merlin

People have been doing the same thing for years and some of them - quite a few thousand in fact - have decided it's not worth it....take a look at the non-existent waiting list for STs...there were 20,000 on it when KK resigned.

Can I ask you, IanW, whether you are really interested in my feelings about NUFC, or are you just trying to hide behind some vision of gang loyalty by questioning my motives for the post ? Either way, I am quite prepared to answer your question and I don't give a toss what anyone else thinks about it either... If you have been reading my comments over the past 3 years, you will know that I take a different view of NUFC than most younger fans. You will know that I gave a large amount of time - my own FREE time - in being one of a group that actually DID something about bringing much-needed change to the club. We succeeded to a point - the club had its most successful league showing since the 1950s after SJH and KK took over, but it DIDN'T win a trophy. Since SJH resigned as Chairman, the club has, apart from the spell when SBR was in charge, gone backwards. It is now owned by a person whose motives are unclear - perhaps even to himself. Prior to the Hall takeover, many of us refused to buy STs in order to give another push into forcing the old board out - AND, crucially, to demonstrate our disapproval of how the club was being run. If I was still in the UK, I would have probably stopped buying STs after the KK walkout fiasco, which proved to me that Ashley was an unfit Chairman. I WOULD have picked individual games because I still wanted the club to try to pick itself off the floor, but I would certainly NOT be buying an ST now after the club have proved their intent - or lack of it. What were the first words Pardew uttered about the staff when he walked into SJP less than 2 months ago ? They were, if you need reminding, 'Andy Carroll is NOT for sale, we want to build the team round him'. Where does all this leave the manager's credibility ? Where does it leave the club ? Who are the losers ? Not Carroll, or NUFC(Ashley), not Liverpool, but the FANS - once again. If you have to approve the club's actions to be classed as a 'fan', then as far as I'm concerned, forget it. Its easier for me as I am thousands of miles away and the biggest problem I have is standing aloof from the laughter which ensues when one admits to having been an NUFC fan ! If NUFC get relegated, it won't alter my life - it will for thousands over there, but I WILL be saddened that the club has, once again, become totally second-rate when it could - and should - have been totally different. If my views offend any on here - tough. If you feel that strongly about what I think, then say so, and I'll leave the site to those who wish to live in an unreal version of the Football world.....just as thousands of older fans have done in past years - look at the fall in the ST waiting list if you don't believe me. I hope the club is on the point of being sold - otherwise, I cannot see how they are going to build a decent team - and keep it - over the next few years.

I know all about Cole - he was sold purely and simply because KK thought it was good money and he wanted Les Ferdinand ...and most of all, Alan Shearer, both of whom arrived. Are you going to put Carroll's transfer in the dame category as this ? Esp as KK forced Fergie to part with Gillespie in the deal, a young player very highly regarded at OT ? There is no comparison with the 2 deals ; NUFC were going to progress after the sale of Cole - do you think the dame sort of investment will be made by Ashley and Co, even in summer, and will they bust the wage structure to get replacements ? Yes or No ?

This has been a wake-up call for many younger fans - esp on this forum. Newcastle United's place in the scheme of things has been well and truly shown for what it is - a middle-ranking football club with an interesting history and a larger than average set of fans. Those of us who have seen this kind of thing many times before will not be surprised - disappointed that the club have no ambition, but we all knew the policies Ashley has brought to the club. Those blaming Carroll ought to get their heads out of their backsides - does anyone seriously think that he put in a transfer request without the knowledge of both NUFC and Liverpool ? If so, there must be fairies at the bottom of your garden, visible to only you....the transfer request was made so that it looked as if NUFC had made a serious effort not to sell. I am not saying the player didn't want to go - would YOU turn down the chance of instant millions and to be signed by a famous club who have just been taken over and demonstrated(by signing Suarez AND Carroll) that they want success..?? Or would you stay at a club where you don't know what's going to happen from day to day and where the owner has made so many bad decisions that you know there is little chance of success ?? Had it been NUFC trying to sign Suarez or Torres, do you seriously think that Carroll would have 'put in a transfer request'..? The lad is not blameless but he knows full well that the club is going NOWHERE, and now, so do the fans. The list of outgoings from SJP - esp to Liverpool - over the years reads like an International 11 ; Albert Stubbins(1940s), Terry McDermott(1974), Alan Kennedy(1978), Peter Beardsley(1987) and now, Andy Carroll, 2011. We have also had Pop Robson(Transfer Req)1971, Malcolm Macdonald, 1976, Tommy Craig/Irving Nattrass,1978,Chris Waddle, 1985 and Paul Gascoigne, 1988. The only period that NUFC DIDN'T have to sell its best players(and indeed, was one of the main buyers in the market)was between 1993 and 1997...even the likes of Hamman wanted away in 98 after Gullit took over. All the players named above were at their peak or still to reach it with the exception of Nattrass who had taken several major injuries - and most of them were 'Geordies' who, according to the starry-eyed on here would never leave the club...FAT CHANCE. Football is a dirty business - even more so today. Money has ruined it and unless you have rich benefactors who are willing to invest and compete, you are going nowhere. Its not a happy scenario, but that's what you have. As far as we can see, there has been no replacement or any other major signing - the club is not out of the woods yet, and even if we stay up, I wonder how they think they are going to be able to attract decent forwards with Ashley's wage structure etc. Welcome to the world of NUFC - those of us long in the tooth have seen it all before ; sell your best players and you are mediocre and, worse than that, SEEN to be by the football world. We had our chance in the 90s and blew it. Carroll won't be the last...watch this space.

They are not even the same type of player to be honest - Carroll's game is much more physical than Rooney's and he is much bigger ; Rooney is, at this time, more skillful with the ball at his feet but Carroll may improve that way. If Carroll can improve anywhere near as much as he has done this season, I would not swap Rooney for him. He is 3 years younger for a start. I also have doubts as to whether Rooney has the desire to give 100% in most games now - next season will tell the tale.

Yes, a great player - played until he was 40 I think. i could have lived with Romario being late for training because he would have done the business in matches, but NOT Ranger...!

Agree with most of your post but I actually believe that if we have a loss of players like Carroll, Enrique and Tiote, it will ruin the club for years. We can afford ONE of them to go, maybe 2 if there are decent replacements, but if 3 or 4 go in the next 6 months it will send a message loud and clear that NUFC is just a nursery club for the big boys - we will find it increasingly difficult to sign top class experienced players and even the best youngsters will shy away. Naturally, the loss of players of this calibre is going to affect the team performances badly - we could even be relegated and its back to square 1. Having said that, it would be very difficult to stop Carroll leaving if he really wanted to because players in his position are so sought after - that doesn't mean ALL the best players should be allowed to go. NUFC are too big to be a Burnley(who used to sell their young stars in the 60s/70s). There is a very fine line between balancing the books and being a nursery - as you say, we don't know what Ashley really wants, but IF he wants out, he will be tempted to sell the better players so the clubs' books look good. Don't forget - unlike other clubs, NUFC DON'T own the land on which the ground is built....

This - without a doubt. Tomasson had been a success playing alongside Shearer in the pre-season games and I am sure that he would have done the business if Shearer had not got that terrible injury at Everton in the pre-season tournament. Tomasson was never CF and he struggled badly when forced to play there because Shearer was out and Ferdinand had gone. He proved his quality at AC Milan and had a great career. We never made the best use of Milner either and he was messed about quite a bit in his early years at the club. Hamman could have been a great player for us if Gullit hadn't arrived - he didn't get on with him and wanted away.

Riiiiggghhht.....keep taking the tablets....

In addition to my earlier comment, I would like to add that what people say in private is their business and these 2 do seem to have done that....however, someone has got it in for them as the conversation was not supposed to be broadcast - fingers pointed at the technical staff who have obviously alerted other parts of the organization/media to what they said. Both men AND women are very uncomplimentary about each other in private and this isn't going to change that. Its the professional angle that gives the authorities a handle on all this but it should never have come to light. More to this than meets the eye, as with everything. I don't think Gray and Keys have a very strong negotiating hand either, because none of the other football broadcasters are likely to employ them if they resign or get fired...esp the BBC, home of PC nonsense as confirmed by Peter Sissons...

Sky have come out of this with no credit at all - if they felt that strongly about what had been said, they would have fired the 2 guys pronto...sexism laws all on their side. They've bigged it up on Sky News as if they had done something wonderful in the cause of women's emancipation. What happens now ? The miscreants return after a few weeks and all is forgotten ? Do me a favour ; either fire them or say their views are their own , not Sky policy. Pathetic load of posers, frankly...and the 2 idiots as well..!

I won't make a proper judgment on Pardew until I see the type of players he signs in summer. So far, you can't really say he's done anything drastically wrong apart from using Tiote at Stevenage and some other of his selections in that game. He is willing to make substitutions far more readily than Hughton did and results have been OK bearing in mind the loss of key players. Not thinking about Hughton - he's gone, he did a decent job in difficult circumstances but we have to get on with it now.

Carroll's absence for another 2 months would be a major blow to the club. It is patently obvious that the strikers on the books are not going to score the goals(or, just as important, create the problems for defenders)that Carroll would, so the club either has to look at getting a new striker or trying to muddle along until the end of the season. I think we all know which option they are likely to choose and at this time of year they don't have much alternative ; there is very little genuine striking talent available at the price NUFC would be willing to pay and there is no point in signing someone who is no better than what we have available. As for the question about selling Carroll, I agree that no player is bigger than the club, but in Carroll's case he is such a rare type of CF these days that it would be almost impossible to replace him - the club sold Supermac in 1976 and for a while, they managed OK without him but as soon as Gordon Lee left for Everton, performances began to deteriorate and really tailed off the following season and we were relegated. Other decent players saw that the club weren't going to spend big money on the side and they left too, so selling Carroll right now might send the wrong signal to the team. Having said that, it would be difficult to keep the player if he really wanted to go and even if he gets unsettled, it may reflect in the side's performance.

Not in the real world my friend If he is not being given what he thinks he deserves, or what he is being offered elsewhere, he can negotiate a deal whenever he likes whether the club like it or not He knows his value This - sadly.

Got caught in possession a lot today. Like Nolan probably found the pace of the game a bit too much at the end of the day. He's a good footballer, but I have always had reservations about his fitness and stamina - in our current plight with injuries etc this is even more exposed.

Lad behind me kept saying "that'll do, that'll do" every 3 seconds when we hoofed the ball out only for it to go to one of their players. Well no, it won't f***ing do will it because we're constantly giving the ball away. Pissed me right off. Absolutely right - I was tearing my hair out at the number of times the ball was needlessly given away when we should have been trying to keep it and make them chase it. Problem is that we have nobody up front who can win and keep the ball when Carroll is out.

Yes, this is a weakness but he has improved his reading of the game.

As it happens, I don't rate Krul that highly either - football is a matter of opinions and as anyone who has been watching the increasingly-boring interchange between madras and I about Forster, I can't - yet - form an opinion on him because I haven't seen him enough....and that is why I would like to see what he can do. Krul looked decent in his first few appearances but has looked increasing uncertain as the season has gone on - its no surprise to me that we have stopped conceding so many goals since Harper came back because I reckon the defence feel happier with him behind them and he doesn't flap. Not a BAD keeper, but not top notch or a progression from Harper.

Europe ? Not a chance this season - squad too small. Let's survive first - we don't know how long Carroll will be out.

For what exactly? for being a glory hunting c*** looking for his first goal, when Lovenkrands is stood alone in the 6yd box. A tap across and its 2-0. You could see half our team point straight towards Lovenkrands before he tried to score from behind the goal line. The one where he took it around Dawson? Come off it man, he's entitled to go for goal when he's made himself an opening like that. aye but if he had half a brain we would have 3pts. No, we wouldn't. Loven had stopped his run and there was a Spurs defender inbetween them ahead of Loven. Much greater chance it'd have been cleared than if he went for glory. Wrong - I saw the replay at least 3 times and the player on the far post - Lovenkrands - WAS unmarked when Ranger got round Dawson ; if the ball had been squared, he couldn't fail to score - oh wait, it WAS Lovenkrands...!!

For what exactly? for being a glory hunting c*** looking for his first goal, when Lovenkrands is stood alone in the 6yd box. A tap across and its 2-0. You could see half our team point straight towards Lovenkrands before he tried to score from behind the goal line. The one where he took it around Dawson? Come off it man, he's entitled to go for goal when he's made himself an opening like that. Disagree Dave - would Beardo have done that?(er-wait, yes he might have done, but he would have scored..!!)? No, in all probability, he would have seen the man on the far post ; that's what makes great players - they have the vision to know whether to shoot or pass. Hopefully, Ranger will develop that because his first duty - as is all the players' - is to win the game for the club, NOT personal glory-seeking.

A good result considering the absentees but it should have been 3 points on chances created. They were the better side in 1st half, Newcastle in the second although I could see their goal coming as our m/f were knackered by then and losing their shape. Even then, Ranger should have won the match for us after doing well to beat Dawson and attempting a very tight angled shot when Lovenkrands was unmarked at the far post ; a simple tap-in if Ranger had squared it.... Their m/f quality enabled them to keep possession well when building up attacks(we missed Tiote badly in that area)but our defence was up to the job for 90 minutes. Noticeable that the goal came from Lennon who had lost his battle with Enrique and switched to the other flank, probably on managerial instruction... With regard to apportioning blame for the equalizer, I would edge towards pointing the finger at Williamson ; Simpson was always going to find it tough against Lennon but he did a reasonable job until the player beat him on the inside...it was then that Williamson should have made a better job of helping him out but he fluffed it and Lennon scored. A pity - another 2 points would have been edging the club to safety but as it is, we shall still have a few nail-biters to contend with ; reinforcements for the squad are badly needed or players like Barton will start to flag. Overall, I would have accepted a point before the game but we could have snatched it on chances.

Coloccini is the only player in the side who I under-rated after his first season - the guy has come back to beat most of his PL demons and has been excellent this season with the exception of the game at Bolton. He was instrumental in disheartening the Mackems last week, and was great again v Spurs, topping off his performance with a good goal ; I was more sorry for him than any of the others because if anyone deserved a win bonus yesterday, he did esp on his birthday ! Now showing why he was considered a 10m player.

Have to agree with this - the performance in SA last summer was possibly the worst I have seen in a World Cup - I was too young to remember the defeat by the USA in 1950.. The best side in recent years was SBRs 1990 team....and that is nearly 21 years ago although probably the best performance in that time was beating the Germans 5-1 away in 2001. The 1990 side had the likes of Waddle, Beardsley, Gazza, Bryan Robson, Shilton and Lineker - all of whom were streets better than their modern equivalents ; the 1970 team that defended the WC in Mexico were very unfortunate - man for man, perhaps better than the 66 side that won it. Terry Cooper, the Leeds full back was at least as good at overlapping as Ashley Cole today, and the 70 side had to play their most crucial group game against Brazil in Guadalajara at mid-day when temps were in the low 40s. Brazil were without doubt the best team I have seen but England only lost 0-1 and should have equalized through Jeff Astle near the end. Bobby Moore was out of this world in that game and the side kept possession far better than the current one. The loss to the Germans in the QF should never have happened, and probably wouldn't have done if Ramsey had left Bobby Charlton on the field ; when he came off, Beckenbauer was able to come forward and it changed the game. Banks was suspected of being food-poisoned as he suddenly fell ill just before the game, and I doubt he would have conceded at least 2 of the goals. Don't think modern players care about the National side and many of them lack talent. They get their money too easily and there are other social factors ; even Brazil are not producing the players they used to and they have a pop of 160m.....

Forster should be given a proper run in the side - I am just NOT convinced by Krul because whilst he can be a good reaction stopper, he doesn't inspire confidence with his general play or commanding the box. Until we see Forster in several first team games, I would not pick Krul over him. no he shouldn't. he should be assessed by the staff and decided on whether he is worthy of a run. That's what you have managers and coaches for isn't it...! I doubt even Pardew would let Forster go without having a look at him in the first team. The problem is that some on here would whinge pitifully if Forster displaced Krul permanently ...... why do you think he should be given a proper run in the team then ? Why not - don't you, or have you seen him play regularly...?? no i haven't and i wouldn't want players given a run of games in the team on the grounds that i haven't seen them regularly. So do you think his performances - esp given his age - at other clubs DON'T warrant him getting a run in the side ? What other guide do the manager and coaching staff have ? That is why the guy went on loan in the first place ; to give him experience and to see how he performed in competitive games. So rather than go off on a tangent, would you be in favour of him being selected for our first team or not ? If not, why ? i see, so you've seen him play a few games then, just your post (531) makes it seem like just wanted him in blindly as you weren't too keen on krul. why didn't you say it was based on having seen him a few times. i would never put anyone in the first team not having seen them a bit first and for me thats more than the 1 reserve game, 2 norwich games and 2 celtic games in which i've seen him (and in one of those games he was sent off after about 10mins and in another he had f*** all to do). then again i don't pick the team. This is going nowhere, and frankly, your comment about my wanting Forster in the side 'blindly' is ridiculous. You have admitted that you made a judgment on his capabilities as a keeper on the basis of his getting sent off at Celtic and also his appearances at Norwich where you claim he had f--- all to do. If you watch ANY keeper in a game where their side is on top, they end up having F--- all to do - that's what you would expect. No, I HAVEN'T seem Forster play regularly, and neither have the majority of our fans which is why we ALL want to see what he can do so we can actually make a judgment - as will the manager - on whether he is a better keeper than either Krul or Harper. The comments from supporters of both Celtic and Norwich indicate that the majority are impressed with Forster, so for me, that is worth giving him a crack at the PL - if he fluffs it, so be it, but he deserves a chance. No, I am NOT as impressed with Krul as some seem to be because he does not inspire confidence in his penalty area handling - in that respect, Harper is a far superior keeper but we won't know how good Forster is until we see him in action. have you even read what i posted ? i'm saying the exact opposite of what you seem to think in that i haven't seen him enough to say what we should do and as i said "I" certainly wouldn't say anyone should get a run in the team on that basis. oh by the way, it was at norwich he got sent off (at tranmere if memory serves) and the game was for celtic where he had f*** all to do. can you point out to me where i made a judgement on him ? edit. the line "we won't know how good Forster is until we see him in action." i've heard used so often about paul brayson, chopra etc and it's a silly thing to say as it could easily be said for every player thats not in the first team. Not interested in pursuing this any more - you clearly have an agenda either in favour of Krul or against Forster. Thankfully, as you said, you don't pick the team(and I'm sure their are plenty on here pleased about THAT!) However, time will prove who is correct about this - I look forward to seeing Forster given his chance as he undoubtedly will be in due course - we shall see........