Scottish Mag

Who?

I do not know if I am trying to convince myself this or not but I just feel we may be pleasantly surprised by who we appoint. Yesterdays events make no sense at all what with Mort recently giving Sam backing and calling all talk of his exit tedious, over the last week (including yesterday afternoon) trying to sign Sams targets and having him conduct press conferences only for him moments later to get the bullet. As Isegrim stated yesterday all signs are surely that we have been given the green light from someone who is interested in taking over. The calibre of the manager is also in question for me. Whilst the media want us to believe Redknapp, Hughes etc are the favourites look at who has been touted by them over the last couple of years Venables, Jones and Hoddle. Ashley has spent a hell of alot taking over the club and has, out of his own pocket, cleared our debts. I just cannot get my head round him employing someone like Redknapp or Hughes who have no experience of great success. Look at the other managerial appointments clubs who have has big takeovers have employed Mourinho, Benitez, O'Neill, Sven etc all proven winners. Many of us, myself included, think that going for guys like Lippi, Van Gaal, Deschamps, Mourinho etc are so unrealistic, and yes maybe they are, but I would like to see the club have the balls to at least attempt for managers of this calibre. If it takes funny money whats the problem, it has worked often enough when trying to attract players to the club. Who knows I have been "surprised" by many of our last appointments, and not in the way I wanted. But for now I would like to believe we have the balls to approach a manager with pedigree and until Mike Baldwin is announced will keep on dreaming....

Wasn't really an interview. Doesn't seem too bothered though. Must be delighted with his pay off....

If you believe what the media say about us it sounds like a match made in heaven....

..Big Sam replacing the manager we appoint (Redknapp, Hughes?) and being a success at that club whilst we sack another failure? Knowing our club it would be a real possibility.

Where id you get that from Scots marra? Oddschecker. Before that it was..

Agree... Remember when we sacked Robson, Souness was never shorter than about 66/1... Until the morning he was announced. Christ, I can remember that morning "Souness's odds seem to be getting shorter" "Club to make a statement soon" "Shit" Have a look here CLICKY if you want the full reminder You wanted Peasepud O'Leary..... As opposed to the guy who'll be the next Scotland manager.....? Yup! When did Mark McGhee get linked with Newcastle?

All they keep saying is "we understand that...."

Meh

Agree... Remember when we sacked Robson, Souness was never shorter than about 66/1... Until the morning he was announced. Christ, I can remember that morning "Souness's odds seem to be getting shorter" "Club to make a statement soon" "Shit" Have a look here CLICKY if you want the full reminder You wanted Peasepud O'Leary.....

Whatever...

Well if Peter Haddock said it, it must be true...

Its going to be Hughes or Redknapp...

Yes its certainly possible and would be a dream for you as you could start an argument about the boards, Shepherd etc However I think attempting to sign Brown and sounding out a move for Diarra appears that they were prepared to back him. It was done so quickly and strangely with the backing, possible transfers that it certainly looks like there has either been a fall out over something or someone has given us the green light.

I thought it was an official statement according to SSN I don't think so. I thought it was just another "source from within the club"

I never had you down as delusional! I'll try to kid myself as well. The decisions looks rather hasty considering the circumstances - Allardyce looking still very much in the job at 5pm. So they probably were working/sounding out things behind the scenes and got clear signals to be able to move for a top man they really want thus acting and now moving to tie things up through "the right channels". But then - this is Newcastle. We don't do "planning", we only do laughing stocks... Thats exactly what I think about it all. The club seemed to be behind him and was even making attempts to sign some of his targets over the last week or so. As you say surely the only logical thing (which is hard to believe at this club) is that we have been given the green light by someone.

http://www.oddschecker.com/football/footba...rmanent-manager Latest odds. Redknapp the favourite...

I am not reading too much into the comment about a British manager just now, as no one was actually quoted as saying it.

If they give the job to Shearer it will make us look an even bigger joke than we already are...

With some of the names mentioned I think I would rather Ant and Dec....

.......Jimbo posts the "The Official Shearer out thread"?

I can only imagine Ashley has someone lined up. Maybe Oliver was right at the weekend about a top manager being interested...

EMRE is facing a race to be fit for Saturday’s league trip to Manchester United but his longer-term Newcastle future hangs on Sam Allardyce’s ability to sign a replacement before the end of the month. The Turkish midfielder has failed to win a regular starting place under Allardyce and wants a move, with Bayern Munich, Galatasaray and Monaco interested. Shola Ameobi is another out of favour player in demand, with Middlesbrough and a host of Championship sides tracking the striker. But with his squad seriously depleted, Allardyce is adamant he will not sell anyone until replacements have arrived. “I do not want to lose any players really, but I’m in the same boat as everyone else,” Allardyce explained. “If a large enough offer is made for one of my fringe players, and we can use the money to bring in a replacement who will strengthen the side, we will look at it. It all depends on how much is offered and who else is available. “I certainly do not want to lose anyone and not replace them, we do not have a big enough squad to do that. It would have to be a sizeable offer to tempt me.” Ameobi missed last night’s reserve team game against Sunderland with a knee injury, but the midfield is Allardyce’s biggest concern after Emre also sat out with an ankle problem. The Magpies are already without central midfielders Abdoulaye Faye, Geremi and Joey Barton on Saturday – the first two through African Cup of Nations duty, the latter following his arrest in December. Barton’s therapist Peter Kay, who is looking after the 25-year-old until his court appearance on assault charges a week today, was yesterday quoted as saying of his prospects of an on-field return: “It will not be happening in the near future. There are bail guidelines we are adhering to and we’re concentrating on the work we need to do, which is going well.” Nicky Butt is suspended for next Wednesday’s FA Cup third round replay against Stoke City after his 10th caution this season, potentially leaving Allardyce with no specialist central midfielders that night if Emre cannot shake off his problem. Stephen Carr made his return from a hamstring injury for the reserves last night, however, playing the full 90 minutes, and Allardyce admitted the right-back’s recovery had come at an ideal moment. “It’s great timing to have Stephen Carr back as Habib Beye has gone away for the African Cup of Nations,” he noted. “Stephen is a very experienced player and it will be good to have him back in the first-team picture. “He needs to work on his match fitness, but that is why the reserve team games are important to us. We will have a look at him over the next few days and then decide whether he plays against Manchester United.” Even with everyone fit this season, Newcastle’s midfield has looked unbalanced. Emre apart, the rest are combative players short on guile and goal threat, and the former Inter Milan star has brought little of either when he has played. Consequently, United have been linked with moves for Arsenal’s Lassana Diarra and Bolton Wanderers’ Kevin Nolan. Diarra is agitating for a move because of a lack of first-team opportunities, as he did at Chelsea in August. Gunners boss Wenger is reluctant to sell and it seems inconceivable he would let him join Newcastle (Portsmouth are also interested) until after they potentially face them twice in four days. The sides meet in the Premier League on January 29 at 7.45pm, and will do so in the FA Cup the previous Saturday at 3pm should Newcastle beat Stoke next week. The potential Cup game will take place at the traditional time after BBC television overlooked it for live coverage. They will instead screen the fourth round ties at Mansfield Town (against Middlesbrough), Wigan Athletic, Manchester United and Sheffield United. Meanwhile, Wesley Ngo Baheng made his reserves debut last night and Allardyce pointed to the 18-year-old midfielder’s signing from Le Havre as an example of the work he is doing below first-team level. “We’ve been waiting for his international clearance to come through, which has been frustrating,” he said. “He’s another one for the future following the signing of Ben Tozer this week and shows we are looking to strengthen at every level.”