So who are Roeder's Scapegoats???

[Rich]

You're certainly not alone in holding that view on Bramble and Taylor, although the sensible ones would argue that Taylor has only had one or two "full seasons" (not every match at CB, either, of course) and is far younger than Titus. Still, neither exactly instill confidence as first choice players at this point in time and so it does seem strange that the currently better player of the two cannot get a look-in any longer, while Taylor seems the only centre-half destined to stay next season out of all of them... I'm forgetting Peter Ramage, mind, who I would not be surprised to see back against Chelsea.

That said, Taylor's onto about his 80th appearance or so for the club now.

 

Aye, but I'd wager around half of them came in the full-back positions! It's a bit naughty to be judging the lad at his age and before he's played even half-a-season as a first-choice central defender (and after a horrific injury), which is why I've held back on my dislike for the evil-looking bugger, I'm willing to wait for him to "come good" for a bit longer yet. At this precise point in time, he isn't any better than Titus, can't argue there, but he hasn't fouled-up off the pitch numerous times, or been consistently dodgy/injury prone for donkey's years.

 

It's almost incomparable to a bloke who's been playing at the top level for what must be 7 seasons now as a first-choice player, really. It's not just Bramble's errors, either, he gets injured fucking loads and is barely ever called on it, as opposed to the likes of Woodgate, Dyer, etcetera. I bet he hasn't been fit for many more games than those two over the past 7 years.

 

He's most definitely Roeder's numero uno scapegoato, though. Easy target.

 

(Sorry about the delayed reply, got a ferkin' phone call mid-type.)

[Guest andynufc84]

 

After being down at Portsmouth on saturday, from my point of view Roeders scapegoats would have been:

 

N'Zogbia - offered nothing to the game, got took off at half time.

 

Emre - Woeful in the 1st half, slightly better in the 2nd but the game passed him by. More evidence to suggest he's completely overrated and fails to deliver away from home.

 

Moore - Should have not been on the pitch as he wasn't fit. Still likely to be a scapegoat for Roeder.

 

Other possibilites, Carr and Duff

[NUFC06]

Wasnt it Roeder who recently said that Zoggy is the future of nufc and he will be key part in the team?

That was said when reports came out about Wenger wanting Zoggy

Can someone please find that article where Roeder said those things?

[Rich]

He definitely said it, but I definitely can't be arsed to look it up for you. No doubt it was in the Chronicle, though.

[robbo_11]

http://mastertwg.sbs.com.au/epl/index.php?pid=st&cid=78988

 

This has some quotes from Roeder on N'Zogbia

[Guest Thandi_45]

The scapegoat has to be Viana

[Rich]

Emre not a scapegoat?

 

United boss in tribute to battler Emre

Apr 20 2007

By Alan Oliver, The Evening Chronicle

 

 

Glenn Roeder has paid tribute to his Newcastle United midfielder Emre after watching him bounce back from his racism charge.

 

The 26-year-old Turkey midfielder was left devastated by the charge, which arose from his angry exchange with Everton's Tim Howard, Joleon Lescott and Joseph Yobo during a 3-0 defeat at Goodison Park in December.

 

However, an independent commission found the accusation not proven last month, allowing the former Inter Milan star to get on with his career.

 

The investigation coincided with an 11-game absence with a calf injury, but now Emre is back in harness and hoping to retain his place as United prepare to welcome title-chasing Chelsea to St James' Park on Sunday.

 

And Roeder is delighted to have a player who has been linked with summer moves to Bayern Munich and Hertha Berlin back at his disposal.

 

The United boss said today: "I have been very pleased, but that does not surprise me. Emre is a terrific little pro. He lives right, plays right and wants to play all the time.

 

"The racism charge did affect him for a period of time because he knew it was not true, and thankfully the commission agreed with him that he had no case to answer.

 

"That has been a big relief for him and he has got on with his life. He is an excellent footballer."

 

Emre's participation this weekend will depend on whether or not skipper Scott Parker and fellow midfielder Kieron Dyer, who have shaken off ankle and hamstring problems respectively, get the nod ahead of him, although Damien Duff's season is over after he damaged an ankle at Portsmouth last weekend.

 

Parker and Dyer missed the 2-1 Premiership defeat at Fratton Park, but will return on Sunday along with Antoine Sibierski.

 

The reigning champions have much to play for as they attempt to reel in leaders Manchester United, but Newcastle's season was effectively ended by their UEFA Cup exit in Alkmaar last month.

 

However, despite the fact European qualification for next season is now realistically only a mathematical possibility, Roeder will not countenance any sense of defeatism.

 

He said: "Every game of football is worth winning, wherever you are in the league. Every game of football is a challenge.

 

"It is quite weak to say, `The season is petering out, we are in the middle of the table, it does not matter if we finish a couple of places higher or a couple of places lower'.

 

"That is a weak mentality. We are playing for a lot of money - every place in the Premiership is worth hundreds of thousands of pounds - so that is a lot to play for.

 

"And then, of course, there is the issue of pride. You try to finish as high up the table as you can.