NJS

Just saw some snippets on the headlines a while ago and what struck me was the contrast between that and his first interview on Radio Newcastle soon after he took over - I think even Isegrim said that the Radio one was impressive in that he spoke sense and sounded confident in himself to do the job. Today's interview sounded to me like the ramblings of a man who knows his days are numbered and had a "fuck you" attitude behind it that belays self-doubt.

Its a tragedy but I did notice that when they were "alive" it was a "miracle" and their "prayers were answered" - do they now blame the same God?

Sorry I read your twice what we got as twice what we paid - not that big a diff however. Give Luque time....

And the answers to those (performance wise) in 03/04 were?

llike who ? Chelsea, man u ? If Parker is so good, why did Chelsea sell him...why didn't manu come in for him ? Why did no one else come in for Luque if he is so good ? Your point makes no sense and you know it. If you have watched newcastle this season, you will know we have missed Craig Bellamy massively, he was worth double what we got for him, at least, and you know that too 74074[/snapback] There is nobody on this planet who would pay £12m for an injury prone troublemaker who has never scored more than a dozen goals a year. Get real. I said he was important to us but in the market place he was virtually worthless. If you think thats Souness' fault then fine - obviously none of the other "top" clubs could wait to get their hands on such a bargain - maybe not Chelsea but what about Spurs, Everton, Bolton or even Boro who all bought strikers in the timeframe?

Sorry SLP, but I hate this ridiculous notion that Souness "won something everywhere he has been". This doesn't apply to you in the slightest, but some people actually believe that line! I believe the Benfica fans were less than happy with wor Graeme like, I hope the twat never manages another team, unless it's the mackems of course. 74062[/snapback] He's won something everywhere he's been given time

As I said he was "worth more" to us but as has been said before if he was such a world beater he would have went to a better club for more money. To think we'd have got any money for Robert is also naive. Oh Yes Marseille want him don't they (again).

Fuck all, he's gone on a free, hence my comment on £10m down the toilet. 74031[/snapback] Bought when the market was too high and wouldn't have got anywhere near that when he was "good", let alone now. You can argue about loss of worth to the squad (and we have) but monetary arguments are pointless imo. 74034[/snapback] Maybe so, but its still a criminal to have seen zero return on that kind of money. 74037[/snapback] I'm not happy about it - just realistic - you could mention several other examples in the past under all managers. I don't agree with LM's opinion that Souness "cost us millions" on Robert and Bellamy - they went for what they were worth in the market though I accept at their best they were worth a lot to us in squad terms.

Fuck all, he's gone on a free, hence my comment on £10m down the toilet. 74031[/snapback] Bought when the market was too high and wouldn't have got anywhere near that when he was "good", let alone now. You can argue about loss of worth to the squad (and we have) but monetary arguments are pointless imo.

I thought he'd done well at Blackburn given the club and thought that given a better squad and more money he'd succeed here. I have no problem saying that or saying now that I think bad luck notwithstanding he's failed. 73934[/snapback] But look where Blackburn were when he was appointed - one of the few clubs lower than us after having nearly been relegated the year before! It was the maddest appointment ever imo. 73941[/snapback] The "favourite" now - Allarydyce has flirted with relegation off and on at Bolton - all of the shortlist have had up/down years but I always try and look at the best in people.

I thought he'd done well at Blackburn given the club and thought that given a better squad and more money he'd succeed here. I have no problem saying that or saying now that I think bad luck notwithstanding he's failed.

I remember starting a thread on the Toontastic of the time which stated that it seemed like I was the only one "happy". Of the candidates at the time I stand by that. That doesn't mean I still think he's the man for the job or think that he's done well overall but the alternatives still don't appeal.

True but you like to think so - my worry is that the "instant expectation" will do for the next one as well and will actually put anyone decent off.

On that basis Bobby would have been sacked early in 3 of the next 4 seasons. In the league in 99/00 and 00/01 we were dross - just as bad if not worse than last/this year. I also don't agree that the squad he took over was as bad as is being implied. (I agree on the cup) 73842[/snapback] I think our two foreign correspondents (Bombadil and Isegrim) are spot on on this one, I think that you too NJS also know the difference. Also, nobody has even talked about the relative managerial CVs of Robson and Souness - they don't really compare. Personally, I am willing to give a manager more time if he has had previous success. And Robson to me had proven he was world class. 73846[/snapback] Won leagues in minor countries? Only kidding - I know what you're saying and I sort of agree but my point is similar to others - I think people do deserve a chance which in your case I'd accept was forthcoming. As I've said before of the shortlist last time I thought Souness was the best choice. With the same shortlist I'm still not ecstatic about the choices. A good alternative would make me happy but I will give whoever a chance.

On that basis Bobby would have been sacked early in 3 of the next 4 seasons. In the league in 99/00 and 00/01 we were dross - just as bad if not worse than last/this year. I also don't agree that the squad he took over was as bad as is being implied. (I agree on the cup)

I agree with the gist of your reply (Especially on morale) but he did wheel and deal a bit getting rid of Goma for example who I thought was a good player. Playing Devil's advocate he made no attempt to get on with/improve the situation of Marcelino - not a popular view I know but when you consider how he fell out with Nobby and Elliot to an extent later on I'd say to try and make out that Bobby was the perfect opposite to Souness is just a tad biased. On a similar note see Keegan with Venison/Clark/Cole.

Going by that reckoning Ferguson would have been sacked by Man Utd early in his career, Morinho just likes to heap pressure on his rivals in my opinion. If he doesn't win the Champions League with Chelsea this season or next (which I'm sure is what Abramovich wants) then no doubt he'll be saying he wants time. Regarding Souness, I'm not saying give him more time as he was never the right man for the job, rather that he hasn't had time in my view. 73791[/snapback] the best 2 managers at Newcastle in recent times, Keegan and Robson. From the start, they brought an obvious improvement and came across as knowing what they were doing 73808[/snapback] So I imagined 18 months of utter shite (disguised by a cup run) under Bobby? There was no further sign of any improvement until Bellamy/Robert signed (see I can give praise to those two when rightful)

totally agree, I think the club has everything a top manager wants, fantastic facilities, great ground, tremendous backing and the best fans in the business. Any manager wit confidence in their ability should want the job, and anyone turning it down is a fool and a coward for shirking what is really, the biggest challenge in England, but can offer massive rewards for whoever cracks it. 73021[/snapback] I agree but the next shortlist will have names of people who've already turned it down and thats why I'm so unhappy at the moment. Unless he actually uses imagination for a change.

3 months without Owen is a huge pisser but if in the short term it means we can "salvage" Luque then it won't have been a complete disaster.

Thats what I was getting at - when I was 6 I don't think I took baths on my own and certainly not in an "empty" house.

So he doesn't like Managers not telling the truth then comes out with utter shite? Wanker.

I don't want to get slagged off but this seems a bit strange to me. There was a case earlier this year in Basildon where a young girl of about 10 was supposed raped in her bed which caused a storm but turned out to be untrue. I'm not saying thats the case here (maybe it would be better if it turned out that way) but my reaction was that something's "wrong" - can't explain myself very well.

My tip: Don't use porn sites - just download it free from binary newsgroups. Of course that means HDs full of films which is another problem...

Last year due to unused holiday I had the week before, the days in between and the week after off and got bored stupid. This year I've just had the bank holidays - back yesterday and with the trains and the office very quiet I think I'll do the same in future.

I've got hundreds of chargers for different bits of equipment - varied voltage, ampage and polarity. I wish there was a decent universal one - I used to have one but it knacked a hub I had despite being on the correct settings and working for a while.