BottledDog

why? he's not good enough to manager of nufc in any capacity other than short term As long as he continues to get the side looking like they are playing for each other and keep picking up the points, then he'll do for me. The same goes for any manager obviously, from Keegan to Capello. He has done as well if not better than most of us could have expected. Fair play to you Joe.

In one summer we have bought a whole new heart to our defence that could last for years. /in fact a whole new back line in two summers. Top job.

Said he would still come and watch when he could iirc.

Gotta be bollocks. He's totally gay for Ashley.

A fine hairy pair of legs means stamina. The onset of baldness as it show high testosterone and aggression levels. Tidy fingernails as it shows attention to detail. A well groomed mustache as it indicates a certain degree of close control. And maybe someone who also has an exciting and diverse wardrobe, as it shows a certain flair that may well be mirrored in his style out on the pitch. Failing that, I'd probably just leave it to a professional setup like wot Wise was running.

What a mad thing to say (one tiff and he's going to look a right eejit), the man must have flipping a rubber band for a jaw.

Have you actually read the countdown page or are you just making something up to fit in with what you think the crowd are saying? The countdown relates to exactly what you're talking about. It talks about the amount of time there is to turn the club around, explain to the fans and look at renewing contracts and buying players in. Its not about time to sell or anything like that, we do recognise theres a global recession which is why you'll read stuff on there asking him to talk to the fans and discuss whats needed. Not telling him to just sell up and f**k off. Thats why Ive had many a discussion now with those coming out of the woodwork the other way, slagging us off for "selling out" and "giving in". What's needed? Presumably a multi Billionaire with Geordie roots, a deep knowledge of football, a love for the club, a fantastic ability to bring in the best manager, chairman and support team, and who's a great communicator while keeping things under his hat. Oh, and lucky. Very lucky. Or are there other things you are going to advise him we need, without knowing the state of the market, the club finances, or players and managers intentions to stay or come into the club? Sorry for being a bit flippant, but lets face it, there is nothing you can tell him that he either doesn't already know or has a more in depth knowledge of why certain things will or will not work. All you are basically wanting is for him to make you feel more involved in a process that is by it's very nature and for good reason, behind closed doors. I don't see NUSC as a bad thing. There is a need for you to continue to use your power to push for better communication from the board through the club channels or the press, we all want that. It's just not good enough at the moment especially the (genuine or not) random stuff that comes out in the rags. Otherwise focus on supporter concerns that he can deal with, whether that is seating, box office problems, flag days, promoting the good name of the majority, highlighting hard handed policing, pies, whatever. It's just that your main demand, a meeting, is both unreasonable and pointless. If he does choose to meet you after yet another passive agressive statement, he will not be able to allow you the access you want that would make for an educated discussion, and will then get hammered when you feel he was just pandering to you. It's no win. Just my 2 cents.

Same. People seem to forget that we've had a poor season with all the things that have gone on. Confidence isn't high and so when the players make mistakes, its affects them even more. Imagine how they'd be playing without the threat of relegation hanging over them, with a run of wins, with a larger squad - then you can see the potential. with another 5 players in various positions in our team we'd be a lot better off for it. Our defence is one of the positives we have I feel, its never going to be perfect (and you can't say that about any team in the league) but we're a lot better off than we've been in the past! All of which is what worries me about Kinnear going for Upson and a replacement for Enrique. Competition for places is all well and good, but Upson and the likes of Riise would be coming here as starters. Why change it? Well quite. But now Jiminez has gone and Ashley has been forced to drop that system and hand control back to the manager, then that is what we are going to get. I had more faith in the system than any manager considering our past record. If a manager had somone he specifically demanded for a role, fair enough go all out to get him, otherwise specify a position that needs strengthening and let the scouts and wise etc sort it out as that is their full time job. The blame for wasted money would fall at their door ultimately as well unless it was clear the manager was not playing players out of spite.

You are aware that Keegan came back, right? His record is better than the Record KK have in his second term thus make him a better one over him. You're completely and utterly wrong. Keegan had a win percentage in his second stint of just over 28%. Kinnear currently has a win percentage of just over 27%. For christ sake Roeder had a win percentage of just over 45% and Souness a win percentage of 43%. Your argument is really flawed if that's what you're basing it on. So you think Roeder is better manger we had since Bobby. Nah, just that Souness > Keegan.

Guess you had to be there. At least JK found it amusing.

you're not going down the "hope they fail" route I hope ? At my age now, I've seen far worse than this, and even the suggestion of it is pretty sad. Sorry but that is true and how I see it. For the record, I'll say what I've always said. The more "trophy players" the club sign ie just like the other trophy winners do, the better. If Owen DOES sign, is it a sign of a change or direction or Ashley trying to paper over the cracks and get deluded people on his side ? Do you think it would be a sign of him realising he has been wrong and is prepared to attempt to match the european qualifications of his predecessors ? What do you think ? I think it'd be the first sign that if he can't sell the club, then he's going to give it a shot, yes. As for the European qualifications of his predecessors comment, we're not a million miles from a European place despite all the crap that's gone on. Well mate, I want to be back in europe as soon as is possible. I've said before I would welcome a genuine change of heart by Ashley, although it would take a lot now for me to believe it or trust him. I'd say keeping Owen and making a couple of signings in January would be a start mind. Always said that it'll be the start of February before I really judge the direction of the club. I would agree with that, but its 12 months too late. Trying to patch up a sinking ship is really all it is, unless its an unlikely and genuine change of direction. As has been said. There's not that many times under Shepherd we spent more than £5m on 5 different players in a 12 month period. Add to that Jonas, Guthrie, Bassong as new first team starters and I would hardly call it patching up a sinking ship. It could be argued that the team we can now put on the park has improved considerably since Ashley has arrived. Well, the Halls and Shepherd punched the clubs weight, you can't deny that. Plenty of players were of the highest priced transfers at the time, including a world transfer record. They also broke the clubs record fee for a defender at least twice by the way. And didn't sell a player behind the managers back for the same price to finance it either. Punched above their weight financially in the end which cost them sadly, but I know what you mean. I'm as much a sucker for a big signing as the next man, though beyond that it's also the draw to other players (including even academy players) such signings mean. Fingers crossed that despite the turmoil, Owen, and just as importantly for me, the likes of Collocini, Jonas, Martins, Beye and Given stay on, so that Ashley (or whoever is finally in charge) can continue to attract such decent players in.

The quotes they've used are just from that Countdown thing. Nevertheless, it is in the statements section ('Time Left') on the official site. Therefore to be fair the article is quoting an official NUSC statement.

you're not going down the "hope they fail" route I hope ? At my age now, I've seen far worse than this, and even the suggestion of it is pretty sad. Sorry but that is true and how I see it. For the record, I'll say what I've always said. The more "trophy players" the club sign ie just like the other trophy winners do, the better. If Owen DOES sign, is it a sign of a change or direction or Ashley trying to paper over the cracks and get deluded people on his side ? Do you think it would be a sign of him realising he has been wrong and is prepared to attempt to match the european qualifications of his predecessors ? What do you think ? I think it'd be the first sign that if he can't sell the club, then he's going to give it a shot, yes. As for the European qualifications of his predecessors comment, we're not a million miles from a European place despite all the crap that's gone on. Well mate, I want to be back in europe as soon as is possible. I've said before I would welcome a genuine change of heart by Ashley, although it would take a lot now for me to believe it or trust him. I'd say keeping Owen and making a couple of signings in January would be a start mind. Always said that it'll be the start of February before I really judge the direction of the club. I would agree with that, but its 12 months too late. Trying to patch up a sinking ship is really all it is, unless its an unlikely and genuine change of direction. As has been said. There's not that many times under Shepherd we spent more than £5m on 5 different players in a 12 month period. Add to that Jonas, Guthrie, Bassong as new first team starters and I would hardly call it patching up a sinking ship. It could be argued that the team we can now put on the park has improved considerably since Ashley has arrived.

Still have no fucking clue what they mean by 'working together' there. After the 'snub for clear the air talks' (sigh), are they now wanting to work as advisors on how to get the club sold? Does this spokesman work for Foxtons?

How is it Mike Ashley's fault if dicky dosh has resigned? The system was all wrong, clearly constructive dismissal.

Arf!

"...He wants to sell. Our position is clear, we want him to sell, but in the meantime he must take steps to protect the club, including making money available to the manager. SO……WHY NOT LET US HELP YOU GET WHAT WE BOTH WANT, MR ASHLEY? YOU WANT TO GO, WE WANT YOU TO GO. LETS WORK TOGETHER ON THAT..." Huh? What are they offering to do?

I was being sarcastic. Nice to see your name posting again by the way. Ah sorry about that, thought it was a bit odd when my sarchasm detector failed to fire. Should have know better than to try and twist it into one one of my arguements really. /you know me, always turn up when there are scapegoats to defend.

When someone signs a better £ for £ signing at Newcastle than Rob Lee it will be good day. Or we sign striker from the lower leagues as good as Andy Cole, I will be very impressed. Who are these relatively unknown players we signed for the first team? Because everyone of them played in one Europe's major leagues the previous season & I think all of them have some type of international caps. That was a fair old while ago now. How well do you feel he did in terms overall signings at his more recent clubs like Man City? He signed a lot of older players at city which helped them stop pinging up down as they have not be relegated since KK took them up iirc, which is big thing especially for Man City. Did he sign Benarbia? As I always enjoyed watching him play football. I agree, but will go into more detail below. When someone signs a better £ for £ signing at Newcastle than Rob Lee it will be good day. Or we sign striker from the lower leagues as good as Andy Cole, I will be very impressed. Who are these relatively unknown players we signed for the first team? Because everyone of them played in one Europe's major leagues the previous season & I think all of them have some type of international caps. That was a fair old while ago now. How well do you feel he did in terms overall signings at his more recent clubs like Man City? Keegan brought in a lot of good foreign players at city, but i think his problem with the failures was being TOO adventurous in his transfers, the opposite of what some are suggesting. of his better signings - Anelka, Distin, Bernabia, Berkovic, Tarnat, Van Buyten, Foe. Anelka was an obvious signing, certainly not uncovering a gem, though I grant he was one of the few he ever made a profit on. Van Buyten was only on loan, as was Foe I think. Distin was a good buy I'll grant you, though you would hope so as a record signing as a defender (just like Colo) and he left on a free (not Keegans fault though). Berkovic, yes a good player, but he had already been through 4 british club on big transfers so hardly a massive spot. Besides he only lasted a year or so after er... falling out with Keegan, and left on a free. Tarnat lasted what, a season as well? Same with Bernabia who was 32 when he arrived. So I wouldn't class any of those as showing the ability to spot a bargain or as we were discussing, showing an ability to sign talented youngsters. When KK took over getting & then keeping Man City in PL is the main thing, as in recent times they have slumped as far down as the old 2nd division. You don't need to sign many youngsters when you have Jim Cassell running your Academy, I am sure the KK teams had a number of homegrown players in the side like Barton, Flood, SWP etc. It is like saying when KK tookover NUFC (1st time) from Ozzie he did not sign a lot of youngsters he didn't need to as we already had as stack of home grown good players coming through or playing 1st team football. Agreed, he got them back up and kept them up, but that does not take away from the fact that the majority of his signings, and especially the younger ones brought in as the next big things were misses, or abject disasters, and as a consequence they were not continuing to move forward. That was my point which I had further down in my post, and why I was happy with the setup showing a certain amount of quality control when spending our money. If as HTT said, it doesn't matter, Keegan is purely a motivator and not interested in the other facets of the job (pretty astounding thing for him to say considering his pro Keegan stance, but would point towards why Keegan was never a world class manager), then that adds even more weight to the arguement for having those safeguards put in place. It didn't work out (whether that was down to Keegans unwillingness to relinquish a degree of control, or quite possibly just a complete breakdown in trust from both sides), but that does not take away from what this thread is all about. That the Wise/Jimenez/Vetere/Keegan system as a whole did a good job in not wasting money while bringing in talented players with good characters who have improved the sqaud. And for me, whoever the manager, its a shame that it has seemingly now been scrapped.

When someone signs a better £ for £ signing at Newcastle than Rob Lee it will be good day. Or we sign striker from the lower leagues as good as Andy Cole, I will be very impressed. Who are these relatively unknown players we signed for the first team? Because everyone of them played in one Europe's major leagues the previous season & I think all of them have some type of international caps. That was a fair old while ago now. How well do you feel he did in terms overall signings at his more recent clubs like Man City? He signed a lot of older players at city which helped them stop pinging up down as they have not be relegated since KK took them up iirc, which is big thing especially for Man City. Did he sign Benarbia? As I always enjoyed watching him play football. I agree, but will go into more detail below. When someone signs a better £ for £ signing at Newcastle than Rob Lee it will be good day. Or we sign striker from the lower leagues as good as Andy Cole, I will be very impressed. Who are these relatively unknown players we signed for the first team? Because everyone of them played in one Europe's major leagues the previous season & I think all of them have some type of international caps. That was a fair old while ago now. How well do you feel he did in terms overall signings at his more recent clubs like Man City? Keegan brought in a lot of good foreign players at city, but i think his problem with the failures was being TOO adventurous in his transfers, the opposite of what some are suggesting. of his better signings - Anelka, Distin, Bernabia, Berkovic, Tarnat, Van Buyten, Foe. Anelka was an obvious signing, certainly not uncovering a gem, though I grant he was one of the few he ever made a profit on. Van Buyten was only on loan, as was Foe I think. Distin was a good buy I'll grant you, though you would hope so as a record signing as a defender (just like Colo) and he left on a free (not Keegans fault though). Berkovic, yes a good player, but he had already been through 4 british club on big transfers so hardly a massive spot. Besides he only lasted a year or so after er... falling out with Keegan, and left on a free. Tarnat lasted what, a season as well? Same with Bernabia who was 32 when he arrived. So I wouldn't class any of those as showing the ability to spot a bargain or as we were discussing, showing an ability to sign talented youngsters. (as for the rest of his signings such as Bischoff, Sommeil, Mettomo, Negouai, Macken, Vuoso, Jensen, Fowler and McManamanaman who cost around £20 million between them..... Hmmmmm) I love Keegans ability to get good players to play even better, and sell the club to stars, but I have never had great confident in his ability to get the most out of a transfer budget and despite reservations about his return, thought the new setup would have been the perfect combination. Sadly, for us, he couldn't work under those conditions.

When someone signs a better £ for £ signing at Newcastle than Rob Lee it will be good day. Or we sign striker from the lower leagues as good as Andy Cole, I will be very impressed. Who are these relatively unknown players we signed for the first team? Because everyone of them played in one Europe's major leagues the previous season & I think all of them have some type of international caps. That was a fair old while ago now. How well do you feel he did in terms overall signings at his more recent clubs like Man City?

After his Man City signings, from the off I was very glad that we had a team in place to take care of bringing in players/recommending players outside of the obvious pool of players. Keegan had more than his fair share of misses outside of the guaranteed quality of say Anelka.

Bah, so much for trying to be diplomatic.

I may be wrong but don't they have association with Northumberland through the Hotspur family or something like that? Its in Nortumberland Park i think Ah, ok. The sentiment remains the same though.

Isn't the bit you've quoted an editorial from the bloke who effectively runs TF? Well, er... maybe. But, as the dude might say, it's, like, just his opinion man.