toontownman

Shearer did that around 2003 I think If he gets the job and does it every week we could get somewhere.

Motivation, determination and concentration have always been the three pitfalls of Shola's game for me. I'd add passion, but its not something I think he lacks, its just he doesnt show it all the time, even when its there. My biggest pet hate with Shola, isnt just his often lazy approach but his big goofy grin that he displays regardless of the score, more often when we are losing!. I cant understand why someone hasnt taken him aside and slapped him around a little or alot and told him to knuckle down. He needs to get angry and at least look like he wants it. The man could be a beast but always looks like he is giving 70%. He has enough tools to succeed when his brain is engaged. The one catalyst we do have here is the fans and the fact he is one of them. I think we will always be able to get a little bit more out of him, where he would fail at other clubs. He is on a confidence high right now, but we need to keep him pushed up there by supporting him. I think old habits die hard and he will never be the player he could be, like Carroll though he might be enough to get us back where we want to be, if we get there the three pitfalls will have to be gone otherwise he will be.

Will be interesting to see what they do at Palace when Guthrie and Barton a likely to be fully fit. Probably just Barton in for Simpson. Cant see them dropping Smith, maybe an outside chance of Nolan being relegated to the bench.

absolutely, although it would be no suprise to see Jonas out the door next week and a midfield looking like this until xmas at least: Barton Nolan Smith Guthrie New RW Barton Guthrie Jonas Would certainly be better though. If Loven comes back (which i'd be suprised about) we may see him on the Left hand side with Jonas on the right.

box or not makes no difference, everyone knows he is in talks with the club to buy it, it would be more worrying if he wasnt sat with Lambias tbh.

Likely a cautious start for the lad. I thought he was supposed to be better attacking than defending by all reports? We will see the attacking side come as soon as he is settled and knows the players around him.

Doesnt mean much either way. Its fact both Moat and Shearer will be here if all goes to plan, so they would obviously both be there. - Moat because he wants to see his potential investment and more obviously that he is a toon fan with a directors box. - Shearer because he will be wanting to watch both his team and the opponents in the league, so he is ready if things do go through. Why would'nt they be there? they are both big fans and its no secret they want in and have a vested intrest. Now had Shearer been sitting with Moat, that might have been different, only slightly though.

Hope we can keep hold of him, we certainly need to. With Barton they are the only creative outlet in the team. Really doesnt bode well as it is, seeing as one cant cross or shoot and the other is always suspended, injured or awol!

Glad someone else is of that opinion. Its still very early days for him and maybe I just havent seen enough of him, he is reasonable and ever improving in the air, but far from great. I havent seen that he has much of a shot on him or any ability to run with the ball. I think he is instantly replacable in the team when we bring someone in upfront. I think the fact that he has a decent work rate, looks focussed and is a geordie boy puts him a couple of stars higher in most peoples mind, he is the only person half capable of winning a ball in the air and trying to hold up play, but this is also something Shola can do if he is in the right mindset. Clapton could be on to something, regarding moving him to the back, but whether the coaching staff have the guts to do that and basically embarrass the staff that have brought him up through the game is another matter. We certainly wouldnt have the staff to do it right now seeing how stretched we are.

Like someone said, learning alot from Shearer.

Ooh i'm getting excited! Might be I shouldnt have downed a litre of pepsi the last half hour though. Give it an hour for the come down and I shall post something negative to make up for it.

yes. Three times. Ashley to Moat, Moat to Shepherd, Shepherd to Ashley. We are just awaiting news on the fourth prospective sale.

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/simon-bird/Why-it-s-still-too-early-for-the-Toon-Army-to-be-feeling-good-about-life-in-the-Championship-article118969.html Not even allowed one day to be happy apparently. Like we thought the bloody good times were back off one result, 'kin hell.

He is sitting tight like the rest of us and hoping something happens this week, If it doesnt he will be off. I dont blame him. If he came out and said he was happy he'd be lying. Saying nothing is the smartest thing to do right now.

Every player (pretty much) is transformed when they're confident... the turmoil at the club is a major reason that I'm prepared to give Jonas some slack at the moment. The performance of almost every player went up by about 50% against Reading when they got the confidence up. Should serve us well in the coming games. Exactly he took what felt like his first shot since being here during that period of the game! If we manage to play like that again he might even cross the ball.

Certainly taking a while to finalise. Still think it will go through.

Always liked Jones, he hasnt always had luck on his side, he was doing well with Southampton when all the rubbish about him was brought up and set him back a few years. Not exactly an awe inspiring appointment if it ever happened, would be a solid one though IMO. Really, saved Coventry from relegation in his first job, granted he couldnt help Coventry the second year, but saving Southampton from relegation and taking them into Europe doesnt exactly count as a fuck up in my eyes. Took them to the FA cup final aswell didnt he? He is thick skinned and used to over demanding fans, has worked with big (named) players and took Celtic into the last 16 of the Champions League twice.. I dont think he would be phased by the job here and would certainly be as good a bet as any name mentioned so far. Who do you want in charge?

Flash in the pan? Although looks like the pan hit her in the face, that or she just farted. Bob Cass fancies a crack now: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1206840/Newcastle-3-Reading-0-Hat-trick-hero-Shola-Ameobi-dedicates-Toon-win-Sir-Bobby-Robson.html

Yeah but when he said andy obrien he was thinking about woodgate.

Rather have williamson from watford. Without knowing anything about him. The return of big nose wouldn't be that bad though. Like yorkie says taylor, colo, campbell and o'brien would be a canny central defence pool, would give the likes of tozer and kadar another year or so to develop too.

People rightly expect more from a defender costing 10m. We would have been better keeping faye for a fraction. However I thought he played well today, I don't expect him to be here beyond this window.happy to support him if he is,he should be getting the measure of the english game by now, hopefully we will see an improvement. he should also go back to his shaven head days and give everyone intense crazy eyed glares all game.

Simpson in for barton if the latter is unfit. That is all. Don't think guthrie will be back in time.

Taylor leaving will hinge on the happenings this week imo. He isn't the highest earner, we have no need to sell him. If we get solidity from this week I think he will stay. I don't see why campbell wouldn't fit in with colo and taylor, we only have kadar in reserve and I think he will be used as back up for enrique. We need two more centre backs truth be told. Sol would give us the leadership and experience lacking for as long as I can remember.

Would be more than happy to have him on board, just having him around the club will improve our backline. Sceptical though, would be suprised to see him dropping his wage demands, more so us paying him half of what he would want. Add Williamson and we have a solid set of CB's. Taylor and Colo both capable of playing elsewhere if needed, or more than likely leaving!

This, I hope we keep him at least until January. 9 player out now with 1 coming in. Surely we can soldier on financially until January? He did actually have a shot near the end though, nearly fell off my seat. Think the crossing, shooting comes down to confidence. You really cant have that floor of your game when your a winger though.