AyeDubbleYoo

Drogba is also playing in a significantly better team. Both great players though, obviously.

Nob!

Butt if they do come out and say 'nothing's changing, the manager, the players, the owner are all working towards next season etc etc' then the shite speculation and uncertainty that most of us could do without will at least dampen somewhat. I'll be grateful for that at least. Besides, maybe I'm on me tod here but I like the club to come out with positive nothings, even Llambias' bland programme utterances are something. Makes me feel all safe and warm. If that's all the say then fair enough, I'll let them off.

Fuck the cynics, the world cup is amazing!

If nothing's changing, and they can't comment on money (which they shouldn't) then I'd rather they just kept quiet.

They wouldn't, unless they were incompetent....

All good points, I'm not arguing that defence isn't important and/or requires certain skills to do well.

15k isn't that much to lose for a footballer, in context with normal people's gambling. My brother works in a bookie's and sees ordinary people come in and lose their whole pay packet every month.

how so ? edit...forwards aren't always as naturally agressive.....not always maybe but often are. full backs often aren't as big and strong as midfielders...so what ? defending is as much a skill as attacking and what players do off the ball is often more important than what they do on the ball (it's often more than half the job). the best teams are organised throughout and attack and defend as teams. I agree defending is as much a skill as attacking, I just think they are different skills and that attacking requires more of what you might call 'technical ability'. They are fundamentally different though... defending is psychologically about being destructive - stopping play, getting in the way, blocking, destroying. Attacking is fundamentally creative. I guess I'm biased because I've always appreciated good attacking play more... you make a lot of good points about the importance of defending, it's obviously vital.

I see what you mean, but I think a 'forward's tackle' occurs because forwards don't enjoy tackling, they don't practice it and they aren't always as naturally aggressive/strong/tall etc. Yes, tackling is a 'skill', but I still think technical football ability is something different.

That would be my thinking too. Defending is about organisation, tactics and fitness, you don't need to be Pele to play centre back and our defenders are good enough if they're well coached. We desperately need a quality central midfielder with a bit of creativity and someone who's going to score regularly or preferably two of each. It'll be scoring goals that'll be our biggest problem next year, followed by winning and retaining the ball in midfield. If our defence isn't good enough it'll be down to the coaching, not the potential of the players. :yikes: indi mate, i like you as a poster but there soooooooo much rot in that post. defending is as much a technical skill as attacking. it's like you never saw woodgate in his time here (or enrique for that). the pele bit is a tad silly, like saying you don't need to be beckenbauer to play up front. if you want us to rely on tactics and organisation for defending and individual technique for goals then not only will we be relegated a lot sooner than you think but you'd have ghone down in my estimation as a football section poster. you need to be as organised attacking as defending, look how many times the good teams play blind balls into certain areas , having been drilled to get the ball there and to make the move there (no better example than man utd with beckham blindly getting the ball in the middle knowing that cole or yorke knew where he'd be putting it, then one going near and the other far) There's a lot of good stuff in that post madras, but I have to agree with indi about the difference in attacking and defending. Defenders can cope much better without much technical ability, and their organisation/fitness/athleticism etc is much more important. Obviously it doesn't work in reverse - attackers also need to be coached and organised. I don't think indi was trying to argue that anyway.

There's no way we'll need 50 points to stay up, the required total seems to be getting lower all the time. I'd be happy with anything that allows us to relax towards the end of the season, 50 would obviously be great.

You don't need world-class players to play good football. We already have the core of a team better than most that come up from the championship, we just need to address our main weaknesses to be OK. Obviously leaving yourself open at the back by being cavalier is suicidal, like West Brom, but that doesn't mean we have to turn into spoiling team.

Hmm, interesting idea, "thanks for your efforts in getting us promoted Alan, here's a pay cut".

I'm from Gateshead too, my uncle was a season ticket holder for about 30 years, and I used to go to games when I was at school. Ironically, Newcastle's lack of success (meaning tickets are available and cheaper) actually harms Gateshead more than if they were doing really well. The new stadium plans look great though (and realistic, unlike Darlo's mental building). I'd definitely go to a few games when the new ground's open. I think the North East catchment area is big enough to support a team that offers 'real football' for decent prices.

We've already won the league man, do you wish it was more exciting?

This thread is bollocks. Just saying.

Well said, we're not a 'selling club', whatever that means, we just need to face up to our current position in the football hierarchy.

Even Jose Enrique's had quiet a bit, and he's our best player. Everyone gets abuse, in Nicky's case it was more than deserved (unless you judge people only on effort and not on output).

It is the first time in a long time that a large voice of the fans have been saying "We need someone like Routledge" and the club have actually gone out and got them. I couldn't believe it when it was first announced Word, been so long since our club signed who we wanted at the right time. Truth... I was amazed we'd signed a player we actually needed. Not the only one recently, to be fair.

Also, there are some differences in their appearances.

Why was it cancelled then, volcanic ash?

You can't be serious.