GM

Please note I have now changed the poll from who do you think it is most likely to be to who do you want it to be.

Right then fuckers. I'll change it.

May as well get this rolling then... WHO DO YOU WANT IT TO BE?

Next season? Finishing above Sunderland as a minimum. Way above them. I'd hope to see us qualifying for the UEFA and not via the Intertoto, either.

Spot on. Doubt that this point will sink in. And HTL - I don't remember much before 1992. I couldn't give a shit. I live in the now, not the past. So you're one of the older types but you can't remember much before 1992. I see. I don't give a shit what you think. At last.

Spot on. Doubt that this point will sink in. And HTL - I don't remember much before 1992. I couldn't give a shit. I live in the now, not the past.

No we don't. Shay, Taylor, Parker, Owen - not exactly Cech, Terry, Essien and Drogba I know but name a spine as good as or significantly better outside of the top four and you'd struggle. We all know Shay is one of the best, on his day thee best, Taylor has massive potential, forget his silly moments, his performance against Drogba recently is his real level if he works hard, is coached right and has the right attitude. Parker has had a poor season but if managed right, i.e. not told to be something he isn't - our Steven Gerrard, he can be a more than effective player in there for us and Owen, well he's a world class goalscorer when fit and on form. If you take Given, Taylor, Parker, Owen as the spine of the team and assume they were all playing to their full potential under competent management, you'd still have a critical flaw there in midfield and defence. Taylor I feel can still become one of England's best defenders with the right coaching and with the right partner. Parker however just leaves me cold. He's been utterly woeful under Roeder - and played like he didn't give a s***. I didn't even notice him on Saturday - if that is meant to be our captain then there's little further explanation required as to why we played in such a listless, erratic and uninspiring fashion. I don't know if I'm expecting too much from him, but misplaced passes and a lack of passion don't make me think he's part of a strong spine to the team. you have to be joking? He has potential. not to be the best defender in the world Aye, because that's what I said, isn't it? Fuck me. Mong alert.

No we don't. Shay, Taylor, Parker, Owen - not exactly Cech, Terry, Essien and Drogba I know but name a spine as good as or significantly better outside of the top four and you'd struggle. We all know Shay is one of the best, on his day thee best, Taylor has massive potential, forget his silly moments, his performance against Drogba recently is his real level if he works hard, is coached right and has the right attitude. Parker has had a poor season but if managed right, i.e. not told to be something he isn't - our Steven Gerrard, he can be a more than effective player in there for us and Owen, well he's a world class goalscorer when fit and on form. If you take Given, Taylor, Parker, Owen as the spine of the team and assume they were all playing to their full potential under competent management, you'd still have a critical flaw there in midfield and defence. Taylor I feel can still become one of England's best defenders with the right coaching and with the right partner. Parker however just leaves me cold. He's been utterly woeful under Roeder - and played like he didn't give a shit. I didn't even notice him on Saturday - if that is meant to be our captain then there's little further explanation required as to why we played in such a listless, erratic and uninspiring fashion. I don't know if I'm expecting too much from him, but misplaced passes and a lack of passion don't make me think he's part of a strong spine to the team. you have to be joking? He has potential.

No we don't. Shay, Taylor, Parker, Owen - not exactly Cech, Terry, Essien and Drogba I know but name a spine as good as or significantly better outside of the top four and you'd struggle. We all know Shay is one of the best, on his day thee best, Taylor has massive potential, forget his silly moments, his performance against Drogba recently is his real level if he works hard, is coached right and has the right attitude. Parker has had a poor season but if managed right, i.e. not told to be something he isn't - our Steven Gerrard, he can be a more than effective player in there for us and Owen, well he's a world class goalscorer when fit and on form. If you take Given, Taylor, Parker, Owen as the spine of the team and assume they were all playing to their full potential under competent management, you'd still have a critical flaw there in midfield and defence. Taylor I feel can still become one of England's best defenders with the right coaching and with the right partner. Parker however just leaves me cold. He's been utterly woeful under Roeder - and played like he didn't give a shit. I didn't even notice him on Saturday - if that is meant to be our captain then there's little further explanation required as to why we played in such a listless, erratic and uninspiring fashion. I don't know if I'm expecting too much from him, but misplaced passes and a lack of passion don't make me think he's part of a strong spine to the team.

No we don't. Yes we do. The depth and elaboration behind some of the arguments in this thread are outstanding. I'm still hungover from the weekend. I'm working on a "deeper" and more "elaborate" argument now. So calm down.

No we don't.

Horribly short odds for Steve Bruce, Steve McLaren and Glenn Hoddle.

Sorry? Sigh Which part don't you understand? I'm happy to help, as always. I just saw no relevance in your post to mine. Enlighten me. Think you'll be waiting quite a long time before HTL explains the relevance of his post. He's not even sure of it himself, I bet.

I've also emailed in a few times with some rather embarrassing statements. Using the name, John Watson, North Shields. You fucker Yes, indeed. My personal fave though is this one: "Everyone's asking who will succeed Roeder at St James' Park. I'd love it to be former Dutch defensive maestro, Johannes de Kock. I've always loved de Kock!!! John Watson, N Shields"

I've also emailed in a few times with some rather embarrassing statements. Using the name, John Watson, North Shields.

I can't justify the cost - regardless of who is manager and how well/badly we're playing. I'm only ever going to manage to get down to SJP a few times a season max. That won't change unless I moved back to the North East. I will be renewing my SKY Sports subscription though.

Mark Lawrenson as defensive coach. THAT's when the rot set in, I tell ya.

I'll happily take the credit for Roeder's departure. It was obviously my booing and whistling that pushed him over the edge. That, and Mick ganning off at half time to have a quiet word with Fred.

Aye I was wondering what the story is with McCarthy's family - are they in Spain? South Africa? Visa problems perhaps meaning they've not been allowed in the UK? Anyone know?

Oh aye, VERY disappointing.

I'm not interested in dragging up views that Baggio may or may not have held in the past. You know that opinions can change over time according to circumstance, right? I don't know why you have to keep harking back to the same stock arguments time after time. Baggio was talking about the now, primarily. His description of how he sees things with the team just NOW. And there is a lot wrong with the team and the way the club is being run NOW.

I think, despite what happened between them, that there is probably a genuine friendship there, and I think Shepherd is cherishing what will inevitably be his last few opportunities to share some time from Sir Bob. Unduly cynical I think.

Why so quiet HTL? I'd appreciate the courtesy of a response.

I fail to see the joke.