thenige

So which players did he meet - how many were convinced by something he had to say, and how many decided not to sign for us because of what he said? Did he recommend any players, did his direct influence lead to us signing any of the current squad or not signing any players in particular?

I love the way nobody on here really has any idea of what he's done and there seems to be a massive swing of opinion of what Jimenez actually did at the club. The most embarrassing are those going "yey, anotha COCKNEEEE gone!" - get a grip.

She's back! Everyone's favourite Guardian hack. http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2008/oct/09/premierleague.newcastleunited To sum up, Roy Keane good, Joe Kinnear bad.

It was quite telling how both their goals came down our right mind, Geremi is okay to fill in but can't wait till Jonas is fit as he'd clearly give us an extra dimension. Would personally have him on the bench, and Guthire and Barton in the middle rather than either Geremi or Butt, but with injuries and suspensions, beggers can't be choosers. Would ideally let him leave at the end of the season if we can afford/find replacements.

Looked half decent today, was shocked to be honest. Was a great shot of a fan looking gutted when he came on mind, commentators did well to say nothing and not laugh

Kinnear is king! \o/

Coloccini would get my nod, but if fit and available I'd probably keep him at the back and play Barton and Guthrie, as don't know if I'd trust Cacapa, Bassong or Taylor to defend well enough. Butt has driven me nuts for at least a year or so - and to think he was True Faith's player of the season last year...

Who would you rather have moving slowly across the midfield picking out passes, him or Butt? Butt can't even defend now, he just lunges in every now and again. I think people have been far far too quick to write this guy off simply because he's not a known 'name' and because of whisperings from the training ground.

That was as bad a performance as I've seen in a long time. Butt was horrendously bad. Can't be bothered to dissect it any more than that. Depressing.

At least that would cheer me up for a day! Doubt he'd leave a Champions League team for us mind...

Nowt wrong with what Beardsley said, he's still a coach at 'Boro, so it's not like he needs to say anything positive about Ashley. Change the thread title mods.

I can't say I'd want O'Leary but I'd certainly take him over Bryan Robson or Alan Curbishley.

I'll be honest, I don't really WANT 'megabucks', I'd rather we rely on ourselves for a bit, get some good players in young and have enough finance to keep them at the club and keep us ticking over. What I do want is entertaining performances on the pitch and players who play for the club.

Anything more than five games would be stupid, likewise anything less than three.

To be honest there is a lot of difference between trying to boot someone and actively trying to break someone's leg. Not that I condone this at all, and we don't really have the strength in depth to cover his absence, I'm really a bit non-plussed about this. How long did Jay Boothroyd get for that crazy swing he had a couple of seasons ago? You can't up a suspension because of the damage it caused - it has to be what the foul was. If a player tripped someone when they were clean through on goal and they landed badly and broke their spine, would that mean a lifetime ban for the tripping player?

No. Never thought Ashley was the devil incarnate, and never thought Keegan was infallible. I would love it if everything gets worked out. This.

If it's Ince or Poyet I'll be lost for words.

Aaron Lennon.

I was just about to say was pretty certain they didn't all die. Apparently the goalkeeper, a giant man, spent his entire time in the concentration camp wearing his goalkeeper shirt. I believe unfortunately in the end he didn't make it, but it just went to show the strength and character some of these people showed under situations almost impossible to imagine.

I Still don't understand why 'Zog on the Tyne' hasn't taken off as one of our chants.

Pretty certain Deschamps quit Juve because the board were determined to sign players he didn't want...

Gutted to hear Sadler has gone, seemed he was doing a decent job with the reserves, giving the youth games and generally getting a good atmosphere amongst the players.

KEEGAN!!! :clap:

Completely disagree with the statement about transfer funds - as I've said time and time again, it's only good spending money if the players available are both quality and willing to play for the club for the right reasons. Clearly there just aren't that many players interested in a mid-table club who are only willing to pay relatively realistic (looking at you here Man City and West Ham) wages.