Parky

FYP Like may Dutch forwards/wingers he is wildly overated mainly cause he scored a hatful of goals in a weak league. We will see, but I think Martins will score more (Owen you can bet your house on it) than Kalou or Kuyt next year. Kuyt overall game is better than Martins but he has no 'X' factor. Martins has often scored when we were getting pummeled for posession and had no control of matches. I don't think he will ever have a first touch or develop the awareness of Anelka, but he will get his share of goals. Thats a huge reason why I think Martins has done as well (if not better) than a lot of other strikers we could have got this season. If he had a striker who has to rely on service to get a lot of their goals we would have been buggered and if we signed a striker who is creative and needs someone to feed off their clever football we would have been fucked. Spot on. blueyes.gif

Lampard.

FYP Like may Dutch forwards/wingers he is wildly overated mainly cause he scored a hatful of goals in a weak league. We will see, but I think Martins will score more (Owen you can bet your house on it) than Kalou or Kuyt next year. Kuyt overall game is better than Martins but he has no 'X' factor. Martins has often scored when we were getting pummeled for posession and had no control of matches. I don't think he will ever have a first touch or develop the awareness of Anelka, but he will get his share of goals.

At Liverpool he's scored ONE more goal than Martins. He is 4/5 years older and he has NO pace. Liverpool have struggled all season with their lacklustre forward line. He will NOT be first choice next term.

Not Saviola we have enought dwarves.

The highlighted bit was pre-Souness. Employment law is a jungle these days. If we offerred a mill out of court they are more than likely to take it.

I really hope the highlighted bit is bullshit but I wouldn't be surprised. You can't accept a resignation and then try for compensation after the fact.

No Shearer.

Putting out cones and the ability to drink 10 pints at lunchtime.

Steady on mate... you start talking about the glory days --> then we start talking about the Board --> and then this will be the #587 thread hijacked by NE5. Stay on subject. For Gods sake listen to him!11 Close one Cali.

Aye cheers for clearing that up for me Dave, mate. Dead hard to understand like! Parky/TT: As far as "having the set-up" goes, you cannot tell me that Big Sam can be nailed-on to be as successful in running Newcastle United as he has been down at Bolton. It's a completely different kettle of fish, with a different chairman and with a structure that will require and complete and utter overhaul - something that could take years to fully accomplish. My point about Lee (a f****** top-quality coach, by all accounts) and the rest of Allardyce's team at Bolton was that it might be very difficult for him to recreate the success here, ESPECIALLY in the short-term - and it's not like managers have a long shelf-life here these days if we're not firing on practically all cylinders whenever we play. I would have thought that Lee was one of the most pivotal aspects of Sam's set-up (although I did mention the "rest of his team") in the same post. Wasn't he pivotal at Liverpool under Houllier as well? He has a massive reputation in the game, man. Sam's certainly not going to bring all of them to SJP, especially not quickly. Things could be a lot less clear-cut than people like you are predicting if he does ever come here. I've always been in favour of Allardyce coming here and I would still welcome it, but I'm weary of people expecting far too much of him if he does ever arrive and therefore giving him a snowball in hell's chance from the get-go by having massively inflated expectations of what he can do for us. You cannot fully compensate for having a team that has worked together for years, if they get split up. That was my point and I fail to see how it was that hard to comprehend, really. What have you heard about Sammy Lee, Parky? Isn't he all he's cracked up to be? Absolutely. Nailed on. The point being, you look at the candidates at the time and who you think is qualified for you, which the club DID when appointing Dalglish, Gullit and Robson. Even the Scottish fuckpig had a case as the club needed some discipline - and indeed some people still support his actions in kicking out Bellamy and wouldn't have him back - and had won the League Cup and the FA Cup, whatever the circumstances. Roeder too had some merit in that he restored some stability and did well initially, possibly with Shearers motivational influence, maybe not. At this moment in time, Allardyce seems to have a lot to offer the club. I'll pin my flag to the mast and say that apart from Arsene Wenger and Alex Ferguson, he is the next British based manager for me, so I'll be happy with him. Not many managers are nailed on to be a success. In many ways, if Allardyce goes to us or Man City, then it is his big chance to join the winning managers and that is all. Souness and Roeder are two of the worst managers the Premiership has ever seen, don't try and make out there was a case for appointing either of them. unfortunately, they are not two of the worst managers the premiership has ever seen. And Roeder had some merit having did well as a caretaker. All clubs appoint managers on this basis sometimes, Liverpool have, Chelsea have, ManU have, and Arsenal too have appointed managers without winning track records, so stop making out they have not. The smoggies with the great Steve Gibson have appointed a manager with no experience. There is absolutely no difference between that appointment and us appointing Roeder either. When have I said Man Utd, Liverpool, Chelsea or Arsenal haven't done this? I haven't even mentioned them so stop making things up. Both Souness and Roeder are easily two of the worst managers in the Premiership and both came with a history of failure, Gibson appointing Southgate is nothing like us appointing Roeder. on what basis are they two of the worst appointments ? There have been dozens, maybe even a hundred or two s**** appointments. Roeder Gillingham - Finished second bottom. Watford - missed out on the play offs in his second season, sacked in his 3rd season before the club eventually got relegated. West Ham - Finished 7th as caretaker before blowing all the money the club got for Lampard on Repka, James and Hutchinson, relegated in his second season, the West Ham fans regard him as their worst ever manager. Souness Rangers - successful, not exactly hard with a dominant club in a weak league. Liverpool - Disaster, to quote Robbie Fowler's book "He turned the red machine into the red turnip" quit after losing to Bristol City in the FA cup Galatasaray - Won the Turkish cup Southampton - Done nothing of note and left after a year after falling out with the chairman. Torino - Replaced after 4 months. Benfica - Sacked after winning nothing in 2 years, famously released a youngster called Deco (yes, that Deco) so he could accommodate Michael Thomas in the squad. Blackburn - Earned them promotion and won them the league cup, on the brink of being sacked there after taking them close to the relegation zone. Now how many managers can you name me with such a history of failure as these pair of twats? For a club who's chairman previously boasted about being the 8th biggest club in the World, and who some fans regard as being the 5th best club over the last decade, these two appointments are simply not good enough. Not all bad then.

that depends. Even Freddies most ardent paranoid critic could hardly argue that Dalglish and Robson were top class appointments, winning managers with track records 2nd to none. And Gullit also being an up and coming manager. Unfortunately, they do argue about Dalglish and Gullit. As they are both, more qualified than Big Sam, its strange so many people are backing Allardyce while claiming the club can't attract big name managers. It will be interesting also to see the reaction if Allardyce does come to Newcastle, and doesn't succeed - although it also depends on what people mean by succeed ? Top 5 positions for 3 consecutive years ? A couple of Cup finals ? Regular European football ? Or an isolated League Cup win and bottom half to mid table league finishes and a relegation thrown in for good measure, like Leicester, Blackburn and the smoggies. Particularly Leicester, and beating Tranmere in the Final when the big clubs weren't even interested in it, including us at the time. Who argues about the appointment of Dalglish? I don't remember hearing anyone bash the board for bringing in either Dalglish or Gullit, both good managers who could well have gone on to be a success, there is no guarantee of success though and nearly 10 years on I still don't know why it didn't work out for Dalglish. Big Sam may not be a success but I would knock Shepherd if he appointed him and it didn't work out. lots of people did. Don't you remember "attack attack attack" at Wembley too ? Which flies in the face of people saying they are prepared to be patient, and want the team to build from the back etc etc blah blah.....because that is what he was attempting to do and they didn't like it. I mean, I didn't like the way he dismantled Keegans team either, but at least I stick to my guns, I was prepared to give him time and don't moan on saying one thing then expecting instant success. As for your last line, you simply can't back the appointment of Allardyce then knock the club if it doesn't work out. Anyone can use hindsight and I'm afraid sayign such things and exercising such options add up to zero credibility. Shepherd, Hall jnr have no more foresight than you or anybody else does. I meant I wouldn't knock him, it was a typo by me. I'll edit it. Phew 30 pager avoided.

The more I read about Big Sam and his attention to detail and thoroughness the more I like.....And tbf I am a recent convert.

Very pertinent point about Roman Cali. blueyes.gif

Not convinced by Martins!!111 I personally think Anelka has been the best value in recent striker purchases. Benny Mc Carthy was the best buy this season on goals/price paid. Too skinny.

This is always a tough one to call, especially as they look so impregnable at the moment. New money coming into Liverpool and Man Utd, the millions (pocket money) of Abramovich. The excellent set ups and management teams and the momentum they have built up over the last few seasons. For me the most likely to start failing or give a chance for the chasing pack to catch up is imo Arsenal. The main reasons are that they don't have a bottomless pit of money and they are into the banks quite heavily for the new stadium and also that imo they rely too heavily on Henry. Also with recent events regardless of the media spin, I feel Wenger has been unsettled by Dien's departure. The other thing about Wenger is that he has many suitors in Spain and Italy as does Henry and knowing the type of personality Wenger is ( a keen scholar and student of the game) I feel the pull of Serie A or Barcelona will prove to be too much if Arsenal start to stumble and to be fair they have stumbled a fair bit this year. So for me Arsenal are the most likely candidates to drop out of the 'top 4'.

Aye cheers for clearing that up for me Dave, mate. Dead hard to understand like! Parky/TT: As far as "having the set-up" goes, you cannot tell me that Big Sam can be nailed-on to be as successful in running Newcastle United as he has been down at Bolton. It's a completely different kettle of fish, with a different chairman and with a structure that will require and complete and utter overhaul - something that could take years to fully accomplish. My point about Lee (a fucking top-quality coach, by all accounts) and the rest of Allardyce's team at Bolton was that it might be very difficult for him to recreate the success here, ESPECIALLY in the short-term - and it's not like managers have a long shelf-life here these days if we're not firing on practically all cylinders whenever we play. I would have thought that Lee was one of the most pivotal aspects of Sam's set-up (although I did mention the "rest of his team") in the same post. Wasn't he pivotal at Liverpool under Houllier as well? He has a massive reputation in the game, man. Sam's certainly not going to bring all of them to SJP, especially not quickly. Things could be a lot less clear-cut than people like you are predicting if he does ever come here. I've always been in favour of Allardyce coming here and I would still welcome it, but I'm weary of people expecting far too much of him if he does ever arrive and therefore giving him a snowball in hell's chance from the get-go by having massively inflated expectations of what he can do for us. You cannot fully compensate for having a team that has worked together for years, if they get split up. That was my point and I fail to see how it was that hard to comprehend, really. What have you heard about Sammy Lee, Parky? Isn't he all he's cracked up to be? If you ask around opinions seem to be that he is a good assistant manager/coach and he has deffo done his time in various set ups inc England. When I get into this conversation with people I think they fail to realise that the primary role for this position is being a good sounding board and it helps if there are good strong dissagreements and differances of opinion. Clough had it about right with Taylor (who was a tough nut mentally and told Cloughie where to get off if needed). But Clougie also had John Robertson who I rate very very highly as assistant manager material (not sure but I think he is working with MON). The assistant managers in the PL who are a class above are Quireoz (sp) and Pat Rice...IMO two of the best. Although interestingly neither imo would make particularly good managers because they lack the 'X' factor/ the vision to see the real nature of a side, what makes it tick, how to blend personalities (something our side LACKS in a big way). Carlos is the tactician at ManU that is Fergies hidden secret, when they play especially in Europe Q is drilling them and setting up the 2nd and 3rd runs over and over on the training ground...Van Nistelrooj used to hate Q for that. If I was pushed I would say that SA can do it without significant parts of his 'team' but I agree it will take time, but HE would get time as would SGE if he came ( and we did speak to him) as would someone like Van Basten ( who I'd love here). Hoddle and Trevor Francis would also make good assistant managers imo as would Luther Blisset (who has been doing badges in Italy last I heard).

Based on? My god given ability to judge players and the fact that Kalou has the heart of Bambi. You shoudl be on your way to south america instead of that idiot mouth-breather Clark! blueyes.gif

Agree. I am sticking to 3/4 good quality players maybe one of them top notch because I simply don't think we are in the situation to totally re-vamp. If Owen had played all season we could have added 12 points to the current total this year imo.

Based on? My god given ability to judge players and the fact that Kalou has the heart of Bambi.

mackems.gif I can see you dinning out on this for weeks yet.

Agreed. I still beleive we are 3 players and a manager short of a top 4 side. 3 players? hahahahaahahahahahahahaha!!!! Your laughing and you don't even know their names.....Bit of a gamble... Ok maybe 4. But I don't beleive we are in a position to buy more than that this summer. 4 players? I refer you to my earlier "hahahahahahahahahaha" You think we have SEVEN players good enough for the top 4? Christ, thats being kind. I can count 2. And 3 more who MIGHT become good enough. But only 2 now. NM we haven't got the money to spunk on a whole new team. I DO believe with a top notch manager and good organisation 3/4 good buys we can challenge for top 4 yes. Shoot me. Spurs and Everton and Bolton who all at some point challenged for the top 4 last 2/3 seasons are very average sides.

Agreed. I still beleive we are 3 players and a manager short of a top 4 side. 3 players? hahahahaahahahahahahahaha!!!! Your laughing and you don't even know their names.....Bit of a gamble... Ok maybe 4. But I don't beleive we are in a position to buy more than that this summer.

The sexier the bird the better the player. It's called Parky scouting. Van der Vaart's bird for instance. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-10/10/content_483763.htm http://www.sylvievdvaart.nl/

Agreed. I still beleive we are 3 players and a manager short of a top 4 side.