You could say that Alan Shearer is doing a poor job of pretending he is only at Newcastle until the end of the season.
Alan Shearer – already building his back-room staff at Newcastle
As well as talking to the press about summer transfer targets and maybe offering Mark Viduka a new one year contract in the summer, Alan is reported today to want former club doctor Dr. Roddy MacDonald back at Newcastle for a third time.
Alan Shearer has come into the Tyneside club, and for once has shown an awful lot of common sense, and he is trying to get to the bottom of how Newcastle seem to have so many injuries each season, and much more than other Premier League clubs. This has been the case for many a season.
Dr. MacDonald is one of the top rated doctors in British football, and is currently working for Martin O’Neill at Aston Villa, after leaving Newcastle shortly after Shearer’s retirement as a player in 2006. He has also been at the club doctor at Celtic.
Shearer seemed dissatisfied with Newcastle club doctor, Ian McGuinness, and McGuinness left Newcastle last week after striker Oba Martins pulled out of the Stoke game, just hours before the kick-off, and Shearer didn’t even know the player was injured.
Shearer knows Dr. MacDonald well, as the two worked together on a number of Alan’s injuries, and he also oversaw Michael Owen’s recovery from the knee ligament damage he suffered playing for England against Sweden at the 2006 World Cup finals.
It seems that Shearer is already surrounding himself with people he knows well in the game, and since former assistant manager to Bobby Robson, John Carver, has recently resigned at Toronto FC, because of disagreements with the MLS, don’t be surprised if Alan finds a position for him back at Newcastle in the summer.
Comments welcome.
85 comments so far
batty
Apr 26, 2009 at 2:39 PM
Comment #41at home to wigan beye
Ever seen a mackem in Milan?
Apr 26, 2009 at 2:41 PM
Comment #42wigan beye
BT9MAG
Apr 26, 2009 at 2:43 PM
Comment #43Batty, I agree, it’s been appalling, but if you take a step back, it does become semi-understandable – During the transfer window our midfield was obliterated, our strikers all got injured and we were left needing to replace them ASWELL as add to the positions in which we were already lacking (flair attacking player, good defensive player)
Granted we didn’t do this, but part of the reason I think they held back was that 1) we were in a sh@te position, no european football, no hope of getting it, no decent manager and no hope of getting one! Therefore we’d have to pay over the odds for players who, lets be honest, would only be joining us for the money – too many premier league teams had more to offer them football wise!
Also, I don’t think anyone expected our other players to underperform as badly as they have done – Owen, Martins, Collo, Butt – they’ve both been absaloute trash (or injured) since the window – if they had been fit and performing we’d have had too many players to play with decent players in the reserves, the fact that they’re all on massive wages means that is too much of a luxury for an owner who wants to tighten the purse strings….
Sorry for the long post but that’s just my thoughts…
and Turkish – you said Ashley didn’t find or buy Bassong, you’re right, but can you name me ANY single owner to scouts young up and coming players?
beyethegreat
Apr 26, 2009 at 2:44 PM
Comment #44thanks batty and ever seen a mackem
howay wigan
BT9MAG
Apr 26, 2009 at 2:47 PM
Comment #45Beye – an owner CAN be the most important person at a club, however, look at Everton – until recently they hardly spent any money and just built up a good squad steadily with a good manager – David Moyes is the most important person at Everton not the owner!
batty
Apr 26, 2009 at 2:49 PM
Comment #46BT9MAG but who hired moyes
Matt
Apr 26, 2009 at 2:50 PM
Comment #47Who’s fault? So many people it’s impossible to list. Managers, players, supporters. We’ve had bad injury problems for years that should’ve been sorted with investment WAY before MA came in. We’ve had bad luck with decisions this season. We’ve picked bad teams this season. We’ve made ridiculous transfers for years trying to buy our way out of a stupid situation by buying loads of players who had no interest in the club but were playing for money.
Basically it boils down to Rome wasn’t built in a day. We need to be happy with mid table for a season, then move slowly upward rather than trying to chuck money, new managers, new players at the situation and hoping we get an instant result.
workyticket
Apr 26, 2009 at 2:51 PM
Comment #48“You could say that Alan Shearer is doing a poor job of pretending he is only at Newcastle until the end of the season.”
Ed, why do you keep insisting that Alan Shearer is a liar?
beyethegreat
Apr 26, 2009 at 2:51 PM
Comment #49bt9
i echo batty who hired moyes and gave him extra time during rough patches
batty
Apr 26, 2009 at 2:55 PM
Comment #50i can see boro sneaking 1 here
BT9MAG
Apr 26, 2009 at 2:55 PM
Comment #51batty – fair point, but who ever hires a manager expecting him to do badly?
All the managers since Keegan’s 1st reign (aside from JFK) have had credentials which would point towards them being successful – some should’ve been given more time, some were unlucky, some didn’t fit at Newcastle, some were just plain poor…
We’ve been on a downward spiral since Robson was sacked (an utter disgrace), I reckon Roeder was pushed too soon, he did good things at Newcastle and he had an appalling injury record, worst we’ve had in years, despite this, he got us into Europe and then into the quarter finals of the Uefa Cup and only 30 minutes from the final – he brought in Martins and had us playing quality football, he has the 3rd best win/points ratio for Newcastle after Keegan (1st reign) and Robson…HE should’ve been given more time!
workyticket
Apr 26, 2009 at 2:56 PM
Comment #52beyethegreat // Apr 26, 2009 at 2:51 PM
“i echo batty who hired moyes and gave him extra time during rough patches”
That would have been Bill ‘Corrie’ Kenwright Beye.
Matt
Apr 26, 2009 at 2:58 PM
Comment #53You can’t just say that about Moyes. Look at Southgate who’s had so much time to sort things out and look where it’s got him? Do you think it’s the owner that’s the that Sir Alex wins the league? No.
Craigg
Apr 26, 2009 at 2:58 PM
Comment #54Matt
I would love to know how Sunderland are nearly safe when their remaining home games are against the 2 cup finalists who are solid top 6 teams and are very hard to beat and their away games are Bolton and Portsmouth who have decent home records.
I also disagree with you about blaming Ashley as it is his fault for appointing an inept recruitment team who’s failiure to sign a left back and add creativity to our midfield are the root cause of our current problems.
However i still think he can win the people back by appointing and backing Shearer long term with finance and control over transfer and allow him to bring in the staff he requests.
We have the best run-in of all the relegation candidates and we will take advantage starting tomorrow night.
This is the month that the Magpie rises from the flames and leaves a steaming turd on wearside.
batty
Apr 26, 2009 at 2:58 PM
Comment #55get in 2 0
BT9MAG
Apr 26, 2009 at 2:58 PM
Comment #56and can I point out that it was fat freddy who sacked Robson and Roeder, our 2 most successful managers since Keegan…
Ashley’s only sacked Fat Sam – which I still maintain was a good move! I’m not saying he hasn’t made mistakes, I’m just saying he can’t be held wholey responsible for our current position!
beyethegreat
Apr 26, 2009 at 2:59 PM
Comment #57bt9
well there you go would we be in this mess had roeder got more time i realisethe fans were partly toblame for him leaving as though roeder himself was never boooed there was a lot of pressure on the board for them to leave which was started because roeder did nit get good enough results
batty
Apr 26, 2009 at 3:02 PM
Comment #58matt no but it was a former owner which brought alex ferg to man u
beyethegreat
Apr 26, 2009 at 3:04 PM
Comment #59workyticket // Apr 26, 2009 at 2:56 PM
beyethegreat // Apr 26, 2009 at 2:51 PM
“i echo batty who hired moyes and gave him extra time during rough patches”
That would have been Bill ‘Corrie’ Kenwright Beye.
battty exactly kenwright deserves some credit wouldnt you agree
Matt // Apr 26, 2009 at 2:58 PM
You can’t just say that about Moyes. Look at Southgate who’s had so much time to sort things out and look where it’s got him? Do you think it’s the owner that’s the that Sir Alex wins the league? No.
well the point about southgate you could argue that steve gibson should not have hired him
and the point about sir alex is what if fergie had been sacked in those first few years when they werent doing so well
beyethegreat
Apr 26, 2009 at 3:05 PM
Comment #60workyticket // Apr 26, 2009 at 2:56 PM
beyethegreat // Apr 26, 2009 at 2:51 PM
“i echo batty who hired moyes and gave him extra time during rough patches”
That would have been Bill ‘Corrie’ Kenwright Beye.
battty exactly kenwright deserves some credit wouldnt you agree
sorry that was meant for worky
BT9MAG
Apr 26, 2009 at 3:05 PM
Comment #61beye I agree mate, owners and boards do play a big role – again, I just don’t think it’s plausible to state it is COMPLETELY the board/owners fault…
Besides, do you not think it is strange that Fat Freddy never got hounded as much as Ashley despite outwardly criticising geordie people, geordie fans and geordie heroes? The difference between Ashley and Freddy – MA hasn’t worked out how to subdue the crowds yet, Freddy knew all along – when the pressure is on, sack the manager or throw 10m at a would-be flop!
Craigg
Apr 26, 2009 at 3:09 PM
Comment #62BT9MAG
Ive got to agree about Roeder i remember the day he was sacked as my mate nearly got in a fight with about two dozen clowns chanting to sack him, Although the Daily Star claimed it was a mass protest by an angry mob!
(More disgraceful southern press lies)
The injury record that season was awful and he hadnt got a huge amount of money to spend as it was wasted by Souness.
He should have had another season as we had a strong side on paper as well as his good work on the academy and the improvement on youngsters like Milner, Martins and Taylor under him and even Shola had a 1 in 2 record during Roeders time.
Matt
Apr 26, 2009 at 3:11 PM
Comment #63So you think under a rubbish owner no good manager can ever prosper? That’s such a ridiculous polarised view.
You really think that the owners actually ever know how a manager is going to perform before they sign the contract?
Craigg – Thanks for actually posting a structured argument as oppose to random abuse/silly comments. I would love nothing more than for us to rise up now and watch the others slide down behind us. I just get a feeling Sunderland have enough to stay up. They only need 1 or 2 points when you look at everyone elses run in.
beyethegreat
Apr 26, 2009 at 3:13 PM
Comment #64BT9MAG // Apr 26, 2009 at 3:05 PM
beye I agree mate, owners and boards do play a big role – again, I just don’t think it’s plausible to state it is COMPLETELY the board/owners fault…
Besides, do you not think it is strange that Fat Freddy never got hounded as much as Ashley despite outwardly criticising geordie people, geordie fans and geordie heroes? The difference between Ashley and Freddy – MA hasn’t worked out how to subdue the crowds yet, Freddy knew all along – when the pressure is on, sack the manager or throw 10m at a would-be flop!
i am not saying it is 100% the owners fault but in every club the most important person is the owner
also about fat fred if i remember correctly there were quite a few protests against him but he had a bit more pr sense about him he realised fans will analyse every word for example there was 2 statements made which contradicted each other
1 was the “hell say yes hell say no” statement ant the other the infamous “fact ” statement which contradicted itself and showed him to be lying which only angered fans further
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BT9MAG
Apr 26, 2009 at 3:17 PM
Comment #65Craig – Yeah, look at the players he brought through – Tim Krul got his first and only senior appearance as an 18 year old, David Edgar scored that screamer against Man U, Stevie Taylor was a steady first teamer at the age of 18, Huntington who has gone downhill ever since actually played well for us!
Matt – I think you’re right, Sunderland will stay up, for me, it’s got to be Hull, Borro and WBA who go down….IF we win our games of course!
BT9MAG
Apr 26, 2009 at 3:20 PM
Comment #66Beye – remember the undercover journo though – ‘Shearer? you mean mary poppins’ – ‘geordie women are sl@gs’ etc.
Although you’re right, theres no denying Ashley’s PR team should be shot like!
batty
Apr 26, 2009 at 3:24 PM
Comment #67thank you arsenal
beyethegreat
Apr 26, 2009 at 3:24 PM
Comment #68bt9
with out a doubt please dont think i am sticking up for fat fred coz im not i would take ashley over fat fred any day i think a big problem for ashley is that fans have put up with crap for a long time and cant take this stuff for much longer
Craigg
Apr 26, 2009 at 3:26 PM
Comment #69Matt
Yes, Sunderland do probably need just one or two points to stay up but its going to be very pleasurable seeing them squirm trying to grab them as they have tricky games remaining.
But ive got to say Hull are still my tip to finish 3rd bottom as much as i would love to watch the mackems in the 2nd tier where they belong.
BT9MAG
Apr 26, 2009 at 3:30 PM
Comment #70Beye – you hit the nail on the head there!
Ashley wanted a softly softly approach – he looked at Everton and Arsenal who buy young and cheap and take their time and thought – ‘we’ll do that here’ … The fans looked at Everton and Arsenal who were doing well and going places and thought ‘we’ll have that here’ … Ashley didn’t think things through properly and the fans (rightly or wrongly) didn’t want or deserve to see their team suffer in the short team in order to build slowly for the long term…
Batty – just 2 more games to go for a perfect weekend of football for Newcastle…crossing everything here!
BT9MAG
Apr 26, 2009 at 3:32 PM
Comment #71Craigg – honestly? Would you not prefer to have the Derbies? I love the banter with my Scum fan mates and the sense of occassion running up to those 2 games – as long as we finish higher, I always want Sunderland in the same division as us!
workyticket
Apr 26, 2009 at 3:53 PM
Comment #72beyethegreat // Apr 26, 2009 at 3:05 PM
“battty exactly kenwright deserves some credit wouldnt you agree
sorry that was meant for worky”
I do agree Beye. Though if it had been us, we would have tried to force both Kenwright and Moyes out of the club years ago.
beyethegreat
Apr 26, 2009 at 3:56 PM
Comment #73worky
i cant deny it
beyethegreat
Apr 26, 2009 at 3:59 PM
Comment #74though if there is 1 good thing about what is happening to us now is the expectation of our fans dropping we arent demanding as we 1 were and i believe this season our fans have been brilliant hopefully the majority now realise we need to give managers time even if they perform below expextations
Craigg
Apr 26, 2009 at 4:00 PM
Comment #75BT9MAG
I suppose you have a point, There arent many matches with an atmosphere like the derbies and the build up is pretty special.
I think the premier league suffers when you see clubs like Wigan, Blackburn, Bolton, Fulham and Boro who have atmosphereless half empty stadiums and take one man and his dog as away support.
To be fair to them clubs it cannot help them when Man Utd brainwash their would be fans into joining Fergies plastic army at the souless pit at Lego Land salford.
I know attendances arent the main thing but i think the league lacks something when you see Leeds and Forest in lower leagues.
Wolves coming back up at least means the southern press lay off us for a while as they really are nasty and deluded fans who turn on their team and manager every five minutes!
beyethegreat
Apr 26, 2009 at 4:08 PM
Comment #76http://www.newcastle-united-supporters-club.co.uk/
workyticket
Apr 26, 2009 at 4:34 PM
Comment #77beyethegreat // Apr 26, 2009 at 3:56 PM
“worky
i cant deny it”
Beye, could you imagine how we would react if a Scots manager came into the club, axed Ginola, had a bust with Drunken Ferguson, then came SEVENTEENTH in the league with 39 points? 😉
beyethegreat
Apr 26, 2009 at 4:36 PM
Comment #78worky
r u talking about in the in the 90s
ps who would wanna bust up with big dunc i know i wouldnt
workyticket
Apr 26, 2009 at 4:37 PM
Comment #79* had a bust-up rather.
beyethegreat
Apr 26, 2009 at 4:41 PM
Comment #80worky if you are talking about now i would welcome 17th with open arms if you are talking about during the better days i would be pi$$ed