Scottish Mag

Cheers mate

Anyone know anywhere I can find high res logos of international football teams. I am looking for a few and unsuprisingly want the current Scotland one. Any ideas? Cheers

STEVE Bruce is planning to test Newcastle’s resolve to hold on to Michael Owen as he prepares to make an audacious attempt to lure the £16m striker to Wigan. But Owen’s sole focus is on regaining his place in United’s starting XI having returned to the club’s training ground following intensive treatment for a torn thigh muscle at a leading clinic in Munich. That the 27-year-old has stepped up his rehabilitation programme cannot fail to act as a fillip for Sam Allardyce as he attempts to recover from his team’s latest destabilising Premier League defeat. Yet the under-pressure Magpies boss will not be alone in keeping a close eye on the England international’s progress as January’s transfer window approaches. Having taken charge at the JJB Stadium this week, Bruce has drawn up an ambitious shopping list as he attempts to recruit the players he feels are required to guarantee Premier League survival. Owen’s name is understood to feature on it. Wigan’s Corbridge-born boss – then in charge at Birmingham – tried to sign the striker prior to his record-breaking move to St James’s Park from Real Madrid in 2005. Owen also rejected an offer from Latics chairman Dave Whelan in order to join Newcastle. The Journal understands that, having joined forces this week, Bruce and Whelan have revived their interest in the former Liverpool favourite. The latter has earmarked significant funds for squad strengthening and informed his manager that he has no qualms about bankrolling a move for such a high-profile player. Yet encouragement from the North-East is not expected. Less than a month has passed since Owen admitted that he has become both bemused and frustrated about the speculation that continues to surround his future plans. “I’m still here, and I’m loving it here,” insisted a player contracted to Newcastle for a further 18 months. “There hasn’t been a month without someone saying that I’m going here, there or everywhere. But I’m looking forward to continuing the season at Newcastle.” Allardyce last month warned Owen’s suitors not to bother bidding for the striker and insisted that Newcastle’s asking price would prove prohibitive. But, although the ill-conceived release clauses inserted into the player’s contract are no longer valid, the 53-year-old admitted that his determination to retain his number 10’s services would weaken were a transfer to be demanded. While Manchester City’s long-held interest in Owen remains a concern, Wigan’s interest isn’t expected to appeal. Bruce is keen to pair the forward with Emile Heskey, his England team-mate, but the Latics boss is understood to be realistic about his chances. Owen’s immediate concern is his fitness rather than his future and having returned from Dr Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt’s renowned clinic this week, the striker is determined to make his latest first-team comeback as soon as possible. The initial diagnosis suggested that Owen would spend six weeks on the sidelines. But having made a positive response to the treatment he has received in Bavaria, it is hoped that the healing process can be expedited. That will come as welcome news for Allardyce as he strives to recover from Saturday’s damaging 3-0 defeat by Liverpool. Owen will not be available for Saturday’s difficult game at Blackburn, but Abdoulaye Faye and Steven Taylor might be. The pair missed last weekend’s debacle, but are hoping the respective hamstring and back problems that sidelined them will have cleared up in time to enable them both to participate at Ewood Park. David Rozehnal and Jose Enrique stand to lose their places. Although Newcastle have taken just one point from the last 12 available, more than 5,000 supporters are expected to travel to Blackburn this weekend. “That’s fantastic,” said Allardyce last night. “It makes me more determined to do well for them and it’s something that I’ll be reminding the players about this week. It’s amazing. It shows the passion that our fans have for the club.” Meanwhile, Falkirk manager John Hughes is keen to keep on-loan goalkeeper Tim Krul until next summer. The Dutchman’s current contract is nearing an end, but Hughes hopes Allardyce will agree to extend it. Matty Pattison, on loan at Norwich, is keen to make his move to Carrow Road a permanent one having been reunited with Glenn Roeder. United officials are not expected to oppose his departure.

Former Wigan boss Paul Jewell is set to be named as the new manager of Derby County, BBC Sport understands. The Premier League's bottom club have called a 0930 GMT news conference at which Jewell's appointment looks certain to be confirmed. MK Dons boss Paul Ince had also been linked with the Derby vacancy after Billy Davies left the club on Monday. The Rams have collected just six points from their opening 14 matches to lie four points adrift of safety. Jewell quit Wigan after securing their Premier League safety on the final day of last season. Since leaving the Latics he has turned down an approach from the Republic of Ireland and also rejected the chance to return to the Latics after Chris Hutchings was sacked. He was also linked with Bolton and Birmingham. Derby face a hard task of presering their Premier League status after winning promotion under Davies last season. They have just one win so far this season, which came against Newcastle, and have conceded 33 goals.

If there is a god please make sure the SFA do not appoint Souness as his replacement

With seven goals shipped in the last two home games and unhappiness at several other results this season (i.e. Derby, Reading and the Mackems) it's abundantly clear there are problems aplenty at NUFC where confidence in Sam Allardyce is draining. It is an extremely worrying situation though it has to be said emphatically that those calling for Allardyce to be sacked are offering few suggestions as to who might replace him. As we all know to our bitter experience, we are a club that has found it very easy to sack managers but has little clue as to how to appoint the right man. NUFC appears to be stuck in a perpetual Groundhog Day scenario of sack-a-manager-appoint-a-manager-sack-a-manager with the club treading water whilst those around us put down proper foundations and move forward. With every managerial appointment that fails, the undercurrent is one of decline. It just can't go on. I looked at the league table this morning (nice to see the Mackems slip into the bottom three by the way) and couldn't help but be struck by the sight of those clubs with a modicum of stability making progress up the table. Everton have had some stop-start seasons under David Moyes but after four or some such seasons look like a pretty handy Premiership side. To our pleasure last Saturday, the Toffees did very well. O'Neill has only been at Villa a season and a bit, hasn't spent spectacularly but there are clear signs of progress. Redknapp has been back at Pompey, spent wisely, built steadily and are widely tipped to for a UEFA Cup spot. But the real example of clubs getting it right and getting it wrong was at SJP on Saturday. I remember vividly being at Anfield (it was roasting and the uncovered pale skinned amongst us collected some uncomfortable sun burn to go with the NUFC headache associated) in the Anfield Road End on the last day of the season when we were seeking a point to ensure UEFA Cup qualification in a season where its fair to say we blew two Champions League campaigns in one go - namely SBR's last full term of office. The Partzan penalty shoot out pisser and a campaign which unravelled through a lack of discipline from the brat pack. We hung on and got the point and UEFA Cup football the following season and Liverpool squeaked into the Champions League. The striking thing about that game however was what it meant to both the managers. Gerard Houllier, identified as past his sell-by date, who had brought numerous trophies to Anfield over his five year reign (though no title) was shown the door in a dignified and well ordered fashion. Clearly, the Liverpool board had been doing its homework and appointed Rafael Benitez as his replacement in an effortless succession. Benitez arrived, began bringing in a core of his own players and prepared for the following season. Shepherd made some lame comments about not wanting to be the man who shot Bambi - meaning he lacked the balls to shuffle a clearly shot SBR into retirement. We had a close season of rancour and rumour. SBR, with responsibility but apparently no authority did little to prepare the team for the following season and appeared, in my opinion, to be wholly undermined by Shepherd, who it has been alleged assumed control for the purchase and sale of players. The contrast in the management of Liverpool and Newcastle United could not have been more stark. The following season, Liverpool, though far from the finished product and carrying enough luck to sink a battleship won the Champions League on a mental night in Istanbul. Newcastle United on the other hand had sold Woodgate to Real Madrid with no replacement lined up, made a bizarre bid for Wayne "only-going-to-one-place-and-it-certainly-wasn't-NUFC" Rooney, sacked SBR early in the season and attempted to appoint a replacement. It is alleged the club was turned down by Steve Bruce, who had signed a new contract with Birmingham in the previous summer and Sam Allardyce who did not wish to leave Bolton during the season and who it is further rumoured could not come to an agreement about building a coaching set up at NUFC similar to the one he had at Bolton, with Shepherd. A return to football for Martin O'Neill as he did the right thing and stayed by his wife's side through her illness didn't happen and further rumours the job was offered to Alan Shearer but was declined also did the rounds. Rumoured to be three games from the sack at Blackburn, the job was offered to Graeme Souness, who naturally accepted. Souness turned NUFC into a joke, his buying of players predominantly via one agent, foolhardy to say the least as the club began to revolve around his supreme vanity and out-dated understanding of the game, man-management and even modern life. He was sacked inevitably and to everyone's amazement Roeder appointed. You all know what happened in the close season - Shepherd went after O'Neill, failed miserably and we stumbled into last season ill-prepared with the inevitable results. Roeder, lamentably out of his depth led NUFC through a car crash of a season. Years and years of poor management, lack of planning, fluffed decisions, wasted resources and our club run by bluffers, greedy bastards, bull-shitters and inadequates. That cycle has to be broken if Newcastle United is ever to have a future of progress. This isn't something a lot of you reading this will agree with. There is a hang 'em high mood gathering pace amongst supporters who now have identified Sam Allardyce as the devil incarnate, the root of all of our woes and if we could only get rid of Sam ... You know the rest. Fair enough, far be it from me to act as Allardyce's defence counsel but I will ask the question - if not Sam, then who? We're busy putting the next issue of true faith together (its out for the Birmingham game) and the editorial team have a major problem. We know there is a strong element of our support who wishes it had never clapped sight on Allardyce. We've given a platform for those views via true faith and we'll continue to do so. We edit the fanzine, we don't censor it. But we've invited several of Allardyce's most vitriolic of critics to put together a piece which might act as a short-list of potential successors to Sam Allardyce. We're after five names. So far, his critics, the lads and lasses calling for Sam's bollocks to be nailed to the top of The Leazes, have fluffed that opportunity. Those of you reading this who think you could oblige need to know one thing - we aren't after a wish-list of celebrity managers. We want a list of names who could realistically be attracted to Newcastle United at this moment in time, whose contracts would allow them to join us and whose career records suggest something approaching success but who may regard coming to Newcastle United as an opportunity. Its easy to rattle down a list of names; Shearer (how many times are we going to ask him before we get the message?), Mourinho (ha-ha-ha), Jol (just left Spurs third bottom), Hitzfeld, Lippi, Capello and any other Euro high achiever who might think its a great idea to come and manage a club which has an unenviable reputation as a managerial graveyard, where there is a huge amount of uncertainly regarding the dosh available to strengthen the squad, which isn't in London or the Champions League, which hasn't won a domestic honour since 1955, with a financial situation which is far from ideal and with a following, though totally devoted, clearly well out of patience. Without being drawn into a tedious debate about what constitutes a "big club" (yawn) I think we all have to acknowledge, Newcastle United does not have the cachet it might have had under KK or even under SBR. I'd love to delude myself the top players and best managers all over Europe are out their pissing themselves about coming to NUFC but they are not. The best will want to go where they have the best opportunity for success, where they will be developed and where they will be paid the most. Newcastle United, at this moment in time is not that kind of destination and I hate myself for coming to that conclusion. But it is the reality. We've got lots of supporters, we've got a nice stadium but fuck all else. The Academy? Nothing coming through to get excited about and a squad largely made from cast-offs from the bargain basement of European football - that is all Allardyce was able to bring in with the budget he had available. Any of you out there who fancy getting five names to us as Sam's potential successors, which won't make us piss ourselves laughing, with a strong explanation as to why they would come and how they would succeed, without saying - "give Jose £6bn and I'm certain he'd come here for a couple of years and win the lot" and we'll consider it for publication. Its an 800 word limit. Its got to be well-written and it hasn't got to carry any amount of pre-conditions. Its got to be a workable list. Fancy it? Well done if you are because plenty others have passed on the opportunity - editor@true-faith.co.uk - Be quick because we need it sharp. * We were a shambles at home to Liverpool. It was a different kind of shambles to Portsmouth and Derby but a shambles nonetheless. Like many I sat on my Mag perch at SJP on Saturday and was utterly bewildered by what I saw. I couldn't tell you what formation we had out and keep a straight face, what the substitutions meant or what the game plan was. I looked at Nigel Pearson on the touch-line and couldn't help but think of those grim photos we used to laugh at of him next to Captain Lager down at The Beasts and West Brom as events overcame him. I looked at Terry McDermott and wondered what this bloke is bringing to the party. Coach? I don't know. There is no doubt Allardyce lost the crowd on Saturday or rather those who love a bit booing and think its okay to join in with the taunts from the away end. Welcome to Celebrity Big Brother Football. We just need Davina McCall outside the main stand at The Milburn bringing out the next sap who has incurred the wrath of the boo-boys into the flash-lights. I'm sure I wasn't the only one to compare the incomparable support we had at Anfield in '84 for that FAC tie on the Friday night and the fractious SJP on Saturday. We're all entitled to be unhappy at performances like that but I just don't get how allowing yourself to be framed abusing the manager for the idle entertainment of the SKY generation counts as supporting the club. If that sounds sniffy, its not meant to and once again, those who have been booing at SJP since Villa this season can contact us at true faith and make their case as to how its helping Newcastle United Football Club. * To quote the manager its a tough period and we have to dig in. He didn't mean the support, he meant the players but he could have been talking to us. Whatever anyone thinks of Sam Alardyce, and remember we aren't his defence counsel, he doesn't talk shite. He has held his hands up and admitted the team were gash when they clearly have been. We can go two ways. We can delight the club's enemies in the media and give them a nice new juicy story by continuing to slaughter Allardyce, which will have the specific result of making matters much worse or we can get behind the lads as in the days of yore; the away following is beyond compare in its excellence but we can turn SJP into a bear pit, where there is rage and venom in every nook and cranny but it is turned against the opposition rather than in ourselves. Its up to all of us. Now is the time for good men and women to come to the aid of the club we all love! Keep On, Keepin' On ...

Thats a few folk between here and N-O now suggested Big Eck. Don't get me wrong I am delighted with the job he has done with Scotland (But to be fair the team pretty much picks itself these days) but to think about appointing him would just be another side step as would the likes of Moyes, Coppell etc. The majority of their success has been built on stability and having time to build a team something our supporters are not prepared to give.

Whilst I am not saying Geremi didn't have a stinker, he spent the whole match overexposed and was always on a hiding to nothing.

Well, that's the theory but it's a myth. He's ineffectual in anything other than a forward role and even then he won't get you many goals. He's a canny player imo but £6million was a lot a 4th choice forward / Viduka's back-up* for a club who had a net spend of about £10m in the summer. *How I see him rather than how Allardyce does. He had a canny game up front with Martins against Everton. I would like to see him played there more often like you say as Vidukas replacement.

Wishful thinking. We are stuck with Babayaro until 2009 Who's finished in 2008 with Carr then? Damage? Aye

Even if we did get someone like Capello in (which I really don't think we will) they would be lucky to get half a dozen games before the booing and moaning started.

Wishful thinking. We are stuck with Babayaro until 2009

So who has been sacked/left so far? Mourinho Jol Hutchings Davies Bruce Lee And Southgate, Allardyce and Benitez all under pressure and looking likely to be next in line. With all the booing and pressure put onto teams and players the Premiership is just one big pantomime now.

BBC. If Big Eck leaves the Scotland job perhaps Billy Davies can save us from them appointing Souness... I dunno if he would be good or not But I think Big Eck is on his way. Aye I am not saying he is my first choice but the more options we have other than Souness the better. Unfortunatly its looking like Big Eck is on his way and I honestly think we will end up with the idiot in charge

BBC. If Big Eck leaves the Scotland job perhaps Billy Davies can save us from them appointing Souness...

Thats me booked a room in the travelodge for the 23rd

2 games ago we lost 4-1 at home and the team were booed off, after being shown up by Reading. Cloud cuckoo land. In the full interview I am sure he had been talking about home match form and was saying how after two good wins against Everton and Spurs the next next home matches later and its a disaster.

SAM ALLARDYCE’S job as Newcastle manager is not yet under threat – despite the fans’ revolt against him. And the United boss is pushing ahead with plans for the January transfer window, with American strikers Eddie Jones and Jozy Altidore in his sights. Allardyce was barracked with chants of “Big Sam for England” by seething supporters yesterday during the 3-0 home defeat by Liverpool. But a source close to Magpies chairman Chris Mort last night insisted talk of Allardyce being on the brink of the sack was “absolute nonsense”. The Sunday Sun understands Mort and United owner Mike Ashley discussed possible moves for Johnson and Altidore while on business in the States last week. New York Red Bulls starket Altidore, just 18, is rated as one of the brightest talents America has ever produced, while Allardyce is aware Johnson is out of contract at Kansas City Wizards and available on a free.

Totally agree. "We are the loyalist football supporters the world has ever had............" What a lot of shite, it was embarrassing.

Gary Megson concedes he is preparing for life at Bolton without the services of star striker Nicolas Anelka. Bolton's start to the season has been less than impressive but in stark contrast, Anelka has stolen the plaudits with his goalscoring exploits. The classy Frenchman has reportedly attracted interest from the likes of Chelsea and former club Manchester City, as his future at Bolton remains the subject of speculation. Megson accepts the club would be powerless to prevent his departure should a sizeable offer be forthcoming and he has been using the international break to identify possible replacements. "We've been doing a lot of work during the international break in terms of watching players," said Megson. "It's no good something happening and saying 'well, we weren't ready for it'. "You can't identify everything that's going to happen but we've got to know what we'd like to do if certain things do happen. "What we've got to do is get the best out of Nic while he's here. "If he's here for a long time then great - if he's not then we've got to make sure that when he leaves it makes us a stronger football club. "There's been no amount of money put on it and we're not 100% sure what we're going to need, but what I will say is that anybody we do bring in will have to be quality to go with the ones we've already got." Anelka is set to return for Saturday's home clash against Manchester United after four games out with a hamstring injury.

Father Christmas has been given a makeover - after one school decided his red suit was a symbol of "modern commercialism". The outfit would remind pupils of Coca-Cola adverts, according to the parents' committee at the Steiner School in Brighton. So instead youngsters will be visited by a green-clad St Nicholas. And rather than going to Santa's grotto, they will crawl inside a gnome's home. The school has also decided to an Eastern European version of the festive season, which it believes will be more "inclusive" - even though most pupils are British. School spokesman Sarah James said: "The red-suited Santa was created as a marketing tool by Coca-Cola, it is a symbol of commercialism." But the move has upset some parents, who would prefer the red-suited Santa. Cheryl Williams, 24, said: "What are they going to ban next - snow? Once again the PC brigade have clamped down on everyone's fun." And amateur historian David Baker said: "There are images of a red-suited Santa going back to before the creation of Coca-Cola. "Thomas Nast drew images of Merry Old Santa Claus that shows Santa in his red suit. "If my research is correct, Coca-Cola wasn't even invented until 1886." At the school's Christmas bazaar, pupils will be told a "moral" tale rather than the traditional Christmas story, and instead of opening presents, they will be given fake "rocks" to break open to reveal crystals. Mrs James said: "The school isn't trying to be a spoilsport or anything like that. "The children are bound to come across Santa Claus plenty of times in the run-up to Christmas and we're happy for them to. "We just want to give them a different experience."

Pot 1: Italy Spain Germany Czech Republic France Portugal Holland Croatia Greece Pot 2: England Romania SCOTLAND Russia Poland Turkey Bulgaria Sweden Israel Pot 3: Norway Ukraine Serbia Denmark Northern Ireland Republic of Ireland Finland Switzerland Belgium Pot 4: Slovakia Bosnia-Herzegovina Hungary Moldova Wales FYR Macedonia Belarus Lithuania Cyprus Pot 5: Georgia Albania Slovenia Latvia Iceland Armenia Austria Kazakhstan Azerbaijan Pot 6: Liechtenstein Estonia Malta Luxembourg Montenegro Andorra Faroe Islands San Marino

Nope. Did you threaten him or something? As if he would remember if I did. Maybe this has something to do with it?