James

If the club announced that Keegan was replaced by Marcelino then Ashley, Mort, Wise, Vetere, Jimenez and Llambias would be hanging from the Gallowgate before people realised that it isn't Marcelino of the dodgy finger.

It's a code!!!!!!!!!!!

To be honest, to consistently win things in England at the moment, I think you have to be in the same league as Ferguson and Wenger as manager. Mourinho was, Grant isn't. Unless the next appointment is exceptional, expect other clubs to closen the gap. This could be the wheels off moment for Chelsea. How many seasons of being mere runner up can Abramovich take?

This is where Phil Brown shows that he was the brains behind Sam Allardyce.

Fumaca 2.5 out of 7

He is a Nigerian striker who does somersault goal celebrations. His nickname is the Buffalo. So in short, he is a cross between Martins and Enrique.

Would be (sort of) hilarious if thanks to Mort's hard work behind the scenes prior to leaving, top players sign under the stewardship of Derek Llambias, and despite effectively being the same regime, the NE5 history books will note the shambolic failure of the Mort regime based on no-one of note joining the club.

Although I rate Ashton, I am personally alarmed the 11.8% of the average fan specifically saw Ashton as their No.1 ideal signing.

Wasn't a poll. You had to submit names rather than choose between voting options.

Impressive domination of other poll questions by Habib Beye.

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/nufc/newcastle-united-news/2008/05/23/the-full-list-of-votes-from-our-nufc-fans-poll-72703-20964390/

Depends on the strain. 50% is still too much mind, especially as there is no treatment and it is up to the person's immune system. 99.999999999999% a malicious rumour mind. Shame on whoever spread it.

Hope not, that virus has a 50-89% fatality rate amongst humans http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ebola

Nothing. It has just turned into one of 'those' threads.

Of course the agent will do what the client wants or he will be replaced. it is not hard to think that. I am not saying it is his dream; its just that the agent put two clubs before "which u prefer" he will choose one unless he is indifferent and the agent will work on that. if that does not materlise, it is the player's choice to move to the other club. All the dilly dallying are all about finding the best possible deal for player and selling club. Look, I'm not sure if your missing what I'm saying here or just ignoring it, so I'll bold it, no offence meant but you're just not seeing it for some reason. Modric is owned by the Mamic brothers, Modric's agent is..... the Mamic brothers!! How do you fire the person who effectively owns you as a Footballer? Sorry i miss that no offence as well. I thought our bid was accepted as well and we offer more money in wages? lets say the case is that only spurs bid is accepted cos of a higher bid, it is not unreasonable to think Modric is happy with the transfer, he will not be taken as a commodity unless he is thick in the head. I only say he reject us for Spurs cos i was of the impression that both our bids are accepted. i thought KK sounded his disappointment that it is understandable that Modric choose Spurs cos of Europe and London even though we offer higher wages. If i am wrong, i am sorry that i used this eg as part of my reasoning. In any case, i stand by my view that these players will not choose us over Spurs and that we have to be realistic. Maybe i shall be less negative; it will be extremely difficult to sign these players. But i will still keep to my promise and post that i am wrong if we (i hope sincerely despite my negativity) sign one of these rising stars. Modric was apparently only allowed to join Spurs because we wouldn't agree to a clause letting the Mamic brothers keep the profits of a future transfer when another club matched the minimum release clause.

Owen has a virus and will miss both games. Hope he isn't too poorly.

Seriously, didn't Keegan say that everyone is on holiday for a few weeks?

They are waiting for Newcastle-Online to start a transfer forum, so that they can get some ideas.

Probably down to his German background.

A downgrade on Cacapa then (not saying Cacapa is dreadful mind).

Wouldn't be too happy to sign a keeper that couldn't oust the aged Barthez.

Johnnypd, this is why I don't think we have to worry about such issues: Don't know why people keep saying that. Very convenient to forget that when Mort took over, it was him on his own, the chairman's job had responsibility for everything not assigned to the manager. One year on, everything has been split up into various sub divisions, reducing the job responsibilities of the chairman. Today we have: 1) A team of four football experts (Keegan, Veterre, Jimenez and Wise) who will essentially ask for money, and work out the contracts negotiations etc amongst themselves, and have their performance measured by results. The chairman just needs to give them the money. 2) A former Newcastle Racecourse Director on the board, and together with Keegan's input, there is a local input on the board. 3) Mike Ashley, who ultimately sets the targets, controls the boardroom appointments, and holds the purse strings. Llambias will have been at NUFC at least unofficially for a couple of months, he will have been told about what he is inheriting, what he needs to oversee in the short term while he gets up to speed. The chairman's job is now to liase between the board and the owner, and to ensure that the general operations of the club as a business in the leisure industry are as profitable as possible. As a supposed expert in the leisure industry, Llambias should fit in very quickly. The main thing though is that there is zero effect on the pitch. As there are now several of Ashley's staff at the club with clear direction and responsibilities set out for them, there is no reason why the club can't move forward with or without Mort. Chairman doesn't have the permanancy of the days of Shepherd. If Llambias turns out to be a bumbling idiot, he shall get shown the door very swiftly.

Am I right in thinking that for Enrique, Beye, Faye and Modric we heard about it from the selling club first?

You do seem to have a negative outlook. Is that why your username is (almost) 'Shit team' backwards?

I'm curious as to how this plays into our current transfer dealings though. Maybe the last week or two have been spent running Llambias through our plans. I think the chairman is irrelevant these days when it comes to transfers. The 'Football Experts' are given a budget and told to spend it how they want.