Wallace

Fulham were sh*t, we were sh*t, a lucky break at the end was the difference between two sh*t sides. So? So we didnt play ok, Fulham were a bad team on the day and people aren't complaining about the result or the clean sheet but how sh*t we played. Is that clear enough? But it doesn't matter how we played since we won In the bigger picture I think it does, every further game that we play cr*p gives me less confidence for when we actually play a team that is good. Secondly, I get no further confidence that Allardyce know what the hell is he doing. Indeed it really doesn't matter how we play in a one-off game as long as we win it, in fact if we play sh*t all season and win all our games then fine, but that isn't going to happen, the longer you consistently play sh*t, the more likehood we will be in a low position in the league come the end of the season as we will get found out by better teams and there are quite a few out there - as we have already this season. So by all means be happy for the result but not caring how we play isn't really seeing the wood for the trees. I agree that in the long term it does matter how we play. Winning ugly in the odd game or difficult away games is fair enough (although we should not have to resort to such tactics for teams like Fulham) but if that style of football is all that is on offer for every game home and away, I think many supporters will stop going. In the current climate when the likelihood of any team outside of the top 4 winning anything is remote and the cost of going to games is so expensive, the least one can hope for is to enjoy watching the football on the odd occasion. However, this season is a transitional one and maybe we will just have to suffer for a while until Sam gets his message across to the team. I hope that there is a purpose behind what he is trying to do at present and that in due course it will all become apparent.

Strange to see Mourinho sat next to Bobby in his Barcelona days.

They discussed this on that Sky show with the journalists this morning and Rob Beesley said he had interviewed Ashley a few weeks ago about the speculation and Ashley was adamant that he was not interested in selling. When the rumours emerged again, he spoke to Ashley again and Beesley said he was convinced that there was no truth in it. I know it is all mischief-making by the papers but I hate seeing these rumours which contrast so strongly with all the effort being put in by Mort and Ashley. Also why on earth would they go to such lengths on the PR side, if they were looking to get out quick - it would just be so unnecessary especially when the supporters were so used to being ignored by the Club by the previous regime.

There was a huge cheer when they started playing Local Hero.

Just hope that if Owen goes that we get a replacement in first otherwise we will be in a mess. Oba will be at ACN, Shola will not have played for ages and Viduka will probably still not be match fit - so that would just leave Smith. We would be in the same situation as in previous years, where everyone knows we are desperate and so ask for silly money. And we have some toudh games in January.

And we have Brum next week.

Rubbish, even by your standards. He gets beaten from distance with monotonous regularity. No keeper in the world could have saved the free kick today. If that makes it easier for you to accept then believe it. Hmmmm ... we do seem to concede these 'amazing no keeper in the world could have stopped that' goals when Shay is in goal. Elano, Pamarot, Gerrard and now 2 from Bentley. You're right. You'll be saying next that Harper would have saved them. I think Given has been making some weird decisions of late as to when to come out of his box. He cannot blame all the defenders in front of him as he always has done because I think he has been equally culpable at times. He has not been the same since the Harewood injury.

I keep changing my mind about whether Shearer will be a good manager. I do however, think he is probably the only person who will be given time to get it right by the supporters. God knows what would happen if he was a disaster though as so many dreams will have been shattered. I heard someone say at the match last week, that it had become apparent to them that Shearer had been carrying the club for the last 4 or so years merely through his presence in the dressing room and on the pitch (not necessarily performance-wise) and I think there might be some truth in that. Anyway, it seems as if the media want their next sacking and have decided that Allardyce is their man so they will keep the pressure on until it happens.

I thought we reached a new low on Saturday but anyone who has attended SJP over the last 4-5 years can understand the reasons behind it. It is almost a case of who shall we throw into the lion's den this week. Players popular one season become public enemy number one, the next. I would be surprised if any Liverpool player offered the chance to join Newcastle would want to based on what happened last Saturday and that would be true of players from many other clubs. I would hope that as supporters we hit rock bottom on last Saturday. The point was made very vociferously and hopefully it has been heeded by the manager and the players, so lets get back to supporting the team as we used to do and hope that they react to it positively.

Would be daft to sell him in January unless we have replacements ready to join on 1st January seeing as Martins will be away with Nigeria for several weeks.

Considering Allardyce was desperate for the England job, if he sells Owen because he cannot get the best out of him and/or find a system that works for him, then I think that is a serious failing on his part and perhaps indicates that he is not as good as he thinks he is.

Well that should co-incide quite nicely with the court case.

Every bit of footage I saw of him, barring the goal, he was seated. Incorrect statement. I was a couple of rows behind him on the other side of the aisle and I thought he was standing for most of the game. Several of his mates (or minders) all had Smith shirts on so they were easy to spot. I think he came through the turnstyle as well. There was a huge cheer as he passed through the concourse to his seat.

I always thought that Nigel Pearson was highly regarded when he was a coach at West Brom. Was that not the case seeing as so many seem to think poorly of him.

As are Spurs in England.

Very happy with both Ashley and Mort so far. It is still early days and no doubt mistakes will be made but it is nice to see them mixing with the fans instead of keeping their distance. Amused by Ashley wearing a Toon top and I like that he seems to be different from the usual kind of owner. Mort has made a favourable impression so far as Chairman and hopefully, we are on the way to be regaining our credibility rather than being a laughing stock as with the previous the Chairman.

Even though it seemed to be played in slow-mo (understandably), the forward passing of Lee and Beardsley and Shearer's natural instinct in front of goal highlighted the creativity we have been missing in the last couple of years.

I think our supporters are behaving like a jealous girlfriend with regards to Owen. We keep begging to be told how much he loves us and when it doesn't come, we then start to protect ourselves for the inevitable separation by saying, well we never really cared about you anyway. The problem is that he has played so little for us that there has never been an opportunity for him to build a relationship with the fans. The constant press speculation doesn't help and I personally don't know anyone who wants Owen to leave so I don't know where all these stories are coming from. I am aware that there are always a few who seem to have a warped view and who would even think Kaka isn't good enough for us. The trouble is the media seem to be on a mission to get Owen to a more favoured club so if something is repeated often enough it becomes accepted fact even if there is no truth in it. I think he is a class player - and there is so much more to his game than I appreciated before he joined us. I think we are likely to achieve much more with him in the team than without. I hope he can stay fit but we have good enough replacements for when he is injured.

Stoke away 1971 or 1972. We lost. They scored 2 - can't remember if we scored but I think Jimmy Greenhoff scored for them. Remember my Dad complaining about the cost of the tickets because he took me and my younger brother into the seats and I don't think he had ever sat at a game before and we always stood after that!

Fairs Cup on now to be followed by Rotherham.

Thanks for that. I did wonder if they were as it is not the most common of names. If I remember right the "father" had curly blond hair and was thin and ghost-like.

There was an Ashley Grimes who played for Man Utd around late 70s or early 80s. Any relation?

I have felt that in recent years there has been an almost subconscious fear (not really the right word maybe nervousness) about winning a trophy. Everyone talks about what it will be like if we won something - from the supporters, the club, the players and the media that is has become this huge mythical thing that we dream about but ultimately do not believe it will happen. I hope that with such a huge overhaul of staff throughout the club and with many having achieved success in previous clubs or in different areas that they expect success rather than merely hope for it and that at last find we will find that winning mentality that has been absent for so long.

Birmingham have always overcharged away fans but £55 is ridiculous. Didn't we have to pay around £40 last time they were in the Premiership although they did charge less in the Cup last season.

It says at the end of the article that Bobby Robson is going to open an account with the bank. http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-evening-chronicle/2007/09/18/first-sign-of-revival-72703-19809363/ First sign of revival? Sep 18 2007 by Nick Whitten, Evening Chronicle 1 2 next » CONFIDENCE in Northern Rock appeared to be returning today after the Government guaranteed savers their funds are safe. The Geordie mortgage lender’s share price staged a mini-revival this morning following Chancellor Alistair Darling’s announcement of support yesterday. Queues outside branches in the North East had died down this morning after three days of madness. But queues elsewhere in the country were still large, with scores of people outside a branch in Kingston-upon-Thames, in London today. Shares in the company had risen by more than 10% this morning to 315p after a terrible day at the Stock Market yesterday, which also hit other smaller British banks. The queues outside Newcastle’s Pilgrim Street branch had disappeared this morning as many customers were reassured by the Government’s guarantee that their money was safe. A spokesman for Northern Rock said: “Following the Chancellor’s guarantee, we are delighted to see our loyal customers returning to our branches to invest their money with us.” Arthur Matthewson, 58, a retired gardener from Walkergate, said: “I think things are looking better now. I was worried at first, but I think my money’s safe after what the Government have said. I can’t see Northern Rock slumping now.” Unemployed Paul Wilson, 50, of Newcastle’s West End, said: “I feel totally confident in the Government, although they could have prevented the panic by acting earlier.” A retired brewery worker, 65, of Fenham, said: “I was worried for a few days but held back from closing my account. I’m happy I did because I think it’s been sorted out now.” Giles Smallwood, 50, a loss adjuster from Gosforth, backed the bank by opening a new savings account. He said: “I’ve been following what’s been happening, and I’m convinced there’s no problem. “When the Government and the Bank of England guarantee support, it must be OK. It actually makes the accounts safer than anywhere else.” Wallsend Boys’ Club, the junior football team which once boasted Alan Shearer and Peter Beardsley as players, has thrown its weight behind the Rock. The club contacted Northern Rock deputy chief executive David Baker today to tell him they would be depositing more than £20,000 which the club made at their recent charity dinner. Club chairman Steve Dale said: “It is extremely saddening to see the panic that has ensued from the organisation seeking what is effectively a temporary overdraft facility from the Bank of England. “I sincerely hope that the people who have been proud to see the company grow into such a substantial bank demonstrate that loyalty to the Rock in its hour of need, because without the Rock, and its foundation, our area will be a far poorer place in the future.” But some account holders remained unconvinced by the Government’s assurances. Nicola Dodds, 45, of Denton Burn, who has recently been made redundant from an insurance office, said: “I have no confidence in what the Government has said. I can’t afford to lose my redundancy money. I feel guilty about clearing my account and adding to Northern Rock’s problems, but I can’t risk it.” Yesterday Northern Rock’s shares dropped to more than half the value they were on Friday morning. The Alliance & Leicester also suffered, losing almost a third of its market value while shares in Bradford & Bingley also fell sharply. But Treasury boss Mr Darling tried to stop the impending crisis by saying: “Should it be necessary, we, with the Bank of England, would put in place arrangements that would guarantee all the existing deposits in Northern Rock during the current instability. This means people can continue to take their money out of Northern Rock. “But if they choose to leave their money in Northern Rock, it will be guaranteed safe and secure.” Northern Rock chief executive Adam Applegarth today apologised to customers via a series of full page adverts in newspapers around the country, as shown on page 14 in today’s Chronicle. The region has begun a fightback in support of Northern Rock. While southern customers are unlikely to feel an emotional attachment to the bank, many in the North East are well aware of the contribution of our biggest plc. Benefits include around 6,000 jobs in the region as well as charitable giving and sports sponsorship. Newcastle Falcons rugby club is proclaiming “support the Rock” on its website. Former Newcastle United manager Sir Bobby Robson vowed to open an account online with Northern Rock today. He said the Rock had been a “great benefactor to many people” in the North East. Newcastle City Council chief executive Ian Stratford said: “We are reassured by the Bank of England and the Financial Services Authority conclusions that Northern Rock is a sound and solvent business and we are sticking by them.”