TRon

on the contrary, you are quite wrong. I never defended the appointment of Souness, unlike many people on here, some of whom you have on numerous occasions took their view rather than mine, Mandiarse immediately springs to mind. Defending him and everything he did, everybody he sold and bought, right to the end My point - if its allowed to say this again rather than be told its a potential banning offence although I'm just replying to you not that replying to others in the past made any difference - is and always has been, that in spite of their mistakes, replacing the Halls and Shepherd with better would be an extremely difficult thing to do. And that makes me, and the handful of others who thought the same, not one person, absolutely correct. Doesn't it ? I'm not asking for the remaining 2 years of my 3 years paid up season ticket back by the way, despite being absolutely gutted that we are well on the way to back to the REAL shit served up for the vast majority of the 30 years before the Halls and Shepherd raised the standards to what you and many others thought were the norm. I take it you might reply --- you haven't replied to the previous post I referred you too, just like everyone else. Strange isn't it that nobody does. What difference does it make if you were correct or not other than to your own satisfaction of constantly pointing it out? John Hall sold the club by choice, presumably because he wanted the money. What the club is crying out for is investment and if Hall didn't want to do it, obviously someone else has to. Ashley is doing a shit job but unless Hall or Shepherd are planning on coming back what is the point in keep banging on about them?

It might already be too late. Ashley has done sod all because ambition is not automatic and that's what has been lacking since Ashley arrived, we would not be in this position had Ashley shown even the smallest amount of ambition to bring success on the pitch. There are no guarantees but it's s**** when the club is run by people who don't even try. You and others were told. Repeatedly. And you thought I (and others) were talking rubbish. I got sick and tired of dealing with ranting and abuse directed at me by certain pillocks (most regular posters) who are now saying EXACTLY what I was saying in the first place - and they're denying either that they ever did, or trying to say I said differently. Some can see whats going to happen, (because its so ****** obvious) some can't see beyond the end of their nose Join the "disgusted at gullibility and self-deceipt of fellow fans" troupe. Yeah, I got fed up of it as well. Some don't learn, some live in denial. I'm not sure which are worse. The ones who only turn up when the situation deteriorates allowing them to say I told you so? Not at all sunshine. You see, I knew all along I was right and that you and your type were full of shit. I've never been interested in any "I told you so" stuff. I'm more interested in whether whinging idiots like you have learned anything from what's been going on since ashley took over. I doubt you have. I've learned that I'd rather have had a different billionaire take over, one with a few more billions and more football knowledge. Maybe we'll get one on the next bus from Killingworth.

For that to happen we'll need a proper manager. I would give Ashley the benefit of the doubt in assuming one was coming in the close season, except the fat dolt has offered Joe a new contract and Llambias spends every waking moment telling us how many days before he'll be able to return. Based on that my optimism is non-existent.

No idea. If Kinnear signs a new contract we'll have a repeat of this season. No matter how much money is released he'll just waste it on talentless cloggers like Nolan and Ryan.

I don't see why not. Its fine to say "nah we're fine, don't waste money" in January with so many games left. But with 8 games left you'd think they'd finally realise the position we're in and become desperate and desperation is a great policy changer. Just a change in faces is often enough to get you a couple of wins on the feelgood factor. It could be the difference between going down or staying in the premier. It's better than just waiting like doomed men. I honestly think Ashley just doesn't want to admit he has got this wrong now and is just trying to save face. It's a big price to pay for your pride if it goes wrong which it will under Hughton.

I would say we desperately need a manager, any manager - I actually think we have the ability in the squad to stay up, but they're clearing lacking confidence and direction, even Big Sam acknowledeged that you really need a figurehead at times like this. I don't necessarily agree that Venables wouldn't come - I reckon if we waved a big enough wedge of cash at hime he would be here like a shot. Failing that, try someone like Curbishley, maybe even George Graham for fucks sake - anything is better than nothing. Excellent suggestion. Graham is desperate for work, he's an utter cunt but a born leader. Not sure he's right at this stage, but anyone who can offer some direction, motivation or a kick up the arse for the team is better than Hughton.

Pay them a nice sum and add an even nicer bonus if we stay up. It's not that hard surely?

Why couldn't Lua lua be considered for a bench role given our injury worries? How many alternatives have we got to play the right wing? Ryan Taylor who doesn't have the ability to beat an egg? Geremi who can manage 45 mins ambling up and down the pitch? Lua Lua would offer us something different even if it was just for the last 10 mins, i.e., pace, some skill, an eye for goal. What's the worst that could happen?

I am amazed Ashley hasn't attracted more criticism from the national media till now. The situation is absolutely disgusting that we are waiting for a 62 yr old heart patient to get off his sick bed to take charge of one of England's biggest clubs in a relegation battle. It beggars belief tbh.

Fucking clueless dithering twats. Nowhere to hide now Mike, the Press are sharpening their knives and don't say you haven't asked for it.

I was wondering when the Press would pick up on this. Not before time.

I can't remember the club being in over £250m of debt under FS like. Now it is and boy are we paying for it. The debt levels under FS were worrying but manageable all the same. Unlike Ashley who it appears doesn't recognise at all the seriousness of the situation we are in, FS did hence the appointment of Sam Allardyce, a manager capable of doing wonders on a small budget and building from the bottom up. Oh and when the club goes down.... it will make the level of debt we were in under FS seem like pennies. So much for Ashley's plan eh. We are not £250 million in debt. Ashley paid about £130 million for the club and has loaned at least £120 mllion since. The amount paid for the club is not debt. The question that will not go away, it has been asked on here several times but no one can answer it, is how would the previous board have financed the club if they had still been in control? The glib answer that all successful football clubs have debt does not cut it, other clubs have debt because someone is prepared to lend it, meaning that they can demonstrate to the lender that the debt is secured and has a prospect of repayment. Who would have loaned us more money in the situation we were in? It is like you have a 100% mortgage on your house, everything in your house (furniture, kitchen appliances etc) and your car are bought on HP - plus your annual income is less than than your annual costs. Now go and find someone to lend you some money in the current climate to allow you to speculate to accumulate... There are people on this board, like me, who aren't Ashley believers. In my case I think he is a chancer who made some money floating a chain of downmarket sports retail shops at a grossly inflated value. He has bought us to show off to his mates and is now way out of his depth. We all know that there are indefensible actions relating to the Ashley regime. But until someone answers the above fundamental question about the previous regime it is hard to put the current shambles into perspective. This is my take on it as well. Ashley has had his chance and proven to be woefully off the radar in how to run a club on the football side of it. This doesn't change the fact that Shepherd and co were heading up shit creek and were bailed out by Ashley buying the club.

Wonder if Wise consulted the manager/coach? Indirect criticism of the first team's overall pattern of play, and one where he stands little chance to develop as a ball-carrying winger/attacking midfielder? We don't exactly create open space for our widemen, by spreading the play from left-to-right and so forth. Very little build-up play from the back, complimented with the outlet balls from the middle of the engine room to wide channels. Our inadequacies with regards to our ball-movent & overall pattern of play doesn't present as the ideal footballing education for a lightweight but otherwise quick & skillful youngster. Perhaps he sees that his football future - particularly learning the tools of the trade at a senior level - lies elsewhere. I thought this problem was behind us when KK ripped up Allardyce's football manual and restored football at Newcastle United. It's a shame Ashley's choice of manager to succeed him has seen us go backwards in more ways than one.

It might already be too late. Ashley has done sod all because ambition is not automatic and that's what has been lacking since Ashley arrived, we would not be in this position had Ashley shown even the smallest amount of ambition to bring success on the pitch. There are no guarantees but it's s**** when the club is run by people who don't even try. You and others were told. Repeatedly. And you thought I (and others) were talking rubbish. I got sick and tired of dealing with ranting and abuse directed at me by certain pillocks (most regular posters) who are now saying EXACTLY what I was saying in the first place - and they're denying either that they ever did, or trying to say I said differently. Some can see whats going to happen, (because its so ****** obvious) some can't see beyond the end of their nose Join the "disgusted at gullibility and self-deceipt of fellow fans" troupe. Yeah, I got fed up of it as well. Some don't learn, some live in denial. I'm not sure which are worse. The ones who only turn up when the situation deteriorates allowing them to say I told you so?

I can't remember the club being in over £250m of debt under FS like. Now it is and boy are we paying for it. The debt levels under FS were worrying but manageable all the same. Unlike Ashley who it appears doesn't recognise at all the seriousness of the situation we are in, FS did hence the appointment of Sam Allardyce, a manager capable of doing wonders on a small budget and building from the bottom up. Oh and when the club goes down.... it will make the level of debt we were in under FS seem like pennies. So much for Ashley's plan eh. Is it really necessary to manipulate figures to make out we were less in debt under Shepherd? Aren't Fat Sam's signings the biggest wage earners of the lot in terms of what they have provided in value for money? Viduka? Barton? Geremi? Smith?

It's worth noting that although Duff was considered to have had a good game against Arsenal, he went totally missing in the second half where the game was won or lost. If that's an example of his "good" game i don't think we'll miss him all that much.

You just answered your own question. Well aye, it's more bollocks treatment of our younger players from the coaching staff. But i'm not gonna whinge about him going out on loan; it'll do him the world of good if he puts his head down. Personally I'd rather have him here in case we need to put him on the bench during our relegation battle. In the unlikely event players get injured you know. Alright, no need to get sarcy about it. He's never gonna get a start here and his fleeting substitue appearances have been promising at best, and it's like pulling teeth with these cretins trying to get him on the pitch. This move will do the lad more good than harm. The sracasm isn't directed at you, it's just how i feel about the management of the squad in general, from crap substitutions, poor team selections and our lack of options in some parts of the pitch altogether.

You just answered your own question. Well aye, it's more bollocks treatment of our younger players from the coaching staff. But i'm not gonna whinge about him going out on loan; it'll do him the world of good if he puts his head down. Personally I'd rather have him here in case we need to put him on the bench during our relegation battle. In the unlikely event players get injured you know.

You just answered your own question.

Duff was only replacing Jonas in any case, it's not like we are losing a right winger which is where we are short. Switch to 4-3-3 or use Geremi there.

It's because we have so many options for right wing clearly.

Seems like the Mail has cobbled together two quotes from different dates to try and make a story. Personally, I think Bruce would come IF we avoid relegation. A big if at the moment. I think they are freh comments. By preparing for preseason he will mean arranging friendlies etc. Shows just how far we have dropped now that Bruce is looking like a good option. Whilst everyone will agree in part, Bruce has also proved over the past 12 months that he is a better manger than he was 4 years ago, so there is a bit of pull and bit of push to thinking he is a decent option now Definitely. Whilst they are not always brilliant to watch Wigan are a very effective team who play to their strengths well. Even more so considering they lost 2 parts of the backbone of their team in Jan. Bruce's buying has been impressive at Wigan. Valencia, Palacios and Zaki have all proven successful, and he's done well with Bramble. I was especially impressed with his buying of a fast skilful player like N'zogbia while getting rid of a shit, clumsy trier Ryan Taylor in the same deal. SBR and Keegan usually liked gifted players ahead of hard working donkeys as well and they didn't too badly here.

i was thinking along those lines but getting ned out of retirement for the portsmouth match I wonder if we are going to need another Kelly sink or swim moment by the time Portsmouth comes around? The parallel with history is uncanny. Struggling new owner, needing to stay up to be able to spend bigger in the summer (hopefully) and Portsmouth possibly being a defining game for our future?

This.

If Bruce was ever going to distance himself from Newcastle now would have been the perfect time with us in real danger of relegation. The fact he is still wondering if the chance will ever come again in public suggests to me that he's very much interested if we don't get relegated. For those who think he won't work under Ashley, let's not forget he's working under possibly the biggest cunt of all in Dave Whelan and at a far shitter club. Any offence to Wigan fans purely intentional.