Benwell Lad

Especially bearing in mind the incredible knack our players have for injuring themselves in "training".

Regardless of who you're playing you've got to show guts to win and the team showed a lot of guts in the last 15 minutes with 2 kids playing at centre back. Overall a priceless if not thoroughly deserved win. The penalty miss could go down as one of the defining moments in our season. Regarding the booing of Harewood, booing is a strange thing - it doesn't take that many to make it seem loud. A thousand out of 44,000 will make quite a noise. He was very poor but booing any player in a B&W shirt is disgraceful.

Is about the top and bottom of it BY. As I said no one "serious" seems interested and thats why it's been left to chancers and publicity seekers to fill the column inches. Is £100M a fair price ? Well I'd pay it if I had it . Not JUST because I love the club but because I still believe that properly run it could be worth far more than that.

Sounds like an ideal place and time to finalise a big deal like this. Just reinforces the idea he's not interested in selling. As I said, the tw*t doesn't want to sell the club, if he did it would be sold by now. You just have to look at how many other clubs HAVE been sold. It's so transparent he's using this "I want to sell up" to give him an excuse not to appoint a real manager and to neglect investment in the team. He's deliberately running the club down. There should be riots at the match every week but I think he's beaten everyone into apathy while he's laughing all the way to the bank. One of the questions I often ask myself is why did the SJH sell his shares to this tw*t. I'd be surprised if he wasn't aware of the type of bloke Ashley is, word gets around at those levels of business. Has sadly become one of only two possible scenarios left, the other being that no one serious would touch Newcastle with a bargepole fearing they'd just be spending a lot to end up in the same situation. Either way it's the same net result and certainly not good for us. Perhaps the time has come for Shearer to truly show his "feelings" for the club and do a "Niall Quinn". i.e. legendary ex centre forward puts his personal interests aside and uses his knowledge and popularity to broker a takeover deal. It may take a knight in shining armour to end the current impasse.

Interesting point. It has to have made some sort of impact in terms of the way supporters exchange views about the team - not least in terms of broadening the audience beyond just the local press etc. The internet has made everyone an expert on everything. As an aside Keef, as I'm sure you realise, I'm not just talking about complaining about shoddy performances. Coupling that with the point made by Consortium of One about it being like "having a bad case of depression and then going to hang out with a group of people that are just as depressed" gets you thinking really... ...places like this forum can all too easily become incubators of widespread discontent, nihilism and depression or they can become a place that fosters a bulldog spirit, a place where we cheer on not just the team but each other, building solidarity and a shared sense of determination. "I have a dream..." I was speaking to a mate in the pub the other day and he reckoned the internet was the worst thing that ever happened to football. He said you couldn't just enjoy it for what it was anymore and that you couldn't have an opinion on anything without being prepared to viciously fight your corner to defend it. Everything's analysed down to the most minute detail and it sucks all the fun out of it. Interesting point of view. There have been posts on here (arguments) where posters have dredged up something the other person wrote years ago. It's a bit sad really.

Internet forums definitely seem to make people braver than they may otherwise have been.

That's the only home I've been to so far this season and I thought it was better than the games I went to last year. We spent a lot of time getting beat last year. Probably why. Undoubtedly. But away teams selling out and "fashion fans" pissing off has definitely helped too.

No, but it wasn't rehashed over and over like it can be on a website. It's like the negativity feeds on itself. I don't go to that basketball website much anymore and I have to say that I have enjoyed the games more since I stopped. I don't go to any New York Jets message boards any more either. Rooting for that team is hard enough. It's like having a bad case of depression and then going to hang out with a group of people that are just as depressed. It ain't gonna make you feel better. I just think, for myself, that siezing whatever positive is going to be better. and that doesn't mean the negatives have to be ignored, just that everything should be in a reasonable perspective. I mean, when it comes down to it only one team can be champion and only one teams fans will enjoy that sweet victory. The rest will be disappointed to some degree but still for most there will be some positives. The question is: which is more important to enjoying rooting for your club? Just love that line. Sums up decades of following Newcastle.

Bang on. A bit like leaving the ground after a draw where you've conceded a late equaliser as opposed to scoring a late equaliser. Same result, different feeling.

Thanks for a very refreshing and articulate view from the other side of the pond. I'm here in Newcastle and I totally agree with you.

I know the expression "fan culture" sounds foreign but you know what I mean. Good old fashioned atmosphere which seems to have been on the wane over the last few years. Apart from seeing your team win, the next best thing about going to the match is to be part of an atmosphere which makes it a special occasion. One of the silver linings of the big black cloud of relegation seems to be a better atmosphere at the matches. We now have a core support of around 40K for home games, but most of the 10K or so who have gone were the plastics who were never particularly passionate about the game. Added to this we are now the big day out for every club in the league and whether it's far away Plymouth of little old Doncaster (3,000+ coming on Saturday) they will all sell out and this will add to a really good atmosphere. Compare that to the big league where Wigan, Fulham, Pompey and even Villa (amongst others) could only manage a couple of bus loads, and even some of those who sold out (Liverpool, Sunderland, Chelsea etc) barely made any noise at all. I hope we're back in the big league soon but the atmosphere at Championship matches so far has been far better than the Premiership.

Wow! Talk about paranoia!! You need to see a shrink if you think other fans would really do this! Maybe ? I still think it is the case - a small number of course - and just to crank up the paranoia theory up it happens amongst certain members of the press too, constantly digging at Newcastle at every oppportunity. You cant deny that certain "fans" on here, only ever make snidey and negative posts whatever the results. A forum is their perfect platform. Not saying there is no negativity in town but I find "real" discussions about the club in and around Newcastle a lot less negative than the tone of this forum. Fortunately most on here are true Newcastle fans who know we need to get promoted quickly and will do their bit by supporting the team through thick and thin.

Absolute top post and written by someone who is a real supporter. Unfortunately a forum by it's very definition allows anyone in to spout and rant as they please, but this forum has been particularly hysterical of late. As you say football is no precise science and we have no right to win football matches because of our name, status or "wage bill". In many cases the same people who were saying we'd go straight down before the season started are now wailing because we're only joint top by a narrow margin . Some criticise our squad strength in one post then say we should walk the league because of our wage bill in the next ! This league certainly isn't the Premier but to hear laughable comments comparing opposition teams to "pub teams" shows the writers have never played football at any standard themselves. All Championship teams are made up of well paid professional footballers who have come through the ranks. To think they'll lie down because they're playing against "big club" Newcastle is ridiculous. We also have to realise that a Newcastle forum is a perfect place for agitators and people with an agenda against us to work. There are posters on here who tactically put the knife into the club and it's fans at every opportunity while trying to masqerade as Newcastle supporters. That way they think it's even more effective. There are posters on here who have NEVER written anything positive and even a resounding win will be dismissed because the opposition was "shit". They write rubbish about players hoping that we'll turn on them. They support other clubs and are best ignored.

I'm afraid this thread is really a load Of lies and half truths from up Barrack Road We may win the league but we won't win a cup So why don't you all shut the f*ck up.

Excellent article. The point about a strong scouting and coaching operation and an eye on future transfer windows etc is probably a lot more pertinent than who is manager right now.

Which ultimately is no big deal, despite the hysterics coming from NUFC.com and others. With the continuing impasse regarding the sale of the club, it probably offers Hughton the respect he deserves while not tying down any untried or long contract expensive manager who would take a further chunk of wedge away should a future owner not want them. What makes you think that our present state of uncertainty is temporary and we are just waiting for a new owner to come in, so lets not appoint a manager of any credibility so he doesn't have to sack him ? Need I remind you, that we've been in this uncertain position for well over a year now and there's still no light at the end of the tunnel. We are stuck with Ashley's ridiculous ownership, the least we can hope for is that he appoints people with some sort of clue around him. This club could fall a lot further, we haven't bottomed yet. No, frankly you don't. I know about as much as anyone else right now i.e. very little, hence the theoretical tone of my post. You seem to know. Please enlighten us. What is fairly clear is that no one SERIOUS is remotely interested in buying Newcastle, and honestly who can blame them. A small point about Hughton. You may not think he has "any credibility" but he is very well thought of in football, and getting the start he has out of the team despite the ongoing uncertanties will only have enhanced his stock. I don't think anyone wants him as long term manager, but to dismiss him as lacking credibility is mis-informed at best and malicious at worst. He's got an good reputation within football as a COACH not a manager. He's failed miserably when put in the position as caretaker every time bar this time, which is in a lower division with a squad far superior almost everything else in it. All you do by appointing him permenatly is mean someone will have to sack him eventually whether that be this season because we fail to get up, or early next season because we start to struggle.. Then you lose the good coach you had. There is nothing in this man's make up that suggests he can handle a manager's job, nothing, does he have a spine ? Is he charamatic ? Will he make tough decsision ? Will he stand up to the ownership on matters he regards as important ? Will he be able to tactical out master his opponents ? We he intimidate other managers, like a certain red nosed Scot ? Will he be more than a yes man for a disfunctional ownership ? You really need to read and digest a post before replying. Most of what you have ranted there has already been said and evryone knows he is a COACH not a manager and no one really sees him as a long term appointment. OK it's clear, you DON'T rate him. So who do you think should be our manager in the present situation ?

Jesus i've just read this. They got off extremely lightly compared to what they would have got in the old days. Mackems in bars and clubs in Newcastle - what is the world coming to ?

Smith is similar I'd say. Speaking of tough no nonsense, it's about time we had more tough no nonsense parents who stop their kids becoming West London gloryseekers. Welcome ! Sadly my ex-wife's family are Chelsea mad so I lost out to them with my two older boys. I've got a daughter (4) and baby boy though with my new wife and I'm working on them. Gonna bring my seven year old step-son to SJP after Christmas aswell as he has no loyalty to a team at the minute. Fingers crossed that I can change my forum name in the future. Good luck mate. Actually the way things are going I might start supporting Chelsea. Is there a waiting list for tickets................................

Aye I thought this, good to know I'm not the only cynic. I just don't believe a word they utter. I think everything is done for a reason for them and their ends. On the other hand giving Hughton the job would be typical, he's cheap, he won't argue and he'll say all the right things when Enrique, Taylor and Jonas are sold in January with another Harewood or Raylor coming in (or even worse) for three months. Even on a temporary contract, Hughton complained about the squad size. Calling him a 'yes' man is slightly unfair at this point. No one in his position is going to start mouthing off about the chairman. If you were a temp, on a month-to-month deal, are you going to start complaining loudly about your fat, incompetent boss? Or are you going to wait until you have a permanent contract and more security before you disagree with bad decisions? And let's say you're right, and Ashley and Llambas sell Enrique, Jonas, Barton and anyone else of any value. What should he do at that point? What is in the best interest of the club? Tell Ashley he's a c*** and resign? Leave the club at the mercy of Ashley, Kinnear, or whatever bad idea he appoints in the interim? Good points. Hughton has actually been quite vocal regarding squad strength/size, in a rational sort of way. Let's face it if we're going to be honest he's actually said far less in support of Ashley than both Keegan and Shearer, who were both quite complimentary to him while they were "manager". Lest we forget.

I know you're new but you can't say anything even remotely negative about Ranger on this forum. He's a god and also posts on the Forum. Look, I like him. Think he'll be a class player, was just saying that a lot of players were not angels before they got to the pro ranks. Especially if they came from inner city areas. But I've added it to my list anyway. So that's no copyright infringement and no mentioning of Nile Ranger. Anymore? Cattermole is not from an "inner city area" he's from Teesside. Teesside makes your average inner city area look like Monaco.

Smith is similar I'd say. Speaking of tough no nonsense, it's about time we had more tough no nonsense parents who stop their kids becoming West London gloryseekers. Welcome !

Which ultimately is no big deal, despite the hysterics coming from NUFC.com and others. With the continuing impasse regarding the sale of the club, it probably offers Hughton the respect he deserves while not tying down any untried or long contract expensive manager who would take a further chunk of wedge away should a future owner not want them. I agree with this also and it makes sense but long term no thanks ,just get us promoted Chris and get your moment of glory after being so dignified in this whole shambles. I don't think anyone wants it to be long term and it's unlikely to be so. My question mark over Hughton is WHY he wants this and WHY he even bothered staying in the first place ? Some people are calling him a puppet and spineless. Absolute bullshit. Chris Hughton would not be out of work for long if he left Newcastle, he has an excellent reputation within the game. He HAS options and for some strange reason chose to stay here whether as coach, caretaker or boss. He must be mad. Most people would have done a runner at the first opportunity ! He has an excellent reputation as a coach maybe, the only reputation he has as a manager is the one he's building here and the jury's still very much out on that one. Dead right. Although he has a good name in the game he can not be judged as a manager yet. Lets face it we could appoint anyone in football as manager, but to some if his surname is not Keegan or Shearer he'd be unworthy and on a hiding from the start. If I were Hughton I'd rather be a coach somewhere sane than manager of the hysterical and mad Newcastle, but for some reason he seems to like it here. God knows why ?

Which ultimately is no big deal, despite the hysterics coming from NUFC.com and others. With the continuing impasse regarding the sale of the club, it probably offers Hughton the respect he deserves while not tying down any untried or long contract expensive manager who would take a further chunk of wedge away should a future owner not want them. What makes you think that our present state of uncertainty is temporary and we are just waiting for a new owner to come in, so lets not appoint a manager of any credibility so he doesn't have to sack him ? Need I remind you, that we've been in this uncertain position for well over a year now and there's still no light at the end of the tunnel. We are stuck with Ashley's ridiculous ownership, the least we can hope for is that he appoints people with some sort of clue around him. This club could fall a lot further, we haven't bottomed yet. No, frankly you don't. I know about as much as anyone else right now i.e. very little, hence the theoretical tone of my post. You seem to know. Please enlighten us. What is fairly clear is that no one SERIOUS is remotely interested in buying Newcastle, and honestly who can blame them. A small point about Hughton. You may not think he has "any credibility" but he is very well thought of in football, and getting the start he has out of the team despite the ongoing uncertanties will only have enhanced his stock. I don't think anyone wants him as long term manager, but to dismiss him as lacking credibility is mis-informed at best and malicious at worst.

Cattermole is just a horrible person. Howard Webb to get AIDS would be some small justice for what he did to us last season too.

Which ultimately is no big deal, despite the hysterics coming from NUFC.com and others. With the continuing impasse regarding the sale of the club, it probably offers Hughton the respect he deserves while not tying down any untried or long contract expensive manager who would take a further chunk of wedge away should a future owner not want them. I agree with this also and it makes sense but long term no thanks ,just get us promoted Chris and get your moment of glory after being so dignified in this whole shambles. I don't think anyone wants it to be long term and it's unlikely to be so. My question mark over Hughton is WHY he wants this and WHY he even bothered staying in the first place ? Some people are calling him a puppet and spineless. Absolute bullshit. Chris Hughton would not be out of work for long if he left Newcastle, he has an excellent reputation within the game. He HAS options and for some strange reason chose to stay here whether as coach, caretaker or boss. He must be mad. Most people would have done a runner at the first opportunity !