Wallace

He does come back to visit quite often.

The one thing we are led to believe that concerns Ashley with the football side is the lack of success from the Academy. Hopefully that means that they will look for someone with fresh ideas because of that and someone like Garde has proved that he can work to that blueprint and has had great success with it. Carver has been there and done that in the past without any noticeable success.

When all's said and done...this is what stands out for me. Without meaning to alienate or belittle a huge number of people from a region I respect greatly...are our fans f***ing retarded or what? f*** sake man. I can't believe there were that many in the ground although it was pretty full. I reckon they are counting seats sold rather than the actual attendance.

I guess they have to plan for pre-season - they can't wait until June until the new man is in place. I just wish he would shut up and stop trying to talk himself into the job. Aside from the awful results, he doesn't seem to realise that every time he speaks, he is alienating more and more people - even those who have been more supportive of him.

They've always got a few more cards. Raylor could make another return from injury soon. They did that one last Saturday.

http://www.loverugbyleague.com/news_17175-widnes-launch-striped-magic-weekend-shirt-in-newcastle.html?

I never understand that when supporters say they want investment in the team why that is always interpreted by the media and pundits as we want to spend the same as Chelsea and Man City. We all know how far we are behind those clubs financially. But we spend less than virtually every other club in the league and we should be able to compete with most of them as we are much richer than they are.

I have certain reservations about Carr and how much influence he has. If he has a lot, is he really doing a great job? He has been a manager himself so he will understand the problems having an understrength team will cause. We have been lightweight in defence and with strikers for years now but there does not seem to have been any real intent to improve those areas. Is he suggesting loads of players but the club just focus on the midfielder because he is the biggest bargain and potentially will bring in the greatest profit? Does he not realise that we need some leaders on that pitch. His one real success so far has been Cabaye. Other players have done a decent job for us but is their potential to be any more than a decent Premier League player and realise the profit they seem to hanker after. (Perez is rumoured to have discovered by that scout in Spain and it is still early days for him).

Although I disagree strongly and don't like it, I could get why you would rest players in the league cup because those games are played midweek but I don't get why players need to be rested for the FA Cup (unless perhaps you are in a relegation battle) and why Ashley would be happy with the team having so many 2 week breaks when they could be out there generating some income for him. The one thing that has been proved in the last 2 seasons, is that going out in the 3rd round of the FA Cup allows the team to drift for the rest of the season with nothing to play for. It increases the unrest amongst the fans. At least a cup run would help with that and the likelihood of us getting to a final (and the "dreaded" Europa League) is still quite small. I guess the near relegation when we played in the Europa League hasn't helped but really would a cup run put us in danger. Look at the momentum it created for Sunderland and it probably saved them from relegation. It is a ludricous policy and to continue it will be to kill the season every year in January unless we are in a relegation battle.

I am sure that if the contract thing is true that some agreement can be made between all parties so that if he plays the extension is not invoked. I am sure that with everything that has happened to him that he is just ready to go back home. It is not out of the question that with such a small squad that he might be needed this season but other than an injury crisis, I can't imagine he would play as I don't think he is quite up to it anymore. However, I would not be against a sentimental farewell appearance in the final home game of the season (providing we are safe).

I just think that if the plan is to give Garde the job then why not get it all agreed and made public. It would keep the fans onside for the rest of the season instead of allowing the discontent to fester and Carver would get an easier ride because everyone would know that he was only in place until the end of the season. Maybe they think the team might drift but they are doing that anyway and perhaps knowing who the manager was going to be next season might make them focus more as they would know there is a plan in place and who they needed to impress. It's more likely they did a Shearer with him, where they shook hands and left him thinking he had the job only to never to get in touch with him again.

And yet only last week I heard and read several pundits say how good our defence is.

I can imagine the club probably think Ameobi is an easy contract to tie up - local lad and all that. But if he is to leave, it is yet another player that needs to be replaced. I wonder if they are still trying to get rid of Obertan and if Aarons goes, then suddenly we needs wingers again.

We are on 3 times as well along with Spurs and Arsenal. Liverpool just on twice. Goodness knows why we are on so often although I suppose there is the likelihood that we will concede loads of goals.

Well if they succeed in getting their mate appointed then I am sure it will quickly turn sour. I just can't see Carver being a success (as defined by Ashley). It would just show the short-term mentality of Ashley. A cheap appointment to save money now but would probably end up costing a load more to put right when we are embroiled in a relegation battle. Despite their repeated insistence that they are thinking long-term, they only ever seem to act on cutting costs for a short-term effect.

Appointing Carver would be stupid on so many levels but if that's want they want, then they better make certain they buy a lot of good players who are prepared to battle in the Summer to help him because next season will be a hell of a struggle. The one thing Ashley cannot afford is for the club to get relegated especially now we are so dependent on the TV money as he has reduced all our potential revenue streams and surely there is no more cost-cutting that can be done. We don't have players with the right character either to come straight back come again so all that careful financial management will have been for nought.

All these players like Krul backing Carver for the job - will he hang around next season to continue backing him if he gets the job. Somehow I doubt it.

But have there been any incidents since he left? I can't recall any so maybe he has learnt from his previous mistakes.

There was a deal for those who pay up front for a season ticket and I think the DD was due to be paid in in March.

I think it is around the time the financial results are published as I read they would be announced at the forum first.

They will probably "use" him when things are getting a bit awkward with the fans again.

even Marco happy clapper gabiadin'o broke ranks and had a go on radio newcastle, its all kicking off now. Must be bad for Gabbiadini to be critical.

I know Ashley likes a gamble but surely appointing Carver would be too much of a risk. Even with their desire to do just enough, Carver has already shown against poor opposition that he can't even manage that. He hasn't got the crowd on his side (that must confuse the London media who believe only a Geordie is acceptable) so appointing him permanently would just cause more unrest. There is no guarantee that the lesser teams in the league will be as poor next year. Appointing Carver would be inviting a relegation battle from the off next season and although I think we will safe this season, it could still get a little bit uncomfortable especially once we get into that difficult run of fixtures.

I'm not sure it's arrogance, he might just want a job he feels comfortable with and not jumping into something he feels isn't for him. In some ways it makes a change from some of the pricks who chase every job going just to get another pay cheque for failing. Apparently he is making a lot of demands which has put previously interested clubs off e.g. wages, staff and other requirements. He has not got enough experience to make those demands at this stage of his career so it is putting clubs like QPR off. It is all very well having confidence in your own ability but he needs to prove it first as there is no guarantee he is going to be a success and for clubs in a relegation battle, he is a risky appointment. He is going to have to compromise at some stage otherwise he won't get a job at all.

I don't have a problem with him turning down a contract offer of £6k a week but he still has a lot to prove as he has scarcely played. He might be one of these players who impressed because he was an unknown quantity but once other players know about him, they find it easy to mark him out of the game. Also, his injuries are a worry. He could be the next big thing or he could disappear at a bigger club so he needs to consider his next move carefully.