Big Geordie

The club statement today is just so bloody unprofessional and without doubt is intended to once again heap more misery on the club. Nothing this regime does should surprise us anyone, given that is has only been too happy to lie to the fans before and could quite possibly be at it again over last weekend. Remember Harris said there was interest last autumn, only for it to be complete bollocks. I've wondered before if Ashley's intent was to leave a scorched earth policy at the club, as a result of the fans turning on him after the Keegan debacle. As each day passes, that appears to become more true.

NUFC.com on our current plight; Saving Newcastle United: Pressure increases on owner It's the Magpie Celeste Mike Ashley woke up to Sunday newspaper headlines linking Alan Shearer to managerial posts at West Brom Albion and Southampton, as the current deadlock at SJP over his appointment showed little sign of being broken. With season ticket renewals shortly to be posted and the 2009/10 fixture list published in just over a week, the sense of this being a directionless club is overwhelming and genuine concerns have now surfaced over Ashley's ability to keep the club functioning pending its sale. The squad face returning on July 1st, with no idea about who will be managing or coaching them, no confirmation of what their pre-season preparations will consist of and no decisions having been made over player transfers. To wait for a new buyer to conclude their due diligence and other associated financial and legal measures before starting to plan for next season looks like being a sure-fire way of undermining any serious promotion bid - and further devaluing the club on and off the field. Quite why anyone would want to buy a season ticket given that situation is open to question, save for the blind loyalty of "supporting the toon". And our own straw poll of fans suggests that loyalty is in short supply at present. Recent seasons have seen United dally in the transfer market until other clubs have done their business, leaving us to mop up what we can and try to spend what cash we've taken. It's plain to see where that policy got us. Someone has to take control of the playing side of the club immediately - someone who can get the fans onside and convince them to get on board now. That man is not Joe Kinnear. That man is Alan Shearer, who is quite literally the only game in town. To allow the current stalemate to drag on makes a strong case for fans not to commit vital season ticket cash and instead to pay for home games on a match by match basis, just like most folks were doing the last time we dropped out of the top flight. There again, it's debatable whether anyone still at SJP remembers "the bad old days" - except the supporters. Let's not forget the words of Ashley 48 hours after the club was relegated: "Bringing Alan Shearer back to Newcastle United was the best decision I have made. Alan and his staff did all they could to try and keep us up in the short space of time they had. Talks are now ongoing between us about how we can take this Club forward again." The time for talking now looks to be over. -------------- Pulls no punches and should really serve as a wake-up call.

Think you are right, Bad Cat.

It's on again tonight in case anyone missed it. SS1 at 11pm.

Thanks for the tip off. Am SKY+ing the 330am repeat.

Forgot to add, that the Shearer wage demands may well be bullshit, spread by an 'insider'. Remember that this regime sees no problem with lying in order to discredit others, to deflect from it's own failings. Are the Chronicle and The Journal still in the club's pocket?

The line about Kinnear is a worry because I can actually see it happening, should Ashley not be able to convince Shearer to stay on. With Kinnear in charge, wel'll be lucky to break 20k for the first home game of the season. What a way to run a football club!

Wage demands? Has to be bullshit and probably put out by Ashley/Lambias to colour Shearer's position. Shearer doesn't need a big money wage to manage this club. It's a pretty blatant attempt to shift the blame, should Alan walkaway.

I'm worried. This club seems to lurch from one disaster to another and it feels very much now that it is going to implode. *jesus*

Am sure Shearer said that we'd be playing low-key lower league teams during the pre-season......

Sad news. Would like to think that the players will feel bad about it, but I doubt it.

CG - he parked next to Milburn reception (underneath the stand)

You saw shearer? Sure did.

Saw him at SJP, about an hour ago as I was heading back to my car. Pulled up in his Range Rover, and headed into Milburn Reception talking on his mobile. Would have said hello, if he hadn't been on his phone.

Is he the former tennis player who has written a load of shite with regards to the club in the past? What qualifies him to pass judgement? Perhaps we should go and exhume Bill McGarry. He sounds ideal if you listen to this wanker.

I've said Yes - it's a no brainer really. Ashley (despite the apology) has shown he doesn't have a clue with regards how to run a football club. It could also be that he is not prepared to pay out of his own pocket to see us through the next season. Just hope it's not involving Fat Freddy and if it is - that he is a sleeping partner in the deal. Can't see the latter, though.

Apparently Owen didn't hang about for long at the final whistle. Couple of reports I read said that there were others who didn't come to applaud the fans, instead slithering straight back to the dressing room. Can we name and shame, from anyone who was there?

Death Threats??? The ones that when the Chief Constable of Northumbria was asked about, he knew nothing about! It was another convenient lie from Ashley.

Got what we deserved, which was nothing. Don't think I've ever witnessed such a cowardly performance as that 2nd half. Players who clearly don't give a s*** and know they are moving on. I just worry that some of them will be content to stay on their big contracts and refuse to move. It's been a bad day, but not unexpected. I for one hope Shearer stays on and is given the tools/support from Ashley to rebuild. Anything less than that and it's relegation to League One we could be worrying about next season. Fans will leave the club in their droves unless a change happens upstairs. Bet Dennis Wise is laughing his tits off tonight.

He looked hurt at being relegated, but also by the fact that once again - the players have let him and the club down. They along with our owner, should hang their heads in shame. Shearer's not to blame - you cannot flog a dead horse.

Same as geordiedean for me. Players haven't bothered their arses since Xmas - why should they for tomorrow?

I'll be glad when tomorrow is over at last, one way or the other. I was 16 when we last went down in 89, indeed I remember it well having made it to every home game. It's a horrible feeling - make no mistake. What happens in the summer will be crucial to how next season goes. If Ashley can keep Shearer on board (and back him), then we have a bit of hope - if not........

The timing of the interview isn't great (hasn't Jones at the mackems done something similar?) However, you can't blame the kid when the club has been ran as it has, since Keegan departed. Hopefully Shearer will be able to convince him to stay on (if only for a season) if we do go down, and of course - Alan wants to stay too. The latter is Ashley's last chance for redemption, so he should MAKE it happen.

Always makes me think of the 83/84 promotion campaign when I hear it. RIP Busker.

I'll be watching at home, so it'll be handy to go into hiding for the night should the expected (and worst) happen.