Armchair Pundit

For the record, I wouldn't pass on Conte, I just said I wasn't sure he'd be a good fit in the long run, based mainly on his volatility and him falling out with owner and players. That said, that was a good interview with him that I hadn't seen, I'd be more than happy to be given the chance to be proven wrong of course - it's not like it would make us worse

I can't doubt Conte's ability, but he does strike me a really volatile. Would he be a good fit for us? The area? It's one thing potentially having loads of money to buy a championship, but is that what he does? Or does he actually build squads with a legacy in mind?

Whatever happens, it'll be good to have the flags back. A real show of black and white scarves, a day of celebration from the stands, that's what we need.

Haven't you got a motorway to block somewhere?

Wow

While I agree with the sentiment, I'm not sure potentially antagonising the new owners at the very first game is the best footing to start off on. We can certainly work with them but it would be a gradual process, you don't change things overnight (unless they're now embracing such efforts).

Yup, I'm at a solid 2 now, no reason other than the takeover potentially buying safety in January and bringing in a competent manager. The only reason I'm not at 1 is I always have a little bit of pessimism at the back of my mind, but then after 14 years of Ashley I think it's been brainwashed into me.

Hang on, what? You're saying Bruce is a better manager than Shearer?! I'm not saying I would want Shearer as manager but my fucking nan would be a better manager than Bruce, and she's been dead twenty odd years! On a side note, I think criticism of Shearer is harsh, he didn't really get a chance - a team that wasn't trying and pretty much already relegated, with a very small number of games left as his first gig? He was touted as one of the most promising when he took his qualifications, I'm 100% positive if he's continued in the Championship he'd have shone, he just wasn't given the chance and then cemented being a pundit after that.

I can't help thinking we need a manager of ability who can deal with a siege mentality and will embrace his position amongst the fans and the local area, but who that would be I'm really not sure. There's people that tick individual aspects of that criteria, but not sure if there's any that tick all three that are available.

I can't help thinking we need a manager of ability who can deal with a siege mentality and will embrace his position amongst the fans and the local area, but who that would be I'm really not sure. There's people that tick individual aspects of that criteria, but not sure if there's any that tick all three that are available.

That's that then

Ha, is a fair point

Would love Coutinho from Barca, though I'm guessing if one player is brought in for £330+k a week then a lot of other current players will want a pay rise to some degree. Did anyone post a list of potential freebie big name players that are coming to the end of their contracts next summer yet?

Think it'd be a shame to move the ground from it's current position, there's nowhere else like it for football in the UK, no ground has a more iconic position to the city or community. I'm sure there will be ways around it, though to be honest there's a lot of other areas to pick up first, not least the training ground. It'd be interesting to see a similar football complex to the one Man City purposely built.

I think there's a difference between what the owners do concerning football matters at the club and what they might or might not do outside it, but it's your call.

What does or doesn't go on in Saudi Arabia isn't a topic for football, this thread should be with the other political guff in the chat section.

Not really sure about this thread, I'm not sure what purpose it holds.

To be honest, and it's just how I feel, I couldn't give a monkeys either way. I'm only interested in getting back to supporting NUFC properly and enjoying football again at long last. I'm certainly not about to get on the Saudi's case, they've done me a favour - I wasn't in the habit of protesting about human rights before they bought the club, so I'm not going to start now, especially if it upsets the apple cart with the new owners. That said, that shirt is shit and it does make us look bloody small-time.

Fucking hate Levy, there's nobody outside of Masters and Hoffman that's more corrupt. I still reckon he arranged for the single business that was in the way of the new Spurs stadium being built to be burned down, plus he's always a complete shyster when it comes to any dealings that Spurs are involved in. Suspicious fire at business...

It's very petty but if he's turned down an approach from us based on our current stature then I don't want Conte, ever. That said, I don't think he'd be a good fit for us anyway, I think we need someone who can get involved with the fans more, like Rafa, Keegan and Robson did. Rafa would still be my preferred choice but I can't see him going back on a contract. I think Poch would get in with the fans, after seeing what he was like at Spurs, I'm not sure whether Gerrard's ready yet after only having managed a pub team and I really don't know enough about Favre or Fonseca (not tuning my nose up at either of them, just don't know enough about them).

Just watched the Mandy interview, she comes across really well. I know it's early days but I'm totally onboard with the new owners, they sound grounded but also ambitious, onwards and upwards!

Exactly, love the Givens

There's a right plum-end on Talksport saying we should keep Bruce until January at least, no way is he a Toon fan, no way!

Newcastle United = Richest club in the world ... I literally just can't process it.

FUCKING WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! I'm loving it!!!