Scottish Mag

Warren Barton, who at one time was given a rough ride by the Newcastle United supporters, has appealed to the fans to lay off skipper Scott Parker. The former United full-back was at St James' Park for Saturday's defeat by Manchester City in a new and successful role as a Sky Sports summariser - just as he will be at Bramall Lane in three days' time for the match with Sheffield United. Barton is another Cockney by birth who is proud to be a Geordie by adoption and who still refers to Newcastle United as "we." And speaking from his home in London, he told me today: "I could not believe it when the supporters turned on Scott Parker on Saturday. "Nobody knows more than me that every single supporter has a right to an opinion and the right to express that opinion, but I was disappointed at what I heard on Saturday. "For if ever a player gave 100% for Newcastle United that player is Scotty Parker. When he pulls on that black-and-white shirt he is so committed it is untrue. "The way he flies into tackles I have to say that he is putting himself in danger of personal injury. "And whenever things are going wrong you could put your house on the fact he is the one player who never hides. "In my view he is a great lad and he has turned out to be great signing for my old club." When Barton arrived at St James' Park in a £4m move from Wimbledon in the summer of 1995 he was actually the world's most expensive defender. But he was able to joke today: "In the eyes of some Newcastle supporters I was also the world's worst defender." Barton won over the United supporters and he is now part of Graham Forster's stable on the talk-in circuit, and when he returns to Tyneside he has almost a cult status. His club is undoubtedly Newcastle United and he was as disappointed as anyone at Saturday's defeat by Manchester City. He added: "City made it awkward for us, but if I have one complaint, it was that the tempo of United's play was too slow. "What is needed these days, especially at St James' Park, is to start off with a house on fire, with every player giving his all. "That's what Parker did on Saturday and it is obvious he wants to play for Newcastle United - that makes what happened all the more disappointing. "Indeed I could have understood it if the fans had had a go at some of the other players. "For there are players at Newcastle who should take a leaf out of Scotty's book, and I only hope what happened to Gary Speed in his last couple of seasons at St James' Park does not happen to Parker. "Football is just the same as life in as much as you do not appreciate what you have got until you have no longer got it." The United captain was distraught on Saturday night at a time when he should have been celebrating after the birth of his son. And what will go through his mind when he leads United out against Arsenal in the next game at St James' Park on Monday is open to conjecture. Parker made his United debut against Arsenal at Highbury in the opening day of the 2005-06 season when he had the travelling Toon Army chanting his name. And in the corresponding game at St James' Park last season, Parker had to be helped off in the closing stages because he was clearly physically exhausted after running himself into the ground.

GLENN Roeder has dismissed speculation that Damien Duff could be joining north east neighbours Sunderland as "utter rubbish". Wednesday morning saw a number of reports saying Newcastle United's Irish international was a target of the Black Cats. But suggestions that Duff could make the short trip from St. James' Park to the Stadium of Light in the summer were quickly scotched by Toon boss Glenn. He told nufc.co.uk: "The speculation surrounding Damien Duff and a move to Sunderland is utter rubbish. There is not an ounce of truth in it. "Damien is at Newcastle United for the long haul. He only signed a five-year contract last summer.

Left back even though I am a right footer. Generally like to play anywhere in the back four and have right good kick at the opposition..

A win for Charlton on Friday against Man City puts Sheffield United into the bottom 3 before we play them on Saturday. They will def be up for the fight, will we?

Can anyone actually be bothered going to the game or piss up?

Peasepud is at this very moment setting up more fake websites as he is gutted he is not on the list..

Fulham have reacted to Glenn Roeder's decision to drop Titus Bramble by lodging their interest in the Newcastle centre-back. Bramble, who can move on a lucrative Bosman-style free transfer in the summer, was not even in the squad of 16 which lost to Manchester City at the weekend, and the former England Under-21 international looks certain to leave St James's Park. The 25-year-old was due to be offered a new contract at United until he was made the scapegoat for Newcastle's 2-0 Uefa Cup defeat to Alkmaar and the powerful defender appears to have fallen out with Roeder as a result. Newcastle's manager insisted last month that he had not made a decision on Bramble's future, but the fact he did not even name him among the substitutes at the weekend was a massive snub, which appears to indicate he is no longer part of his plans. Bramble's advisers have had a number of enquiries from Premiership and Championship clubs already this year, but the player had wanted to remain in the North-East and told them to wait for United to make their minds up before revealing plans for next season. The former Ipswich prospect would, The Journal understands, still like to remain a United player, but he is unsure where he stands with Roeder. And with other clubs keen to get a decision as they formulate their own re-building plans, time is running out. Bramble has been heavily linked with a switch to Portsmouth since January, where Harry Redknapp wants to pair him with Sol Campbell, but Fulham boss Chris Coleman has also been alerted to his availability after the events at the weekend. A move to London might appeal to Bramble as it is close to his home town of Ipswich but, despite his mixed fortunes at St James's Park, Bramble is still admired by several Premiership managers who believe they can make him a consistently dominating defender. The move to Portsmouth would probably be the most attractive proposition given that it would allow Bramble the chance to play alongside Campbell, a player he has the utmost respect for. In turn, Redknapp believes Campbell would be the ideal player to bring out the best in Bramble, as he would benefit from his experience as well as his organisational skills. Interestingly, this is a partnership which could have been built at Newcastle but Roeder did not want to sign the former England international last summer as he was not sure about his fitness record. It is a decision which has backfired on Newcastle's manager as Campbell has been in magnificent form for Pompey, making 32 appearances as the south coast club push for a shock European place. Bramble will not be the only departure in the summer and, as revealed in The Journal on Monday, Sunderland will make a bid for Damien Duff if they are promoted to the Premiership. The Wearsiders have privately admitted they are interested in the former Chelsea star who has not lived up to expectations at United. And Duff could be persuaded to move as he would link up with a large Irish contingent on Wearside, as well as Keane, his former Eire captain. Meanwhile, Craig Moore is expected to be fit for the trip to Sheffield United, despite limping off with a groin strain against Manchester City. The Australian, who is expected to play in either the Middle East or his homeland next season, is hoping to return to training on Thursday. Roeder said: "By getting Craig off the field when we did, we prevented any serious damage to his groin. He will be back training with us again by Thursday and we feel that he has a genuine chance of playing against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Saturday. "Stephen Carr also took a knock on Saturday, but he will also be back on Thursday and will be OK for the weekend."

I personally think that was a story much like others that has been posted that much online that people believe it to be true..

I fucking hope so but after all the ITK bullshit that floated about last year which then seen us appoint the Rodent I do not have confidence in FS to make such an appointment. Anyhoo another couple of bad results for England and he'd fook off to go and manage them..

Villarreal star Diego Forlan has revealed that he turned down an audacious approach from Sunderland. The ambitious Championship outfit have been revitalised this term under Roy Keane. The Black Cats are locked in the Championship promotion battle and Keane, backed by chairman Niall Quinn - is already looking towards next season, which they hope will be in the top-flight. Forlan has now revealed that his ex-Manchester United team-mate Keane - offered him the chance of a return to England with a move to the Stadium of Light. However, the Uruguayan striker decided to pen a new long-term deal at El Madrigal - but admitted a return to English shores is still an attractive option. "I am a very good friend of Roy from my stay at United. For me, he is a star worldwide," he told The Mirror. "Roy called me to explain his project at Sunderland and offered the chance to play there as one of the main reinforcements in the next campaign. "I'm grateful but I'm happy here. But I may return one day. Nothing is impossible in football."

Glenn Roeder has already hinted at a major summer clear-out at Newcastle after a hugely disappointing season - but it could be bigger than expected following the inept 1-0 defeat to Manchester City. Magpies manager Roeder has talked tough in recent weeks about his plans for the future, but his players have failed to respond to their manager's warnings with two successive Premiership defeats to Charlton and City after the Uefa Cup exit in Alkmaar. And while the Magpies boss has attempted to galvanise his squad with threats and ultimatums, there appears to be an air of despondency within the squad and there is a danger there could be more than a just a clearing of the dead wood in the summer. Craig Moore, who picked up yet another injury to ruin an otherwise decent performance on Saturday, will head to the Middle East or Australia at the end of the season, while Titus Bramble will almost certainly sign for Portsmouth, having been dropped from the first team squad altogether at the weekend. Newcastle will also look for buyers for Celestine Babayaro and Stephen Carr, while Onyewu Oguchi is unlikely to have his loan deal from Standard Liege turned into a permanent move. But The Journal understands that other Premiership and European clubs are also prepared to test United's resolve to hang on to Damien Duff, Kieron Dyer, Emre and Scott Parker when the transfer window opens in the summer. Roeder has always insisted he wants to build a team around Parker, quoting the midfielder as one of his "big hitters" alongside Michael Owen and Shay Given last month. But the England international, who was made captain at the start of the season, has had a series of verbal clashes with supporters which have deeply upset the midfielder, alerting United's rivals. Parker's commitment to the Newcastle cause cannot be questioned, but the former Chelsea star has been strangely singled out for severe criticism by some sections of the club's support. The 26-year-old was wanted by Everton and Wigan before he signed for former Newcastle boss Graeme Souness in 2005 and his stock remains high on Merseyside. Everton manager David Moyes could try and exploit Parker's problems by making another bid, while Tottenham Hotspur have also been monitoring his situation. Dyer would also be expected to remain at St James's Park next season, but the England star has suffered a worrying dip in form in recent games and was awful against City. The former Ipswich prospect has several admirers among other Premiership managers and could be sacrificed to raise funds if an attractive offer was made. Emre is another whose future is uncertain. Roeder wants to keep hold of the Turkish international, having defended him in his FA racism charge last month, but the former Inter Milan man is another who could be sold if a big offer was made. The 26-year-old has already been linked with several clubs in the German Bundesliga, including Bayern Munich and Hertha Berlin and was not in the starting line-up against Manchester City. Roeder has also defended Duff - who was one of United's better players against City - this season as the Republic of Ireland international has failed to find the form which once made him one of the most feared wingers in the Premiership. But that will not stop other clubs from enquiring about his availability in the summer and there are already rumours circulating that Roy Keane wants to make his former Republic of Ireland team-mate part of the Irish contingent at Sunderland if they are promoted to the Premiership. While United might be reluctant to sell any of the four, the quartet will also need to be reassured that United can match their ambitions. The Magpies are almost certainly going to fail to qualify for Europe next season and that raises question marks about their ability to attract top players to the North-East. Given United's collapse this season, Roeder knows he needs to make a drastic overhaul of the squad but, unless results improve dramatically between now and the end of the season, there is no guarantee the former Newcastle skipper will still be in the job to spend the summer's transfer kitty. Roeder has refused to reveal his targets, although chairman Freddie Shepherd - who will be keeping a close eye on performances and results, starting at relegation-threatened Sheffield United next weekend - has attempted to appease disgruntled supporters with a promise of significant investment. He said: "We know that the teams needs looking at in more ways than one and that's what we are concentrating on. The squad will be strengthened in the close season - and rarely has there ever been a summer when there have not been comings and goings at St James's Park?"

I quite like Given and Solano, struggling after that though...

Freddy Shepherd pledged today that Newcastle United will strengthen their squad for next season - on the day the club announced plans to increase the St James' Park capacity to 60,000. Under Plc rules Shepherd is not allowed to talk about specific financial figures, but after four Premiership games without a win - or a goal - the United chairman knows only too well that new blood is needed in the close season. And he must also know that pathetic performances like the one against Manchester City on Saturday will empty St James' Park, not get another 8,000 supporters through the door. For what it's worth, I don't agree with Glenn Roeder's declaration that his side are clear of the relegation zone. And before plans for next season are finalised, United still have plenty of work to do, starting in what is bound to be a difficult game with Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Saturday. United were at pains today to insist that the £300m development at St James' Park, which will bring an increased capacity, a conference centre, hotels and luxury apartments, is a package which is "independent of its own revenues". Indeed, Shepherd told me today: "We know that the teams needs looking at in more ways than one and that's what we are concentrating on. "The squad will be strengthened in the close season - and really has there ever been a summer when there have not been comings and goings at St James' Park?" It was a bad day at the office for Glenn Roeder and United on Saturday and it makes you wonder how their former skipper took them to seventh place in the table and into Europe as the top English manager in the Premiership with this squad 12 months ago. Not for the first time this season when United have had a bad run, bpth Shepherd and Roeder have found themselves under fire from despairing fans. Roeder knows that he will be judged by his chairman on how he wheels and deals in the transfer market in the summer when he is finally given the chance to buy players to add to the only other two he has been allowed to buy - Damien Duff and Oba Martins. But at the same time it has to be said that the only player not a full international in United's line-up against Manchester City was Steven Taylor - and he was their best player. Roeder needs a good central defender to play alongside Taylor next season and it was significant that Titus Bramble did not make the 16 on Saturday. And when he came on as a substitute for the admirable Craig Moore, Oguchi Onyewu was found wanting on the City winner from one-time Sir Bobby Robson target Emile Mpenza, while at the other end Gooch missed a simple header and the chance to earn United a draw. Moore limped off with groin injury, and as a result there is a chance that he has played his last game for United. It has to be said that when he has been on the field the Aussie defender has never let the side down. One player who will not be replacing Moore, despite reports to the contrary, is Man City's former United defender Sylvain Distin. For, like another of his French colleagues Alain Goma who agitated for a move to London and went to Fulham, Distin will be playing at Craven Cottage next season.

Actually is there a chance this could just be the PR department at the club trying to create what they think is some good news around the area, at a time when the club is getting some amount of stick off both the media and the supporters?

Big 30! All the best dude..

I look forward to the 60,000 sell outs in the Championship, no one will be able to sing "where were you when you were shit.."

Go into McDonalds or Burger King and ask for a job application form...

Obviously it is Ifs, Buts and Maybes but having played Charlton and City in the last couple of weeks I fancy Charlton to beat City on Friday night. If we are going into a match against Sheff Utd on Saturday only 4 points away from 18th that fucking idiot Roeder and the players better realise they will be in a relegation battle. Fuck knows if this was the attitude he took the year he went down with West Ham but both him and the players better get their act together or we are fucked..

Right now I do not give a fuck what it looks like as I won't be giving them anymore money other than for my season ticket...

Roeder can fuck off, the team he put out didn't help. Not that it would have made much of a difference even if we had a different starting 11 what with the shower of shite we have in the current squad

Arsenal and Chelsea at home, Sheff Utd and Pompey away in our next four matches. We will be lucky to get anything from these matches. No goals in our last 4 matches We better hope Man City beat Charlton on Friday night...

I remember him from the old days back on the official forum. Have not had any contact with him though.

In the Gallowgate there were some chants of "Are you Souness in disguise..."

Emre Belozoglu admits his fight to clear his name against charges of racism left him unable to focus on football. The Newcastle United midfielder had been accused of racial abuse towards Everton defender Joseph Yobo in December. He was later cleared of the charge by The Football Association, but the Turkey international concedes it was a traumatic period. "It has been a very difficult time for me and I thank God that it is over," Emre told the News of the World. "It was just a discussion on the field and what's important is that the player who had the conversation with me never had a problem or said anything about it. "There were two team-mates of his who did and therefore I had a terrible six-week period. "If Yobo had confirmed that I said anything like I was being accused of then, yes, I would be guilty, but he never did. "I haven't been able to focus on football. It has been a nightmare for me. "Some nights I could not even close my eyes to sleep. That's why I wasn't in the right frame of mind to play lately. "Now I just want to get back to playing football and giving my all for Newcastle on the field."

Oguchi Onyewu is determined to prove he merits a contract at Newcastle United next season. The defender is on loan from Standard Liege and has yet to fully convince he can be a commanding figure in the Premiership. Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder is keen to improve his defence in the summer and Onyewu hopes to be in those plans. The United States international outlined his desire to stay at St James' Park, but admits he must show his best form in the closing weeks of the season. "I'd definitely like to be here next year," Onyewu told the Evening Chronicle. "I've settled in well with my team-mates and I am quite happy. "This is a situation and place I'd like to be in come next season. "Newcastle are a great club and it's a great city. I think I can learn a lot from the coach Glenn Roeder. "I have to think optimistically and think that things will work out. "It depends if the coach picks me, of course, because more players are coming back from injury. That means he has a lot more options for his line-up. "I just have to continue trying to impress him and hopefully it will be enough."