Journal survey on the state of NUFC

[trophyshy 6441]

1. Who do you think is to blame for the current state of affairs at NUFC?

 

Mike Ashley

 

The buck stops with Ashley. Whether he is directly or indirectly responsible for what has gone on, he owns the club and therefore had the influence to change matters. He decided not to and therefore HAS to be fully responsible.

 

2. Were you pleased when Mike Ashley took over last year?

 

Yes

 

Of course - we'd had a succession of bad appointments under Freddie Shepherd which had taken the club into decline. I felt Shepherd's heart wasn't really in it any more and was happy to hand it over to someone else. The Halls were happy to sell and I think they would have done their homework. The fact that Ashley kept his hand close to his chest was refreshing and appealing but with hindsight, has been to our disadvantage.

 

3. How do you think Newcastle stand now compared to when Mike Ashley took over?

 

Worse

 

Worse but in a different sort of way. Before we were owned by someone who was passionate about the club but not very business savvy. It appears that these characteristics have reversed and I think that is to our downfall as a club with the only positive being to Ashley's pocket. The current dis-content will soon start to affect that though.

 

4. Would you take Freddie Shepherd over Mike Ashley?

 

Yes

 

I never thought I'd say it but yes I would. I'd rather have someone who saw it from the fans perspective rather than someone who didn't seem to give a damn what they think.

 

5. How can Mike Ashley redeem himself in the eyes of the Newcastle fans?

 

He can't

 

Even if he sells, he'll never be viewed favourably by the fans of Newcastle United ever again. It's acknowledged that he's sorted us out financially but that positive has been more than cancelled out by the shambolic mess he's got us into since Sam Allardyce left. I think he's totally underestimated the level of feeling Newcastle United fans have for the club.

 

6. Did you agree with Keegan's appointment as manager?

 

Yes

 

We were in decline, the playing staff was inferior to what it was 5 years previously. To improve the squad, we needed someone to be able to attract decent players but the catch 22 situation was that to attact a decent manager, we needed a decent squad. Keegan's love for the club meant that the vicious circle could be broken so yes I was happy to see him return. I was under no illusion that he'd immediately return us the Premiership title like some of the tabloids would have you believe though.

 

7. Are you happy that Keegan has gone?

 

No

 

Absolutely no.. but it is more to do with the shambles that is left behind than anything else. I'm more concerned about Mike Ashley and his team still running my football club than the fact that Keegan is no longer the manager.

 

8. Did you agree that he had no other option than to quit?

 

Yes

 

He's a man of principle, they'd given him a job title of 'manager' yet all they wanted him to do was coach. How can you manage when you have no idea who your staff may be from one day to the next? His resignation was further justified by the statements released from the club in which they directly contradicted what they'd said previously.

 

9. Are you considering protesting against the club?

 

Maybe

 

Still considering but something constructive has to be said or done. Whatever it is though, it cannot be to the detriment of the 11 players representing the club on the pitch. They still deserve (and will get) our full support.

 

10. How would you protest? (You can tick more than one box.)

 

Boycott NUFC merchandise

Boycott Sports Direct and other stores owned by Ashley.

 

11. Do you think Sunderland are now a better run club than Newcastle?

 

No

 

No but all the people running that club and the fans are at least pulling in the same direction. Pretty ironic that we're the one with "united" in our title.

 

12. Do you think Newcastle are now a laughing stock?

 

Yes.

 

We were considered a laughing stock before these events, what we've managed to achieve is add fuel to the argument of the people who believed this.

 

13. Should the current management structure of the club be changed?

 

Yes

 

The current management does not have the confidence of the customer (the supporters). What's more, it has gone beyond the point of no return.

 

14. Do you think the club in being run from London?

 

Yes

 

Actually I believe it was being run from a strip club in New York City last week as well as London (and god-knows were else!). What is for sure is that it is not being run from St James Park which is the fundamental issue.

 

15. Do you think the situation is symtomatic to the way football is going?

 

Yes

 

Sadly yes - we're not the only club to have been taken-over from a rich businessman to be subjected to close scrutiny of how we are managed. Liverpool have had fairly high-profile issues as have Chelsea (the departure of Jose Mourinho was not too dis-similar to that of Keegan). The most clear comparison is of course is West Ham. The only club seeming to be on the road to getting it right is Aston Villa.

 

Have you done this so the rest of us lazy sods can just cut and paste?

[Craig 6319]

1. Who do you think is to blame for the current state of affairs at NUFC?

 

Mike Ashley

 

The buck stops with Ashley. Whether he is directly or indirectly responsible for what has gone on, he owns the club and therefore had the influence to change matters. He decided not to and therefore HAS to be fully responsible.

 

2. Were you pleased when Mike Ashley took over last year?

 

Yes

 

Of course - we'd had a succession of bad appointments under Freddie Shepherd which had taken the club into decline. I felt Shepherd's heart wasn't really in it any more and was happy to hand it over to someone else. The Halls were happy to sell and I think they would have done their homework. The fact that Ashley kept his hand close to his chest was refreshing and appealing but with hindsight, has been to our disadvantage.

 

3. How do you think Newcastle stand now compared to when Mike Ashley took over?

 

Worse

 

Worse but in a different sort of way. Before we were owned by someone who was passionate about the club but not very business savvy. It appears that these characteristics have reversed and I think that is to our downfall as a club with the only positive being to Ashley's pocket. The current dis-content will soon start to affect that though.

 

4. Would you take Freddie Shepherd over Mike Ashley?

 

Yes

 

I never thought I'd say it but yes I would. I'd rather have someone who saw it from the fans perspective rather than someone who didn't seem to give a damn what they think.

 

5. How can Mike Ashley redeem himself in the eyes of the Newcastle fans?

 

He can't

 

Even if he sells, he'll never be viewed favourably by the fans of Newcastle United ever again. It's acknowledged that he's sorted us out financially but that positive has been more than cancelled out by the shambolic mess he's got us into since Sam Allardyce left. I think he's totally underestimated the level of feeling Newcastle United fans have for the club.

 

6. Did you agree with Keegan's appointment as manager?

 

Yes

 

We were in decline, the playing staff was inferior to what it was 5 years previously. To improve the squad, we needed someone to be able to attract decent players but the catch 22 situation was that to attact a decent manager, we needed a decent squad. Keegan's love for the club meant that the vicious circle could be broken so yes I was happy to see him return. I was under no illusion that he'd immediately return us the Premiership title like some of the tabloids would have you believe though.

 

7. Are you happy that Keegan has gone?

 

No

 

Absolutely no.. but it is more to do with the shambles that is left behind than anything else. I'm more concerned about Mike Ashley and his team still running my football club than the fact that Keegan is no longer the manager.

 

8. Did you agree that he had no other option than to quit?

 

Yes

 

He's a man of principle, they'd given him a job title of 'manager' yet all they wanted him to do was coach. How can you manage when you have no idea who your staff may be from one day to the next? His resignation was further justified by the statements released from the club in which they directly contradicted what they'd said previously.

 

9. Are you considering protesting against the club?

 

Maybe

 

Still considering but something constructive has to be said or done. Whatever it is though, it cannot be to the detriment of the 11 players representing the club on the pitch. They still deserve (and will get) our full support.

 

10. How would you protest? (You can tick more than one box.)

 

Boycott NUFC merchandise

Boycott Sports Direct and other stores owned by Ashley.

 

11. Do you think Sunderland are now a better run club than Newcastle?

 

No

 

No but all the people running that club and the fans are at least pulling in the same direction. Pretty ironic that we're the one with "united" in our title.

 

12. Do you think Newcastle are now a laughing stock?

 

Yes.

 

We were considered a laughing stock before these events, what we've managed to achieve is add fuel to the argument of the people who believed this.

 

13. Should the current management structure of the club be changed?

 

Yes

 

The current management does not have the confidence of the customer (the supporters). What's more, it has gone beyond the point of no return.

 

14. Do you think the club in being run from London?

 

Yes

 

Actually I believe it was being run from a strip club in New York City last week as well as London (and god-knows were else!). What is for sure is that it is not being run from St James Park which is the fundamental issue.

 

15. Do you think the situation is symtomatic to the way football is going?

 

Yes

 

Sadly yes - we're not the only club to have been taken-over from a rich businessman to be subjected to close scrutiny of how we are managed. Liverpool have had fairly high-profile issues as have Chelsea (the departure of Jose Mourinho was not too dis-similar to that of Keegan). The most clear comparison is of course is West Ham. The only club seeming to be on the road to getting it right is Aston Villa.

 

Have you done this so the rest of us lazy sods can just cut and paste?

 

Anything to escape work at the minute man....

[Happy Face 29]

15. Do you think the situation is symtomatic to the way football is going?

 

With journalistic standards this low Tom might get his wish.

[Tom 13884]

15. Do you think the situation is symtomatic to the way football is going?

 

With journalistic standards this low Tom might get his wish.

 

I bet I could do a better job then half those bastards.

 

All you need is your 'Fun with The Sun' starter pack and your away!

 

1. A Toon Insider revealed...

 

2. A Close friend of Ashley's said...

 

3. Crisis seems to be deepening....

 

4. Wor!/Why Aye!/Howay!/The Messiah/King Kev - use as appropriate for puns.

 

5. Keegan walked out leaving Newcastle with just FOUR points from their first THREE games. Newcastle are currently in free fall finding themselves in lowly ELEVENTH.

[Howay 12494]

http://www.readytogo.net/smb/showthread.php?t=352359 Bunch of losers

[Tooj 17]

THE Journal has launched a major survey of Newcastle fans on the latest situation at St James's Park.

 

We are aiming to provide the definitive gauge of public opinion about the remarkable events of the last week - and where they leave the club.

 

All you have to do is go to www.journallive.co.uk and click on the link on the homepage which takes you straight through to the survey.

 

There you'll be able to answer questions on Ashley's tenure at the club. Should Keegan have quit? Will you protest? Who is to blame?

 

We hope to build up a complete picture of what the supporters think of the state they're in.

 

So go to www.journallive.co.uk to have your say on perhaps the most tumultuous week in Newcastle United's history.

 

Give me your phone number, Helen, and I may do the survey

[Fop 1]

http://www.readytogo.net/smb/showthread.php?t=352359 Bunch of losers

 

 

55% of supporters blame Keegan?

 

 

Just shows the power of a few sad Sunderland fans on dodgy internet polls.

[Jusoda Kid 1]

Snakehips was right, sad fuckas

[Guest Stevie]

They're scum, all you do gooding arselicking mackem lovers on here, you know who you are, they're scum, they exist to compete with us no other reason. Met 3 good mackems in my life, and I've met maybe 500. "Knuckledragger etc.." maybe but they're still scum. "My best mate supports the black cats, he lives in North Shields too..." aye

[Howay 12494]

They're scum, all you do gooding arselicking mackem lovers on here, you know who you are, they're scum, they exist to compete with us no other reason. Met 3 good mackems in my life, and I've met maybe 500. "Knuckledragger etc.." maybe but they're still scum. "My best mate supports the black cats, he lives in North Shields too..." aye

Nail on the head Stevie, they never shut up about us look on their forums at any one time there must be 5 threads about the toon. If they put as much effort into supporting their club as they do obsessing about us they might be a good support rather than being the epitome of fair weather fans.

[Jusoda Kid 1]

Just e-mailed the sports editor and included a link to the SMB. Explained what was going on and that by publishing the results he wouldn't be doing himself or the paper any favours in the eyes of the NUFC fans.

 

I also told him I'd be posting this on the NUFC forums so all the fans would know the paper had been e-mailed, look forward to his reply.

[Howay 12494]

Nice one Wacky it'll be good to see his reply.

[Jusoda Kid 1]

Seems to have put a spanner in the mackems works anyway.

[Tooj 17]

Seems to have put a spanner in the mackems works anyway.

Oh you're a spanner like.

[Jusoda Kid 1]

Seems to have put a spanner in the mackems works anyway.

Oh you're a spanner like.

 

 

Your sis is like a spanner, every time I see her my nuts definitely get lubricated then tightened.

[Tooj 17]

Seems to have put a spanner in the mackems works anyway.

Oh you're a spanner like.

 

 

Your sis is like a spanner, every time I see her my nuts definitely get lubricated then tightened.

[snakehips 0]

Just e-mailed the sports editor and included a link to the SMB. Explained what was going on and that by publishing the results he wouldn't be doing himself or the paper any favours in the eyes of the NUFC fans.

 

I also told him I'd be posting this on the NUFC forums so all the fans would know the paper had been e-mailed, look forward to his reply.

 

Don't suppose you asked for Helen's number whilst you were at it??

[Tooj 17]

Just e-mailed the sports editor and included a link to the SMB. Explained what was going on and that by publishing the results he wouldn't be doing himself or the paper any favours in the eyes of the NUFC fans.

 

I also told him I'd be posting this on the NUFC forums so all the fans would know the paper had been e-mailed, look forward to his reply.

 

Don't suppose you asked for Helen's number whilst you were at it??

[Jusoda Kid 1]

Just e-mailed the sports editor and included a link to the SMB. Explained what was going on and that by publishing the results he wouldn't be doing himself or the paper any favours in the eyes of the NUFC fans.

 

I also told him I'd be posting this on the NUFC forums so all the fans would know the paper had been e-mailed, look forward to his reply.

 

Don't suppose you asked for Helen's number whilst you were at it??

 

 

No but he did mention one of his staff had been approached on one of the forums by some dirty old man who then made some very suggestive comments via PM

[snakehips 0]

Just e-mailed the sports editor and included a link to the SMB. Explained what was going on and that by publishing the results he wouldn't be doing himself or the paper any favours in the eyes of the NUFC fans.

 

I also told him I'd be posting this on the NUFC forums so all the fans would know the paper had been e-mailed, look forward to his reply.

 

Don't suppose you asked for Helen's number whilst you were at it??

 

 

No but he did mention one of his staff had been approached on one of the forums by some dirty old man who then made some very suggestive comments via PM

 

Aye, I suppose that would be a fair assessment

[Tom 13884]

Thomas - thanks for your message. One of the issues with internet polls is that there is always thepossibility that they can be hijacked. Our experience is that it happens alot less than you might think, though football is probably the area mostprone to abuse, usually by opposing fans. We try to keep an eye on thesepolls and take them down if they are getting misused. We would never claim that our internet polls are a 100% accurate reflectionof public opinion, but you could never say that about other forms of surveyeither. It's just as possible to skew things like vox pops, opinion pollsand petitions if you really set your mind to it and hopefully most peopleare aware of that when they read poll results. As I write this, we've had nearly 2,500 replies and many people have leftcomments that seem to me - first match at St James's 1982; season ticketholder for the last 15 years - to be a pretty accurate reflection of howpeople are feeling. We won't claim that this is a definitive poll of whatsupporters are feeling either, but it does give a pretty good snapshot. G***** W******,The Journal.

[Jusoda Kid 1]

Thomas - thanks for your message. One of the issues with internet polls is that there is always thepossibility that they can be hijacked. Our experience is that it happens alot less than you might think, though football is probably the area mostprone to abuse, usually by opposing fans. We try to keep an eye on thesepolls and take them down if they are getting misused. We would never claim that our internet polls are a 100% accurate reflectionof public opinion, but you could never say that about other forms of surveyeither. It's just as possible to skew things like vox pops, opinion pollsand petitions if you really set your mind to it and hopefully most peopleare aware of that when they read poll results. As I write this, we've had nearly 2,500 replies and many people have leftcomments that seem to me - first match at St James's 1982; season ticketholder for the last 15 years - to be a pretty accurate reflection of howpeople are feeling. We won't claim that this is a definitive poll of whatsupporters are feeling either, but it does give a pretty good snapshot. G***** W******,The Journal.

 

 

Same e-mail

[Guest alex]

Snakehips lurking

[snakehips 0]

I'm sure I've read that somewhere before!!!!

[snakehips 0]

Snakehips lurking

 

I did think about it, but reading the same reply I am now worried that 'HelenD' is actually a bloke!!!