80

End of thread. Unquestionably HTT's most concise ever. ...the ingredients are there for us. Have been for some time. It's the unfailingly astounding capacity of llambias (I'm blaming him) to snatch ignominious defeat from the jaws of victory that has had us on the down.

Most refreshing of all he understands how he wants his team to work and hasn't been daunted at any point with regard to fianancial constraints and a million other challenges at the club. Yep, especially regarding your first point. He seems to see all players within the context of the greater picture - what a new signing will allow an old squad member to do differently etc. Very nice. Not had that since... Well, keegan, actually. Robson, prior to that.

All things considered I'd say I'm very content with his recruitment efforts. Not perfect but which clubs' are? i like the reasoning behind probably all the transfers that I can think of.Sometimes things don't work out, other times they go unexpectedly well, c'est la vie - the aim is to maximise your chances of success. The only thing I'd be fascinated to know is exactly how or scouting and negotiating works. If I found out wise was still involved in some way or other I wouldn't be all that surprised in all honesty (or jeff vetere - I'd probably be pleased to hear that actually as I'm under the impression he was alright, a cockney lamb that shouldn't have been sacrificed). That said most indications seem to suggest hughton has a hefty say in things, at least with regards assessing priority squad areas and to a lesser extent identifying particular players.

If my post set this off, it's the first time I've ever mentioned it. I just meant that there aren't many black or mixed race managers succeeding at the top level. I would like to see him do it. I know he doesn't represent or speak for all people of his racial background... but it's always good for people to have role models. It did but only insofar as I haven't said anything when more overt references have been made in the past.that's why I made a remark about it always seeming slightly harsh to go in off any one particular post. It's the overall situation that's the issue, and it's journalists who first put it on the agenda and keep it there. Fao thespence, I appreciated that post

Seriously, what the fuck is the obsession with the bloke's ancestry. Keep thinking of saying this but always seems somewhat harsh to focus it on any one poster after some reference is made. I'm mainly thinking of stuff in the media. Numerous references to how the inevitably awful experience of growing up mixed race will have given him an inner strength which belies his outer demeanour. If I was him I'd be pretty well pissed off by it.

Most impressed by the attitude shown tonight, especially by those who you might anticipate not putting a shift in in such testing circumstances (facing combative opposition often out of position). Not everything shown was ideal, but it generally bodes well for the futures of both individuals and the overall production line alike.

They did break the Tiote deal, mind.

Can see posts like this being regretted in a few months... We'll have to see. Hope not, obviously...

I like his quality being recognised, I think it can only be a good thing if we're going to go anywhere as a club. All hinges upon the fact I think he genuinely does mean what he says about loving the place and wanting to take us up with him.

After an extremely positive opening day result...

Seeing as there's this paranoia about him not getting praise for good results, thought I'd put myself on record - I like him. Got a lot of time for him as a manager. Don't really have a clue where all this is going to end up, mind... But actually, that's quite a positive thing to say, when I think about it - I'm not putting any limits on my expectations of him.

Should have kept it till at least 40 points, I was a fan of it. Looked like a proper bastard. Unusual in today's game.

I'm literally now going off to ask the others if I'm supposed to ban him for that, I'm not totally sure if I can even work out what he's saying... Sort your grammar at the very least, mate.

Your signature is doing my head in. I can't bring myself to care THAT much about this result against Villa - we wouldn't have done what they did, I'm glad we've done them over for it, but I don't wanna make out they're more important than they are. Have never been on our radar, frankly. Couple of banners aren't going to change that in my mind. This is more like doing Birmingham City or Wolves in the past - sweet but... Thinking about it, we don't really get on with the Midlands, do we?

Either a similar article has been done with him in the past or someone else has told a very similar story a few years back... can't think who.

http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/6301/ohtehnoes.jpg Fwiw, I do sometimes wonder if he is important in what good things we do have about the team off the field. Would be happy if we could keep him on as a cheap coach... not happening, of course.

Fuck. Beautiful :lol:

Might have made a difference... depending on whether he could have avoided the white shirt disease that was going around. Of course, chances of him getting on the pitch were slim to none given Capello's attitude re: Lampard et al.

No expert but I also understood that to be the case.

I don't wanna make this out to be too important, but I think actually signing him will add to Hughton's gravitas and help him in other areas to an extent. Just being perceived as someone who knows how to impress and can make noteworthy moves helps you repeat that trick. Attached to that, having him here will help restore the fame of the club - some on the continent will have forgotten we exist, while it'll also make it slightly more attractive and less daunting to join for another decent foreigner - won't just be a team of cloggers that he'll have to join.

And it is genuinely a mad transfer. Shouldn't be forgotten. Don't know how the British media can be so slow to pick up on the events. Players going on strike, unilaterally flying to England, then being turned away from their desired destination because the club don't want to be hit by a FIFA punishment, plus christ knows what else. This is newsworthy. There's more than normal to talk about.

Seville v Betis - I've seen that as lively rivalry between the fans? Well, there have been some naughty incidents in those games. But Andalusian fans are livelier than Madrid/Barça ones by far. Really, any game between Sevilla and any other Andalusian team (they hare hated throughout the region) is pretty entertaining in the stands. I like your anglo colloquialisms a lot, by the way

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/newcastle-united/nufc-news/2010/08/17/kevin-nolan-in-battle-to-be-fit-for-aston-villa-72703-27077398/ For what it's worth, a possible excuse for Nolan's performance. Article doesn't say whether he's been concussed for the past 18 months, but still, I suppose we should bear it in mind for last night.

Didn't see the second half as clearly as I'd have liked to. Biggest single critical thing to say would regard our lack of attacking pace and verve. Broadly appreciated the attitude shown, though. Call me on the 1st of September and we'll talk.