Chizzletooth

Its not just pace though. They can't pass. They have no heart. No imagination. They cry and roll around. Their defenders are joke. Actually all their players are joke. I mean Liverpool are a very average side (light years ahead of us obviously: they have 3 players we have none). But how can Viera have become so unbelievably bad?!

Inter are a disgrace to football. One of the worst champions league matches I've ever watched. Christ, football is depressing right now.

Perhaps if he didn't have to deal with so many stupid backpasses...he must get more than nearly any other keeper...not saying his kicking has been good but our defenders are masters of passing on the problem...

I think Carr has never been much worse than average. I think he's become a hate figure because of his surly demeanor. He's made himself an easy scapegoat for our defensive woes over the years with his fitness/attitude but theres no way he cost us more goals than Boumsong/Bramble.

From the bbc. Newcastle don't want me - Shearer Alan Shearer says Newcastle United do not want him as their next manager because he lacks the experience. The ex-Newcastle captain says he has the skills for the job, but the club had told him they wanted a seasoned campaigner to succeed Sam Allardyce. "I got a call from the club to say they were looking for an experienced manager, which ruled me out," he said. "If you want someone to galvanise the dressing room, get them organised and playing then I think I could do that." Didier Deschamps had his odds shorten dramatically on Tuesday evening with some bookmakers installing the ex-Juventus manager as the new favourite for the vacant job. Former Liverpool and France manager Gerard Houllier and Blackburn boss Mark Hughes have also been linked with the job. And former Newcastle boss Keegan has also been mentioned in a possible "dream ticket" with Shearer as his number two. Shearer is a firm fans' favourite having scored 148 goals in 303 matches in a 10-year career with Newcastle. And the 37-year-old said that, despite not having managerial experience, he is ready to offer his services. "If they want that and someone with experience then I'm not that man," he told The Sun. "People have talked about me being a number two under an experienced manager. "But if they are after an experienced manager, which they are, he will no doubt want his own man. "All I would say is that if someone comes in and wants to talk to me, I would be willing to help in any way I can."

2nd only to Schmiecal in Premiership history I reckon. Is rated very, very highly by opposition fans, though sadly not by his own. He really isn't He really is.

Who's a better keeper in the Premiership? Cech. Not Van Der Sar, not Almunia, not Reina. Given's gets so little protection from our midfield and back 4, his confidence must be well and truly shattered. In a good team, with decent morale he'd hold his own. Still.

2nd only to Schmiecal in Premiership history I reckon. Is rated very, very highly by opposition fans, though sadly not by his own.

How pedantic. I'd be curious to hear about the others. Who would you rather have? Harper?!

you're being kind with that, one of the most inept goalkeeping displays i've ever seen, absolute garbage, we need a new keeper asap You clearly aint seen many keepers in your time if thats the worst you've seen. I wonder what Shaka's doing these days?

I'm certainly not suggesting we should sell him, in fact quite the opposite, i just hate the fact some people seem to think he can't be dropped. I remember when he was and he demanded a transfer, which wasn't exactly the best attitude, however when he was recalled he was awesome, maybe something similar would have been better this season, as a kick up the ass, instead of him waltzing back into the team when fit. As for the Bolton keeper's error... Would he have saved that header had he stayed on the line? It went right in the top corner... I know he didn't get anywhere near the ball but the same outcome would have resulted If Given had done that he'd be murdered on here, guaranteed. I love this "command the area" stuff. How do command the donkey army he's had as a defence for the past decade? His kicking has been poor admittedly, but it seems to me he consistently has to field more backpasses than any keeper in the league I'd reckon. Incidentally, I thought Enrique was poor yesterday but folks on here seem to think he was one of our best players...utterly baffled, but then I usually am...

Just hope all the Given bashers were watching Jussi's howler a couple of minutes ago...

I've got a terrible feeling that the anti-redknapp brigade will be taking it all back when they see who we do get...

No one can say they failed until we see how the new man does. Simple as.

Reasons for hope: Players in the right positions Excellent in the transfer market Better quality football What's the worst that could happen? Mid-table? Season's a write off anyway.

I think the anti-Redknapp stuff is over the top. We had no chance with Lippi or Mourinho. There is ambitious and then there is living in a reality distortion field. I think Redknapp is better than Sam, better signings, better football at least. Some people are acting like its Mclaren or Venables. I'm not thrilled but I'll give him a shot if it turns out to be true.

Nope. Ireland.

Given > Taylor Given > All but maybe Cech in the premiership. I love the "dominate the box" argument. When, in the history of Newcastle United FC, has Given been given (see what I did there) an even "competent" defence? Ah yes, the answer is never. Put him behind any of the top 4's defence and him "dominate the box". There's so much wrong with the team at the minute and people are having a go at Given? I just don't get it.

Keane actually said English players have more than enough ability to qualify. He's blaming the "big egos" and the "big heads". He also criticised their body language after games and that they "don't look a happy bunch". I reckon he's spot on. Mackem or not I agree with most of what he says. But then, I'm Irish.

Obviously.

People who don't rate Given, do not understand football. Someone needs to make a youtube compilation of all his miraculous saves over the years, since this is clearly how his critics make their judgements on football.

I think Shay's within his rights as one of the premiership's greatest ever keepers. Harper's a good sub, but thats all he'll ever be. The crit that Given gets is hopelessly misguided at best. He's never had a decent defence in his toon career!

Villa seem to get a lot of respect on here - and I'm not sure why. They look a fairly uninspired bunch to me and if we play well I'd expect us to take them especially at home. They're the sort of team that I think will struggle for goals again this season, a problem we should not have.