James

Bit uncomfortable about the fact that the majority of people on here haven't seen him play enough to judge, yet some of these have already written him off. I wish these people weren't Newcastle fans, as this is embarrassing.

Of all the players that failed to match the quality expected by NUFC fans, he was the best. Perhaps Sib/Owen would have been our best partnership though

Better than Rush, Gui'Varch, Andersson and Tomasson rolled into one.

WUM Do you not understand smileys?

Shows a distinct lack of ambition, instead of signing good, proven quality players with proper money, we are spending tiny amounts on players that have done nothing. This is not going to get us anywhere. This reminds me of the old old board.

According to a proven ITK, Giles Barnes was in Newcastle on 31st January 2007, and we pulled out at the very last minute. It was £2.5m iirc.

Just where does it say that?

This might have been why Allardyce 'wanted out'

Couldn't find a picture of Vetere, but here is Tony Jimenez: http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/38793000/jpg/_38793297_swisstoni_bbc150.jpg

Dispel That would make a great nickname for him.

How does this compare with the Spurs setup?

Enrique is probably injured.

Comolli was Monaco's youth coach for a number of years, then got the job as chief european scout for Arsenal, did a fantastic job there, then moved on to being DOF at St. Etienne before moving to Spurs. Arnesen was Robson's assistant at PSV then DOF for ten years, discovering dozens of major talents and widely considered the best spotter of South American talent in europe. so by the time Spurs appointed those two they had far more experience and expertise in the role than Dennis Wise. i couldnt care less what nationality the DOF is, in fact since there are very few, if any, british DOFs about it makes more sense to look abroad for one. Missed the point, Before Arnesen became DOF what was he - a nothing Assistant Manager no higher than John Carver for instance. Comolli is different, but I dont think anyone came through from his three years coaching Monaco under-16s, and in the end of the day it was wenger who signed the Arsenal players and not Comolli. So once more, when he became DOF at St. Etienne he didn't have much of a starting point. Who are these brilliant DOF's out there who would drop everything to come to Newcastle. If you cant get one, why not build one? Thats what PSV and St. Etienne did.

So I'd assume Shearer was offerred a seat on the CFEI (Council of Former England Internationals)

Aye, and we had Gordon Milne. Neither were in DOF roles that you would see on the continent. These were just head scouts that took the caretakers position where required.

ATTENTION! Look at other DOF's in England. Comolli was a youth coach, and then a scout before becoming a technical director. Arnesen was an assistant manager before becoming a DOF. They both started from not very much. Wise has experience as a manager, plus several high quality contacts from his playing days. That is more than can be said of the other two. This is actually a very ambitious and creative move. Britain doesn't do Director's of Football or technical directors. Those that are here are poached from the outside, and lets face it, not all clubs are going to be able to find one from another league. This is the first genuine attempt to create a British DOF for a British club, and should be commended, even if it doesn't work out.

Out of interest, and not trying to make a point, but with regard to all these complaints about getting a DOF with no experience, how did other DOFs start out?

How the fuck?!?! Isn't his curfew 7pm?

Paul Huntington and Lee Bowyer are coming back for £22m

We do not support a normal straight forward football club.

Are there any odds for there being a non-Premier League finalist?

About five years ago, I dreamt that we won a cup final, Nicky Butt scored the winner, while Clive Tyldesley kept saying Dennis Wise's name rather a lot.

2-1 manucho again.