Ericz

Our priorities:- (1) Will Ashley continue to own the club? (2) How much is Ashley prepared to invest in sustaining the current expenses of the club (i.e. wages) and what is the transfer budget for next season? (3) Who is the manager? Only then can we talk about which players to keep, which players to bid etc. Hopefully, all the above details will be sorted out as soon as possible. Paragraphs (1) to (3) should ideally be decided within a month's time such that there is enough time to prepare for the next season if we were to make a decent impact.

C'MON NEWCASTLE ! It's now or never.

How many hours more???

I still maintain my stand that after SBR, decent players come to our club and become sh*t during their period here. It's more of a mis-management issue than anything else. In Keegan's second stint here, I can see glimpses of hope as things are getting better.

If weren't for his goals last season, we might already have been playing in the championship now.

Imagine having both Ginola & Robert in the same team? Wouldn't that be great? Ginola for me.

Great Post! It's certainly a good read where the contents I can easily agree with.

Season after season, we do have a decent squad on paper but it's only on paper. God knows why... -sigh- While I'm not an optimistic nut, I really hope the guys can deliver in the crucial match that matters most and that lady luck will be shining on our side in either the Manchester United match or the Chelsea one.

Depending on the manner the published accounts are audited (if it is even audited), it might not always be an accurate reflection of the business in question. Sadly, in the society we're living in, integrity is not always present when it comes to commercial business. Again, pardon me for my skepticism. Nonetheless, I do agree with Dave when he mentioned that, ''What we do know is that Ashley's tenure has been an utter disaster and only a tiny proportion of it is not of his (or the people he appointed/employed) own doing.''

I can agree with the statement in bold. However, correct me if I am wrong, there isn't any concrete proof of us being financially unsound except for the words of Ashley and his management. Besides, it would be to Ashley's advantage to depict the previous management in a bad light in order to validate his claim that he (Ashley) was a savior to the club and contributing to the rebuilding of the club at that point in time where the statements were first made and/or constantly reiterated. Yes, we may have debts but don't all clubs have debts too? Maybe, ours have been exaggerated by Ashley and his management? Certainly, I do admit that I am prejudiced against Ashley at this point in time, hence for my skepticism. I'm very disappointed with how things have unfold for the club... the hope... the optimism... when Ashley first took over. -Sigh-

Aston Villa 3 Newcastle 0 Hull 1 Manu 1

Owner Mike Ashley Manager Alan Shearer Goalkeepers Fraser Forster Steve Harper Tim Krul Defenders Sebastien Bassong Habib Beye Claudio Cacapa Fabricio Coloccini Ryan Donaldson David Edgar Sanchez Jose Enrique Tamas Kadar Ryan Taylor Steven Taylor Ben Tozer Midfielders Joey Barton Nicky Butt Mark Doninger Damien Duff Geremi Ignacio González Danny Guthrie Jonás Gutiérrez Bradden Inman Kazenga LuaLua Kevin Nolan Alan Smith Haris Vuckic Frank Wiafe Danquah Forwards Nile Ranger Shola Ameobi Andrew Carroll Peter Lövenkrands Obafemi Martins Michael Owen Xisco Mark Viduka

Lo and behold, has anyone realise how bad decent players became once they arrived at Newcastle United? ... and once they leave, all of a sudden, they became better! It's the Newcastle Phenomenon!

Even if Keegan knew full well the 'structure' wouldn't cope with him quitting, it would be near impossible for someone passionate to work under a regime where there will be interference made to his decisions and/or management. If you've worked before for the passion instead of the remuneration package, you will understand. In any case, according to his suit, it is claimed that his position is made untenable and in any event, I reckon that there has not been a ruling out yet so until then, it will all be speculation. I'm certain that further discovery (if produced) in an open court may answer many of our questions today.

Who are the people who are wrong? (1) Mike Ashley for mismanagement; and (2) The Fans that rioted against Mike Ashley publicly and subsequently failed to bring him down. That might have delayed and/or discouraged his (Mike's) plans to further build and/or invest in the club. It's funny how everyone thinks that this and that could be wrong but never themselves. Granted the underlying intention may be good, however, the end-result may say otherwise.

I think we needed to address this much earlier and next week's match is too important, but I haven't seen this team last 90mins in many games this season. They just aren't fit or mobile enough. Absolutely. We should have been trying things out ages ago, but then again we had a f***ing dinosaur managing us. I'm so agreeing with this... Couldn't have put it better myself!

First question: Will we have any funds from Ashley? Second question: Can we trust Kinnear to get the right players?

Would it not be more accurate to say that the old board wasn't the best board to allow us to better ourselves to be the best BUT the new board is an even WORSE choice?

With Shearer leaving as stated in two more games and with Kinnear returning? Gosh!

For the past few games, we don't really look like scoring or winning, don't we? I wonder how are we going to score in the next two games, let alone win ....... This is saddening... It all went downhill after Keegan left / was removed, wasn't it? Sigh.

The players that were mentioned above, could it be that we do not have a decent manager to bring out the best of them? Surely that must be one of the key contributing factors to it as well. Admittedly, when Keegan was around, Viduka and Geremi did deliver the goods.

Maybe we should start naming players who have 'class' and the quality necessary to be in the top 4?

There are definitely evidences pointing to both sides of the coin. In the end, it is really a moot point. Whatever it is, it is a positive move and we should have faith, believe in it, embrace it, be open-minded and positive about it. All these may go a long way in helping the team walk a longer, a tough path ahead. So people, embrace it : )

Source: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=631361&sec=england&cc=4716 Critique and comment?