GM

I was convinced his real name was Elaine?

Can't wait for the inevitable bragging from kingdawson...

OK, few things on this Owen saga: 1. With the Euro 2008 tournament beckoning, he'll be wanting to play in Europe. 2. At 27, his agents will be reckoning right now he's probably got one more big money move in him. They hold the reins of power and if they see that money talks, then Owen walks. 3. If a big 4 club does come in for Owen, his reputed £115,000-a-week salary would be something he'd more than likely sacrifice. He's only on that money because that's what Shepherd had to pay him to get him to sign. He'd have stayed at Madrid otherwise, and waited for his dream return to Liverpool to materialise. 4. Even if Sam's been able to convince Owen that his plans for the club are right in theory, Owen is savvy enough to know that it'll take time before NUFC is back contending for regular UEFA/CL competition. He wants it now. 5. For his salary, we could probably get two or three alternative prospects. OK, they won't have the same marketability for merchandising purposes, they won't have the same star appeal, but we need to be realistic about where exactly we are now.

Because he seems to be incapable of moving on. Aye, from that point of view, fair enough mate.

Fair enough. I don't see why Gullit's not entitled to make such comment, so really don't get what the smiley is there for?

So SSH has mysteriously disappeared from TT? Coincidence?

Duff by name...

Owen's talked to Allardyce and is mulling it over. He may yet stay.

Not bothered about Sib's departure in itself, but I am starting to shift around a bit, wondering when we actually are going to make some much needed signings (i.e. additions) to what is already a threadbare squad. I hope to God we've got things tied up already - or we're going to end up paying over the odds for every single player we sign.

Not convinced. That's the sort of sales patter you'd expect from Del Trotter. ^^^

At times this past season, Oba's performances, particularly regarding control and possession has suffered because of a lack of confidence (possibly down to a combination of his own youthful naivety and poor coaching by Roeder) and pressure (being aware of the importance of the number 9 at SJP, and so desperately wanting to become a legend himself). However, I have to say that at various times last season, just when he was about to gain possession, having made an otherwise impressive run to chase the ball down, he has seemed to just panic, consequently screwing up in trying to get control of the ball, and thereby instantly conceding possession. On those occasions, I have to say the lad has looked for all the world like a horny virgin teenager who's managed at long last to get a lass back to his room, only to spunk his load as he's trying to get his kecks off. What Oba needs is a decent coach, but also (like Owen) the confidence that will surely come from (a) having more steadfast service and support from midfield and possibly (b) just the confidence that should come from gaining familiarity with Premiership football - others have used the Drogba analogy, and it's not a bad one.

Nonsencial argument, but whatever. He always looks considerably younger during his interviews. Doesn't sounds like a guy in his late twenties either. His voice is far too high pitch. I don't know how old you are mate, but your voice breaks in your teens. If you're 18 now and you've got a squeaky voice, you're stuck with it for life. Are you anticipating him doing interviews sounding like Barry White in a few years time? Got to love Yorkie for shouting down Gemmill for nonsensical arguments when he then proceeds to counter with this sort of reasoning. Keep up the good work, kidda!

As I've said before, I can see no reason why Owen would want to stay at SJP when we've been in such disarray this past season. All the while he was injured and working hard to get back playing from what could have been a career ending injury, he's been faced with widespread unprofessionalism by various spoilt brats in the dressing room, and a manager who couldn't fight his way out of a paper bag let alone a concerted attack from a lower league side. When he did get back, he was left isolated and cut adrift for large periods of the few games he has played for us, simply because our midfield was all over the place, clueless and lacking in any direction. Yeah, maybe he does owe us morally...but, he's got to think about his own wellbeing and his own career ultimately. This is business, for him there can be no room for sentiment - even though he has previously come out and expressed his guilt about his long periods of injury while he's been here. But ask yourself this: to what extent were the club culpable for his injuries in the first place? Sure, we've laid down resources to help him recuperate, and he had a track record of getting crocked, but I can't help wondering if our training regime played some small part in this sorry episode. Ultimately, it would of course be nice to see him playing for Newcastle week in, week out, enjoying his football, scoring regularly, helping push us back up into the top 4. But even with Sam Allardyce in charge we have to be realistic - we're miles adrift from being in that position just now and will probably be for some time. Allardyce will have to build a more workmanlike team to recover the ground we have lost in the past 3/4 seasons. Offloading Owen now, who seems to have been recruited on one mighty strange contract set-up, seems to be both an inevitability and increasingly desirable from a crude business perspective.

Seriously, do people really think Heinze is a crap player?

10 minutes! Hide this! It'll give Shepherd silly ideas...

I laughed. Inwardly.

Aye, you'd have thought with all that money he'd at least have the decency to get some dental work done too...and he has the cheek to call himself a "superstar". Disgraceful.

Yes. Sign him - it's a no brainer. He's free. And what with Sam being one of the best coaches in the world ever ever ever, I'm sure Sam could get the very best out of him. If Sam can't do it, nobody can. [/tongueincheek]

And thats the point I was getting it. It was not aimed specifically at NE5 its just that anytime any of the Old Firm are mentioned on here they are all tarred with the same brush. Take my points on face value SM. They are nothing more or less than that. I am disappointed that you have not replied to my reply. In my experience the vast majority of Rangers and Celtic supporters - however good lads they are - have an attitude which engulfs bigotry. They may not realise it, in fact they don't. I'm not castigating them for it if they know nothing differently, I'm pointing out the problem, which is deeper and outside of football. I suspect you know this already, so why not admit it instead of defending it ? I don't like NUFC playing these shitbags, and I think all other clubs should avoid them too and alienate them for this reason. I think that its all about standards. For instance, if someone, or some sets of fans, made racist comments or whatever, the rest of football would take them to task for it. I think the obvious support, bigotry, and backing of terrorists is 10 times worse. In terms of sheer bloody-minded prejudice, the sort of sweeping generalisations you're indulging in here are just as bad as the sectarianism you're banging on about. Amazed you can't see that...

http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/1313/pascoshearergw7.png Sam Allardyce Alan Shearer ...or Dalziel and Pascoe, if you haven't got a sense of humour

Good to see them back up. Should never have been relegated in the first place.

What an snorefest that was. Both teams should be fined for playing such an appallingly negative game.

THINNEST. Two N's. Fucksake

You are thinking of Dean Shiels Cheers for correcting me! It's just I was thinking: in the land of the blind, the one eyed man is king.

Is this O'Connor guy the one with one eye?