The Newcastle United Blog

58 responses so far ↓

• 1 adam // Mar 20, 2008 at 1:11

  i agree ed. im sure everyone wants this season to finish tomorow so that we can start the rebuilding process asap.

  i hope mike ashley is gona have a few too many drinks and spend some crazy money, coz thats what we need

• 2 JP from The Rock of Gibraltar // Mar 20, 2008 at 1:15

  Ed absolutely a win will do us wonders. This has been a dreadful season but a win against Fulham will start a good run I think. Confidence will come back and we’ll survive and be much stronger in the end as you say no doubt.

• 3 Spyro // Mar 20, 2008 at 1:49

  We need to win this game, it hurts to read people talking about Newcastle United like we are a Wigan or Birmingham. I just want the season over with our safety secured.

• 4 phoonCK // Mar 20, 2008 at 2:43

  They are out of the Fulham game, according to physioroom.com, and no, Duff wasn’t injured for the Birmingham game, he was dropped. And as you can see yet again, Emre is out injured, and his recovery date seems to lengthen everytime a match game is near. Babayaro anyone?

  J Milner Ankle/Foot Injury 5th Apr 08
  Emre Calf Muscle Strain 5th Apr 08
  S Carr Hamstring Injury 5th Apr 08
  S Given Groin Strain 3rd May 08
  T Krul Dislocated Shoulder no return date

  Keep the Faith
  Howay the Lads

• 5 Hadji // Mar 20, 2008 at 3:36

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPcjr4hfoz4
  The new king of Portman Road
  SHUMIIIIIII

• 6 jeremy9 // Mar 20, 2008 at 4:13

  I am always a bit skeptical with these ‘injuries’. I am not saying all of them are not really hurt, but it seems like coaches give them fake injuries to keep them on the bench for football and/or financial reasons, same with other sports in my country. Anyway, take one game at a time, do your best, and at the end, hope we have at least three teams below us…regardless of points earned the remaining of the season. We got a ways to go and I’m afraid Newcastle can not sign a bunch of stud players, so lets get good younger players or at least improvements and work our way up, slowly if we have to. Some good veterans (past their prime) are good, but not half the starting squad. I think the ideal situation is to take players from other clubs at your level…such as a Sunderland wanting players from Reading. I don’t know where we are at as far as this year, next three years, or last ten years go, I guess that is what makes this league great, but I guess just build year by year. But then I did read at what King Kev did do for this club more than a decade a go…. I am pretty sure that was taking them from the Championship to the top of the Premier League within a few years. That must have been sweet.

  I hate the stick he has gotten lately; and with a game a week, damn people have short memories. I partly blame the tv media. Okay, done ranting.

  COME ON TOON. GET IN.

  oh yeah, play Martins and Zogbia, I’m assuming he’ll play Owen, Viduka doesn’t really care, so don’t play him.

• 7 jeremy9 // Mar 20, 2008 at 4:18

  To respond to this article/topic, I don’t know what excatly goes on in the ‘board room,’ or who makes what decisions, but maybe Mort isn’t ideal for the job. Maybe he is just fine, and maybe we were on our way down and BSA didn’t sign anybody good, he can talk about player ratings in the excercise room all he wants, and hire 20 people for a back room staff, and talk on his blue-tooth during the match while chewing bubble gum, but at the end of the day (or week) it is puting results out on the field. But then he did/does have a decent record. But damn he didn’t do well here. Didn’t we have worse players with Roeder and fared much better???

• 8 Daniel Petersen // Mar 20, 2008 at 7:19

  Jeremy9, I think last years squad was a little stronger than our current crop of players. In the midfield at least. Nobi, Dyer, Parker, Rossi( I wish he would have played more and stayed), Sibers(who scored some great goals for us). It’s incredible we did as well last year with all the injuries., Something like fourteen at on time. I just wish KK would play Oba more.

• 9 Callum // Mar 20, 2008 at 7:36

  Daniel - It was 16 around november-december time
  But yes - Our squad last year was definately better then this year, even the defence was better somehow! Bring back Bramble? Joke

• 10 Jack // Mar 20, 2008 at 8:02

  I disagree with jeremy9, Mort has done really well IMO. So has Mike Ashley, both have had tons of stick this season but stuck through it. I’m sure, like me, we are all looking forward to the summer, if we stay up. If we do go down, which seems unlikely looking at all the fixtures, Keegan should still be allowed Cash to bring in players capable of winning the Championship.

  3 points at Fulham are a must.

  PS: Great Article Ed.

• 11 Graham // Mar 20, 2008 at 8:13

  Ed, I just hope that the light in the tunnel isn’t a train coming straight at us!

  I said a week or so ago that i feel that one day thisseason everything will come together and we’ll go and get 3 or 4 goals. We have a better chance than ever of getting this on saturday. Get your bets on for 4-1

• 12 clinta // Mar 20, 2008 at 8:27

  Are we all so sure MA’s going to open the purse string, well wide open anyways? he’s a business man afterall and so far he’s outlayed a decent sum in players, albeit to another manager, but as a business man he’s seen no return, would it be a good business decision to put massive funds into the first team again…?if newcastle untied have proven one thing in it’s recent history (recent being 5-6years) it’s that spending a hell of alot of money doesn’t always bring success, for most teams year some but for us nowt!

  food for thought i think.

• 13 ELFER // Mar 20, 2008 at 8:31

  definitely! he will open his pockets, becouse he has seen that it is needed to get away down there!!

  All we need is that win on saturday, that’s for sure!

  I’m so happy that we have got KK as manager. His fantastic man-management skills will be the key to keep all the stars arriving in summer happy! Hopefully we are standing now on the beginning of a successfull future - but I have that feeling that we are!

• 14 THELONGSHANKS // Mar 20, 2008 at 8:41

  I would love if he signed van buyten,i always rated him and keegan had him on loan at city.

  Harper

  beye,van buyten,kompany,bridge

  bentley,nzogbia,modric,milner

  martins,huntelaar

  Subs:given,faye,taylor,duff,owen

• 15 Stamford Toon // Mar 20, 2008 at 9:08

  The injury list seems to be growing and as said some, that appear minor injuries, are dragging on a long time. Recent pictures showed Emre in training although not fit? Recently reported on this site was KK clearing out some of BS’s backroom staff, including the senior fitness coach Howard. Is this really a good move? Could it be something to do with the growing list of crocks?

• 16 Leo Kompany for the Toon // Mar 20, 2008 at 9:49

  im more excited for the youngsters which will no doubt come in next season rather than the first teamers, we need 2 or 3 young centermidfielders to come in as well as others.

• 17 Michael // Mar 20, 2008 at 10:42

  Actions speak louder than words Mort. Shut up and act. You could start by getting a competent manager.

• 18 Leo Kompany for the Toon // Mar 20, 2008 at 11:09

  the toon has no space for people like you michael, no wonder the atmosphere is so bad at the moment, people who will put parts of our club down constantly!

• 19 Michael // Mar 20, 2008 at 12:07

  The reason there is a bad atmosphere Leo Kompany for the Toon, is because results have been poor. Results have been poor because the team have not been playing well, the team have not been playing well because the manager does not know what he is doing.

  Unlike you I do not blame the players. The manager manages the players and are his responsibility, else do not select them.

  We say players like Smith Butt are not playing well but who gives them that chance to not play well? Me. You Keegan loyalists will blame anyone but Keegan. You are now blaming people like me!

  People like me have a firm grasp on reality and are not fantasists like you.

  Do not get me wrong Leo Kompany for the Toon, it would be very romantic if Keegan could get “lucky” again with Newcastle but in real life this just does not happen.

  I would love to eat my words, on this really I would. On prior deates, I acknowledge when someone puts forward a credible or superior argument and concede.

  My question is how have many people made the deduction that it is the players that are doing badly? If reputation is on what Keegan is living, why is it that the players the mobs are quick to criticise cannot survive on their reputation. When I question Keegan, people descend into time to recall his achievements at Newcastle.

  Well the Same Players they lampoon, I too may descend into time to recall their sucesses, does that not then bring our debate to sqaure one.

  You cannot tell me Keegan is doing well right now, no one can. We have a team of title winners (Smith, butt, Cacapa) goal scorers (Owen, Viduka) and according to the Majority of fans on this Blog (Martins). A great goal (stopper) and Praise players like (Nzogbia, Milner, Baye, Faye). If you count the number of players there that is 10 of 11. If 10 of 11 players are good then where is our short fall. All these players agreed have very good talent there is no doubting this at all. If so Why are we no achieving?

  Perhaps one or two are under performing andKeegan has fabled Motivation skills, Duff I think said “Keegan has the players so fired up before a game that they runn down the tunnel” Motivation is there Duff made a testimony to that.

  So to summerise, there is Talent in abundance, motivation. Why oh why are we not doing the trick?

  You enlighten me. I cn only think of one place we are short and that is the manager.

• 20 JJ // Mar 20, 2008 at 12:25

  Michael, let me correct you you twat!
  It is fans like you who want to change a manger every three months that has the club in the mess it is.
  Keegan has an exceptional record at every club he has ever managed.
  Look at where they were when he took over and look at where they were when he left.
  We have trophy winners yes, but managers dont get rid of quality players unless they are past their prime, ie: Smith, Butt, Casapa,etc.
  None of these players are Keegans purchases so he has has to make do with a team set up to play long ball Big Sam style and turn them into “beautiful football players” to please fans.
  He has played Man U twice, Arsenal twice, Liverpool, Portsmouth, all of whom Big Sam would not have got any points from either, nor most managers.
  So why dont you just give him or any other manager for that matter the time to create of team that is his own and keep your mouth shut in the mean time.

• 21 Michael // Mar 20, 2008 at 12:51

  I will point out cracks when they appear lest our club collapse. You are a hypocrite. You talk of Keegans past but eschew the past of the players because they are “Past their best” What a silly analysis, as silly as you comments.

  Keegan is well past his sell by date and was merely lucky at Newcastle. He then went to England and was a failure. You cannot deny this. He then went to city and was mediocre again you cannot deny this. Do not come to me wiht Money because Money does not buy Success, Arsenal can attest to this fact. They spend no where near as much as the clubs around them, less than Newcastle but they work with such competance.

  Keegan’s brand of a hybrid of football and rugby, is a brand of football consigned to the 80’s and is not applicable now. Surely that means he is out of date. 11 men charging at goal is not a tactic my friend.

  We like workk and play in an age ig information. Heart without brain is a kamikaze mix. I do not wish to change managers every two months all I want is one who is competent because we succed by competance not passion.

• 22 Leo Kompany for the Toon // Mar 20, 2008 at 13:04

  jj no need for language, youngsters read this blog also…

  the players were below par for sam alardyce also but they were below par and playing boring football, which mike ashley did not want to see.

  now keegan has below par players playing more attractive football, i believe the players are playing a better brand of football, many agree many disagree

  i watch every game, come saterday i will be at st james park and since keegan has taken over there has been an upturn in how everyone feels going to match days, bar playing the real top teams.

  even the atmosphere at the stoke game was electifying due to the mere chance that we may see keegan at some point.

  there are plenty people in the stands at st james park who say bad things about keegan but are happy to see what he will deliver, but to believe he has no ability tactically is not fair, he has been out of the game some time now and maybe he is still a bit rusty, which can be seen against teams like villa where he waited too long to make the subs, and by the time he did the game was over…

  then look at the blackburn game where we lost the point late on because of not doing something to shore the back up, but against birmingham he did so. he is becoming savy to the todays game.

  maybe the reason for the improvement in tactics is that horton bloke, if so i dont mind as long as they work together well.

• 23 Michael // Mar 20, 2008 at 13:27

  So his mistakes are down to other things not incompetance, that is what you are saying. Making poor substitutions are due to “rustyness”, because it is Keegan it is “Rustiness” never incompetance.

  Your Arguments are useless utterly useless Leo, surely after these remarks you should be quaezstioning your intellignece because I am. Keegan was not brought to st James becuase of his credentials, but the sell tickets.

  Newcastle is a business before anything and the only people Newcastle Answer to are the Shareholders abpve anyone. If given the choice between the fans and the Shareholders the shareholders come first in any situation. Ask Ed HArrison he worked for a big company and certianly his academic qualifications hava had him learn this and his work experience likwise would have made this fact obvious.

  The aim of a company is not to sell quality goods at competitive prices. To hell tieh that. It is to maximise shareholder wealth. It is the reason why you invest to maximise your wealth and it would be unacceptable for the board to make decisions that did not meet this aim.

  Keegan was brough to sell tickets and it has worked. The way a club maximises profit, is by long cup runs(more games mean, more match days which means(More gate intake due to number of games, economies of scale(You pay players per week whether or not they play so the more they play, fixed costs remain the same i.e. the wages while they provide more opportunities to sell merchandise on matchday), TV rights which is the cash cow) Gate in take is also high.

  Keegan is enhancing the gate intake not the team. He was brought in to manage the fans not the players that is why wise was brought and given, let us be honest and undefined role.

  Silly people like JJ and Leo are oblivious to this fact. The fans are stakeholders and weild power too. If you call for a manager’s head they have to do so because a fan revolt will threaten shareholder wealth i.e. by reduced attendances, changes of teams to support etc.

• 24 Leo Kompany for the Toon // Mar 20, 2008 at 13:41

  keegan was brought in to sell tickets? hmm i think he was brought in to manage the club, he isnt likely to be sitting in the box office ever now is he.

  my interlect being questioned by someone who does not know me… hmm, you use many big words on a football blog therefore are more intelegent than me?

  my arguements are lousey? hmm strange that your the only one who has been saying any other and many people on here have aimed personal attacks at you recently.

  you are getting repetitive, go write on a hate keegan blog, if there isnt one im sure you are angry enough to make one. do one you sad act.

• 25 Leo Kompany for the Toon // Mar 20, 2008 at 13:44

  also just read your last statement-

  Silly people like JJ and Leo are oblivious to this fact. The fans are stakeholders and weild power too. If you call for a manager’s head they have to do so because a fan revolt will threaten shareholder wealth i.e. by reduced attendances, changes of teams to support etc.

  tell me if im wrong but didnt you want keegan to be sacked! make your mind up fool.

  i never thought twice on renewing my season ticket for the last 10 years- thats not being a fool before you try and state that- its being loyal

• 26 Leo Kompany for the Toon // Mar 20, 2008 at 13:46

  also this comment shows your stupidity-

  that is why wise was brought and given, let us be honest and undefined role.

  wise has had no part in first team matters… your arguements are so wrong

• 27 Leo Kompany for the Toon // Mar 20, 2008 at 13:48

  i remember back to business studies michael- the first aim of a business is to make revenue for shareholders… ooo is someone studying alevels, what did you learn a couple big words then thought you would use them on a football blog to justify your arguements.

• 28 Michael // Mar 20, 2008 at 13:56

  Let me make this clear. I do not hate Keegan, I wish the guy success but if he cannot do the job, he should not be in the job.

  As a footballer, Keegan was no doubt great. As a manager he has been, no doubt lucky and it is better to be born lucky than rich.

  While I am greatful for what he has done for the club (bringing us up from the lower divisions) a feat no doubt that has made him folkloristic, he is simply out of his depth here and now.

  Come on guys : Look at a recent fact Keegan file:

  -Walked out of England (after doing a poor job)
  -Famously Saying he “does not know tactics”. (Which is crucial for this type of job)
  -Wlaked out of Man City giving no reason at the time .
  -Has not been involved in management since 2004.
  - Has not seen a game since 2005.

  Are these credentials you would consider as a chairman for (one of the biggest managerial jobs in world football)????? are these the credentials??? I cannot believe you would say yes to this sure ly not?

• 29 Michael // Mar 20, 2008 at 13:59

  Leo: We are having a mautre debate here and I am well beyond my A’Levels I asure you. I think it is you who lacks maturity given the above evidence

• 30 Leo // Mar 20, 2008 at 13:59

  like the newspapers and jounalists you will see all the so called ‘facts’ the way you want to see them

  its funny you list all the bad things but never the good things he did in management

• 31 Leo // Mar 20, 2008 at 14:03

  oh no i am not mature? im not ancent if thats what my crime is, guilty as charged, but mature for my age- i would say so, quite accomplished studies wise so leave that one out

• 32 CRAIGG // Mar 20, 2008 at 14:09

  Michael admit it you dont like Kevin Keegan do you ??

• 33 Michael // Mar 20, 2008 at 14:17

  I concede, Keegan did have good times, but the bad more than out weighed the good. I mean walking out on your last two jobs is just unacceptable.

  Saying you do not know what is the core of your job is just career suicide. They are arguably one of the worst football managerial credentilas out there. As a company, a club would be weary. His habit of walking out recently would leave most precarious and the trend is, he did so when performances took a turn for the worst.

  No chairman in their right mind would hire a candidate putting those credentials on the table unless he managed to perform other tricks.

  The trick being able to hoodwink the loyal fans into giving more time. Cano you not see this. Then when our patiance has run dry they will play their next ace. Shearer. The not so thinking “Geordies” will dance into the stadium singing that the good times are back.

  It is manipulation. Teasing us with this Will he come will he go Shearer talk. They are holding him back until the fans lose patience with Keegan, if they ever do.

• 34 Michael // Mar 20, 2008 at 14:20

  I have said it before and will say it again. I wish Keegan good health and a long life. I have no gripes against him as a person. As a manager he is simply poor. You cannot tell me he is of European standard.

• 35 Leo // Mar 20, 2008 at 14:21

  i will never loose patience with keegan, as for shearer, he is not ready and needs to get some exp at a lower down club…

  also it makes sense that we will not be able to do well as a team unless we let a manager take apart graudually a team, get his players in,over a longer period and see what they can do…

  with money and time any manager can be great

• 36 Michael // Mar 20, 2008 at 14:29

  Leo, do you see? You will never lose patience with Keegan is the reason he was brought in. Not to save the club or have us challenging for top honors.

  Imagine 10 years on and Keegan has won nothing, has kept us Mid table and never qualified for europe. Would you be happy woth that. Just imagine I am not suggesting this is what is going to happen but if that ever happened would you be happy?

• 37 CRAIGG // Mar 20, 2008 at 14:31

  Do the research:
  He was asked to renew his City contract and when refused the club asked if he would leave, So they could get Pearce bedded in before the end of the season

  And as i always say michael you wont find many City fans who have a bad word about KK they appreciate the terrific Job that he did.
  Much better than the FA Cup winning tactition Joe Royle who failed to keep city up, KK 9th and in Europe first season back in the top flight.

  And on England KK got us to qualify for Euro 2000, Does that Mean he is a better tactition than Don Revie (If you Dont know him he won loads in leeds glory days) and Steve McClaren (Carling Cup Winner and UEFA Cup Final) who failed to get their England sides to major tournaments.

  Michael i dont know how you get lucky as much as KK has

  Saving Newcastle from relegation, Winning the First division title the season after, Back in Europe and 3rd at first attempt in the premiership and back to back runners up in the Premier league.

  Going to Fulham taking over after Wilkins cocked up in the play offs, Winning the 2nd Division title with record points and goals tally at the first attempt.

  Taking over when England were struggling to qualify for Euro 2000 and got England there, Then admitted his mistake and went with no compo, Dignity that McClaren and Erikksson certainly didnt have and Cappello wont have when it goes wrong.

  Then going to a relegated Man City changed the club from top to bottom,
  Winning the 1st Division title with a record points and goals tally at the first attempt, Then finishing 9th in the league and getting City back in Europe and then consistanly kept them in the league.

  Napolean used to ask about his officers “are they lucky” as opposed to their qualities and personality.

  If KK is lucky in your opinion, Then he is the most successful lucky manager in the history of football.

  I think the luckiest manager is Ramos because if a manager in england had as many failiures on their CV as he does, they would never get another chance certainly not with Clubs of the standard of Sevilla and Spurs, He is the classic example of a cheque book manager .

• 38 CRAIGG // Mar 20, 2008 at 14:33

  Michael he has a 3 1/2 year contract he wont be here after that he said so himself.

• 39 RAHUL // Mar 20, 2008 at 14:38

  good debate going on, if i may add on that keegan definately lacks tactical ability and he is the first one to admit it, i too would have liked an experienced tactician like lippi or felix magath, but the reality is that we are not really a very attractive proposition
  keegan is a great motivator and that compensates for all his inabilities,for me tactics can be looked after by coaches like houghton get a few experienced guys like mike henke then that area can be covered, look at martin oneil, he is a motivator its the coaches who look after the other aspects. klinsman was the same, he was a great motivator with joachim loew looking after tactics, klinsman was the heart with loew the head similar in case of rijkard with ten cate
  and the moment he left for ajax barcelona could not win a trophy.
  as a result u need good coaches and add a right mix. Dont blame the players.
  its all BSA fault if the players are not good enough then they should not be there in the first place ask Ed Harrison he worked in a company like IBM, u put the wrong people in the wrong place then its a recipe for disaster and its not those people who are at fault its the bosses who make the appointments
  lets give keegan a chance and bring his players in we should not be surprised at recent results as keegan is attempting to play his brand of football with sams players it will never work as 2 and 2 never make 5
  hope for a win on saturday

• 40 Michael // Mar 20, 2008 at 14:49

  You talk about times when the brand of football was different. Then it was hard to differentiate between rugby and football.

  Tactics were not considered and every club had a “Gaffer”.

  We live in a modern age of football where tactics are a prerequisite, clubs run using scientific methods to get the best out of their players.

  Surely you must admit that because of the fundamental lack of tactics in those days, you would not dream of an english team going to the european finals or quarter or semi finals. While were ran a pub version of the sport here, our counterparts in Spain, Italy and Netherlands adopted tactics, and used to wipe the floor with English team. Now we have adopted what many of you people think is some mythical power known as tactics, English teams are the cream of the crop in Europe.

  Keegan still does not know tactics and that is our down fall.

• 41 RAHUL // Mar 20, 2008 at 14:56

  michael agree wit u to a certain extent but atleast give keegan a fair crack at the whip

• 42 Michael // Mar 20, 2008 at 14:56

  @RAHUL. You cannot bake 1/3 of a cake then I bake the 2/3 and Craigg the 3/3 and expect the cake to tase the same throughout. There need to be congruence. I could pick players that undermine the strategy or negate it. Imagine the coach decides we must play a long ball game, a very basic tactic. That would mean we need a big holding player upfront. Then Keegan goeas and delects Martins and Owen???? They are not complimentary at all.

  Keegan picks the players and is supposed to pick tactics if any. the thing is his tactics are not designed to exploit any possible weaknesses of the opposition or to mask a weakness we may have.

• 43 Michael // Mar 20, 2008 at 14:59

  I back him with all I have , and I would rather I eat my words so long as the team thrive. So long as Newcastle united do good If I am proved wrong in the future, my offended self esteem would be but a small sacrifice for our teams prosperity.

• 44 CRAIGG // Mar 20, 2008 at 15:01

  We beat holland 4-1 in Euro 96
  We beat spain in Euro 96
  We beat italy in le tournoi 2-0 in 98

  Under Terry Venables and Glen Hoddle both similar to KK sides play good football, good motivators, positive personalities and less good at tactics.

  Michael Someone noticed that beye was playing as a right wing back when we had the ball, and when birmingham had the ball he switched with taylor and went to CB is that not an example of tactics as taylors performance was improved and beye was excellent.

  You dont do what KK has with no tactical ability.

• 45 Leo // Mar 20, 2008 at 15:05

  michael re: my comment about not loosing patience with keegan, isnt it a good thing that more people are likely to stick by keegan it means that he will be able to try things without being ridiculed, well except some people who are always going to whing… remind you of anyone…

• 46 Leo // Mar 20, 2008 at 15:09

  also michael, who said we are guarenteed or even deserve to win a trophy, i would be happy if we were able to get higher up the table gradually.

  if we dont win anything under keegan but get 5 6 or 7th place a couple seasons running i bet you look at him and say, oh what a failure.

• 47 Michael // Mar 20, 2008 at 15:11

  While falshes in the pan are uncommon they do happen.

  That sounds like a tactic but at the same time it also sounds like he was lost. Who can say for sure.

  If it was a tactic, then you confirm my point. It was a tactic that did not work or rather effectively. We still conceeded a goal and were poor in the second half.

• 48 Michael // Mar 20, 2008 at 15:11

  Sorry first half I meant to say.

• 49 Michael // Mar 20, 2008 at 15:15

  The scale of Newcastle united is conducive for success. We have the finances, fans, infrastructure to build upon for a push for the title. Have you ever heared of clubs like Fulham talk about pushing for the title? Likely never. So indeed, if Newcastle reamin in 7th 8th or 6th position you would be disapointed.

  You forget when Robson was around there was talk of a title push ans was sacked because he finished fifth the prior season.

• 50 Leo // Mar 20, 2008 at 15:28

  it was me who noted the tactic about beye and taylor revolving positions. and they only did it in the second half.

  michael… with this comment about it you just show how you can not look at both sides

  While falshes in the pan are uncommon they do happen.

  That sounds like a tactic but at the same time it also sounds like he was lost. Who can say for sure.

  If it was a tactic, then you confirm my point. It was a tactic that did not work or rather effectively. We still conceeded a goal and were poor in the second half.

• 51 CRAIGG // Mar 20, 2008 at 15:31

  Michael KK maybe was a tool at first because we needed someone who could keep the gloom away with an awful set of fixtures approaching Man Utd, Arsenal away (Twice), Aston Villa away and Liverpool away, Weve come out the other side and every one except you are still upbeat because that is what KK does to toon fans he gives us hope and makes us dare to dream.

  Listen to his interviews his passion, honesty and love for the club, fans and area.

  He is on the same wave length as us fans, He says it a lot “We understand each other” He is right he knows what we want

  Flair players: Asprilla, Lee, Ginola, Albert and Gillespie.

  Fighters: Ferdinand, Batty, Barton, Beresford and Bracewell.

  North East Lads: Shearer, Beardsley, Clark, Harper, Kitson, Watson, Howey, Thompson, Elliott and Venison.

  Didnt you notice Souness trying to win the fans over by signing Clark and Solano, Playing Ramage, Elliott, Chopra, Ameobi and Taylor only KK does it right.

  No one including Sir Bobby as much as we love him can have the impact, KK is a god and the sooner you accept that your vendetta is a losing battle the better.

• 52 Michael // Mar 20, 2008 at 15:36

  I look at all sides of the coin including the edge Leo. I merely pointed out the negative, the positive was so obvious there was nor need for me to mention. We know the positive was we cam back to draw 1 - 1. I even commended Keegan on the night on which the game was played. Saying he got it right considering the circumstance.

  Keegan even said it himself, “we could have won it” and should have.

• 53 RAHUL // Mar 20, 2008 at 16:21

  listen michael all i am saying is lets give him the time, dont get me wrong keegan wasnt my first choice, i would have rather had a experienced european manager but now that he is the manager of NUFC lets back him .
  i too am sceptical but its not an impossible task he might just get it right atleast he can stabilize the club before we bring someone in
  no doubt it was an emotional choice tha task is improbable but not impossible

• 54 Spyro // Mar 20, 2008 at 16:23

  i feel the same way about the situation as rahul, not my choice but he is here so i will back him now

• 55 Michael // Mar 20, 2008 at 16:25

  @ Craigg. “He is on the same wave length as us fans, He says it a lot “We understand each other” He is right he knows what we want”

  My very very point Craigg. Rebbeca Baratton wrote an article called Democracy: the voice of God or the madness of the Mob. To summerise her paper she blamed democracy for “for producing egalitarianism, mediocrity”

  Egalitarianism means (the belief of equality of all people). Mort did waht the masses wanted Sacked Sam and again went further by bringing in Keegan. Is the result then not Mediocrity?

  The Masses do not know what is good for them. You wrote “He is on the same wave length as us fans, He says it a lot “We understand each other” He is right he knows what we want” if so then he acts on what the fans want?

• 56 RAHUL // Mar 20, 2008 at 16:34

  i agree michael that the masses need someone to guide them in this case the chairman and owner but why be negative now lets give him money and atleast a season and then judge where we stand.
  if we are so pessimistic right from the beginning then the outcome is bound to be a failure

• 57 Michael // Mar 20, 2008 at 16:40

  I cannot convice you. Anyway let us turn our attention to the game on Saturday.

  Howay the lads

• 58 CRAIGG // Mar 20, 2008 at 16:45

  Michael what the hell does that prove that he is the peoples choice

  Then Mort and Ashley have given the people what we want and mediocrity is what we have had since keegan first left.

  Dont give me crap about Foreign coaches,
  I was there most weeks as ardiles tried to ruin my football club and the Gullit tried to emulate him 7 years later.

  It is a total myth about foreign managers being better, the opportunities are better and more frequant and the players at their disposal are better and the transfer budgets are bigger but the most impressive manager this season by a mile has been Redknapp with pompey on the verge of a top 6 finish and an FA Cup final could Perrin who is on the verge of a bought french title with the head and shoulders above anything else in france Lyon side emulate this at portsmouth??

  history says not.

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