Interpolic

The table when Keegan resigned, we were 4th on 38 points, level with Man Utd. http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/premier-league/1996-1997/table/1997-01-11

The only season he managed Shearer we finished second, same as the season before. That was half Keegan, half Dalglish, mind.

He spent big on one player, I can't really recall how far we went backwards if at all (I'll have to check) but the main issue with Keegan by that point seemed to me that he completely emotionally spent. The point about him being in a huff about not having much/any more money to spend is not what I'm disputing, he probably was. Suffice to say, I disagree with the theory he became worse the more money he was given to spend.

How did he become a worse manager the more he got to spend? We finished 6th after having finished 3rd the previous season, he was then given around £15m to spend on Ferdinand, Ginola, Barton and Hislop and brought us closer to the league title than any of us are ever likely to experience again, playing some of the best football we've ever seen. Better with more backing I'd say.

That whole summer was fucking daft, Shepherd saying it was Robson's last season and it did seem like Shepherd had taken over the transfers by that point. Think the story was that we could have had Carrick from West Ham for less than we bought Nicky Butt for, the manager was keen as was the player but Shepherd wasn't.

Fucking pathetic.

Brilliant.

Well it's quite obvious what I'm saying Ian, I think one thing is morally wrong and the other isn't.

I don't understand the hypocrisy either really tbh. I suppose rich people would bet but wouldn't go to a short term loan company so the latter must be the one who takes advantage of vulnerable people. There's quite a big difference. These scummy loan companies can work for some, particularly in helping people build up some decent credit history, but in many cases they're geared to push people into more and more financial distress. I don't see the comparison with betting companies, unless you want to see gambling made illegal in this country. And before you say it, I would like to see ridiculous 1000%+ APR (or whatever) borrowing banned in this country, but part of the fault of their growing prominence needs to be laid at the foot of the more orthodox lending companies and other factors. I know that there are a few people on here who can't see why poor people would choose to borrow £200 before pay day or whatever but that's your problem if you don't get it and I'm not sure why it's still getting peddled as a reason of justification for these horrible companies existing. "Stupid cunts, being reckless with their own lives/money/choices", it doesn't wash with me in this instance, it reads like a Daily Mail line of thought where the poor being poor is inevitably always their fault.

Fucking grim.

Was clear as mud. That time he took him off v Charlton when he was having a blinder. Was by far the best player on the pitch and the only one making anything happen, I was flabbergasted but it was clearly a bullshit power trip from the manager.

Really stuck in the throat that we sold him for the same amount we paid for him when he was almost completely unproven.

I just genuinely can't remember such an incident. Bellamy would hardly be at the top of the list of suspects if that's all we know. Aye fair enough, that's all I remember for sure but seem to recall people saying they knew who it was or whatever.

Not sure if you're being facetious but I recall the Chronicle printing a small story towards the end of Robson's tenure, saying they had a photo from the training ground of 1 (or maybe 2) players being disrespectful behind the manager's back, but refused to print it or name the players. Think they were using it as an example of the players not having enough respect for the manager or the football club. The Chronicle would get banned from the club for printing something like that these days of course.

Hernanes in pyjamas.

It's been going on for years tbf, used to really wind me up when fringe Man Utd players played so regularly for England.

I'm falling in love with football all over again.

Aye, the playing surface is more important than fan safety like Clive, you fucking berk.

ITV have done it again! Fucking useless.

I don't see how it's any worse than this year's tbh and it's probably better than the first Puma effort, which was fucking horrible.

He's not suited to much imo. He's a square-wondergoal'd peg that we're trying to fit in the proverbial round hole. Agreed. Bit weird how he's scored so many goals wherever he's played then.

Cisse only played a few games out wide before Christmas like, even a seasoned Pardew hater like me would admit that. Not very suited to a 442, mind.

I couldn't give a flying fuck about a scoreboard/screen, can remember cringeing at Llambias wittering on about this a while back when we should have been buying players.

:lol: Amazing.