Robster

That would be too straight forward for a master tactician. It might be a radical idea but anyone think that Allardyce might be using the first third/half of the season to try every permutation to see what works with a view that the 2nd half will be a settled team using the players who he thinks are the more consistent performers in the various positions. Fanciful idea I would say, and probably 99.9999999999% unlikely (and an immense risk), but who knows.

I havent seen ST at first hand as I have been able to get to a match for a couple of years. I think he could develop into a really cracking player with some decent guidance and on-pitch advice. Sadly, for most of his time to date, he has had to learn the ropes from, and cope with playing alongside, Boumsong and Bramble. I think if he had a constant run of games alongside, say a Tony Adam type (different era I know), I think he would learn to cut out the daftness such as that push on Jones. That was an utterly ridiclous decision to make and that is the kind of thing that he needs to cut out. What I would like to know is when he does something like that, does anyone immediately have a word with him to help him. I know you shouldnt but sometimes these young players need to be told.

Jumped around the living room screaming like a mentalist which led my 4 year old daughter to exclaim in near tears... "Daddy, you scared me"

Complete and utter prat. He loses every ounce of humanity as soon as he steps onto the pitch... absolute maniac. That said though, i like him. Well I thought we needed the Barton that everyone thinks he is out there today. We didnt have anyone out there really clattering them and getting stuck in. We didnt rough them up nearly enough as they did to us.

Just about used the words I wanted to. Just staggering attitude. I woudl agree, that first half he was atrocious. Every part of his game was very sub-standard. What I lied though was that he didnt go missing because of it and I felt he imporoved the 2nd half an especially after their goal, he seemed a bit more mobile and tried to link up play better. 3 games though... for fucks sake man.

Newcastle didn't have a poor defence when Keegan was manager. Maybe poor was the incorrect word but we were renound for not being very strong there and were prone to making costly mistakes. a la that last minute goal at Liverpool when everyone left Collymore unmarked at the back post. Ultimately, it was our defensive frailties that cost is the title that year (Blackburn ) since then the reputatrion has just grown and grown

From the days since the Keegan years (maybe even the Ardiles days), when we have been famously weak at the back and been the best comedy on TV, I always wanted a Newcastle team that was capable of, when required, being strong defensively. The way I look at it is that Allardyce is trying to instil a mentality of that defensive strength. If that entails playing most games away from home this season looking for draws then that has to be accepted as part of the learning and training process. Yes, its not working at the moment and its just not good to watch but if we ever want a Newcastle team that is capable of showing strength, then we have to go through the learning process. It surely is going to be better than Keegans quick fix attempt of bringing Mark Lawrenson in

Norwich getting battered 3-0. Not the best of starts for Roeder... and we think we have problems

What the hell is that all about. Whats wrong with being angry at the other team scoring ? Fucking idiot. I shall look out for the standing ovation then when the opposition next scores at the SOS.

Who was that Ginger headed scots lad, Sweeney, played for us late 80's ?

Joe Allon Wouldnt say he was crap necessarily but he showed so much promise as a kid playing alongside Gazza in the youth side - banged about a million goals or something. Scored a great goal against Coventry I think it was in one of his few starts but its just never happaned for him.

Just more evidence that the National Team set up is an utter joke. Maybe he is after Sly Stallone to play in goal.

Have to say this isnt a surprise. Wasnt expecting it to be so soon but they were always going to struggle this year after Jewell left

I think The Moose on Talksport joked about it being 67. Whatever it was its pretty embarrassing for them. I heard the goal go in on 5Live... SILENCE

I would love to think so but I really cant think of Mourinho coming within a million miles of us. He is way above our level

Ronaldo also happens to be one of the most technically gifted players in the world at the minute. Remember Wayne Fereday anyone... fast as f*** he was Very true. However, it wouldn't really be true to say that Ronaldo would be as effective without his pace, would it? If that was the case Chrissy Waddle would still be in the England squad. Nobody is saying pace is all that is required. Sadly, our rivals have pace and technique. Some have outstanding technique. Our lot possess neither. Our lot are piss poor. Across the midfield we have nobody up to scratch at present. Out wide we have even fewer options, particularly when compared with our rivals. Yeah. True also which I fear leaves us relying on hard graft and effort. Worrying really because if they fail on that score we are left with nothing.

Bad start for Glenn

I have been away from thr North East about 11 years now and I can see the difference. If you not facing the prospect of going into work and being faced with a load of Makems, you tend to focus more on the footballing aspect than the local pride aspect. I moved away from Chester-le-Street when I was 26 so I know exactly what the derby match means but I have to say that if we get beat next weekend, I will be more gutted at not getting 3 points than the fact that its Sunderland.

I think most of us have forgotten that in the summer, when SA first joined us, no one had any great expections for this summer - just to consolidate and to get the whole structure of the club correct. When did we suddenly assume European qualification was the least we would expect I thought the signings for the most part were pretty good so while I wouldn't say it openly, I thought we'd be competing for Europe without any problems. Despite the fact we have got a few points on board, some of the results and negative tactics have made me revise that view. I don't mind not picking up great results, and I understand it's early days. But what I'm seeing just doesn't look like progress or utilising players to their best abilities. That is the worrying part. Would agree with all of that. I just think we have to try and think back to those early days of summer and remember it was never going to be a quick fix

I think most of us have forgotten that in the summer, when SA first joined us, no one had any great expections for this summer - just to consolidate and to get the whole structure of the club correct. When did we suddenly assume European qualification was the least we would expect

Ronaldo also happens to be one of the most technically gifted players in the world at the minute. Remember Wayne Fereday anyone... fast as fuck he was

Not quite sure what this thread is for. different club, different time, different players. All its doing is adding further negativity... just what we need at the minute Ruud Gullit won the FA Cup for Chelsea and for us he also... oh wait... the exact same thing doesnt happen if a manager goes to a different club

There will be plenty of these reports over the next few weeks, esp if we keep turning in sub-standard performances/results. It goes without saying that Ashley will not be happy with the dross currently being dished-up, whether people walk out after 11 mins or not...BUT - he is unlikely to allow the club to fall into the same state of chaos as Shepherd did and fire the manager in mid-season although I CAN see him taking action if this season turns into a wash-out by the end. Hughes is an intriguing name to enter the equation - he has done a great job at Blackburn and will soon be ready to move on - the questions are whether he sees SJP as a suitable destination when Old T is likely to beckon in a few years...also, whether he would take on the 'poisoned chalice' after seeing what has happened here in the past. Of all the decent candidates, he is probably the most likely one to take the job if offered - Mourinho MIGHT, but he may hang on for a London Club ; no guarantees that Ramos will do the trick at Spurs. Most top foreign coaches would not be interested in my opinion. And this brings us back to what I have said before. Why is any decent, up and coming manager going to leave their current position to come to Newcastle - who are quite obviously a total car crash of a football club. The managers job here is fast becoming (if it isnt already) the least wantable job around. Mark Hughes has developed and progressed at Blackburn because, on the face of it, he has done so without enormous amounts of pressure coming from the fans. What would get get here apart from boo's and abuse if he doesnt win the first 20 games off the belt. Lets be honest lads, our club is a total shithouse and us fans are making us a laughing to stock of the whole country. we are the football fans equivalent of Jesus Gil.

I think most players that make it to the Premiership have exceptional pace... thats probably what set them out against all the rest as they were growing up and developing through youth teams etc. Once they reach the top level, apart from the odd whippet like Henry etc, the ones that then stand out above the rest are the ones with supreme technique. I dont think Rooney has supreme, Henry-like pace but he is certainly one of the best players in Europe, if not the world at the minute. Granted Arsenal may have good pace in all the positions but its they basic ability to pass and contol the ball that makes them what they are today.

Agreed. Pace is nice to have but by god the other to components are so much more important. I dont think Fabregas is blessed with blistering pace but fucking hell what a footballer the lad is. I notice today that the first touch of every Arsenal player is almost 100% perfect. Allows them to play great passes even into tight situations. That can only be through practice and good coaching. Tony Daley is the best example of pace not being the most important requirement