The Bonk

Why do you bring up the past so much, mate?

Finishing 5th is hardly an achievement when you've spent twice as much as everybody outside the top 4 clubs. The board backed him last summer yet he managed to finish further away from the top 4 than the previous season and it doesnt look like he's improved the squad this season either. Can anyone explain what Martin Jol is actually good at that makes people rate him because as far as i can see it's not squad building, tactics, substitutions or man management. We spent money too! I guess my main argument is that it seems a silly time to replace him. Why I am arguing about a team I can't stand is another issue altogether. I'm done. Fuck Spurs!

Armenia 1 - 1 Portugal, good result for the Armaniacs. Watched the second half, Portugal didn't look very good.

So what happens when the first manager you approach knocks you back and tells his mates in the press about it? The current manager is left in an untenable position, knowing he could be replaced at any time. The club would (rightly) be a laughing stock and a source of constant speculation. That's unlikely to happen, it's believed that players get tapped up all of the time but how often do you hear of someone blabbing to the press? The way you would go about it is to get a 3rd party to approach the agent of the manager and ask him if he would be interested in the job, if he is then move it from there but if not and for some reason he did go to the press then deny all knowledge like Madrid do when they get accused of it, after all it wasn't Madrid doing it directly. Sacking someone before looking for a replacement is retarded even if it is whats considered the right thing to do. All going to plan for Spurs then, thats what happens when you have a footballing person running the club. Have you missed the bit where we've sacked 3 managers around this time in the last decade? replacing the last one with Souness after being turned down by Allaryce, McClaren and Steve Bruce? Like I've said, Spurs deny it and this time next week it'll be forgotten, I'd be more worried if they did get Ramos tbh. why would you be worried ? Because Ramos is a far better coach than Jol, he has the potential to make them a much stronger unit and help Spurs pull away from us further. Add to that I'd be jealous as he's got Sevilla playing top quality football to watch where as we've got Allardyce and his long balls. Whereas Jol has built his team to finish 5th the last two seasons, have decent cup runs, and generally carry them forward. Ramos hasn't even coached in the Prem, would take a while to settle and if he's turned it down, I doubt he's up for it anyway. If I was a yid, I'd want to stick with Jol at least the remainder of the season. 3 games in and it's not like they're miles behind Man U, Liverpool and Arsenal? The Allardyce dig isn't worth comment. Jol is a poor coach tactically, the players have been signed by someone else so he's basically coached them to 5th but when you look at the players in their squad 5th should be a minimum anyway, there's always the risk Ramos won't adapt but that risk is there even if managers change clubs in this country anyway. He's turned it down but Jol is a dead man walking, Spurs obviously feel he's taken them as far as he can so are looking to bring someone in better, fair play to them and better than waiting until they go backwards. I think they will end up with Fabio Capello. Coaching them to 5th two successive season's isn't worth the remainder of the season? What's that say to a new manager coming in. "You've only got so long, mate, then you're out". Sir Bobby came 4th, 3rd and 5th but he wasn't worth the remainder of the season either, in fact Shepherd's (and Levy's) mistake was not getting rid in the summer if you can get someone better, if you want to improve then sometimes you have to make harsh decisions like this. And we've improved leaps and bounds. You're losing credit, mate, with each post you make. How? Moving Sir Bobby on wasn't a mistake, replacing him with Souness was. Look at Liverpool that summer, they had a more successful manager for them in Houllier but the time was right to make the step up which they did. Alright, I was being a bit harsh. Sarry. I just didn't see how us firing Sir Bobby at the time we did and Spurs getting rid of Jol had any relation. Now is not the time for Spurs to be getting rid of Jol. You're right in the fact they should have done it before the league kicked off. The players they have on the pitch should have won at least two of their first three games. They took the Mackems too lightly, that's all. Apart from Jol putting on the cleats, what else could he have done?

So what happens when the first manager you approach knocks you back and tells his mates in the press about it? The current manager is left in an untenable position, knowing he could be replaced at any time. The club would (rightly) be a laughing stock and a source of constant speculation. That's unlikely to happen, it's believed that players get tapped up all of the time but how often do you hear of someone blabbing to the press? The way you would go about it is to get a 3rd party to approach the agent of the manager and ask him if he would be interested in the job, if he is then move it from there but if not and for some reason he did go to the press then deny all knowledge like Madrid do when they get accused of it, after all it wasn't Madrid doing it directly. Sacking someone before looking for a replacement is retarded even if it is whats considered the right thing to do. All going to plan for Spurs then, thats what happens when you have a footballing person running the club. Have you missed the bit where we've sacked 3 managers around this time in the last decade? replacing the last one with Souness after being turned down by Allaryce, McClaren and Steve Bruce? Like I've said, Spurs deny it and this time next week it'll be forgotten, I'd be more worried if they did get Ramos tbh. why would you be worried ? Because Ramos is a far better coach than Jol, he has the potential to make them a much stronger unit and help Spurs pull away from us further. Add to that I'd be jealous as he's got Sevilla playing top quality football to watch where as we've got Allardyce and his long balls. Whereas Jol has built his team to finish 5th the last two seasons, have decent cup runs, and generally carry them forward. Ramos hasn't even coached in the Prem, would take a while to settle and if he's turned it down, I doubt he's up for it anyway. If I was a yid, I'd want to stick with Jol at least the remainder of the season. 3 games in and it's not like they're miles behind Man U, Liverpool and Arsenal? The Allardyce dig isn't worth comment. Jol is a poor coach tactically, the players have been signed by someone else so he's basically coached them to 5th but when you look at the players in their squad 5th should be a minimum anyway, there's always the risk Ramos won't adapt but that risk is there even if managers change clubs in this country anyway. He's turned it down but Jol is a dead man walking, Spurs obviously feel he's taken them as far as he can so are looking to bring someone in better, fair play to them and better than waiting until they go backwards. I think they will end up with Fabio Capello. Coaching them to 5th two successive season's isn't worth the remainder of the season? What's that say to a new manager coming in. "You've only got so long, mate, then you're out". Sir Bobby came 4th, 3rd and 5th but he wasn't worth the remainder of the season either, in fact Shepherd's (and Levy's) mistake was not getting rid in the summer if you can get someone better, if you want to improve then sometimes you have to make harsh decisions like this. And we've improved leaps and bounds. You're losing credit, mate, with each post you make.

So what happens when the first manager you approach knocks you back and tells his mates in the press about it? The current manager is left in an untenable position, knowing he could be replaced at any time. The club would (rightly) be a laughing stock and a source of constant speculation. That's unlikely to happen, it's believed that players get tapped up all of the time but how often do you hear of someone blabbing to the press? The way you would go about it is to get a 3rd party to approach the agent of the manager and ask him if he would be interested in the job, if he is then move it from there but if not and for some reason he did go to the press then deny all knowledge like Madrid do when they get accused of it, after all it wasn't Madrid doing it directly. Sacking someone before looking for a replacement is retarded even if it is whats considered the right thing to do. All going to plan for Spurs then, thats what happens when you have a footballing person running the club. Have you missed the bit where we've sacked 3 managers around this time in the last decade? replacing the last one with Souness after being turned down by Allaryce, McClaren and Steve Bruce? Like I've said, Spurs deny it and this time next week it'll be forgotten, I'd be more worried if they did get Ramos tbh. why would you be worried ? Because Ramos is a far better coach than Jol, he has the potential to make them a much stronger unit and help Spurs pull away from us further. Add to that I'd be jealous as he's got Sevilla playing top quality football to watch where as we've got Allardyce and his long balls. Whereas Jol has built his team to finish 5th the last two seasons, have decent cup runs, and generally carry them forward. Ramos hasn't even coached in the Prem, would take a while to settle and if he's turned it down, I doubt he's up for it anyway. If I was a yid, I'd want to stick with Jol at least the remainder of the season. 3 games in and it's not like they're miles behind Man U, Liverpool and Arsenal? The Allardyce dig isn't worth comment. Jol is a poor coach tactically, the players have been signed by someone else so he's basically coached them to 5th but when you look at the players in their squad 5th should be a minimum anyway, there's always the risk Ramos won't adapt but that risk is there even if managers change clubs in this country anyway. He's turned it down but Jol is a dead man walking, Spurs obviously feel he's taken them as far as he can so are looking to bring someone in better, fair play to them and better than waiting until they go backwards. I think they will end up with Fabio Capello. Coaching them to 5th two successive season's isn't worth the remainder of the season? What's that say to a new manager coming in. "You've only got so long, mate, then you're out".

Dioup it is then. His he the love child of Diop and Diouf? Be one hell of a player.

I hope you are correct. It seems like the proper time for him to come good. Playing for Ingurlund a'narl. I can see this playing out like that Argies game when Owen scored late for the winner. Actually, think he had two that match, right? Crespo for the Argies, IIRC? Can't remember who scored theirs. But to be like that game would involve Germany withdrawing all their best players after going ahead. As their squad is even more depleted than ours, I can't see it happening. I just think Owen will notch a goal or two and give hope to the England faithful that he can lead the front line. Prove he still has it sort of thing. As I say, I hope you're right. I fear, however, that his lack of match fitness will show. He'll just have to net in the first half then.

So what happens when the first manager you approach knocks you back and tells his mates in the press about it? The current manager is left in an untenable position, knowing he could be replaced at any time. The club would (rightly) be a laughing stock and a source of constant speculation. That's unlikely to happen, it's believed that players get tapped up all of the time but how often do you hear of someone blabbing to the press? The way you would go about it is to get a 3rd party to approach the agent of the manager and ask him if he would be interested in the job, if he is then move it from there but if not and for some reason he did go to the press then deny all knowledge like Madrid do when they get accused of it, after all it wasn't Madrid doing it directly. Sacking someone before looking for a replacement is retarded even if it is whats considered the right thing to do. All going to plan for Spurs then, thats what happens when you have a footballing person running the club. Have you missed the bit where we've sacked 3 managers around this time in the last decade? replacing the last one with Souness after being turned down by Allaryce, McClaren and Steve Bruce? Like I've said, Spurs deny it and this time next week it'll be forgotten, I'd be more worried if they did get Ramos tbh. why would you be worried ? Because Ramos is a far better coach than Jol, he has the potential to make them a much stronger unit and help Spurs pull away from us further. Add to that I'd be jealous as he's got Sevilla playing top quality football to watch where as we've got Allardyce and his long balls. Whereas Jol has built his team to finish 5th the last two seasons, have decent cup runs, and generally carry them forward. Ramos hasn't even coached in the Prem, would take a while to settle and if he's turned it down, I doubt he's up for it anyway. If I was a yid, I'd want to stick with Jol at least the remainder of the season. 3 games in and it's not like they're miles behind Man U, Liverpool and Arsenal? The Allardyce dig isn't worth comment.

I hope you are correct. It seems like the proper time for him to come good. Playing for Ingurlund a'narl. I can see this playing out like that Argies game when Owen scored late for the winner. Actually, think he had two that match, right? Crespo for the Argies, IIRC? Can't remember who scored theirs. But to be like that game would involve Germany withdrawing all their best players after going ahead. As their squad is even more depleted than ours, I can't see it happening. I just think Owen will notch a goal or two and give hope to the England faithful that he can lead the front line. Prove he still has it sort of thing.

I hope you are correct. It seems like the proper time for him to come good. Playing for Ingurlund a'narl. I can see this playing out like that Argies game when Owen scored late for the winner. Actually, think he had two that match, right? Crespo for the Argies, IIRC?

I think Owen will pot at least one tonight and Smith will play well in support.

Nico hasn't managed to get on with any of his managers though...Doesn't mean much. How many of his old managers have bought him again? None prob. Wenger still has a soft spot for him. You could have left it at none tbh. If he goes for anyone it'll be Diouf IMO. Would Diouf be able to play center mid?

I looked on the Chronicle website, haven't seen news of this there. Unless it's a blurb in another article? edit: Steven Taylor article.

<holds shoe up>

This. North American sports are at least covered by Journalists.

I like its cheesiness. Nowt wrong with that. Just not my cup of tea.

The Level Seven's and United Front get my vote. Tune Army is a tad on the cheeze, clever though.

What's wrong with that? I'd love to respond to the rest of your post, but it's been beaten to death in numerous other threads. (Sorry to hear about Misty)

We'll know tomorrow after Olly's been on the blower to his mates in Reykjavik. That's close to Durham, right? Don't think his sauces stretch much further than that. Except the Newcastle fan in Barca who said Edmilson had agreed terms How on earth could I have forgotten about that?

Winter is upon Iceland. Nowt much else to do.

We'll know tomorrow after Olly's been on the blower to his mates in Reykjavik. That's close to Durham, right? Don't think his sauces stretch much further than that.

F*cking cheek. "I'm not one to talk" doesn't excuse that. Oh f*** off. The supporters overseas are just as much a part of the fanbase. We pay those ridiculous prices for team swag, and then almost the same just to have it shipped. Don't try some bullshit about how we are lesser supporters. It's even harder here in the US where 90% of PL fans are for Chelsea, Man U and Arsenal. But I'll tell you 1 thing for sure. People here want to talk about getting into the top 4; if you watched the Liverpool game on TV today, you can easily see the difference in an atmosphere for the home side. Could just as well have been an away game for us yesterday. You're not a supporter, you're a fan. No position to slag off people who actually went yesterday. I'll tell you what. Come to NYC, and go to Nevada Smith's on a gameday and tell the Toon supporters there that they are just fans because they don't live in the UK. I get the feeling that you would fell like you were back in the middle of the heyday of hooliganism. Internet hardman. They could kick me all over. They'd still be wrong, though. I'm sure plenty of nonces in prison could give me a kicking. Would make them better than me in your way of thinking. Wow. You are calling me names, after saying that there is no supporters outside of St James'. Did you have to work to achieve that level of stupidity or does it come naturally? If yours was the prevalent feeling among Geordies, NUFC would be stuck in League 1 with Leeds, millions more in debt. FFS, it costs me more to order a damn scarf than it does for you to go to a damn game. Attitudes like yours try to hold the team back rather than take it forward. It's pretty sad really. Yes, that's exactly why Leeds went bankrupt. They ignored the American market. (Wow, yankee bought a f****** scarf) I agreed with you until you made this an UK vs. US issue, which is just ridiculous. S.S.R. = Super Stevie Returns.

I HATE LIVERPOOL

Wow, shocking call from Stiles!