James

The age of Bilbo Baggins when he left the Shire.

I'm surprised Sword Damocles is 39, I thought he'd be early forties. How old was he when he retired/started managing?

Did-I-ier that correctly? Yep. The guy on the left is Didier Desailly.

Just to clarify, the guy on the right is called Marcel Deschamps .

Not another favourite? Eh? http://www.rfi.fr/actufr/images/055/foot_desailly220.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b9/Didier_Deschamps.jpg Easy mistake tbh.

Not another favourite? Eh? Oh.

Not another favourite? Eh?

To be honest, the worst thing about Desailly is the commitment issue - will he hang around for long, and will he work with our academy.

Or a manager who took a pretty average side by European standards to the Champions League Final, playing an attractive style of football perhaps... Were talking about the same person That's what I'm saying, of course he's got managerial experience. What thespence is saying is that it worked for Desailly, so why can't it for Shearer?

Mort's criteria: Deschamps satisfies what is bold But anything unboldened is questionable. So it can be questioned that he is a manager of style over substance, who may not want this job, and can't guarantee results. Beggars can't be chossers however.

Unfortunately, Moncur's viewpoint often reflects reality within the terraces.

Hmm, I was warming to the mixture of the organisational and technical expertise of Houllier combined with the iconic leadership and attacking instinct of Shearer. Deschamps falls short in comparison. Unsure Deschamps would meet the criteria set out by Mort, in particular the bit about nurturing young talent.

Lyon also seems to have brought in some quality Brazilian players over the years. Perhaps Houllier could tap into Lyon's contacts in order to get some of those quality players here.

The best ITKs in Newcastle must be telephone repairmen.

This quote from Roeder last night has already been posted, but I recommend that people reread it and also consider the fact that Roeder is one of Houllier's biggest mates in the English game:

Nothing really jumps off the page at you. All the boldened players would have improved Newcastle if they were at us during a period of time that they were at Liverpool.

If he's a genuinely interested contender I guess he's changed his mind about the bold comment. Or he has been offered a role that doesn't match the criteria of a full-time manager.

I reckon Houllier would keep at least 75% of our backroom staff in their jobs.

Who on Earth is Abel Braga?

This is what I'm hearing, but that its going to be more of a case of Shearer/Houllier. Where have you been hearing this James? Not going to name my source, but it comes indirectly from an associate of Houllier.

This is what I'm hearing, but that its going to be more of a case of Shearer/Houllier. With those two, surely they'd have a bust up within six months and things would go to hell again. Not if it is clearly defined as to who does what.

This is what I'm hearing, but that its going to be more of a case of Shearer/Houllier.

They were never on it mate. Good response from the board though. Been listening to SBR, good man. Knew it was doubtful, but at least you can now give a legitimate and understandable reason why we aren't getting them.

Hitzfeld and Lippi are now officially off the list then.

Some aspects of defending we did well, Enrique and Carr stopped them attacking down the touchline. But time and time again, Ronaldo, Rooney and Tevez found their way between our defenders, taking advantage of our centre halves lack of pace, and our midfielders lack of bite.