AyeDubbleYoo

I don't think it is physically possible for referees to do much better a job than they are... the game is just too fast and the atmosphere too intense. As long as we have human beings refereeing we need to accept it and stop the whinging.

Oba has got to go back in if fit... let's hope he can inspire us with a cracker or two before long.

And the fact that Bramble looked world class about 3 games a season!

The confidence is shot to pieces, and heads have dropped. The squad is nowhere near as bad as people are suggesting. We qualified for the champions league with fucking Dabizas and O'Brien at the back FFS... no way we need to sell as many players as some people are saying. With SJP crammed with numpties jeering every mistake, no wonder the lads are having a hard time.

I agree we don't need wholesale changes, but these comparisons show how the midfield has been criminally neglected over the last few years. I put this down to a large extent the 'oh it's Newcastle, the defence must need to be focused on' myth that has been a problem for many of our recent managers.

So Big Sam plays shit football, loses some games and should be given time? KK comes in and loses to Man Utd and Arsenal and should be shown the door? Have a word. I don't think he means that KK should be gone, but that Allardyce should never have been sacked in the first place because it caused upheaval at the wrong time (middle of transfer window, middle of the season ahead of a tough schedule). Yep, sorry, in my defence I'm also taking into account the WUM-esque postings over in another thread to the effect that KK should be sacked soon based on some arbitary conditions.

To be fair, he's not the only one recently.

So Big Sam plays shit football, loses some games and should be given time? KK comes in and loses to Man Utd and Arsenal and should be shown the door? Have a word.

Yep, the bonus for them is that finishing 5th bottom with a load of local lads is a lot cheaper than finishing 5th bottom with overpriced players from other clubs.

but at the same time

This 'who is the better fan' debate is nonsense, w'll get nowhere going on about it... same as the 'big club' thing :cringe:

So genuine question CTtoon, is the love you feel for Newcastle as strong/rewarding/deep as for the Mets and Jets?

I'd like to think that had I not been "lucky" (an arguable point, given our shitness), and been born somewhere else, i'd support that team. One of my best mates is from Grimsby. He supports Grimsby. Its not about their chances of winning anything (obviously!), its about where he is from. Well yep, I like to think the same I don't think I would feel the same about a team if my grandparents and parents hadn't stood on the terraces. Also, I think we have to admit supporting Newcastle is better than most other clubs... We are 'lucky', there are hundreds of clubs below us in the league ladder. That's why I think the claim not to be glory hunting just because the toon haven't won the premiership is a bit of an empty one, considering a lot of people were attracted during the incredibly exciting first Keegan era. To clarify, I think it is natural and unavoidable that people from afar are attracted to the big clubs - ideally they would all support their local team but obviously that's not going to happen.

I partly agree with NM too, although obviously it is easy for us to say as we were lucky enough to be born in a city with a premier league team. If I'd been born in a non-descript town or somewhere abroad I might not have the same opinion! (Although I did enjoy going to some Maidenhead United games when I lived there)

He should improve as the team improves, as a youngster it should be easy to inspire him when things start moving in the right direction. I wouldn't be looking to ship him out, although whether he's worth a first team place depends on performances...

Well yeah, but we've got plenty of casual fans as well... and Man Utd have a solid hardcore of proper fans don't they? [awaits slagging off]

Not until he's passed a drug test

Shorey a good shout if Reading go down, though he might prefer to stay with a southern club. At a push I'd also say Dave Kitson and Kevin Doyle might be worth a punt for the right price.

Most sensible post so far in this thread, we really don't need a massive clearout on the scale some people are suggesting. I'd be much more concerned with adding players than getting rid of any.

Looked quality in the ANC, especially as a lot of African keepers tend to be a bit shonky. Sign a 36 year old Egyptian goalkeeper to replace Given or Harper? Sounds mental to me!

Maybe we could give them to Allardyce in lieu of severance pay? They could sweep the house, do the garden etc... not a bad idea.

Harper right now, but impossible to say for next season. Could easily be Given again if and when he comes back into form.

That book is really good - 'Pies and Prejudice'.

The Guardian Football podcast has been a constant irritant for the last few weeks - it's bad enough reading what these cocks have got to say, let along hearing them say it. You'd think we've been the only team not doing well recently.