OzzieMandias

Yeah, I know why. It's because, pulled out of context, it's a dumb question. We shouldn't have got into the position where we had to go even deeper into debt to buy a striker. "Backing the manager" as the sole requirement of a chairman glosses over the fact that he's supposed to be managing club revenues in such a way as to make sustainable progress. No one can say that Peter Ridsdale didn't back David O'Leary. Look at Leeds now.

I'd happily take him if we could get him. Who cares if he's only got a season or two left? Think of him like a Gallacher-type signing. Would help hold us together for the time being, and, along with Butt and Owen, give us a spine of players with shared experience on the national team. Would also hopefully help the youngsters refine their game. Anyway, there's not much else around and he's better than what we've got. But... I've seen nothing to suggest that he's available.

I too would be happy if we got Sol Campbell.

It's hardly surprising that some players would balk at sharing a changing-room with Joey Barton. Personally, I believe the lad is honest and intelligent enough to overcome his temper and off-field problems -- and Allardyce is hopefully exactly the kind of mentor he needs -- but I'm biased. I want him to rehabilitate because he's now our player and we need the kind of grit and determination he brings to the squad. But I can hardly blame someone from outside for looking at his record and thinking, "I don't want anything to do with that fucking maniac."

Everton, Man City, Tottenham, Portsmouth, Villa, West Ham -- they'll all be our competition for a UEFA place next season and any of them could finish above us. Could possibly add Bolton to the list.

Tottenham to Ipswich is ~80 miles. Newcastle to Ipswich is ~280 miles. Obviously London is closer to Suffolk than Newcastle, that's not what I meant specifically. He still wouldn't be there every night etc would he? Therefore he may as well be in Australia because it is not "home". Nonsense. Tottenham is on the way out of London towards Ipswich. Their training ground is probably even further in that direction. There's no reason he couldn't live in or near Ipswich.

Wages.

It's not a question of "judgement". It's a question of preference. Take a risk with Ashley? Blunder further down the road to oblivion with Shepherd? (This may help: http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/preference)

That was a piss take, he was forced to do that today If they had an outfield jersey with "Harper" on it, then it was obviously planned.

I don't know, obviously. No one does, probably not even Ashley. It's a risk. Still, I'm glad we've taken the risk with Ashley, rather than stick with Shepherd. How about you? (You might find this useful: http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/risk)

So you'd prefer to still have Shepherd, then.

So tell us, are you glad we've taken the risk with Ashley, or would you rather we'd stuck with Fred?

just when I thought it couldn't get any stupider... ...along you come.

You'll never get a straight answer. He's too chicken to admit he'd rather Shepherd was still in charge -- and for the sad reason that change carries the risk that his interminable contortions on behalf of the Fat One will prove beyond doubt to have been a load of drivel. Still, it's amusing to watch a grown man wriggle.

Scottish commentator: "Looks like Allardyce has got the bones of a good team here!"

Never mind, Fred. I'm sure the £40 million you just made from selling out will go some towards alleviating the terrible grief you must feel at having been too incompetent to deliver us fans a trophy.

Simple fact of the matter, now everyone has more cash, and some clubs lots more cash, there isn't enough footballing talent to go around.

I think they give them a crib sheet. Must include: * big club * passionate fans * impressed by set-up/plans for future * win trophy

I remember Hawkwind headlining Glastonbury in 1981. There were only a few thousand there. At the front, there were these longhairs banging the base of the pyramid stage with rocks, vaguely in time to the music. When the band stopped and went off, they kept on banging. Through the encore they banged, and kept on again afterwards. It got to the point where the roadies were wheeling the last monitor off the stage, and these guys were still banging away, completely lost in the land of whatever.

POLYGON The great new album from AUTOMATIC SILVER RAINBOW Out now on Belgravia!

I think most people have dropped out of this thread now for the usual reasons. its a bit of a shame if they do that on account of someone just not agreeing with them that there's an automatic silver rainbow waiting around the corner. Good name for a hippy band. that was Hawkwind by Silver Machine Er... Silver Machine by Hawkwind.

The thing about Ashley is, we just have to wait and see. There's nothing much we can do to affect the course of events, except maybe unsettling our own players by booing them in friendlies. We have no idea what's really going on behind the scenes, and never will. In all this, life under Ashley differs from life under Shepherd precisely not one little bit.

I think most people have dropped out of this thread now for the usual reasons. its a bit of a shame if they do that on account of someone just not agreeing with them that there's an automatic silver rainbow waiting around the corner. Good name for a hippy band.

What does it mean for you? Qualifying for the Champions League reasonably often, winning some other trophy in the not-too-distant, having a team that I can be proud of on the pitch. Keegan and Robson both managed to touch success briefly, but neither was able to get a hold on it. I want us to get good, and hang on to it for a while. I was in the Moroccan Sahara earlier this year, and dirt-poor kids in these isolated oasis towns would come up and say, "Hey mister, you English?" And if I said yes, they'd give me the thumbs-up and say "Chelsea!" Success for me would be those kids at least knowing what I was talking about when I replied: "Nah, Newcastle!!" Well, there are a lot more people globally who recognise the name "newcastle" than before the Halls and Shepherd, I know you won't understand or believe that though. Still. Your mate Arsprilla did his bit though. Leading the line when we slid from 2nd to 13th is just the way to gain such recognition. That makes him a success, of course Yes, a few of these Johnnie Foreigners do recognize the name. Their eyes glaze over. They've vaguely heard of Newcastle, but they're not sure in what context. Sometimes, a dim light bulb. "Shearer?" That's right, Shearer.