Raconteur

This. I think we can agree from the tone of that article Clarkie is secure - but the part in bold is unsubstantiated supposition with no quotes or anything firmer than "likely" and "seems to be" Can't see Terry Mac being given a job by Allardyce unless Shepherd made it a term of Big Sam's employment, which I think we can count out given the "free reign" line with regards to staff...

Ah, that is indeed a very important point - not ideal for us because as GeJon said signing players in January is never easy, but he will certainly be one of the hottest properties in Europe for top clubs needing to add to their attacks...

That's absurd - the only reason Owen didn't suffer the hamstring injuries that have plagued his entire career is because he was unable to run due to the major injuries you described! He's had a torn ACL - you can't say "Oh, Owen must be over his hamstring problems because he hasn't injured them for the past year!" What is absurd is he is still banging on about Owen having 2 injuries here. He was injured every other game played before the 2 big injuries! Shhh! We mustn't let facts get in the way of a good rant, Jon!

I found the Makelele replacement theory particularly amusing - one of the truly great defensive midfielders in the EPL to be replaced by... Sidwell?

MJ If Man Utd can't (or won't) pay his wages I can't see Arsenal doing so - don't they have a fairly strict wage structure they've only broken rarely and in exceptional circumstances (specifically the Bosman signing of Campbell and keeping Henry in London?)

Didn't stop Bryan Robson being one of the best midfielders of his generation... Or Tony Adams, or Paul MacGrath etc His drinking (I'm not even going to say alleged) impacts primarily in that effects his fitness levels which was the biggest impediment to him not being a good enough option. I think you're being overly harsh - if he could stay fit I think he could be a decent backup option as he's better than Ramage and Huntington and is a natural leader. But he can't stay fit, and was correctly dispensed with...

That's absurd - the only reason Owen didn't suffer the hamstring injuries that have plagued his entire career is because he was unable to run due to the major injuries you described! He's had a torn ACL - you can't say "Oh, Owen must be over his hamstring problems because he hasn't injured them for the past year!"

I hate to come across all "told you so", but I've been saying for months I didn't believe he would be coming back to Australia. He thinks he's got another season's worth of European football in those old legs, and he also knows that there's no money in Australian football...

Champions league dream team tbh, people bang on about how we declined when Bellamy and Robert went but it was blatantly the loss of O'Brien that took us down! this guy nose what he's on about Ah, I see what you did there

Yes we can and we must. He was happy enough to take his 30 pieces of silver and sign for Monkeys Heeds lot in 1997 so for me he is soiled goods. I was only joking about Clark but the Sunderland thing is a bit silly no? Is Shay soiled goods? What about Allardyce? Any "Geordie points" Clarkie lost by signing for the Mackems were regained, if not added to, by the infamous "T-shirt affair"

My eyesight might be failing me, but where in that article does it say Campbell is to be sold? The closest I can see is some typical paper bollocks:

Why do they have to teach defending tactics if the strikers seem not be taught how to move off the ball? That's why Italian defences are so good man. They keep the strikers shit by not teaching them how to attack. Could this be the secret of why Shevchenko failed to adapt?

That's the question you should be asking your board!

I think the fact we're level with Liverpool suggests we are an attractive option to sponsors... Yes but according to that table, they're due a renewal (obviously with an increase in value) any day now. Aye - but further to that, Karjala said there are "five or six clubs" who attract widespread support. If you look closely at the graph there are six clubs (the "big four", Spuds and us) and then a huge drop-off... If there's any surprise in that list for me, it's that Everton and Man City are so low.

I think the fact we're level with Liverpool suggests we are an attractive option to sponsors...

If he's got any nouse he knows he's not going to get much of a kick next season and would prefer to start for Ajaccio or Tolouse or some such. Plus he can only tarnish his cult status by staying here too long as his skills fade away...

I can't believe anyone is honestly surprised that his agent is touting him around - wasn't the leaking of the release clause a fairly significant clue?

Thanks for the memories French Tony, and best of luck in the future. Tried to plug a very big hole, and always gave his best - which may not have been as good as we needed, but better than some who put on the black and white offered. All that said, here's hoping the next striker who joins the Toon has a little bit more in his locker!

el hadj diouf, 23 when he joined bolton, under sam allardyce. he is our new manager iirc. Ah, but Diouf was African Player of the Year before he went to Liverpool...

Don't you dare - remember how Roeder got his job?!?

Okay then, you keep believing that then.

With regards to what sort of ridiculous wages we pay inadequate players, I bring the Gospel according to Gemmill: (NB Strategic snipping for relevance sake - full post see http://www.newcastle-online.com/nufcforum/index.php?topic=37528.msg747882#msg747882 )

Why do I think Given is not doing this? The images on my TV screen tell me it isn't happening! In fact, this is exactly one of those cases whereby actually being at the game is superior to watching it on TV. Maybe Given is not as noisy and commanding as Schmeichel but we cant blame him for not doing this things you mentioned above. Actually, yes I can blame him for not organising his defence properly - it is part of his job! It's not as important as shot-stopping, but is at least as important as distribution (if not more so) I mean you cant blame the goalkeeper for the fact that the defenders in front of him are bunch of shit. Gee, I didn't realise I'd said that, I'm sorry. Oh wait, I didn't... But what I did say (or at least imply) is that Given has a responsibility to improve their collective performance by organising them properly, and in that regard he seems to be wanting... I'm not saying Given is shit (he is clearly a very good goalkeeper), I'm saying that he is deficient in one vital aspect of his craft. You ask why I think he doesn't organise his defence adequately - the evidence is plain to see.

Based on his unique view of the game, a keeper is responsible for talking to his defenders (and midfielders) for 90 minutes - telling his teammates about runs being made by opposition attackers, warning them of threats coming through from midfield, encouraging them to stick with their man, ensuring that at defensive set pieces no one is unmarked, telling his defenders when to pass back or clear, whether they are under pressure when on the ball etc... We've said all along that Bramble needed a wise head alongside him, that Taylor needs an experienced player beside him, that Carr is positionally weak. Well, in my mind, it's not just the responsibility of a senior centre half - the goalkeeper has his role to play in this as well. Think Peter Schmeichel - the benchmark when it comes to commanding goalkeepers. Yes, he had a higher quality backline, but he still bellowed at them every match, keeping them focused, organised and aware. In my mind, a goalkeeper would be unable to do a post-match interview - he should be too hoarse!!!

I don't think people's problem with Given being handed the captaincy is related to his being a keeper - I think it's more to do with the fact his communication seems to be lacking. He can't seem to organise his defence - how can he inspire his team if he can't do that?