Beren

Agree with this 100% Can't see how anybody can consider Jose's outburst good for the club in any way? It's not good for the club (unless it in some small way contributes to MA eventually leaving). Doesn't make it the wrong thing to have done though. Of course it does, surely as fans we want what's best for the club before wanting bad things for the owners. These comments help no-one, if he is unhappy he can express his frustration by handing in a transfer request, that says what needs to be said. Obviously it would rule out a loyalty bonus but if he isn't worried about money... The part I've put in bold isn't what I meant at all. We want what's best for the club, yes. Even if Jose's actions aren't what's best for the club, that doesn't it make the wrong thing for him to have done. (an extreme analogy - if the club ordered an assassin to kill a baby, and Jose reported it to the police - it would be the right thing to do, but also bad for fans - because the club would face criminal charges/lose money etc )

Agree with this 100% Can't see how anybody can consider Jose's outburst good for the club in any way? It's not good for the club (unless it in some small way contributes to MA eventually leaving). Doesn't make it the wrong thing to have done though.

A player on his way out to play Champions League football because he wants the club to succeed more than the people who actually own it? Find that a bit hardeasy to believe.

Respect for Barton and Enrique.

Fair enough Colo's Short and Curlies! I was definitely reaching with my comparison of fans to friends The reason I had to, was because the situations are so very different - and I do think you underestimate the relative power balance between your respective previous employers, and his with Ashley and co.. I do believe if you thought you had the power to make sure your boss didn't get away scott free for reneging on his seven grand pay bump - you would. Or at least you wouldn't let your boss deceive others about the reason for you not renewing your contract for another five and a half years (as seems to be the standard length of contracts at NUFC these days). Anyway, those are my two cents on the matter - and I'll certainly follow this thread (and indeed your response ), but I can see it getting cyclical and intractable to continue engaging in!

Certainly - the first part I think you're right, and he had a few shaky moments in the second half of the season, but he always looked like he was trying to me. I know not everyone will agree. He hasn't outright criticised any player(s).. or even said the squad is weak.. I actually think he's been rather diplomatic with what he's written. I do understand your point - and to an extent, I would agree - but I would think the squad would be aware (and maybe even sympathetic) of what's going on - and wouldn't take it personally, and probably understand he has to do what's best for him. As all humans do.

I must say, I find it difficult to believe you'd spend an extra year working for employers you neither liked or trusted - if you had the choice to go elsewhere sooner. I don't think you're thinking of Jose Enrique as a real person. I know he's a Newcastle United superstar - but also a human* and he probably just spent six fairly miserable months of his life (and not an insignificant amount of his career) working for an employer that sacked a line manager he got on well with (Hughton) with no real reason and then had some of the promising talents of the team sold off with no massive push for improving the squad. To expect him to wait patiently for another twelve months ... well, I don't blame him. And from a "being a man" viewpoint, there's an old saying "you should never be afraid to do the right thing" - which, in this case, is fight the power and speak your mind. * - not to paint him as some underprivileged malnourished orphan or owt When I've been unhappy I've kept my head down, looked for a new job, handed in my notice and done things properly. I'd expect a PROFESSIONAL football to hand in a request quietly, seek a new opportunity and do things correctly. Have your employers spoke to your friends and told them you're unwilling to renew your contract and not let you set the record straight with them too, then?

That's my main conclusion TBH. To see a professional footballer tweet something like that, then another one pipe up to agree with him, is pathetic and embarrassing IMO. Just proves that most of them are immature and don't think before they act. I love Jose as a player and I want him to stay, but I wish people wouldn't throw their toys out of the pram in public like this. Hardly. How is that throwing his toys out the pram?! It's not exactly a Balotelli-style tantrum. It's putting his view across to the public during pre-season, not before an FA Cup bloomin' semi-final! Bloody hell, man.

I must say, I find it difficult to believe you'd spend an extra year working for employers you neither liked or trusted - if you had the choice to go elsewhere sooner. I don't think you're thinking of Jose Enrique as a real person. I know he's a Newcastle United superstar - but also a human* and he probably just spent six fairly miserable months of his life (and not an insignificant amount of his career) working for an employer that sacked a line manager he got on well with (Hughton) with no real reason and then had some of the promising talents of the team sold off with no massive push for improving the squad. To expect him to wait patiently for another twelve months ... well, I don't blame him. And from a "being a man" viewpoint, there's an old saying "you should never be afraid to do the right thing" - which, in this case, is fight the power and speak your mind. * - not to paint him as some underprivileged malnourished orphan or owt

And remember, that Enrique and Enrique alone didn't create the status quo for that balance of power for the modern football player - so don't hold that against him.

Don't think it's disrespectful in the slightest to the new signings IMO. His dig is aimed at the board/management for essentially lying about the level of investment they were prepared to make with the Andy Carroll money and not having the ambition to even try for a CL place - which is what he and fans want for Newcastle. The signings we have made are good (though not as certifiably brilliant as some on here purport them to be), but we have just lost our two top goalscorers in the season gone by, let's not forget. Our business has been "good" at best, but certainly hasn't matched the potential/resources we could push for. He is, IMO, fully entitled to speak his mind. It's not the middle of the season - he's not being disruptive to team morale at a crucial point of the season, and if he feels the management are lying/twisting his motives for wanting out - why isn't he within his rights to put across his perspective to the fans? You can talk about how "if I did that in my job, I'd get the sack.." all day long, but it's incomparable - a footballer at a Premier League club isn't the same. Don't blame him or Barton. Criticising the club for not being all it could be is no crime. Yeah but i'd get sacked at my workplace, why is he any different? I have no doubt in what he says, it's the fact he's said it while he's still here. Like it or not, the objective reality is that the balance of power between footballers at Enrique's level and his employers, and yours with yours (apologies for being presumptuous!) aren't the same. If you could bend your boss over a barrel when he treated you like shit, lied to you and stopped you from fulfilling your potential - are you telling me, you wouldn't?

Don't think it's disrespectful in the slightest to the new signings IMO. His dig is aimed at the board/management for essentially lying about the level of investment they were prepared to make with the Andy Carroll money and not having the ambition to even try for a CL place - which is what he and fans want for Newcastle. The signings we have made are good (though not as certifiably brilliant as some on here purport them to be), but we have just lost our two top goalscorers in the season gone by, let's not forget. Our business has been "good" at best, but certainly hasn't matched the potential/resources we could push for. He is, IMO, fully entitled to speak his mind. It's not the middle of the season - he's not being disruptive to team morale at a crucial point of the season, and if he feels the management are lying/twisting his motives for wanting out - why isn't he within his rights to put across his perspective to the fans? You can talk about how "if I did that in my job, I'd get the sack.." all day long, but it's incomparable - a footballer at a Premier League club isn't the same. Don't blame him or Barton. Criticising the club for not being all it could be is no crime.

Nearly identical to my side I've got a crazy Skirge formation team ^_^

Vuckic looked very tidy in possession on the time he was on. Hoping his development continues this season. Enrique, Colo and Tiote were fantastic too.

This made me chuckle - how do you think contracts work? We take players round back and put them down like horses? I agree with most of your post. Very dishevelled organisation and we really could have done with some better preparation to break in some of the wholesale changes we've made to our starting XI.

Nipple.

Bent ref.

No injuries, relax everyone

Don't think the front two have made a successful pass to the other all night.

colo

shot on target

Ref is a massive homer...

I've got a season 6 episode of Frasier on in the background as audio. The episode after Niles gets his divorce, but his lawyer Donny starts dating Daphne. Doesn't suit the match, really. Or the half time entertainment.

Not a bad end to the half in fairness.

How is that not a penalty?