manorpark

I think it could and should have been better than that. I think we are fooling ourselves if we think otherwise. Remember also, the 'net' player situation is even worse than that!

For £12m you could buy two replacements and I'm pretty sure at least one would be as good as or better than Milner. True, but if we don't buy a replacement then it isn't such a good deal. Seriously (no 'shrieking' doom-monger criticism please . . . ) is it not one step forward / one step back, when you selll and then buy? Even if it is a 'slightly better' player bought (hopefully) it is still not in the same league as 'buying to increase the size of and the quality of the squad' - is it?

"a big name" - how pathetic would that be.

That beggars belief. We have no national media in this country. We have a parochial London-based (and London-obsessed) media, broadcast nationally. Just look at the London-based "hype" of poor little Tottingham!!! In that local-London world (broadcast/written nationally) we will always have rubbish routinely written about us. There is no hope of it ever changing. This country will never get a National Press/Media. Never. Isn't that what the whole country is like ? Based on 'Financial Services' in the South East while most of the country lives off the scraps ?? There has been no country-wide prosperity since all the Industries committed suicide - Shipbuilding, Car-making(except as screwdriver ops run by the Japs or Germans), train-building,Steel etc etc etc. And DON'T just blame the Tories - easy target - because whilst they DO have some responsibility, the greed of myopic managers and prehistoric unions were mostly responsible.. It is no coincidence that successful Football teams(Man U, Chelsea, Arsenal ) are in areas with large concentrations of so-called Financial or Service Industries...in any event, most of Man U's fans are southern based..that is where the money & jobs are in the UK. So, we should just ACCEPT that a parochial, isolated and insular little local press (for one sh*t*hole part of the country) gets to broadcast its little local media (TV & Newspapers) viewpoint around our country, under the guise of being a "National" media??

That beggars belief. We have no national media in this country. We have a parochial London-based (and London-obsessed) media, broadcast nationally. Just look at the London-based "hype" of poor little Tottingham!!! In that local-London world (broadcast/written nationally) we will always have rubbish routinely written about us. There is no hope of it ever changing. This country will never get a National Press/Media. Never.

He is a most entertaining and 'infectious' talker.

Lets wait and see if anything happens. And if something happens, lets hope it was (really) worth waiting for. When I was a little boy, I used to believe in heroes. I used to believe what they said, as much as what they did. I have grown up since then.

I agree, he is not presenting 'spin' and he is (as ever) likeable.

Got to say I thought the opposite, that KK looks as enthusiastic and lively as I've seen him in the last few years. Yes, he has extra experience and that might have added a bit of realism/maturity, but that can only be a good thing. If he can continue to push for positive moves and the right players, while being pragmatic enough to realise he might not always get them, he'll be a great asset to the club for a long time to come. I believe in KK. He usually (not always) says the right thing, and he says it very well. He does a convincing and effective job. He is good at interviews.

Cuckoo...cuckoo...cuckoo... Helpful. This better? http://www.northumberlandlife.org/morpethmentalhealth/ Thanks for telling me about where you live, now try and show me the treatment worked, and come up with a calm and structured response to my comments, if you disagree with them. Lights out a 8pm...but don't worry, you can scream and bang your head as much as you want. OK

Cuckoo...cuckoo...cuckoo... Helpful. This better? http://www.northumberlandlife.org/morpethmentalhealth/ Thanks for telling me about where you live, now try and show me the treatment worked, and come up with a calm and structured response to my comments, if you disagree with them.

Cuckoo...cuckoo...cuckoo... Helpful.

Just watched the below Keegan interview. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7588360.stm He looks relaxed, but he is such a long way from the positive 'fighting-fit' guy he used to be. He is like a prizefighter who is past his very best. He still (you can see) expects to WIN some fights, but he is gradually getting used to losing an increasing number. His world seems to have got smaller and he is more content with his lot than before. Yes, I think he is going to do very well for us - within his new, more limited, horizons. I'm not so sure he is the long-term answer though, if (am I allowed to say this on here?) we are ever going to compete at the top end of the league again.

Oh my god - "B I D S" . . . (or even more accurately - "reported bids"). How many times does THAT need to be pointed out? Fine then, lets look at facts. Coloccini for a reported 9m going up to 10.3m - also reported to have signed the 'contract of his life'. True, the Modric bid (I'll forget the Aimer & Inler ones because as Dave said, could be wrong) was made before any players were sold. In the end the deal didn't come off but it shows that the money is there for players of the right calibre. Gutierrez had an original asking price of 10m but we got around the via a loophole, but I imagine we still had to pay a few to get him in. There's a difference between 'selling to buy' and simply getting rid of players that are no good for us. How do you know (or 'imagine') that a Coloccini purchase would have been funded, if we had got (say) Modric? Also, I don't think Keegan would agree with any of you "Milner haters" on here ("no good for us" !!!!) I don't agree with you either. I also asked if you thought it would just be a 'mere coincidence' if Ashley actually spends some money RIGHT NOW? Well? Have you ever thought that we might not have budgeted to buy another RM, and therefore we need the money from his transfer before we can buy a replacement. er . . . is that not my point !!!!!!!!!! No it wasn't you mong, your point was that you think this means we have to sell to buy. His point is that we have to buy because we've sold.. not the same thing. Oh that hurts!! I am not even gonna reply to this . . Woops, too late (sort of) . . .

Thanks, because I have never questioned his integrity.

So basically you're questioning his integrity, given that he's not once said he has a problem with how things are set up? This thread is supposed to be about 'having faith in Kevin Keegan'. I imagine that this is premised on the fact that (to us, and I include me in that) KK became a GOD in the past at this club. I am saying that we should all remember that (for the various reasons I mentioned, but mainly the one you quoted) he is not the same KK we had here previously. Also (as I'm sure you know from your own life-experiences, not just in football) the clearest messages are often those that are not spelt out in plain English . . .

LOUDER, than, speak, words, A C T I O N S. (comes to mind) particularly . . . A C T I O N S . . . So why don't you wait until the window is over before you f***ing moan? Give them a chance to act before you start the ridiculously hyperbolic whining. Remember, we just took a point from the Champions of Europe and England in their house two weeks ago. Results matter more than names. What an amazing collection of words. Particular gems include - "give them a chance to act". We should aim to get new players in for pre-season training, not in time for a pre-match cup of tea on the day of the 4th match of the season!!! As for "f***ing moan". It is time you realised that to analyse what is happening and to (simply) not praise-it-all-to-the-high-heavens, but to actually tell the truth . . . is not the same as "f***ing moaning". I know when it comes to football and your own club in particular, it is difficult for some to get real. But, get real. LOL, well put Manor, anyone not buying in completely gets this s*** thrown at them all the time on here, good to see someone giving as good as he gets. Its a hard job at times - but someones gotta do it! Thanks for the comments.

He is also a totally different person to the Keegan of old. He is older and less dynamic (and less well known around the world). But mainly . . . He is not free to do what he wants under Ashley & co, to the extent that he was under SJH. So, effectively, he is not the same Keegan. (Still good mind!)

See, it's obvious that Keegan says what serves the purpose of the moment. Everton was sniffing around Smith - suddenly Smith is a fantastic part of the dressingroom, would never sell him. Same goes for Milner - the last player I'd sell. Blah blah blah. So why do we believe these quotes? Once again, Keegan is just saying what needs to be said. It's equivocal enough that he can back out of it if the signings don't come and it makes him look like the one calling the shots. Gloating, for those so inclined, can wait until Tuesday. What is the point of 'gloating'? We all want the same things, but some on here are more prepared than others to see the faults and limited-abilities (and to say so) of some of those who are responsible for providing us with those things. It is called 'honesty'.

We don't have to go off the quotes and just follow like a sheep, things are changing on a regular basis and most of the changes are for the better. If people deliver then what they say should be taken seriously. I agree 100% with your last sentence.

LOUDER, than, speak, words, A C T I O N S. (comes to mind) particularly . . . A C T I O N S . . . So why don't you wait until the window is over before you f***ing moan? Give them a chance to act before you start the ridiculously hyperbolic whining. Remember, we just took a point from the Champions of Europe and England in their house two weeks ago. Results matter more than names. What an amazing collection of words. Particular gems include - "give them a chance to act". We should aim to get new players in for pre-season training, not in time for a pre-match cup of tea on the day of the 4th match of the season!!! As for "f***ing moan". It is time you realised that to analyse what is happening and to (simply) not praise-it-all-to-the-high-heavens, but to actually tell the truth . . . is not the same as "f***ing moaning". I know when it comes to football and your own club in particular, it is difficult for some to get real. But, get real.

I hope that the expenditure is not just the 'handy' Milner-sale money.

The head in the sand comment goes both ways, Keegan and Ashley seem to be giving out a message which seems to go unnoticed by some and the quality we've brought in so far supports Keegan and Ashley. The Keegan & Ashley quotes are not going unnoticed by some of us - they are not always taken at face value though. When someone at the 'top' of an organisation says something, it is best to take some time out to think . . . "why are they really saying that?". The answers are not always what we want (and are intended) to believe.

LOUDER, than, speak, words, A C T I O N S. (comes to mind) particularly . . . A C T I O N S . . . Agreed. So just wait it out. I agree, and like many of us, I have great faith in KK - but we should all be aware that this in not the same KK that we got to know years ago. NOT because he is older and slightly less dynamic (which he is) it is because he is not the "free KK" he was under SJH. There are a lot more constraints and limitations on his actions now - at least there would appear to be (I say that because I don't have a 'mole' at SJP, only one on my . . . ) which will prevent him from doing everything he wants now.

LOUDER, than, speak, words, A C T I O N S. (comes to mind) particularly . . . A C T I O N S . . .