Rich

Dear me. The volume there is insane. Was it anywhere near like that at home to Stoke? Unfortunately I was stuck in Hull. To me that's what football is all about, gutted that it went Pete Tong here for him third time around.

Fred has a sort of roughneck charm about him, I must admit, I can see why you love him mate (safety wink). I think as much as anything he was a victim of the raised expectations that he helped to create amongst the fans, who have become spoiled brats for the most part when it comes to their perceptions of their club. On top of that, he was digging a hole over and over trying to fulfil those (unrealistic?) expectations again and I think the problem most have with him lies herein. Although nobody bar him and those around him know what plans he had up his sleeve to remedy this (the ground expansion and the development plans for the land around SJP must have been a big part of this.) I have nothing personal against the bloke, as I say, I wish he had done the business for us here (as I'd love nothing better for the club to be Geordie from top-to-bottom) and I certainly wish he had Ashley's money as I don't think there's any doubt we'd be better off with Shepherd at the helm ahead of the inexperienced and at times incredibly naive "team" we have there now, but such is life. Nowt any of us can do about it unfortunately, just have to roll with the punches. Whinging and moaning on internet forums (both sides) does nothing to help though, especially when you're chomping at such obvious wind-up attempts as you did there. There's an excellent debate to be had about Freddy Shepherd some day, when more information is readily to hand and I bet he comes off far more "in the middle" than at either end of the agenda-ridden spectrum that we see on here day-in, day-out (again from both sides). The bloke has had his time though and he did a hell of a lot with it, I think most would readily admit he did a lot of good here but by the same token most will never forgive him for some things he did (the brothel incident and the massive salaries he had, as well as all the dodgy dealings with warehouses and what have you), rightly or wrongly. *Shrug* I can't say fairer than that really.

I'd hope not, to be honest. "Worst chairman ever" is some fucking stretch. Fattest, maybe.

Took over two hours for an NE5 chomp there like. Slipping. Bit between his teeth now though, go on me son!

Where did you seen this? Seen a few bits from the Chronicle but I didn't read that. Can't be arsed to go and find the exact article, but it's in the Journal today. In the OP of the Llambias thread that TheSpence started earlier.

Thought this worthwhile of a bump as it has now come out (from Llambias at the Supporter's Panel meeting) that the fee we received for Shay Given was £5.9m. Let the moaning commence. (Probably justified, to be honest.)

46 points would be fucking mid-table!

£100k a week for fuck all most of the time though, which is really what grinds my gears. The bloke is made of paper and is heavily reliant on good service, he's been absolutely gash in a 4-4-2 for a good while now. Very poor captain, would probably be happy enough to move on, doesn't even get in the England team now... Pretty much everything that is wrong/has been wrong with NUFC on the park is embodied by Owen. Brilliant at times, infuriatingly unreliable, heart isn't in it. Get rid. Replace him with someone on less than half the wedge who plays double the games and scores the same amount of goals a season while offering more to the team (a Bellamy sort, basically) and we simply would not miss him.

Sticking with a draw and I'd not be too upset with that. Delighted with a win like!

If we offer him another contract anywhere near the one he has now then someone wants slapping. He's a crock, he's been a massive let-down and he's not integrated at all with the club or the fans. Personally speaking I want him out.

Fuck him off.

They got bum-raped in the final though, which was delightful. Remember Navas in particular being fantastic. I do think Valencia would have done similar to us had we beaten Marseille though, especially if the injury problems had remained so.

This, exactly. If Shearer had been in a better team in his later days he would have still scored shedloads. Immense footballer. If anything it was "painful" watching him playing with shite like Michael Chopra and Amdy Faye and under managers like Souness.

Howay the Nacho.

fuckin hell is there a person on the planet who wouldn't make those changes?

Don't forget Smith, man!

Still a "no" for me like, although I realise beggars can't be choosers.

Just watching some highlights from the reserve game... all he does is go in hard

He looks fucking gigantic Came across well in the video, didn't expect anything less.

Should have been mentioned on there by now like, it's been ages.

Must have topped himself, would be fitting. Used to enjoy reading his site as well.

Who's picking the team on Sunday by the way? Kinnear from hospital or is it now totally Hughton's gig? Me, hence my confidence. I showed Llambias my FM achievements and he said I can "troubleshoot" until Joe returns. Seriously though, who would get dropped for return of the Smith? Nolan? Butt? Highly dubious. Duff? No chance. Then there's Jonas, Viduka and Martins back with Lovenkrands having just put in a quality performance. He might get a game at left-back like...

I'd be shocked to see Smith thrown straight in without any appearances from the bench, even moreso after the last performance. Don't worry.

Smith will be with him, judging by what he was saying on NUFC TV last week.

Strikes me as he hasn't been able to put enough money into the squad during the window (for whatever reason) and he's doing his utmost to support the staff in gestures like this. He needs to keep it up, and the odd interview to let everyone know his plans or hopes wouldn't go amiss either. Shame that he couldn't do these things sooner. Good point. Nice to see and gives me some optimism for the future but this is the sort of thing a "football daft" bloke like Ashley should have been doing since day one. Ultimately, the decision to be a hands-off owner and trust others with running the club has been a bit of a stinker.