AyeDubbleYoo

Exactamundo, if you want real journalism take a look over at the Austria Training Camp thread!

Explain what you mean by 'bollocks' from Gartside? The staff in question asked for and got 12 month rolling contracts. He's perfectly entitled to ask them to work their notice. He happens to be chairman of BWFC not NUFC, so why should he do you lot any favours? Well obviously if they really have 12 months notice periods then they will legally have to work them, there's nothing Sam Allardyce can do about it is there? Incidentally, a 12 month contract doesn't always mean 12 months notice period - it looks as though since they have 'handed in letters of notice' that they have shorter notice periods than he is suggesting to the press.

This bollocks from the likes of Gartside and Roeder just goes to show that we are moving in the right direction and other lesser clubs/coaches don't like it. I feel good inside

Probably, a good motivational technique to highlight the fact he'll be out the door if he doesn't start performing - and that time is running out to do it.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/6269102.stm Big Sam talking so much sense it's amazing. As much as I think Babayaro is useless, he could potentially be a decent player for us again if he takes up Sam's challenge.

He's still probably the most exciting player I've seen, at his peak unstoppable. I really hope he has his fitness back and will do the business next season.

Pure speculation from the knackers at the Chronicle, I bet they don't know anything new.

True. I had a bit of sympathy for Roeder as he obviously wasn't taken seriously by the board, players or the fans - but this only serves to make him look even more pathetic. I can't see him getting another management job in a while.

I'd say he'd be better off playing for newcastle than peddling free SIM card scams.

Don't care, but I think he probably should.

I think without Bramble and with Sam at the helm we're a different proposition entirely. Also, you're more likely to ruin your career by warming the bench for a season and going off the radar completely IMO.

fucking hell

Mainly agree, just can't help thinking he might be able to add something to the squad and represents a large investmen

Ah, but they've got a quote from Albert's Dad!

That's a dodgy article to say the least - they claim Sam has 'made it clear' that Luque isn't part of his plans, but they haven't given any quotations or even sources that attest to that. The standard of that website is appaling, not saying Luque will stay but I don't think that article says anything at all.

Shorey is quality - I'd be happy with him for around £5mil. His crossing is actually usually pretty good as well, even though he didn't really show that against Brazil.

I can remember Radio Newcastle or Metro saying "it's like there's 11 Dicks on the pitch" when Julian Dicks had a stormer against us years ago.

I think these two articles underestimate both NUFC and Sam Allardyce. Who changes, him or us? I think both can, and will. The club and fans are more than ready to change to a more serious, pragmatic approach to the game that sacrifices some of our historic attacking flair for more consistent results. The stereotypical Geordie fan, obsessed with attacking football, is largely a creation of the media based on the Keegan era. Witness how we relish players like the 'dirty' Joey Barton getting stuck in this year, as we loved Craig Bellamy before him (as long as they play for us). Sam is an intelligent manager, who has generally turned Bolton into overachievers. I don't think there is any evidence that he is set in his ways and will simply try to recreate Bolton Wanderers on Tyneside. I'm a natural optomist, but I think that Sam is capable of adapting to the challenge of the Toon and making us really successful. He will certainly transform the culture of the club, which is probably the most important thing.

I don't think City have a leg to stand on here, he didn't request a transfer so under the terms of his contract he's legally entitled to this payment. He doesn't deserve it, obviously, but that's not the point.

I can't see how it would be a good move to sell Oba now, just at the start of a new era for the club - with the systems and coaching being put in place that will give him the best chance to be a top, top player. 17 goals last season, a decent return - and that was in the shower of shit that was our team last year.

Amazing, I think if I was on 50K a week I'd splash out on a bit of car insurance!

I think Geremi is a good reasonably priced shout, doesn't look like Sam has made any enquiries though (based on press alone).

I'm becoming a bloody massive Sam fan!

Think it's over the top, and a little to do with jealousy TBH. Does anyone know that he's getting 'itchy feet', or is it tabloid speculation striking again?

Sounds promising if they are as solid/useful as the Independent suggests. Trust Sam to sort out in a week two positions we've been struggling in for years :/