sempuki

We were on the same flight then.

Was shifted from my seat on the 16.20 Newcastle to Amsterdam plane yesterday to accommodate him and what looked like either his mate or bodyguard. He was sucking a lolly!

Staggering. There's no way in the world they are all genuine.

Here's the article: Bye bye Babayaro Dec 10 2007 by Alan Oliver, Evening Chronicle CELESTINE Babayaro has played his last game for Newcastle United. United and the Nigerian international have come to an agreement that they will pay up the 29-year-old left back’s contract which is due to run out at the end of next season. Babayaro has not worn the black and white shirt since March because of a series of injuries and both parties have accepted it is best that he calls it a day. Whether Babayaro plays at a lower level remains to be decided, but being brutally honest United supporters will not worry about this. At least Babayaro only cost United £1m when Graeme Souness brought him to St James’s Park from Chelsea in January, 2005. There was every reason to think United had picked up a good acquisition in the defender who had also played for Anderlecht and had 26 caps for Nigeria, including a brief appearance in the 2002 World Cup. When Chelsea brought him to Stamford Bridge in April 1997 for £2.25m it was a club record for a teenager and during his time in West London he played nearly 150 games. But his days were numbered when Chelsea signed one-time United target Wayne Bridge from Southampton. Babayaro only started 66 games for United and his only goal came in an FA Cup tie with Coventry City at St James’s Park in his first season. He did not have much luck at St James’s Park and the fans did not take to him, especially after he punched Dirk Kuyt in a game with Liverpool in September 2006. And in February of this year, after the 2-1 victory over Liverpool, the-then United manager Glenn Roeder revealed that just 12 hours before the kick- off Babayaro’s young brother David had died from tuberculosis. Despite this Babayaro insisted on playing and put in a good show which earned him universal praise. It was about this time that Babayaro’s agent asked for an extension in his contract, but United refused. United could have been excused for keeping Babayaro on their staff as an extra body with four players – Oba Martins, Geremi, Abdoulaye Faye and Saturday’s goalscoring match-winner Habib Beye – heading off to the African Nations Cup. But Sam Allardyce obviously believes that this was not worth considering. Big Sam does have his £4.6m signing from Villarreal Jose Enrique struggling to find his feet at left back and is using Charles N’Zogbia there. And with Babayaro gone, Emre ready to stake a claim for a left-sided role and Damien Duff not too far away it looks like that’s where N’Zogbia is going to have to stay.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lance_Davids This guy is linked on the BBC gossip column. Never heard of him personally.

9 December 2007 HOTLINE SPECIAL - Sam Allardyce BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE Under-PRESSURE Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce wants to strengthen his midfield with a £10million swoop for Werder Bremen's Brazilian star Diego, 22, when the transfer window opens at the beginning of next month. Taken from the bastion of truth - The Sunday People.

Can't complain overall. We could have scored 4 or 5 were it not for Maik Taylor and bad luck. Bad defending by Rozehnal though.

Mackem Louise Taylor stirring it in The Guardian: Shearer ready to step in with Allardyce one game from sack Louise Taylor Monday December 3, 2007 The Guardian Alan Shearer Alan Shearer has been touted as next manager of England, but it is understood that he would be keener to manage Newcastle. Alan Shearer is understood to be prepared to end his sabbatical from football if a managerial vacancy arises at Newcastle United. Sam Allardyce is under increasing pressure at St James' Park and, with Newcastle having taken only one point from their past five games, there are suggestions that defeat at home to Arsenal on Wednesday could prompt his dismissal. Although Newcastle poured scorn on such a notion yesterday and said newspaper reports claiming Allardyce was one game from the sack were "not worthy of comment", Mike Ashley, the club's owner, is believed to be giving thought to his manager's future. Last night friends of Shearer indicated that the former Newcastle and England captain would be interested in managing his home-town club should Allardyce, who witnessed a 3-1 defeat at Blackburn on Saturday, fail to turn things around. Currently working as a football pundit for the BBC and serving as a special ambassador at Newcastle, Shearer is admired by Ashley and the club chairman, Chris Mort. He has not completed his mandatory professional licence qualification but has been on several coaching courses since retiring from playing and would almost certainly be permitted to follow in the footsteps of Middlesbrough's Gareth Southgate and initially manage in the Premier League without one. The former striker has been touted as a potential successor to Steve McClaren as England's head coach but it is understood that he would be more interested in coaching Newcastle than his country. Ironically Allardyce, who left Bolton Wanderers for Tyneside six months ago, was beaten to the England job by Steve McClaren in the spring of 2006. After succeeding Glenn Roeder at St James' Park he oversaw Newcastle's best start to a season for a decade, but results have since gone awry amid rumours that certain players are underwhelmed by his tactics and training methods. Should Allardyce survive defeat against Arsenal, Saturday's home match against Birmingham City could further determine his, and Shearer's, immediate future. Big Sam v Big Al Sam Allardyce Worn Newcastle No9 shirt? No United goals Played for Sunderland? Yes Managerial trophies Father in local sheet metal business? No Dubbed 'geordie messiah'? No Alan Shearer Worn Newcastle No9 shirt? Yes United goals 206 Played for Sunderland? No Managerial trophies Father in local sheet metal business? Yes Dubbed 'geordie messiah'? Yes

Game over now.

Martins has terrorised their defence - seems to be in the mood today.

Nearly 3-1.

Milner has a great chance but blocked again.

Great save by Shay.

Emerton handles in the box but no penalty!

Nice run by Viduka. Why haven't we always played like this?

Rozehnal totally stitched up like a kipper. Good game to watch if you're a neutral!

Carr off - he didn't last long.

Viduka coming on.

Arsenal could be pivotal if things stay as they are.

Bentley again.......................

Horrible miss by Martins.

How the f%%% did Barton not score there?

Perfect free-kick sadly, Shay didn't even move.

Very nice, deft finish.

3-5-2. Geremi and N'Zogbia wing-backs. Geremi would get the ball and have absolutely no options, inside or down the line. He was also s**** apart from that, though. Geremi's been a major disappointment - was expecting him to put in some good performances and lead by example as the captain.