Scottish Mag

Apologies for not posting one for the Chelsea game as I have been very busy, both at work and nursing my other half, but here is a thread for the final piss up of the season.

Very true, a lot of sloppy passes but a good performence never the less. Dyer was a tad disappointing and perhaps Carroll should have come on a little earlier. Bramble did surprising well and so did Carr, Taylor was more than canny. I really expected we would lose but hey! this is Newcassel Got to admit thats not the impression I got at the game. Dyer, yes his passing was sloppy but otherwise I thought we played some good fluid football. And it pains me to say it but Carr was pushing for MoM Since when did they make my seat restricted view?

To be fair to Mourinho he stated that he thought Bramble and Taylor had a great game and that we fully deserved to get something from the game..

He was fucking shite today...

Dunno mate?

Only just noticed this thread and the Irish one, I assume Captain Caveman was back on the drink once again...

Freddie Shepherd will pursue his compensation claim against the Football Association with the Premier League's backing after Sir Dave Richards insisted Newcastle's chairman is within his rights to seek legal redress as the Michael Owen dispute rumbles on. The £17m striker has moved closer to his long-awaited comeback in recent days, but there has been no such progress behind the scenes as United officials continue to seek recompense for the career-threatening knee problem that has sidelined Owen for the last 10 months. Shepherd has threatened to prevent the 27-year-old from playing for England this summer unless the FA offer a fair settlement in regard to the medical bills that have cost the club more than £150,000. And, although it would be a drastic step to seek an injunction from the courts to ensure that Steve McClaren is unable to select Owen for international action, Shepherd can count on some powerful allies for support in what promises to be a test case that could change football forever. As the Premier League's long-serving chairman, Richards is among the English game's most influential figures. That he is sympathetic towards Newcastle's cause could be significant in ending the impasse. "I think Freddie Shepherd is very, very justified in asking for certain things," he said during an appearance in the North-East to help promote the Barclays Spaces for Sport initiative. "Mr Shepherd and Newcastle are amongst our members and they have the support of the Premier League. "I can stand here and ask who has suffered because of this. Michael Owen has suffered. But Newcastle United have as well because they have not had his services and someone has to pay for that. "I think Mr Shepherd is quite justified in having his say, and saying `This is what we have got to do'. It's a shame that football has got itself into a position where it is difficult for the FA and Newcastle to get together and sort this out outside the media. But Mr Shepherd has a right to say what he's said." Although Owen was injured while playing for England during last summer's World Cup finals, it is Newcastle who have picked up the bills having sent their record signing to the United States for a career-saving operation. Shepherd, who is also seeking compensation from Fifa having rejected a £1m settlement offer, this week criticised the FA for abdicating their responsibilities towards the player. Having insisted that United have not even received `the price of an aspirin', the St James's Park supremo said unless an agreement can be reached, Owen will be prevented from featuring in England's critical European Championship qualifier against Estonia in June. All parties will hope the matter can be resolved without the need for such action but neither side looks like budging. As an FA board member, Richards is in an awkward position and he knows the consequences could be far-reaching. "I think it's a real test case and it's something that needs to be sorted out in the game," he said. "We have rules and we have regulations and when you join in this sort of thing and you allow players to go (on international duty), you fulfil those obligations and say `Yes, we understand what we are getting into. But over the years, things have changed, and I think we should re-address it, look at it, and lay down some new formulas for how things ought to be done regarding international players and their release." Although an important issue, Newcastle's supporters are more interested in when Owen will next be seen in a black-and-white shirt. Glenn Roeder last night claimed the striker was `50-50' for Sunday's match against Chelsea, although Owen last night admitted such a scenario is unlikely. "We play Chelsea on Sunday, but I'm just feeling the effects of doing so much work and I have got a bit of a tight groin at the minute," he said. "I'm looking at the game after that (at Reading on April 30) to be making my return. It has been frustrating, but when you play at the highest level, you are open to these big injuries. The rehab has gone perfectly well. I played in a behind-closed-doors game and everything has gone well."

Ditto, my work colleagues are doing my nut in just now..

Eating?

Bellamy didn't sulk, he moaned. He was an obnoxious shit but it helped his game. It never stopped him doing his job, in contrast to Charlie's wallowing. Furthermore, he deserved a bollocking for his performance on Saturday. You need to be able to take criticism in a job without handing in your notice straight away. Take it, take it on board, and improve. He sulked anytime he had to play out wide.. Didn't necessarily affect his performance, though. His commitment on the pitch was never in question. I was a fan of Bellamys but I recall sitting at St James on a few occasions when he was asked to play out wide strolling about the park looking as if he had spat the dummy not closing players down and chasing things like he normally would in a match. Certainly appeared to affect his performance.

Bellamy didn't sulk, he moaned. He was an obnoxious shit but it helped his game. It never stopped him doing his job, in contrast to Charlie's wallowing. Furthermore, he deserved a bollocking for his performance on Saturday. You need to be able to take criticism in a job without handing in your notice straight away. Take it, take it on board, and improve. He sulked anytime he had to play out wide..

You might be charged import duty. Sometimes you get away with it, sometimes you don't. I've been had a few times on that with clothes and dvd's, isn't it over a certain amount of money you get charged? £150 or something like that. It can be added onto anything over £18

Scotland 19th pmsl. Would they be in the top 20 in Europe realistically? Kenny Miller main striker etc... How many goals has Rooney scored at international level in the last year or so again?? Whilst we all know Kenny Miller is no world beater, reputations count for fuck all. You have to score the goals to win matches and he has... Why mention England? All I was saying was Scotland being 19th shows what an absolute joke the FIFA rankings still are. I mentioned Rooney as an example in reference to the point about Miller. The point I was making wasn't a dig at England and I was actually highlighting the fact he is a quality player. Surely this Garry O'Conoor is better than Miller though, and Kris Boyd. Your midfield isn't bad, but I'm telling you if your not good enough for Celtic, I'm fuckin sure you're not good enough for the toon, and if we sign Kenny Miller, I won't go back till he, Shepherd and Roeder are gone. Different type of player. Kenny Miller as I said is no world beater and his first touch is woeful however his performances for Scotland more often than not have been fantastic. What he adds to the team is the same kind of urgency and workrate that Bellamy added to our team. He never stops running meaning their is a greater urgency in the team and defending starts from the front rather than inviting teams onto you and his constant chasing of what appears to be lost causes sometimes mean we are creating chances. No one will deny his goals ratio particularly at Celtic isn't that great but even alot of his performances in a Green and White shirt that haven't produced goals from him have been praised for both his workrate and his assisting other players. I too, would not like to see him in a Newcastle shirt however for Scotland his performances merit him having the shirt and the fact remains no one else has offered the same threat up top that he has in a Scotland jersey. As for the whole slagging off our position, whilst these things might not accurately show the best teams in the World they are they not based more so on recent form? I would say our forms been pretty good as of late..

Scotland 19th pmsl. Would they be in the top 20 in Europe realistically? Kenny Miller main striker etc... How many goals has Rooney scored at international level in the last year or so again?? Whilst we all know Kenny Miller is no world beater, reputations count for fuck all. You have to score the goals to win matches and he has... Why mention England? All I was saying was Scotland being 19th shows what an absolute joke the FIFA rankings still are. I mentioned Rooney as an example in reference to the point about Miller. The point I was making wasn't a dig at England and I was actually highlighting the fact he is a quality player.

Scotland 19th pmsl. Would they be in the top 20 in Europe realistically? Kenny Miller main striker etc... How many goals has Rooney scored at international level in the last year or so again?? Whilst we all know Kenny Miller is no world beater, reputations count for fuck all. You have to score the goals to win matches and he has...

They get to play 'diddy' teams and still move up places, how fair is that?

England have fallen to eighth in the latest Fifa world rankings following disappointing displays in March's Euro 2008 qualifiers. Northern Ireland's recent heroics saw them rise to 33rd in the world, two places below Republic of Ireland, who climbed 20 places. Steve McClaren's men could only muster a goalless draw with Israel and were unconvincing in seeing off minnows Andorra last month. Holland and Portugal have both leapfrogged England into sixth and seventh spot respectively. Wins over Liechtenstein and Sweden helped Northern Ireland climb 14 spots, above the likes of Australia and Norway. Steve Staunton's Republic of Ireland were the big movers after beating Wales and Slovakia at Croke Park. Scotland slipped three places into 19th after losing to Italy, who regained top spot from Argentina, while Wales are up to 74th. Top 10 (March position): 1. Italy (2) 2. Argentina (1) 3. Brazil (3) 4. France (4) 5. Germany (5) 6. Holland (7) 7. Portugal (8) 8. England (6) 9. Spain (10) 10. Czech Republic (9) Selected others: 19. Scotland (16) 31. Republic of Ireland (51) 33. Northern Ireland (47) 74. Wales (77)

What pisses me off is the fact the club is using their mouthpiece at the Chronicle to slag him off and drive him out of the club. Regardless of whether there is any truth in the ego stuff that seems to be doing the rounds online or the fact he has been poor this year (although he has been in and out of the side through injuries or Rodents team selections) surely by using that idiot at the Chronicle to slag him off we once again are shooting ourselves in the foot. The same happened with Bellamy and we sold him for less than his worth and I can see the fucking idiots who run this club doing the same once again and letting Charlie go for around 1.5 million or some other stupid low fee.

Not neccessarily were getting them on Howaythetoon

Newcastle starlet Andrew Carroll is set to celebrate his promotion to the first team by penning a new long-term contract. The young striker is the latest product of Newcastle's academy - which is now one of the most productive in England. The Gateshead-born 18-year-old made his Newcastle debut in the Uefa Cup late last year and he has since played twice in the Premiership - including an excellent second half display in the defeat at Portsmouth on Saturday, which saw him singled out for praise from manager Glenn Roeder. The teenage forward's progress is now set to be rewarded with a new contract. "Andrew has been offered a new four-year contract," his representative Peter Harrison told skysports.com. "He is delighted with the way things have been going and obviously the club feel the same. "He has been doing really well and he is looking forward to signing an extension."

Duff only manages half a season these days. I imagine half of Tyneside are chomping at the bit to renew their season ticket with the excitment of getting to watch Alan "Billy Whizz" O'Brien and Matty Pattison fighting it out for the left wing position next season....

It shouldn't matter who else is shortlisted, Ronaldo should win it easy..

Whooppee!

Shola Ameobi will make his Newcastle United comeback in tonight's game with Middlesbrough Reserves at the Riverside Stadium. And also included in the United side will be Titus Bramble, Peter Ramage, Charles N'Zogbia and Saturday's top man Andy Carroll. This means all five of them will be under scrutiny tonight in view of Sunday's game with Chelsea at St James' Park. United did not expect to see Ameobi back in a black-and- white shirt this season after he flew off to Colorado for a hip operation in November. And what Ameobi would give to be involved against Chelsea - a team he has always loved playing against. Bramble, of course, grabbed the winner against the champions in the final game of last season at St James' Park - a goal that meant United qualified for the InterToto Cup and eventually the UEFA Cup. With no contract offer on the table, Bramble must know deep down that he will not be at St James' next season, but the ball is very much in the former Ipswich defender's court as far as Sunday is concerned. Roeder is unlikely to turn to Craig Moore after the way the Aussie let the water in at Portsmouth, and Oguchi Onyewu looks just short of what is needed in the hurly-burly of the Premiership. Moore and Charles N'Zogbia were the two players substituted by Roeder in the first half at Fratton Park and given an interval blasting by the United boss. The word from the N'Zogbia camp is that the midfielder was not happy and there is even talk of a transfer request. But it is questionable as to who would want to pay money for N'Zogbia after what he has produced this season. At this moment Newcastle United is probably the best club N'Zogbia is going to get, and he should look at the way the careers of his compatriots Didier Domi and Laurent Robert nose-dived as soon as they left St James' Park. N'Zogbia has to show he wants to play for United - starting at the Riverside tonight.