McCormick

Unfair to call Gerard a PFM (respect is due for what he’s achieved at Rangers) but Lampard certainly is. His tactics(or lack thereof) and his over reliance on being a disciplinarian as opposed having an established footballing philosophy or game plan speaks to that. Hiring Lampard is confirming our relegation. He’d be among the worst 3 managers in the league.

Lampard is a horrendous manager. No idea about phases of play and on record as saying he doesn’t believe in having a particular playing philosophy. Just look at how his Chelsea side played, suicidal, formless high press and a deep backline. Similar to how we play under Bruce. Nothing compact; the bloke is clueless tactically and got away with it due to the players at his disposal. Another in a long line of British “tough, tell it like it is” man-managers with no idea whatsoever with regards to modern tactics. He’s the only one on our supposed shortlist I’d be genuinely upset about us hiring. Like replacing Bruce with a young Sherwood (might be hyperbole but I se similarities between them).

Relax man, you’re talking about a government of a country issuing a mandate to make all it’s male population buy a footie shirt. There are more pressing issues in the country and the investment fund has bigger fish to fry; NUFC is a minuscule 0.05% or whatever of PIF’s portfolio and of relatively no importance to the governance of KSA.

Big match. We really need 3 points here as, besides Norwich, there seems to be a real lack of the usual hopeless bottom-feeders in the league this year. We can’t just rely on 2 other teams being shit. Realistically, we have to get better results than Southampton, Burnley and Watford now to stay up.

There aren’t many, if any Saudis that are offended by it (the first thing a Saudi will ask ejnabi/foreigners to do over here is to fully kit up KSA style and take photos etc. they love it, it’s a sign of accepting Saudi society). It’s not inherently a religious outfit save the fact that it was worn by the Prophet (pbuh). I’ll see if I can take a picture of a prominent Saudi publication with a cover picture of guys in thobes etc. with the caption roughly translating to “KSA fever takes over Newcastle” *green heart*”. But anyway, KIO have said their piece and it’s very fucking easy not to do. Little point arguing about it tbh.

Anyway if KIO find it racist then that should be that; they’re the authority and their view on it should definitely be respected. Over here though, everyone was actually quite chuffed/touched about the whole thing, finding it funny and heartwarming. News reports were largely complimentary over the Newcastle fans and the welcome they gave to the governor.

Not really the same though is it?

Think he’d be a ‘solid pair of hands’, to use a very pfm turn of phrase. May not be the most inspiring or big statement selection but at least he has a grasp of tactics and knows how he wants his teams to play; a rarity among English dinosaur managers on the employment carousel. Won’t be jumping for joy but, Christ, the thought of Lamps or Wazza taking control (or god forbid Bruce staying on) is the stuff of nightmares. Decent appointment if true.

Most Saudis I’ve spoken to (that’s the 60 or so that have called me before, during and after the match) thought it was hilarious and were buzzing to see so many people wearing thobes, gutra and shamak tbh.

Aye. Just a bit of dress-up (flags etc. I can understand the fewm) but thobes and the rest is just a bit of fun. Doubt anyone is out there to celebrate human rights violations.

Lot’s of Saudis in Newcastle Uni iirc. Also the perfect way he’s done his gutra and shamak suggests that he’s done this before and isn’t just some knacker in an outfit.

I mean, I still think they won’t spend mega bucks as they’d ideally like to see some form of ROI. Unless they’re utterly deluded though, I don’t see how they can dream of winning the league in 5 to 10 years with that kind of outlay

Not laughing here. Fuming at the audacity of it. You just know the PL will roll over for them too.

I hope wor flags drops everything they’re doing to make a giant Bruce out banner.

“Smaller clubs” should be happy about the takeover, their business models rely on loaded teams buying off their players for a profit.

We may not be able to attract the best managers now but if we’re struggling to name managers that Lampard is comfortably better than, then he won’t help us out of our current predicament.

Bruce is a given. OGS is debatable, Moyes is far more proven and currently doing very well, Ranieri has at least won the league and Dyche I disagree with. Farke has promoted a team from the Championship twice.

For those that say Lampard isn’t that bad, are there 3 Premier League managers worse than him? Which ones?

He managed to make a world-class side look very ordinary and has been on record saying he doesn’t have a style of play just “good football and win the ball back aggressively”. Not hyperbole to say he’d be a minuscule upgrade on what we have currently.

He’s marginally better, but tactically doesn’t have a clue unfortunately.

Of course it’s Lampard

Everyone is making perfect sense, but Christ I need him gone asap so I can enjoy my club again.

You’d imagine Charnley will be here for another 3 to 6 months to see over the handover/ transition period for a new CEO and Sporting director. Bruce can be immediately chased off with a broom though.

From the options linked, this would be my preference. Conte Rodgers Ten Hag Potter/Favre . . . . Martinez/Gerard/ Howe . . . . Lampard

I obviously hope he’s crying into his mash tonight but a small part of me wants a rocking St. James’ giving him dog’s abuse for 90 minutes.