AyeDubbleYoo

The rubbish that the Chron/Journal print as actual fact is ridiculous, and I feel sorry for anyone who uses that as their main source of information about the club. Daft. Top attitude, still only 22 years of age, and 17 goals in his first season. Crikey. Too right, the rubbish the Chron/Journal come out with as if it's fact is scary, and I feel sorry for anyone who takes their word for things that are going on at the club. Also, Pearson could well just be pissed off with the general failure this season, the sacking of the guy who employed him - and also his (possibly) impending receipt of his P45 under a new manager.

Weird logic - surely if it's not a serious injury then there's no evidence that he will 'break down all the time'?

On 'Score' Sir Les reckoned it looked more like concussion, so hopefully nothing too serious after all.

The Shepherd/Oliver situation is just another example of something that makes our club a joke - it's just as well more people don't know about the goings on nationally. Do any other clubs have these journalist parasites?

Not a chance really, esp if we get Sam. I think much more likely to finish higher next season than lower I reckon. Might just be blind optimism though.

I'm happy but don't think this answers all of our problems. But I do have faith that Sam can see and rectify the obvious deficencies in our side (e.g. not having a defence).

I think part of the reason we struggle (relatively) at international level is that we are too quick to change our style to match our opponents, we don't play at the all-action, premiership pace that we should. It almost seems as if we are trying to prove we are as cultured, patient, technical etc as other nations. No need for it IMO. The way Man Utd destroyed Roma is a good point.

Better than Nobby? Not sure, Nobby will last this year, but I fear for him if he ends up playing there for a full season. Also, his creativity might be better used further forward. Hopefully by next season we won't have that decision to make, due to the signing of a high quality RB.

I still think Bramble might be a decent stop-gap at RB until we get a better one. Given Bramble Taylor Onyewu Edgar Milner Butt Emre NZogbia Dyer Martins I'm not sure about Dyer/Martins either, but should be OK as long as we keep the fecking ball on the floor.

Invicta, Wenger has completely transformed Arsenal football club from top to bottom - first team, youth developoment, scouting, he even specified features of the new stadium. You don't find many managers with his level of foresight, intelligence and a clear football philosophy. To say he's overrated is ridiculous IMO.

I know this thread isn't about the state of the club (would you believe), but I do agree that some people have an exaggerated idea of how far we've 'fallen'. Spurs have proven that the trip from mid table also-rans to champions league hopefuls is a surprisingly short one. In the same way we've gone in the wrong direction in the last 5 years, but it isn't terminal and I believe it's possible to make the return journey in not-that-long a time.

Shay has weaknesses it's true - commanding the area being one and distibution another, but these might be symptoms of the wider confusion and lack of confidence gripping our team and especially the back four. I'd go as far as to say we might have gone down in the Souness era if it wasn't for Seamus.

Something's obviously done Michael's head in if he thinks he should be in the full England squad

I love (I think this is mainly Motson) saying "must score.." or "surely" when there's a good chance. As if to imply that he would have stuck it away no problem.

I especially like Beresford or Elliot, ooh the agony of choice!

To be fair he does follow that up with: "I can excuse Martins missing, but the fans have every right not to see Newcastle United throw in the towel." I'm not defending the gimp mind!

I've actually been thinking that our best chance of success is that Freddy just 'strikes it lucky' and manages to appoint the best man the next time. I can't see the prospect of a takeover getting any close after the last two close-shaves. As sad as it is, I think we've got to get used to the idea of Freddy hanging around for the forseeable future.

Do you not think Shearer's life right now is too sweet to want to get involved in management? If I was in his shoes I'd have serious reservations. If I could walk straight into the Toon job then OK, but I can't see him slogging it out in League One.

I admire your sentiments, but I'm not sure that the fans really can do anything about it. Possibly if crowds dropped to 30K or so Freddy might have something to think about, but even then he seems very keen to hold on to control. Can't see a way out of it at the moment, I think our most realistic hope is that Freddy somehow gets lucky next time and appoints the right manager. That's all I can see right now.

Luke Young seems the obvious option, esp is Charlton go down. Or I would be pleased to see Glenn Johnson if the price was reasonable.

Can't wait to see him link up with Owen. It's becoming more and more clear that Oba likes to come deep at times and use his pace to carry the ball - I think he'll be a great partner for Mickey. If all we buy in the summer is a backup stirker and a couple of fullbacks, we'll have a much better season to look forward to - Glenn's job is easy!

I think Butt (and Dyer to a certain extent) has shown that players the fans love to hate can turn things around if they start to perform. We have short memories and football is all about form. If Titus puts in another 10 performances like the last few I'll be prepared to revise my opinion on him.

Well, one of them is welcome back.

Never mind...

I used to go to Gateshead with mates when I was at school, was really good. They were in the conference then though. I've been to watch Maidenhead Utd a few times since I've been down south, and luckily Reading's promotion coincided with me moving here.