dbsweeney

That made me laugh out loud! Now getting weird looks from around the office.

Do you think that the Mackems will handle the transition of manager following the Newcastle method (flounder for a while and lose a few games) or the Spurs method (win more than they did before)? I'm guessing the first method.

What a load of rubbish! That writer is the most smug, condescending prick I've read in a long time. "So drastic has been the degrading of Newcastle’s ambitions that they must be content with this: creeping out of the relegation zone on goal difference after luckily coming away with a point from rivals they used to look down on." FUCK OFF! I didn't think it was even that poor of a game as a spectacle. Granted, shots on goal were few and far between ... but we look better in the midfield than we have and (as everyone has noted) Bassong and Coloccini have really shone (but didn't rate a mention in the article).

Look good, mate! Already added it to my bookmarks!

One big player is not what you need. You need to build a squad. With a decent wage structure and shared vision for NUFC. what a load of shit Not really ... it's just that the way that MA went about it was wrong and unrealistic (too much--too fast). No-one here can honestly expect us to be contenders for the title in the next three years or so. BUT ... build a decent squad that knows each other, and is consistent and dependable (supplemented by a top quality, willing-to-be-a-rock central midfielder) and you have a basis to build something on. Can anyone honestly say that the amount of money poured into the club over the last decade or so (apart from Sir Bobby's years) really ended up doing anything? We do need to lower the wage costs and build a structured squad. It's just that Ashley though he could turn us into Arsenal overnight ... which was just an idiotic way of doing it. Over time, as players leave and come in a natural progression, make smart purchases and don't offer the exorbitant amounts we've paid in the past for new players. It's a great idea, it's just that MA turned it into a fire-sale of sell everyone now and replace them with whatever we can happen to lay our hands on--Xisco being the perfect example of the worst of this. the last board built some good squads, that qualified for europe regularly and was the 5th highest placed team in the country. You don't do that if you don't have a good squad. You;re talking bollocks. In the meantime the levels of debt just got worse and worse. You werent living within your means. Exactly -- and we still have one of the highest wage costs in the league. Under Sir Bobby we did alright. But that was five years ago and ever since it's been big costs for players that haven't delivered and no success of any consequence (unless you call the Intertoto a big whopsy-doo--I don't). Instead you've seen managers who have been counting their pennies (Moyes, O'Neal) having greater success than us. Instead we still pay 52 mill a year in wages (just below Liverpool) and we have a wafer thin squad. Just buying one or two big names won't fix it. I quote the original post by Danny B: You need to build a squad ... with a decent wage structure and shared vision for NUFC

One big player is not what you need. You need to build a squad. With a decent wage structure and shared vision for NUFC. what a load of shit Not really ... it's just that the way that MA went about it was wrong and unrealistic (too much--too fast). No-one here can honestly expect us to be contenders for the title in the next three years or so. BUT ... build a decent squad that knows each other, and is consistent and dependable (supplemented by a top quality, willing-to-be-a-rock central midfielder) and you have a basis to build something on. Can anyone honestly say that the amount of money poured into the club over the last decade or so (apart from Sir Bobby's years) really ended up doing anything? We do need to lower the wage costs and build a structured squad. It's just that Ashley though he could turn us into Arsenal overnight ... which was just an idiotic way of doing it. Over time, as players leave and come in a natural progression, make smart purchases and don't offer the exorbitant amounts we've paid in the past for new players. It's a great idea, it's just that MA turned it into a fire-sale of sell everyone now and replace them with whatever we can happen to lay our hands on--Xisco being the perfect example of the worst of this.

If you at the 'larger' clubs that threatened to go down over the last couple of seasons but saved themselves at the last moment (I'm thinking particularly of Fullham and the Hammers), what saved them was some sort of injection where some player took the team on his shoulders (Tevez--though that whole transfer saga has also brought WHU a world of pain) or the team as a whole found some fortitude (particularly, for Fullham, from Bullard and McBride). I just can't see that happening here. The chance of a pre-Christmas sale is look like it's less and less likely. Maybe (and this is a BIG maybe) Wise and MA have learned from their errors and realised that what they did to KK and with transfers has lead to our current situation. Maybe, having realised this, they'll be more likely to search for decent talent and make some purchases. That's if MA even gives a shit about the club ... and the likelihood of that is ... ----- Looking at the current squad, who would be willing to take the team on his shoulders. I think that Dufff has tried ... but he just doesn't have the skills. All huff and puff ... but no 'blow your house down'.

Off topic ... Tom, I was looking at your avatar. Do you think that Oba's ever injured himself doing that? Now that would suck ... out for a couple of games because your celebration fucked up.

Why is it that other teams can go to these places (the Bridge, Old Trafford, Emirates etc.) and get shock results but that we, as supporters, never even believe that we can get results in these situations? That's not a go at anyone ... I'm asking myself that question as much as I am anyone else. Yes, I agree, we'll get crushed. But we may be able to grab a draw Man U-style like we did on the first Saturday. My heart says that's possible ... my head says no.

I wasn't able to watch the game as it wasn't televised here in Australia. All I've seen is about 2 minutes worth of highlights. I've read that Zoggy was responsible for the pass that lead to Martin's goal. Since he hasn't been playing all that much, just interested to know what Zoggy was like throughout the game?

Are we to believe the rumours about Bruce? Anyway, why is there all this talk about a new manager. It's not like it's certain that Kinnear is leaving, is it?

This would be a risk ... a big risk. Sometimes such things work out though, don't they?

Just not Philip Anschutz. The LA Galaxy is even MORE worse run than our club. Co-owner of Microsoft sounds good to me.

Nice to see that most posts on this topic are sensible! I live in Perth, Australia ... so what hope would I have. Anyway, I'm just curious to know why non-Newcastle living supporters do follow the Toon. For me, a number (well, a couple) of reasons: * For a short period of time (from about 2 to five years of age) we lived in Newcastle. My very earliest memories are from my time there. * When I started an interest in watching football (I'm can't play it for shit), around the early 90s, Newcastle were just the most exciting and attacking team to watch. Now that's something that captures a young person's attention. Unfortunately, never had a chance to actually return to the city, but I dream of visiting SJP one day. So, you fellow non-Newcastle supporters, why do you follow. BTW: How shit was Caçapa? What was that game last season when he let in three in the opening five minutes? Went to the loo and came back to see that all shit was happening? Bugger!

After a disappointing second half against WBA, my thoughts turn to Villa and the question of how do we stifle someone with the height and capability of John Carew? Our back half had their moments but also seemed to lose concentration at important moments, and when was the last time we kept a clean sheet? Taylor always tries, Coloccini has become better, and Beye can have his moments (if they're not misconstrued as fouls when instead they're great last-ditch tackles), but how are they gonna cope with a person like Carew? The best I think we can do is a draw ... when a win would really boost us in terms of the ladder. Fingers crossed! And in Given we trust! TEAM NEWS AND MATCH PREVIEW

Win Draw Draw Win Loss is the minimum they can get. 12 points shouldn't be an unrealistic aim, but unfortuntely is. Where's the Wigan game at? Maybe eight points? If we don't win tomorrow, we can just about kiss it all away. Maybe an over reaction, but I think you get my drift. It does help that Spurs' next few games are difficult, but they may even score a draw out of a few of them.

Just that. If we don't want to be headlong as one of the favourites to go down, it is of vital importance that get the six points against WBA and Villa. Both are at home and at least one is very winnable. If not, come Christmas (and the possibility of a resurgent Spurs), we may be in big shit. If we are in big shit, how we we keep hold of players and attract new ones (regardless of who the owner is)? Two most important games of the season so far? Possibly ...

Some day I'll get to attend an actual NUFC game! Till then ... Anyway, what's it like to attend the derby? Is it all taking the piss out of each other but no rough stuff or does the shit really hit the fan? I've heard that one of the favourite things to do is to piss on the terraces of the Stadium of Plight. Right? I was just wondering, 'cause the the chances of attending one any time soon is close to nil. Finally, I'd be happy with a draw ... but I think we might be able to pull one out of the hat!

What did Poll say?? Anyway, found this at The Guardian and it has me buzzing: ----------------- Although Stephen Ireland's late equaliser spared City abject humiliation, Newcastle, reduced to 10 men for most of the match after Habib Beye's controversial dismissal, displayed a determination which bodes well for their chances of averting a relegation fight. "We're unfortunate not to have won against a decent side," enthused Kinnear. "But the dressing room's on fire. Everyone's delighted."

Sorry to upset you ... I wasn't suggesting that you didn't support the club or that Ashley was my hero. I was just suggesting that these are the circumstances we find ourselves in and we have to make the best of it--because, otherwise, it could be a lot worse. You could have at least countered was I was saying about the financial shit we may be in. Because, like it or not (or however strong the support for the club is) it is money that keeps it all afloat. And if you read what I wrote correctly, you'd see that I agree with you about the Jan. transfers. As to JawD (and Gemmill), cheers for the support. Yeah, you may be right about the fact that the mighty-rich owners have nothing to worry about. Nevertheless, even Man U is in ENORMOUS debt and (even though it is unlikely to occur) if the banks call up on the debt to fund the shit that's hit the fan, where are they gonna come up with 700 mill? It's the smaller clubs that might find it really difficult to survive. Third or lower division teams that rely on the support of local businesses for sponsorship might find it all dry up. I think a few teams may have to either start selling their grounds and move in with other teams or just go under all-together. Finally, yes, I am a Glory supporter. Fully-paid membership and all--and very proud of my club (two time winners of the NSL).

While I read the news that the words is going to hell in a hand basket, I find it hard to think about how it will all affect me personally. My savings seem safe, and I'm not planning to retire anytime soon, so my super seems fine too. However, it does look like many football clubs will be badly effected; esp. West Ham and Pompy. Luckily, Newcastle is in a better position. However, with no available money for many potential new owners, we may be stuck with Ashley longer than we thought. If this is the case: * we should just accept it and realise that it may take a while for a new owner to come buy us ... but it will happen. In the meantime, fans located in Newcastle (I live in Perth, Australia) shouldn't boycott games or disrupt the games as they progress (i.e. like the 'Go home cockney mafia' banner). All attention should be given to supporting the lads on the pitch. Staying up is even more important than finding a new owner. * also, while I'm keen, too, for NUFC to find a new owner, I have to admit that we'd be A LOT MORE worse off if Ashley hadn't bought us and paid off the 100 million pounds that we were in debt. We are still 20 mill in debt, but that's nowhere as worse as 120 mil. As such, no banks, creditors etc. are likely to ask for the debt back immediately and leave us in financial ruin and turn us into the next Leeds United. Old Fat Freddy was leading us into financial dire straits. Nevertheless, if we do not find a new owner, there will be no money to spend come January and our now wafer thin squad will start to resemble something like the width of loo paper. Not a happy thought. And if we don't get any new players, then it may be very difficult to stay up. If we don't stay up, we don't receive TV rights money (30 mill plus) and we will be in the financial sh*thole. Just my thoughts. PS: Great forum and from a first-time poster ... hello to you all. GO THE TOON!