afar

Yep, we desperately need some pace. I still question Zoggy's desire at the moment, not convinced at all he'll change things around.

So important team talk for KK. What does he say ? Lay into a already low on confidence group ? Tell them that they are unlucky to be behind ? Make some changes ?

We need to now not conceed again fast, at 1-0 there's still a chance, 2-0 before half time and it's turn out the lights time.

The beeb has us at 62% possesion at the moment, Brum if you couldn't work it out is 38%, but it sounds from you guys that we are not doing anything with it.

What did he say ?

Me too.. I've got the PVR tpaing it but can't wait 3 hours before finding out.

Wot no Smith ? What's King Kev thinking of We're doomed !!! In all seriousness, though, I like it. We aren't going to be going anywhere and grind out a 1-0. So why not take a chance go for the 3 points, if we get a goal or 2 up we can revert to a more defensive lineup and try to hang on.

For goodness sake what tosh, it would be a huge set back but it would be far from the end of the world, we are nothing like Leeds.

Which is more damaging, the wrath of Alan Smith and his agent for not playing him or NUFC being relegated because we keep playing Alan Smith? I think the club would choose to drop Smith. Unfortunately it would seem to be Keegan's fault that Smith keeps playing. I agree it's silly to suggest there is any clause, it's also totally unenforceable as if he was dropped the player would not be crazy to take any action as if it came out it would be totally damging to his reputation. I think it is as simple as KK being blinded by the myth that Smith is a decent player, believing all the hype. Smith always talks a good game too, he sounds very much like someone who cares and that's the sort of person that KK probably feels he needs in the team right now. There's also a remote posibility that both KK and SA want to keep the boss happy. Ashley was very public in wearing Smith's number on the back of his shirt when he fist took over.

Then I guess you are Nostrodamus. Good for you, I didn't see any of them coming

I think I have been through this stage of feeling relegation would be a blessing in disguise, to be honest there are pros and cons with both scenarios, staying up and going down. I know which one I would prefer and every other fan would too. The important thing though is that no matter what happens, next season we learn the lessons and start building. If we get relgated make damn sure we bounce right back. If we stay in the premier league, eradicate the parasites (even if it means taking huge losses on them) and bring in players who both have the desire to suceed and the ability to make it happen.

Oops, this is the wrong thread This article is spot on by the way and a quality bit of Journalism, shame the proffessional Journalists don't folow his example.

I think a common feel in any Michael Owen interview is the underlying feeling that he cares more about his only personal glory than the club that employes him. I'm not saying that that is the case, but it's the impression that is often drawn. Look at the final few paragraphs and he's talking about his goal scoring record. I'm sure he was fed the line about it being his 300th league game and his gaols per game record but I guess he's just honest in his answers and is not the type to say "That's really of no importance right now, it's winning the football game that counts".

Yeah when you look at the players that went, how the hell are in this mess surely those coming in are an improvement ?

Damn Word spell checker

I think everyone was sucked into the "Sexy Football" thing, I doubt anyone could have predicted how bad it would turn out.

Wow I had forgotten about Stephen Glass, I too remember thinking he would be a real gem and a total bargain. Reminds me a bit of John Robertson but the difference being that Robertson probaly wasn't given enough time to adjust to the English game.

I have always thought of myself as someone who is fairly knowledgable about the beautiful game and NUFC in general being able to predict how things would fair at our club. Hell I forsaw the disasters that Souness and Roeder would be, that missing out on O'Neill and giving a wide birth to Sven would be a mistake. I also predicted that Andy Cole, Rob Lee and Gary Speed would be great signings fo the club while Butt, Smith and Carr were not the players we were told. However I seem to have been getting a lot more wrong of late than I have right, that's led me to start believe all those folks that say "He talks a load of s**** him !" So admit it, when have you been wrong ? When has your crystal ball been clouded ? Here's my list, in no particular order: • Getting our money back on Sir Les was good business considering his age, we had Shearer now anyway. • Sacking Bobby would help move the club forward to the next level. • Big Sam was just what this club needed. • Kluivert would be a huge success and prove all the doubters wrong. • Owen will score boatloads of goals for us. • Duff was an absolute steal at 5 mill. • Barton will sort himself out and be a terrific player for the club. • Luque would be the next Ginola. • Kenny was just the man to replace King Kev. • The return of KK is just what we need (hopefully there is still time for me to take this off my list).

Did James Beattie win a cap ?

One thing the players or club can not complain about is dissinterested fans and lack of numbers, we'll sell our quota I'm sure but even if we don't the lads will not lack for any vocal encourgement, just a shame that that backing is not reward more often.

Sadly that is true. Owen will not be dropped, it just won't happen. Martins will likely to be warming the bench for the most part of the remainder of the season, coming on with 15 mins to go. All we can do is hope Owen rediscovers his form.

what a load of bollocks they get as many hits because they have more info/news about the club than any other nufc fans site. there opinions are just that, theres a lot they spout I dont agree with but its there site and I dont see any problem with them voicing them. Completely disagree. You are totally ignoring the semi football ignorant crowd. Those people who have only a passing interest in Football, they've maybe been to the odd match or 2, Shearer their favourite player. They can name a few other greats like Malcolm McDonald and Jackie Milburn. A bit like Tony Blair. These are the types that do that Sky Sports and other TV companies have an uncanny knack of picking out to give their cringeworthy interviews as the "voice of the fans". These people have no idea that forums such as this exists, they type in NUFC and hit CTRL + Enter and come to what they thought was the official site only to find this fans site, "ooh isn't this wonderful" they think, "this must be where all the fans post their thoughts on the internet". I would wager that they have a huge percentage of hits that come in through ignorance of what the site is all about. The above is also true of supporters other clubs who were under the impression they were coming to the official site. This is why .com URLs go for such a huge amount of money, the advertiser only cares about hits, they don't care about how those hits have been generated. That's not to say there isn't some worthwhile stuff on their site, I love the "on this day" thing and when they shy away from their slef righteous preaching style some of what they put out makes a whole lot of sense.

i'm pretty sure the presenters are brits. aye, they are british. right couple of twats, though..... just to let you all know, the game's live on monday @ 2.00pm central time, on setanta (channel 406 on dishnetwork) I'll have to remember to set my PVR, we are on mountain time so I'll be at work not be able to watch it live, I'll have to arrange some meetings for Monday afternoon so I won't be tempted to check the internet

I'm still a firm Ashley supporter, don't get me wrong but to suggest he is not without blame is plain wrong. Most agree with the removal of SA but the timing could have been better.

I was tempted to fall into the Forum standard of ridiculing the OP, throwing in a few smiley faces, and calling for the admins to lock the thread on the grounds of idiocracy. However I'll suffice with saying, I just can't see it happening but there again back in 82 who could see the captain of England and twice Former Eorpean Footballer of the year, coming to a 2nd division club who had been going nowhere for a number of years. I hope the OP comes back at some point in the future to say I told you so but I think lampard will be at one of the Spanish giants next year.