Rich

I prefer to phrase being a cunt as "having character". I could have avoided that ban by saying NE5 "had character". Why didn't I think of this before? Definitely. The atmosphere was a bit weird like, but then as you said it was the first time most had met one another. The fact I was with a couple of mates from outside of here made it more awkward from a personal perspective, they'd just come to make the numbers up/for a kickabout and obviously weren't that interested in being sociable (not that they are anyway like). Gatherings with internet folk aren't well-known for their sparkling atmospheres though, especially on the first occasion! I think it relaxed a fair bit before/during the game, I had some decent banter with Nixon and a couple of others who I hadn't met before. Think everyone was in their shell to an extent first time around. Should be a lot better for this one.

Pilko, if you weren't such a massive cunt I'm sure we'd have been a lot more sociable.

Are you playing LB or RB?

Thought it worthy of its own thread as it's a bit wider-ranging than just focusing on Joey Barton. With every passing article/column, George Caulkin goes up in my estimations. I know his competition isn't exactly strong but I cannot remember enjoying a journalist as much as I enjoy him. Obviously a bit hammy at times, but quite nice to read something in the national press that carries our banner a bit. For all the abuse (often rightly) that we dish out to newspapers and journalism on here, The Times - and Caulkin in particular - seem to do the business more often than not. I thought it only fair to highlight what I consider a good piece that is nicely written and which conveys a lot of my own personal feelings on the Barton matter, Shearer as manager and the general perception/plight of Newcastle United in the modern game.

http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2009/05/joey-barton-an-apology.html

Gutted.

Yeah, I suggested something along these lines a few days ago, but was roundly criticised because it was "too early to judge him", apparently... Would you like some pork scratchings with your bitter? People have nowt left but hope, you have to allow them to cling onto something man! I don't think he's been given enough games, but he's certainly been a massive breath of fresh air. As I said yesterday, it took KK on a huge wave of initial optimism (more than Shearer had) 9 games to sort this lot out... it was always a huge ask.

He does hate us like. Revels in our aberrations.

For most it seems the issue isn't whether it was a red or yellow or not (I don't think it warranted a sending off), but rather the fact that Barton ever made the tackle in the first place. That's where he's let himself - and us - down. Of course he was judged more harshly because of who he is, where we were playing and because the referee was poor. Everything conspired against him after the fact, but he should have never put himself into that position. It's a shame it's happened and he's suspended, but he deserves everything he gets for bringing it upon himself unfortunately.

Phil, just debate the points man, no need to descend into narky comments every single time somebody disagrees with you.

Aye. I don't mind Freddy Shepherd the bloke, to be honest, and I will be frank and say that I did like having Geordies running the club, with a Geordie manager (well sort-of) and some Geordie players. Not that I have anything against mercenary foreigners (joking!), but it did feel a lot more "grounded" when it was like that and it was a lot easier to feel a part of. Times like this though, there's better things to be doing than crying over spilled milk and raking over the same ground again and again - especially during a fucking game. To see this thread thriving between 1.30pm and 3.15pm yesterday was an embarrassment.

Same here. Good post but I was actually quite happy to see Shearer's reaction. That was him holding back a fair bit too.

Although I agree as well, that all completely ignores the financial aspect, from start to finish, which is where the real bones of contention lay. For whatever reason, be it the state the club was in or his own inability/desire to run a football club with debt, Ashley has been hamstrung by something which has led to him adopting the stance he has taken. If anyone sits down and thinks about it then I'd be surprised to see anybody not credit the old board for where they managed to take us. It certainly wasn't all peaches and cream then, either, like - and not JUST towards the end.

I was having a laugh with you man. Dear me.

I'm afraid I disagree, his ball retention was fucking awful. Weaker than water, just got nudged off the ball time and again. Correctly removed at the interval. Agree with Pilko. He's very, very poor technically and was incredibly average again - first game in a while though I suppose. Just not convinced he's got the stuff required, but then again who has? Also agree with the Barton stuff. I do think the red was harsh, personally, but I'm angry with Barton for even giving that cunt of a referee the chance to send him off. You could see he was nursing a semi as he reached for his red to send off Big Bad Joey. Fucking arsehole.

NE5 might be dead by then.

You make me sad.

I'm trying to remind myself that it took Keegan 9 games plus to get anything out of these cunts. Then I'm trying to forget that Shearer was appointed with 8 games remaining and with the team in a worse predicament.

It's one of the things that makes you magical mate, don't ever let it go. Must admit I don't mind Peanut head much these days as he's done fuck all since leaving, really. Allardyce is still high on the hitlist though, just for being a massive cock-end basically. Oddly enough my best mate at university is related to the Blackburn club doctor and is doing his dissertation on Big Sam next year, so I assume he'll be spending a fair bit of time with him. He might be alright after all. Or he might just be the cunt he appears to be. Pretty good of him to agree to partake in an undergraduate dissertation though.

Not like you to harbour a grudge for a disproportionately long time... :lol: Just seen this now and have to admit to having thought it myself on Saturday when Wull was slagging Jenas

Ah, bugger! There's our dynamic back four out of the window!

You old bastard It'll be a rocking affair man! Loads of ABBA, no doubt.

I don't mind Sunderland much due to previously-mentioned family ties, but I would get severe satisfaction from seeing us nip another 4 points and watching them lose every one of their remaining games - going down on goal difference. The fact it's come down to them, us or Hull sums up my fucking life to be honest

There wouldn't be a situation if he was shit. He wouldn't have been allowed to stay.

Still soured by this to be honest. People have invested a lot of hope in his return coinciding with an upturn in fortunes as he is undoubtedly the best of a rotten bunch of central midfielders and he's thrown it back in their faces - again - to settle a personal score that has cropped up during a competitive game of football. Now I'm not a massive fan of his at all and would have happily seen him sacked-off when he got jailed, but he is the one man left who could have provided a bit of spark and impetus to a team which is dead on it's arse, even if he wasn't 100% or playing brilliantly (which he probably wouldn't have been). Good player, absolute psychopath - but who didn't know that already? We cannot keep giving him second chances. Hope that's the end of him here. We're now hoping that one of Smith, Butt, Guthrie or Nolan starts doing something out of the ordinary - or that Geremi comes back in from the cold (again) to provide some semblance of footballing ability to the centre of the park. That list of players hurts my balls, to be honest. Overpaid, under-performing wankers to a man.