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Ordinarily I'd agree myself, but this time I understand there was actually something to what they wrote - that he'd had a chest infection, which could be pretty serious in the circumstances.

Depends if it's true or not, for me. Me too. Sorry for sounding snappy... but I hear too many people on here with the attitude that if the club, or whatever else, has the power to punish, then you should just roll over. A bit like those arsehole bouncers they had working the games.

Depends if it's true or not, for me.

that absolutely was not the case at all Cracking argument. I'm convinced. Have to say, it wasn't the case for me, either. Trouble is my memory is so atrocious I can't think of any facts to construct an argument around

Yup. Before that I had my doubts about him but that game really made him for me. Was that the 2-2? I remember he was against Conceicao who spent the entire night rolling around like a complete baby. Yup. I vividly remember that as well about Conceicao, Bernard had him in his back pocket. Thought we were looking at a contender for Europe's top left back, that night. Absolutely stonking performance, both going forwards and backwards. All while hamstrung by Conceicao's compatriot referee.

Anyone know what the craic was here? Just scanned the thread and couldn't find anything. Peter Beardsley doing a u-turn? Sounds interesting, anyway - I hadn't seen that.

Yep.

Doubt anyone with any proper feelings for the toon can get into the directors area. If he was to come and stand in the Leazes corner then it might be a different matter. I don't think he meant physically...

Nothing to worry about, that'll have just been a side discussion over aperitifs while they were sorting out the compensation package for Bruce.

Would be a fucking empty forum in this world you propose.

Yeah, the bloke who wrote it must be feeling smug.

Ha... I thought it was mad to run a thread like this back in September.

All about Sunderland, for me.

Hard to agree or disagree. A cynic would say Owen scores you the penalty and you go in 1-0 up with 45 minutes to hold them back. Right now we are now better or worse. Owen and penalties don't mix either, mind.

Has to be Oba. Ought to be Duff for a 4-3-3.

“Shola has scored nearly 50 goals now, which is an incredible achievement” This is a pretty laughable statement - unless he means he's incredulous at the fact Ameobi hasn't yet scored 50 by the age of 27, but that seems unlikely going on the rest of what he says.

He slags Ameobi off something rotten at talk-ins, does he not? So it seems he's capable of saying things he doesn't privately believe...

No he is just a poor bi. This needs to get nominated for something.

What the club stands for? The club stands for its ingrained history and the city. It's about sticking by your team, for me that is local pride, my town, my roots. For others it's about choice but even then I would be surprised if anyone outside the odd fickle cretin would switch to another club. He's saying this club is starting to not represent the city any more, that's his point. I'd agree with the idea that if Ashley/Llambias take it down the route of hyper-commercialisation and hyper sterilise the place so as to make it 'fit for consumers', then it wouldn't stand for the city, it would just stand for a business registered with Companies House. A new club would then more likely possess the soul of Newcastle United. (I'm not getting into whether this is what Ashley/Llambias are doing - just talking about the principle). Forgive me, but bollox would it possess the soul of Newcastle United. Lets forget the usual overeaction that this thread seems to be embracing (there are always ups and downs), we have had it much worse and history has shown Newcastle United, our club, will always come through. Do you understand that that's what fs is going on about, now, at least? You both agree the club should represent the city, culture, history and any of that shit. He's just arguing that it could not do at some point, and you're saying that's impossible. It doesn't make him fickle if he thinks the best way he can support the tradition of Milburn, Gallagher et al is by not doing it through Ashley's business - taking him at his word, he's seen worse performances/finances/football; that's not what's lacking. As ever, I hope you're right on the last point. I expect you are, too. Ozzie makes a valid point. Tron misses the point.

What the club stands for? The club stands for the fucking city. It's about sticking by your team, for me that is local pride, my town, my roots. For others it's about choice but even then I would be surprised if anyone outside the odd fickle cretin would switch to another club. He's saying this club is starting to not represent the city any more, that's his point. I'd agree with the idea that if Ashley/Llambias take it down the route of hyper-commercialisation and hyper sterilise the place so as to make it 'fit for consumers', then it wouldn't stand for the city, it would just stand for a business registered with Companies House. Why would you stand by that? You should either fight to take it off them or abandon that company. A new club would then more likely possess the soul of Newcastle United. (I'm not getting into whether this is what Ashley/Llambias are doing - just talking about the principle).

I just can't quite see us going down. Despite everything... Hmm. Anyway, I went for WBA, Boro and Sunderland - having looked at the latter's fixtures.

I have no idea why you say that, but ok. I concede I would have Shearer ahead of Kinnear. Shearer won't work for this club as things stand, though, so we have to think about something else, in the meantime.

Furthermore, we ate so much salt without good reason last Summer that I'm a bit sick of it.

Not as thick as you and a damn sight richer. Great argument. Conjecture on both counts, you do know what that means don't you?

Right, I've been thinking about this. When can we say things started really going badly at the club? I'd say sometime after last season's January transfer window. Up to that point, yes we'd had some rocky patches with Allardyce, but apart from Keegan's return looking like a daring move, it seemed like Ashley was basically in touch with the club/supporters. Wise, Vetere and co. were appointed, yes, but all statements suggested things were going to be kept under control - Wise and Keegan agreed the latter was top dog. We felt positive, like we were all on the same side - that even if mistakes were made along the way, we'd get there one way or another. Now, you may be wondering why I'm saying all this. Well, something happened on the 30th January 2008. Something we should all take cognisance of. Something that goes to explain all that has taken place since. Jeremy Beadle died. 'Died'. In other words, he 'disappeared from the public gaze'. Gentlemen, I propose that he is not six feet under - he instead faked his own demise, killed Mike Ashley, assumed his persona - with the aid of a rubber mask - and set about pulling his most audacious prank ever upon 52,000 people to kick off a new series of the much missed Beadle's About. Take solace, this whole thing is a wind up.