LeazesMag

Just thought I'd have a look at this post because so many had replied ....

I think it's important to overplay the influence of Shearer, that way you don't have to give Souness any credit at all 24185[/snapback] hmmmm maybe, but I don't remember Shearer signing for Newcastle and telling us it was because Peter Beardsley influenced his decision [did make me smile though ]

good point there mate

Food for thought. Maybe he will be a top manager, he's sold the club to Owen, he's done what Keegan did to him.

Shearer being a geordie is a factor, the fact we thought we had a team good enough go and win the league was also a factor. But the biggest factor is the difference between the feel good optimistic factor that Keegan created against the one Souness does.

On corners, good observation. I think we should leave thje quickest attacker up top plus a wide man as those two areas of the field are going to be the areas the ball will go to if cleared in that way. Spot on, we could also work on throw-ins too. In fact set pieces in general, at both ends. That's been a weakness of ours since Dalglish's days. As for the pace of Owen and Bellamy, a frightening thought. I backed the club over Bellamy and still do but I do wonder what he's thinking right now because I'm sure he would have loved to play alongside the quality of Emre, Luque, Parker and Owen and it would have been a treat for us lot too. Ah well. 23727[/snapback] On that topic too mate, I remember Barry Ferguson after playing for Rangers against Celtic last season...he said how great it would be to have a forward like Bellamy in your team, easy to find, always looking for space, a midfield players dream. He thought he was brilliant. So I'm sure that if Bellamy was still here all the new players would have felt the same about him !

On corners, good observation. I think we should leave thje quickest attacker up top plus a wide man as those two areas of the field are going to be the areas the ball will go to if cleared in that way. Spot on, we could also work on throw-ins too. In fact set pieces in general, at both ends. That's been a weakness of ours since Dalglish's days. As for the pace of Owen and Bellamy, a frightening thought. I backed the club over Bellamy and still do but I do wonder what he's thinking right now because I'm sure he would have loved to play alongside the quality of Emre, Luque, Parker and Owen and it would have been a treat for us lot too. Ah well. 23727[/snapback] I think only negative, frightened managers get their teams to do this ie bring everyone back. It's also about giving players confidence, you should make them feel you have confidence in them. The thing is also, the wide areas of the field is always where there is more space, so if your defenders know you have 1 or 2 players up front, and they place themselves in wide areas, you can clear the ball into either of those areas and if your players have pace they will be waiting for it, the opposition will know this, and the oppostion will have to tailor their game to accordingly. You are pushing them back, easily. Equally, a top player up front like Shearer will shield the ball just the same in the middle of the pitch, but the principle is the same, it's a numbers game, and a basic tactical one, and you are showing a positive attitude and transmitting to the players you have confidence in them. I'm amazed at the amount of teams I see bring everyone back. You are conceding ground and the psychological initiative I think. Push 2 players up when you defend a corner and force 3 opponents back, or bring everyone back and allow them 10 players in your half ! It's not difficult is it, yet so called professionals do it, and "expert" ex pros like Alvin Martin on sky TV phone in's say that only professionals know the game. Maybe the fool should cast his eye at the managers of the 3 top teams in the country, Mourhino, Ferguson and Wenger. One didn't play the game, one was a Ranger reserve and the other was a minor player in the low leagues in France. Football isn't about complicated tactical systems...it's just good players getting the ball, then passing, moving, respecting their teammates strengths and weaknesses, believing in their own ability and tailoring and adapting to the small strengths and weaknesses of the opposition on a match by match basis.

Litmanen was a top player as well. Agree with both of you, you and PL, top players would work at it and make it work, Owen and Bellamy would have been top class, you just play to their strengths and the opposotion would always need 2 players plus a covering player to look after them. For instance it always pisses me off when we do something like bring everyone back for corners and free kicks etc. You are conceding ground to the opposition and helping them to keep you in your own half. When we had Bellamy the opposition always needed 2 players to stay back and mark him, with Owen and Dyer they would need 3. They are always vulnerable to a quick ball out, it gives you a terrific advantage to have players that can turn defenders like that and enables you to gain ground and open space, it's so basic. Putting pressure on teams is all about forcing them backwards, keeping the ball and stopping them from attacking you in their own numbers. The top teams do it. We did it under Keegan. Teams would have been shit scared of Owen and Bellamys pace.

miserable bugger

.....now THAT would go down a bomb with cherie and her cronies. I'd like to see their reaction to that one !

Neither did I or I suspect, anyone. Shame we haven't got Bellamy and Owen together, because Owen is certainly one of the few players with the standing and ability to replace Shearer. We couldn't do any better than this. Anyway, the season starts now. It's been a great day and we should all be very pleased, but I can't help feeling any success we have now, and better results will still be in spite of Souness rather than because of him. I obviously hope he proves me wrong ....... Now if we could only swap Jenas for Carrick, and get what we paid for Viana to offset todays spending.... 23435[/snapback] Could Bellamy and Owen play in the same team? I'm unsure. I'm with you there, on paper it looks an unlikely combination, but good players learn to adapt, Shearer and Ferdinand supposedly were similar, but the worked hard in training and worked situations out between them. Then made the very thought that 2 such fantastic players couldn't play together look daft didn't they .... I mean Owen is a strong little bugger you know, he can hold the ball up, and at least when Bellamy shot away chasing a ball out from someone he would look up and find someone up with him Well his time starts now thats for sure. He has to get us back into europe at least there is no excuses. I also have a vision of Owen scoring those winners in the FA Cup Final for Liverpool too [did he score both goals?], because he isn't just a top goalscorer, he is a player who seems to score important goals too, when they really matter. We have proved a few times in the last few years, a european spot can be achieved after a poor start. Now we have a chance Souness time starts today.

seems a bit churlish to be having a go at anyone today like ... but I've never saw any reason why we couldn't persuade someone like Hitzfeld to come to Newcastle and signings such as this can only help. Good on Shearer, makes you wonder if he really might have it in him ....

Seriously, without putting on my executioners hat [so long as Rob etc doesn't put on his sandals either ] it's not just a question of the law, even if the law is an arse, especially when something like this happens that proves it. Nor is it only a question of bringing back national service, restore discipline and respect etc It's about money as well, isn't it ie build more prisons ? All this and more. How can people have so little regard for others and why do they think they will get away with it or not appear to be bothered about the consequences if they are caught ? Remember Tony Blair when he said they would "get tough on crime and the causes of crime". Well, as his ugly missus always seems to want to defend this shower or shit we can only presume that what he meant all along was he agreed with sending them on recuperation skiiing course in the Alps instead of building more prisons !

surely you mean Allah 23418[/snapback] This proves that you really aren't bright enough Here's 2 little lessons for you, LM. Lesson 1. Muslims do believe in Jesus Christ. Lesson 2. Not every Arabic person is Muslim, there are many christians and even Jews. Get it? Or is it too complicated for your brain? 23427[/snapback] I know they do yer daft bugger man ...

Neither did I or I suspect, anyone. Shame we haven't got Bellamy and Owen together, because Owen is certainly one of the few players with the standing and ability to replace Shearer. We couldn't do any better than this. Anyway, the season starts now. It's been a great day and we should all be very pleased, but I can't help feeling any success we have now, and better results will still be in spite of Souness rather than because of him. I obviously hope he proves me wrong ....... Now if we could only swap Jenas for Carrick, and get what we paid for Viana to offset todays spending....

surely you mean Allah

I've looked through the link. At no time do I mention Michael Owen. Then you asked me in your earlier post Do I think Bellamy is better than Owen ? What are you on about, are you on drugs ? I haven't got a clue what you are on about in the first sentence of your last thread above. In the summer of 2003, we went into that summer with a net transfer deficit of well over 50m quid in the previous 4-5 years. If that is why we didn't buy anyone, then it's understandable if disappointing unless you are one of those who thinks they are playing championship manager with monopoly money. Fact is, Shepherd has backed his managers, more than any Newcastle other chairman between the 1950's [at least] and 1992, and in the last decade we are the 3rd biggest spenders in the premiership, only pushed into 2nd place since Abramovic bought Chelsea. So when exactly did you start supporting Newcastle ? Don't bother telling me you are right and I am wrong here, check the figures. All our transfer dealings, in and out, over the last 12 years since Keegan became manager, are on NUFC.com This is the last reply I'm making to your rants Omar. I'm not wasting any more time putting facts across unless you can prove they are incorrect.

#Waits until someone says 'When he arrived?'...# 23256[/snapback] Well, if we can't manage to at least equal 5th now, what will it tell you

1. build more prisons "If he was found guilty". What do gooder found the loophole which kept him free to kill I wonder ?

I was moaning about Bellamy going, simply because I have more experience of the reality of supporting Newcastle than you Omar !!! And then, I said, as I've always done, Shepherd backs his managers to the hilt !! Move on ........ Reckon you should dig out those links though rather than just quote a phrase...if you have kept them you must have a desperate problem like. "Bellamy is better than Owen" Indeed ? Where ? Don't make silly quotes which are not true or you really are being a desperate pillock. Move on.....

I borrowed a CD from the library years ago by the Scorpions, and just liked it, liked them ever since. Same as Rush. Scorpions are similar to groups like AC/DC, guns and roses....which I think are just noise !!! What have you heard by the Scorpions ? I reckon other posters should put their own lists up as well ....

I reckon we should get this all signed and sealed quickly

I don't particularly. If I'm in public, I try my hardest to supress them, or, if I feel one brewing that is going to let rip, I'll go to the toilet. I'd be embarrassed to fart loudly in public. In private though, I do let rip. Why do I enjoy it? I don't know, but it can be quite satisfying. Can't say I'm a huge fan of explosions. I never watch Brainiac, or Top Gear for that matter, as I'm not at all interested in cars. Pockets, and wallet for cards and notes, which then goes in my pocket. I don't smoke, so tabs don't take up any space, and I don't always carry my phone with me, as I don't particularly like mobile phones - much to the annoyance of people trying to get hold of me mind. It's not really uncomfortable. It's much less hassle than faffing on with a bag. . I'm not a big sun worshipper, but if I know I'm going to be out in the sun for a long time, I'll put some cream on. I'll quite happily use cream rather than burn. 20455[/snapback] you sound a really sensible guy! Infact most of you use sun cream, im impressed! It just goes to show that its far too easy to tar you all with the same brush and vice versa. I've noticed a real trend in 'men bashing' lately, i think alot of it is unfair and there would be a real public outcry if it was the other way round! 20539[/snapback] watch that one Tom mate, shes after a toyboy .....

Billy Bragg - between the wars.

From the sublime to the ridiculous. 22721[/snapback] which one is that Actually thought the thread would have developed with posters posting their favourite rock/pop albums that they could think of.... I've only got 3 of the original list ie numbers 2, 3 and 7. I have never got into Pink Floyd, I know they are a great band but just not my taste.