toontownman

Was mentioned that Venables rebuffed an approach from us to take over on Setanta this morning in the build up to the bolton/arsenal game. I havent seen it written or mentioned anywhere else, although I havent been searching for it, just what they said.

Go all out for Houllier IMO. Was previously interested, will get the squad together, has the experience, is respected and more than anything else might keep Michael Owen here longer than January. Might understandably not fancy the job under the current circumstances, however at his age might also like the short term appeal of steadying the ship. Can see O'Leary here by weds though. El Tel has already turned us down apparently so I doubt we are even thinking outside the British box.

I went to this joke of a game today, and I think you have got it absolutely spot on. Must be in the minority then, I thought Duff played well after the first 15mins. Colo wasnt nearly as bad as your making out and is still finding his feet in the league, having the snails infront protecting the back four and the complete bilge on either full back flank we had today would make Ferdinand or Terry look like Boumsong. As someone earlier stated Edgar is worse than Ramage and has half his pace! Xisco looked good holding up play but lacks the edge coming forward, some of his lay offs were great, working alongside fatty viduka when he is back will do him wonders. Thought Butt was wasteful again, alongside a LB a replacement for Butt is priority come January. Cacapa played well but like Geremi is limited due to his woeful lack of pace, despite showing decent creativity. I cant understand why Bassong isnt starting, Nacho looked lightweight when he came on but might be a better bet for Weds than sticking with Cacapa and Butt. There were two teams for the taking today, unfortunatley West Ham had the positive edge having appointed Zola, whilst we are very much in limbo. We could have easily had two penalties courtesy of Scott Parker and a free kick right on the edge, none of which were given. It was never going to be our day after the luck we had for the first goal. I have seen us play much worse, I'm not concerned in the slightest about the team, the passing and forward thinking football is still leagues ahead of what we are used pre Keegan (2nd coming), we had some great link up play at times but struggled to convert, we miss someone running through the middle, hopefully Nacho can step up to that. Its strained at the moment but we have half our first team injured. Its imperative however we get in someone experienced in charge to turn the negativity around and get the players lifted. The club will be set up nicely when the injured return over the next 3 weeks and whoever takes over really only needs a handful of quality players in January to push us drastically forward. Getting a manager in (even interim) will be enough to swing the players spirits back to winning ways. The problem is finding the right person and soon.

Times ten. Would probably rather have him than Ince but there must be better choices even for the short term.

Venables wouldnt be a bad bet. Dislike the man but he is a good coach and would command respect amongst the players, rather than sneers and laughter the O'Leary or Curbs would provoke. Cant see us appointing anyone other than Interim which cuts the decent names down to minimum. Interim could be a bad bet mind, just imagine O'Leary did well for a few matches, suddenly the press would be wetting themselves pushing him for the full time job, wouldnt take long for the mongs to follow suit. There isnt much reason for Keegan not coming back if he really wants the job now Cashley is on the way out. I think it would be farcical to get someone in for a month or two only for Keegan to come back with new owners, If he doesnt come back now Id rather we moved on to someone completely different with the new board coming in.

You see, its not all bad news! http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/newcastle/article4769607.ece Should be fit just in time for us to pay someone to take him in January.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/sep/16/newcastleunited.premierleague1 Debt? What Debt? Shepherd hits out at Ashley over 'ridiculous' Newcastle claims Mike Ashley's claims that he inherited a financial mess at Newcastle United and possibly saved the club from going bust have been rubbished by Freddy Shepherd. Newcastle's former chairman last night defended his regime and said he had left all departments in good shape. Ashley is seeking to sell the club a year after buying out the Hall family along with Shepherd, who had a smaller stake. He claimed on Sunday that without him Newcastle "might not have survived". But Shepherd said the sports retailer, who had opted against due diligence, had purchased a club equipped for prosperity. "It's absolutely ridiculous; everything was covered," Shepherd said. "But what Ashley didn't realise was that he had to pay off the mortgage on the stadium. If the Halls lost control, that debt had to be paid immediately. The largest part of the debt was the stadium and I think he had to pay around £57m. "To build that stadium now would cost £450m. Newcastle were in good shape when I left. There was no way the club was going anywhere but upwards." Nevertheless Newcastle still owe about £27m in instalments on transfer fees negotiated under Shepherd. "Yes, they are still paying off the tail end of Owen's deal and possibly one or two others, but we're not the first to have done that," he said. "It's not unusual. We'll stand by our record, the Halls and the Shepherds. We built a great stadium, we built a great training ground. We left all the tools there and a good set of players. Everything was there. We've nothing to be ashamed of. "We were always looking at ways to expand the business and increase turnover. I make no apology for the fact that we were in the Champions League twice and Europe more times than I can recall." Shepherd believes Newcastle to be worth "about £230m". He said: "Ashley would get a buyer at that price. That would prove he does love the club and is doing right by it rather than himself." But Ashley is expected to put the asking price at about £300m. Shepherd said he was considering offers from two consortiums to become involved again. "A lot of people can buy football clubs. It has now been proved not a lot of people can run them." And he said Ashley, while seeking a buyer, should reinstate Kevin Keegan as manager.

Does this mean there is no chance of Mort returning? Shame its come to this. This whole episode will certainly act as a warning to potential investors.

Bassong is the bollocks. I have been really pleased with Bassong Looks a tidy defender. So far so good. If Enrique isnt fit for Spammers we need to start him at LB. If Enrique is fit I wouldnt mind him starting at CB, dropping butt and maybe putting Colo just infront.

That or just sticking two fingers up at Keegan for walking away!

Has there been no more info on this? .com saying its only bad bruising rather than dislocation. Maybe back for next week or the week after?

This. Although worse names have already been heavily linked.

You think he would be used to this shit by now then.

so if we walk round with a banner saying "newcastle are great", we'd win every week? Doesnt matter what the hells on the banner if its taking away attention from the game when we could be spurring the team on. I dont think this was the reason we bombed in the second half. It certainly didnt help, any extra distraction on what was going to be a very hard day for the players wasnt needed. Personally I thought it was embarrassing and detrimental, the timing would have been bad whenever it happened but at a time when we really needed the crowd fully behind us we broke down and abandonded them. That said everyone is entitled to voice their opinion, I dont blame people for that.

The ONLY good thing to come out of today. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/7614783.stm WOO!

He is fucking gash. Sometimes he plays some nice balls across the park, but then he gives it away cheaply or turns into Alan Smith and hacks someone down. Its similar to Gary Speed, he is getting too old and should really only be on the bench once we get players back. Hopefully the new manager sees that.

No. think what would happen the next time he throws his toys out of the pram. move on, but for the love of god not with paul ince.

Looked ok today should settle in well.

Agreed with blue star. hope he gets better with time. didnt look any better than shola tbh.

I cannot understand why. He would be one of the last managers in the premier league I would want. He has shown himself to be arrogant and upset the players at Blackburn. His training methods are apparently laughable and he has never struck me as charismatic or likeable.

I agree with the sentiment no-one with a sane mind would pick Wise over Keegan for judging a players character/worth/potential. But do you really think any of those players we astounding finds? Albert and Ginola maybe although neither were unknown. Keegan isnt used to working with a budget at all his clubs he was given more money than anyone else around him, he only faultered at Man City when they stepped up to the premiership into a more level playing field. Wise's role is supposed to be about co-ordinating the scouting though isnt it, compiling the lists using his contacts/scouts to get younger players into the team and finding players for the manger in the first team. I think Ashley has decided Wise/Jimenez/Vetere etc and their contacts are more valuable than Keegan. In turn he underestimates how valuable Keegan can be to the club, it will be next to impossible to find someone with his knowledge and respect. If however he does really believe in the system then a subdued, hands tied Keegan with no war chest just wont work, so we should move on and find the right person to fit with system.

Perhaps Sir Bobby should have asked the same question of Mick Wadsworth when he let him sign up Gavilan, Cordone, Bassedas and Acuna. Ouch! I doubt he even knew where Gordon Milnes office was to be honest, thats if he even had one.

Must be about time for the annual Steve Bruce links to come out. Cannot believe I am saying this, but I would rather have Bruce than Ince. Looks like another week or two of torment with no info on a new manager.

Neither IMO. If both believe in their approach which im sure they do they have to stick with it. Keegan compromises - we dont see the Keegan we all know and love. Ashley compromises - he is KK's bitch for the future and looks weak. We need to move on and find someone who will fit into the system we want.

Fair play to Ashley for trying. I dont believe it could have worked long term anyways. Quite simply neither man was prepared to budge enough with their own "vision" of Newcastle's future. I dont think either should have to. Some things arent meant to be. Up to Ashley to start proving himself now though. If he believes his approach is better for the long term he has to back it up with big things. I didnt want Keegan back last January and again this morning I would have said the same thing. However its on its hard to refuse the man. Ive been at the point of not caring the past 7 days, more than anything else I just want us to get someone in so we can get back to normality. I think we will be left waiting a while yet, looks like Ashley truly thought he could change KK's mind. I dont believe he has really given much thought to who HE wants to take over. Messrs wise et al obviously already have but I think after today its clear that Ashley definately listens to himself aswell as his cronies.