Mr Logic

It's one good manager away from success.

This is Shepherd, appointing Shearer wouldn't be a gamble in his myopic view.

We are the same Newcastle side that was in the run up to Souness' sacking, almost. It's now obvious it wasn't Glen that lifted the team and got results, it was just the weight of oppression lifting following Souness' departure. Roeder tactical awareness has been exposed time and again, as has his team selections. After todays game there can't be a shred of faith left in his ability. Shepherd is to blame, but I do find myself wondering if some of these supposed transfers didn't come off coz Shepherd was playing canny, knowing he planned to replace Roeder in the summer. (I sincerely hope that's the case, as much as I want Shepherd gone you can't get everything you want.) Roeder knows he's under a great deal of pressure. When he moves from blaming the players for defeat to hinting the opposition and the fans contributed to a loss it's obvious he's on the edge. Would be surprising for him to hold his hands up and take the blame, but it would be honest. It's really quite scary to consider that Shepherd might not actually have decided yet, that he might consider letting Roeder loose on the transfer market in the summer. That's assuming we avoid relegation! I dread to think. Right now I would welcome Roy Keane with open arms, at least he could motivate the players if nothing else. Irrespective of the next manager, (let's assume we can get one), 3 or 4 of the current crew should get their P45's

On the slide? along with the first team, Roeder and Shepherd they're in freefall, but fear not.. Shepherd has a parachute.

I tried to picture a pre-match panic. "There's two Martins!" "No, the Dutch guy can be pronounced Mart'ee'ns" "Run up to the box and tell the commentary team, Dutch Mart'ee'ns!" You know the rest.

Good read Magic, thanks for that. Though little to raise any cheer, I cannot disagree with anything you wrote. One wonders if Shepherd is aware of any of it. Does he have the next manager lined up, or does he think it's all a bed of roses?

There was a point near the 68th minute where Butt had the ball in an advanced position. He was looking for someone to pass to and then gestured with both hands as if to say 'Nowhere to pass to', he turned and gave the ball to Bramble. Bramble looked for all the world as if he considered passing it to the nearest AZ player, but the ball went slightly astray and went back to Butt. At this point the camera pulled out a bit and I saw the three front players. They were stood like statues without a ficking clue, waiting for the ball to their feet when they were all marked like a man on a walk to the gallows. Not one of the muppets thought about moving to get it, or to create space and movement. Now players can be tired, they can be disinterested and disheartened, but that was abysmal application at this level. I don't know whose fault that is, but hopefully there is video dissections going on tomorrow and those three get a proper bollocking.

You still think your opening post is a good assessment HTT? The team performance at AZ tonight was woeful, and as the majority of players have been seen to perform on other occasions it has to reflect on Roeders instructions. His tactical ineptitude has been exposed all too frequently this season. His hesitancy to change a poor shape, and then dubious substitutions when he does change something are quite obvious. Van Gaal is not a man I admire, but he does know his football, he destroyed Roeder tonight and Roeder had no answer. Nice guy or not, Roeder is not the man for Newcastle.

No-one to blame but Glen, the players only reflect his instructions and mentality on the pitch. They picked up once they'd gone behind, too little too late. Roeder tactical nous has been exposed once too often.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/6183791.stm Changing face of football, is the game we love going to be ruined, or is it the best thing that could have happened?

That's one scoreline that doesn't reflect the game at all. Glad for 3 points, but team needs a serious overhaul. Once Roeder has his favourites back do we go back to losing? (We're going to miss Butt.)

Got some nifty footwork, and fast.. there's a few clips on his website (ryanbabel.nl).

I a lot.