue that the main reason we didn't win anything under Keegan was that we lacked real class defenders. Not that they weren't good, they just weren't the best. No doubt there'll be glib types like LeazesMag who'll trot out statistics to back their argument for the sake of it, but that was the general consensus.

The last 3 managers have brought bad defenders, doesn't look like changing! P.s. Although i rate faye and beye It's the one area we've never got right. Woodgate made a massive difference to SBR's team when he was fit. Our inability to keep possession in the midfield etc has played a major factor in this but often gets overlooked. I don't think our defenders individually at the club are as bad as some want to make out (often based on the goals against column) but when you have a midfield and attack that cannot retain possession for more than a minute and gift the ball to the opposition who end up hitting us with attack upon attack it is inevitable that the opposition will make a breakthrough eventually. Even though Rozenhal appears to be looking to struggle with the physical aspect of the British game, apart from Carr I really don't think we have that bad a set of defenders. A consistent back four playing together and a change in personnel in front of them could make a huge difference IMO. I agree, I was using the example of defenders to make the point about the scouting network. Keegan usually just went for players he liked the look of and fair play it worked for the most part. I just think you have to be a bit more savvy these days, the games moved on a lot.

so paying off the ridiculous debts isnt a good start? as for sacking the manager half way through the season when were heading towards the bottom well do you realistically think we were going in any other direction under the fat man? As for being raped yesterday, we would have been anyway and frankly I reckon it could have been more. No, for me hes only made two mistakes so far, the first being to not go with his gut and boot Sam out on day 1 and secondly as HF said "that fucking advert on the Gallowgate", I'll excuse him that if he gets us on the right track. Of course plying odd the debt was a good start. But paying a net total of £12m on players was chicken feed comparing to 7 or 8 other teams. Especially when you consider the squad wasn't strong to start with. Sacking the manager half way through is absurd. Sure we were struggling under Allardyce but now we have nobody to take responsibility and to make things worse, Ashley doesn't have anyone to step in. There's only one direction now, and with every day that passes this month is one less we can bring anyone decent in (in terms of players and manager) to get us out of the shit. A relegation dogfight isn't out of the question in this moment in time. We were raped yesterday, and yes we would have lost under Allardyce anyway but that's no excuse for trying and failing to get 'arry and having nobody to lead us out of the mire. Reminds me of the line in the Queen song: "I want it all...I want it NOW!!" If Ashley doesn't back HIS manager in the summer then you'll have a right to whinge. At the moment no one else is lining up to spend £millions on wiping out debts or buying players so it's not like we are in a position to carp anyhow. I thought it was a great interview.

The last 3 managers have brought bad defenders, doesn't look like changing! P.s. Although i rate faye and beye It's the one area we've never got right. Woodgate made a massive difference to SBR's team when he was fit.

The journo, Ian Ridley raised a good point though about this duo; where would the scouting network come from? Keegan was notoriously bad at buying defenders, and Shearer is a novice. While there would be a feelgood factor short term, it takes more than that to get the right players for genuine success.