It’s all very strange we know, but Newcastle could get more respect now than they’ve ever had in the past.
Alan Shearer - was in utter shock after yesterday’s game
The “massive” club that is (was?) Newcastle United, were relegated basically because in the last 45 minutes of the season they had weary legs and were tired, and could get that one goal that would have saved us.
Give me a break – how about the lack of heart and fighting spirit from this lot, and we are now more than confident Alan Shearer will undertake the massive task of restoring Newcastle’s image as a “big” football team, but it may take more than a single season.
Those readers who have nufcTV must watch Alan’s interview yesterday, after the game. It will be a bit of Newcastle history, and will capture for the ages, what it was like in one of the club’s darkest moments.
Alan was almost in tears, and we half expected him to break down half-way through the interview, but it is what he actually said that was so very classy and dignified.
He showed all the dignity in the world by saying we didn’t really deserve to stay up, based on the performances, and yes, we were one of the 3 worst teams this year in the Premier league, and it was right we were relegated.
And when you have a bunch of people out there who just hate Newcastle, and were just praying for us to go down, it kind of disarms them – big time.
Let’s not get too depressed right now – well not too much, yes we’ll all have our rants and raves, but we’re only human – think of it this way – we should win more games next season. 
Alan has already started to return dignity and passion to the club, just because of who he is, and how he loves the Newcastle club. And his interview yesterday is definitely one for the ages.
When the final whistle blew yesterday Alan walked around in a state of shock, with the TV camera rigth in his face, as he tried to get his players to acknowledge the fans, who came up with a Shearer, Sheraer chant.
But not many of his players diod that, and Coloccini was down the tunnel and into the dressing room immediately. We think it was Martin Samuel in today’s press who said he expected Fabricio wanted to get onto his cell phone and get his agent to fix him up at another (top?) club. After all he must get in that squad with Argentina for next summer.
But that just about sums up the Newcastle players this year, and we will not even mention Michael Owen.
Here’s a hint – Newcastle fans will be chided because of our relegation, because we are a massive club and all that stuff. The ammunition for that has been supplied to them by the club this season.
But the next time somebody says to you, Newcastle were hopeless and a disgrace and deserved to be relegated – don’t try to defend that (it’s indefensible), but agree with them, because it really is true.
And then notice the change in tone that will happen with the other person, espcailly if you really mean it.
This is a new chapter of Newcastle’s history, but you know the very darkest days somehow always seem to hold the biggest opportunities in life, strange as though that is – it’s true.
Surely the opportunity right now is to get Shearer as the manger, spokesman, and image of the new Newcastle United. One that we hope and trust will be a much better and more professional Newcastle United.
If that happens it may not be too long before the grace and pride return fully to Newcastle, and we’re sure our fans next season will be as absolutely great as they have been all this season.
But Newcastle can and probably should take a pointer from their Gosforth-born manager, and stay dignified in adversity.
It’s the measure of a man of how he reacts in times of great turmoil, and Alan passed that test with flying colors yesterday.
We also noticed right at the end of the game how Martin O’Neil was very aware of what this tragedy means to Newcastle, as he slowly shook Alan’s hand almost in commiseration, and Alan looked in complete and utter shock.
What a manager this man can become, if he can only get full backing from the Board.
Let’s hope Newcastle will become like the mythical Phoenix bird, that will rise again from the ashes to greatness – and quickly.
61 responses so far ↓
1 AndyNUFC // May 25, 2009 at 11:56 AM
Our future depends on one man and one man alone – Alan Shearer. If he is not given complete backing to do whatever he wants, then we will never establish ourselves in the premier league in the short term,
2 beyethegreat // May 25, 2009 at 11:57 AM
ed were still a big club we just have a $-!+ team
3 Ed Harrison // May 25, 2009 at 12:03 PM
AndyNUFC – you are so very right.
4 beyethegreat // May 25, 2009 at 12:06 PM
when are you closing the blog
5 Geordiedoonsooth // May 25, 2009 at 12:08 PM
Well so the worst has happened & I agree with Eds comments we were without doubt one of the worst 3 teams in the PL this season. To many bad buys & players that didn’t want to play. Here’s who I would keep from this seasons squad:
GK: Harper, Krul, Foster
DF: S Taylor, Edgar, Enrique, Bassong, Beye
MF: Butt, Guthrie, Duff, Nolan, Lovenjrands
FW: Carroll
With the following youngsters:
Kadar, Baheng, Tozer, Lua Lua, Donaldson, Godsmark, Inman & Ranger.
This means we probably need to buy at least 10 new experienced players who can get us out of the Championship.
Sell/Out fo contract
Collocini, Smith, Gutirrez, Barton, Martins, R Taylor, Xisco, Ameobi, Viduka, Owen, Cacapa
This could raise around £20m for transfers & save around £20m in wages. With another £10m from Ashley then Shearer could build a squad that would not only take us back up but give us the foundation to be a TOP club again.
Ashley get Shearer signed upo ASAP.
Haway the Lads
6 Toon Sweden77 // May 25, 2009 at 12:10 PM
And Derek Lambliass feels sorry for Mike Ashley as he has invested heavily in the club.. Well Derek, he didnt invest heavily enough!
Well well, we are relegated. Thats a fact and we has to get on with it. Lets clear the decks, sell deadwood and buy new players who wants to play for us and be quality enough to promote us to the premiership again.
Wonder were I can see Newcastle-games next season..?
7 magforlife // May 25, 2009 at 12:10 PM
Shearer is a top pro and is dignified in the face of the media but i suspect he gave the players plenty of home truths in the dressing room yesterday and why not. I hope he also gives them a rocket when they get their marching orders from our club, cant wait for the clear out and as in the case of Charlie Insomnia, most of their egos will take an almighty twatting as i cant see many clubs queuing up to buy them.
8 Partizan // May 25, 2009 at 12:13 PM
I could never blame Coloccini even if he comes today and say”This club is pathetic and i want out”
Changing managers like socks brought us to this level,you can have Kaka,Mesi,Ronaldo in the same team but instead of having 1 PROPER manager our players had 1 OK manager and 3 clueless managers.
No player on earth can be good having a club structure like that.
Few examples
Bramble-right now he could be our star player
Hughes-amazing player now
Rozehnal-starter in Lazio
9 magforlife // May 25, 2009 at 12:13 PM
Geordiedoonsooth – its all about opinions but you are one of the few who rate Nicky Butt, i think we deserve more than a headless chicken act in centre midfield to progress, all teams suffer badly without a good engine room.
10 ObaFan2 // May 25, 2009 at 12:15 PM
Already been saying it for weeks but it’s the way we’ve tumbled in the last 2 seasons and incidently coincides with a change of ownership!
Shearer has the ideal opportunity now but he isn’t the only one who could rebuild NUFC and who’s to say Shearer can do it, not been much proof so far.
His own team and own staff may well make him a great manager, only time will tell.
11 Ericles // May 25, 2009 at 12:27 PM
Big Al will only make NUFC great if Ashley allows him the money and the free hand to do it.
Let us now wait and see who jumps ship and who gets thrown overboard. This is the third time I have seen the club relegated and it hurts more than ever. We need to rebuild the Shearer way and should start by unloading the prima donnas, divas and mercenaries who have shamed our team, our city and our heritage. As Cromwell once said to parliament – ge gone, and go now.
12 Geordiedoonsooth // May 25, 2009 at 12:27 PM
magforlife: I didn’t say I rated Nicky Butt if we’d stayed up I would have said let him go but in the Championship I think we will need someone with his experience. I also thought he worked his nuts off yesterday along with Steve Taylor, Duff, Edgar & Harper. They were the only ones who were worth weraing the shirt, the rest were sh*te.
13 normag // May 25, 2009 at 12:27 PM
I’m not going to blame Butt for our relegation, but I can’t understand people defending him. OK, he runs and tackles, but that is NOT enough to justify playing in the PL! I’m tired of tearing my hair out after all of his shocking passes! He actually has problems passing to a team mate which is 3 m away
But to his defence, it’s not his fault being picked.. At least he tries his best….
14 Geordiedoonsooth // May 25, 2009 at 12:29 PM
I’ve seen the Toon relegated 4 times & it don’t get any easier
15 bowburnmag // May 25, 2009 at 12:30 PM
Partizan – I wouldn’t lose any sleep if Colo does that. No matter who manages him, I don’t think he’s cut out for the Enlgish game.
Alan Shearer may well be the manager to make us great again or it could be someone else. Hopefully either way, the legacy he carries on or leaves behind is some common sense in the boardroom and a more appropriate attitude to the structure that will work. Despite going down, Shearer may well have helped cement our future.
It just depends whether we have money to spend and/or the scouting system working in advance of the transfer window rather than during it.
It also depends on whether whichever group of players take to the field next season, they have considerably bigger balls than the current one.
Nicky Butt’s legs may be failing him, his reactions and timing slightly offf, his best years may be behind him but as with all successful professionals he has mighty big stones and plenty of desire. If more of our players had them we probably wouldn’t be where we are now.
There’ll be some great days out in the second tier providing all of the above is in place and we won’t be there very long. If we fail to make amends then we could quite easily sink without trace. Be interesting to see how many ’supporters’ stick around then.
16 shearerbliss // May 25, 2009 at 12:31 PM
Afternoon all on this very sad day for all those involved with the club. ED I would like to thank you for all the work you have done and this article has started to make me feel a bit better.
As most who watched that lacklustered performance it was the attitude of the players that really done it for me! Even the other fans who came down to watch and take the mick out of me couls not belive watch they saw and genuilly felt sorry for us! They even know we do not deserve to be served up that s**t!
The prem has lost a big club that deared to challange for the prem leauge, and yet again it will be filled with 3 more teams set up to survive.
Make no mistake the top 4 will have a sigh of releif knowing (like leeds) that it is one less sleeping giant going to ruin there parade.
There are only tottenham, everton, AV left that would dare try to take on the big 4. The rest scrappy prem football all just trying to stay in the leauge. The prem would miss us and we would miss them!
17 Dan4Toon // May 25, 2009 at 12:32 PM
Devastated but we will bounce straight back up our team should be
________Krul__________
Beye__S.Taylor__???__Fox
???__Guthrie_Nolan__Brunt
Carroll____Scotland
We need a Rm and a Cb if Bassong doesn’t stay because i don’t think he will but with addition of Brunt and Scotland we would have a really good chance of coming straight back up, i would make Scotland and Brunt our first 2 signings for about 3m and 4m each.
ANYONE ELSE AGREE ??
18 hitman // May 25, 2009 at 12:32 PM
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/nufc/newcastle-united-news/2009/05/25/duff-to-stay-and-make-amends-72703-23705877/
19 geist // May 25, 2009 at 12:37 PM
One of the reasons for our downfall this season, in my opinion, is the midfield. They have lacked pace, energy and creativity. We need midfielders who will run their socks off supporting the strikers quickly and we just didn’ t have that. There are many reasons for our downfall though and they all stem from poor decisions by mike ashley.
20 ObaFan2 // May 25, 2009 at 12:38 PM
Duff:
“It’s been a proper, proper football club for eight weeks, and it’s about time.”
I hate to think of the shambles we’ve all had to put up with before then… absolute joke and good to see the likes of Duff reacting like this.
Hope a few others follow suit.
So far:
S Taylor and Duff….. who’s next?
21 Toon_Factor // May 25, 2009 at 12:39 PM
hitman
Dont know weather i want Duff to stay or not, never been a fan of him but he might do better in the championship
22 Geordie Chris 2k9 // May 25, 2009 at 12:39 PM
Well this season has been seriously dissapointing for me tbh, i sat and watched the game at my m8s BBQ and seriously i struggled to hide my tears from all those grown men in silence. was so hard i tell u and as i needed a scapegoat i joined in a chorus of “Mike ashlleys a W*nker”
sums up the season to be honest, scapegoats and misery.
Serious overhaul in the summer lads im talkin bout the bench and probably all our class players (what little we have) gone.
————Harper———–
Beye-Taylor-colo(?)-enrique
jonas(?)-Guthrie-Nolan-Lovenkrands
——–Carrol-(little pacey striker)—————-
23 stjames // May 25, 2009 at 12:43 PM
Great article Ed!
AS really is a gem. No cheap apologies no simple fixes. On the verge of crying just the plain and hurting truth. That’s what we need now that’s what everybody needs always.
24 hitman // May 25, 2009 at 12:44 PM
do yous reckon we will here owt from the club today.
25 ObaFan2 // May 25, 2009 at 12:47 PM
hitman, I hope they take a while and think hard over the future of OUR club, I’d love the owner to sell up, if not then plan for the best of the club and not for him just to recoup some money!
26 geist // May 25, 2009 at 12:48 PM
Hitman…doubt it, being a bank holiday
27 hitman // May 25, 2009 at 12:49 PM
geist thats nowt m8,shearers at the training ground now.
28 Bill F // May 25, 2009 at 12:49 PM
I posted the following yesterday and decided to repeat it as it sums up some of my feelings.
Shocker with a capital S. Has some one on Tyneside upset a gypsy or something. We have had some abysmal luck and some equally abysmal reffing decisions, but for them we would have stayed up. Having said that many of the players were culpable as was management including Shearer. I can’t see why so may people want Martins kept on, ffs if he had put in even one of the many chances he had in the last few games (apart from the Borough one) we would have stayed up. First one out of the door for me and lets get as much as we can for the wan”er. We should have persisted with Carroll and chucked on some of the kids. All very easy in retrospect I know but I would bet we wouldn’t be looking at the likes of Scunthorpe and Peterborough for next season had we done so.
Still its going to be interesting to see everybodies wish lists for next season!!
The following is new comments.
The defence (sans Collicini) I think has been ok.
What we have lacked more than anything has been a decent playmaker. Butt has never been that sort of player. Martins and Owen looked to me that they could have played for a 180 minutes per game and still never found the back of the net (and the chances were there). A bit of risk by chucking on Carroll (starting games) and Ranger/Lua lua (as subs) may have been worth trying. Bit late now but a little bit of tactical speculation was worth a go. I just hope that the risks are taken next season, whoever takes over as manager.
29 Bill F // May 25, 2009 at 12:52 PM
Looks like my post is getting moderated again, can’t see why as it is a copy and post of last nights.
30 azim // May 25, 2009 at 12:53 PM
stop backing alan shearer.personally i dont rate shearer as manager. he had 2 relatively “point taking”home games against portsmouth, fulham but he failed. Under kinnear we were at least better at home and IMO we would be relegated if kinnear was a manager. In first place we should had appointed venables as manager once kinnear got heart attack. anyway for future i hope MA does not renew AS contract. My choice to manage this team is JEAN TIGANA. 54 years old, still 10 years left in his carrer and importantly he already experienced managing a first division team.
31 gibbotwg // May 25, 2009 at 12:53 PM
Players i think will stay are;
Harper, Duff, both Taylor’s, Nolan, Butt, Guthrie, Lovencrands, Viduka, Smith.
Players that will leave;
Enrique (hope he stays), Bassong, Owen, Martins, Colo, Beye, Jonas, Cacapa, Barton.
32 geist // May 25, 2009 at 12:54 PM
Hitman true, but i meant the site nufc.co.uk usually has off day on bank holidays. But i suppose we could here via another source.
33 Johann // May 25, 2009 at 12:54 PM
Shearer was awful this season, absoloutly awful. He needs to learn from this experience. He should have put more on the youngsters. He had a shit team and he knew it clearly but still he has no faith in our youngsters?
That was his chance to be bold. I expected him to be bold. When he was finally given a chance he scored a hattrick. There is no different though we are in a relegation battle. A young player has nothing to lose really and it´s good to see how they stand the pressure. We needed some life, speed and energy into our play. It seemed like no one was in shape.
34 Johann // May 25, 2009 at 12:55 PM
But I believe that Shearer will come good and I want him to stay. He just needs to learn quickly. And my opinion of him will be highlighted in some way in the team he chooses next season. Who he wants to stay. But WHEN we get up. The team he has then will decide my opinion. He better not rely on Nolan and Butt though he probably could in the championsship.
35 geist // May 25, 2009 at 12:56 PM
azim, shearer needs time to rebuild the squad; he couldnt perform miracles with a (mainly) pathetic squad.
36 geist // May 25, 2009 at 12:58 PM
gibbotwg, I would like to see butt, r.Taylor, possibly nolan leave as well.
37 jim // May 25, 2009 at 12:58 PM
geordiedoonsooth what u on about u ?? Butt, Guthrie, Duff, Nolan and Ryan Taylor and spiderman are all shite and to blame why were in this boat man! and harpers not a premiership keeper either!
38 Bill F // May 25, 2009 at 12:59 PM
Duff has been a revelation as LB, no big surprise to me as I was suggesting it from the start of the season. Definately one to keep for me. Be glad to see the back of Owen, Martin and Collicinni for starters. Shola might actually shine in the championship, probably be a good thing if he does as he aint going anywhere!!
39 Johann // May 25, 2009 at 1:00 PM
Harper just wasn´t the same this season as he was the last. No competition? I don´t know strange. But I hope he will come good next season, otherwise we have young keepers to replace him.
40 beyethegreat // May 25, 2009 at 1:01 PM
does any 1 else think the next couple of months coulld be the most important in the clubs history
41 Bill F // May 25, 2009 at 1:02 PM
Incidently I see that Owen has lost a huge wedge on his Dubai investments, probably had his mind on that rather than his game. Pathetic!!
42 geordie jock // May 25, 2009 at 1:03 PM
Now is the time for Mike Ashley to show just how much he really cares for our club. Shearer has to stay and rebuild and Ashley has to back him to the hilt. if Ashley fails to do this he is going to feel the wrath of the fans to a level he has not expeienced. He now has a chance to repay all the fans for his inexcusable mistakes or get the hell out of town very quickly. Never before have i witnessed such crap management or useless, heartless players as i have this season and i have followed the toon for nearly 50 years.
Ashley this has to be your final chance to do some good so please take it.
43 azim // May 25, 2009 at 1:03 PM
geist i agree with u but KK had a nearly same team last season but managed to keep us stayed in the league. under kinnear players have shown same passion to play and not under shearer. Shearer kept on picking his old pal and did not try any new. Jean Tigana would be best choice to manage this club. For the past 20 years we have managed by english , why not try european?
44 Johann // May 25, 2009 at 1:04 PM
Yep. This is the best thing that could have hpapened. I really wanted to this to some degree but at the same time it sucks that we are not playing in the top division against top teams. The championsship has another feeling to it but some games have been very entertaining there so I just look at this as an adventure. Now our youngsters will get a lot more chances. We have a big city behind the team this can´t really go wrong.
We´ll be back.
45 Bill F // May 25, 2009 at 1:06 PM
Beye, not really. Even with the squad we have we should be able to cope with the championship. Promotion is going to be the big ask. Just hope it will not take years again.
46 Shot Bru // May 25, 2009 at 1:09 PM
I’m not sure Shearer is the man for the manager’s job. I think he would be better suited as a sporting director/chairman. This would give him the opportunity to sort the club out from top to bottom, and be in charge of ALL footballing matters ie; choosing the next manager etc. Ashley needs an articulate football man to make sensible footballing decisions, because he is clearly out of his depth. Unfortunately i fear for us if Shearer walks away altogether.
47 Toonaholic // May 25, 2009 at 1:11 PM
why does everyon always forgetabout Xisco, when ever he played for the first team this seoson he did well, and i personally think if we keep him, he could be a key player next seoson. also guthrie in midfield. i think one of the promoted teams will most likely go for harper, and i hope he goes, nothing against him, but in my opinion the whole squad just needs a little freshioning up, i think its about time krul got his chance, he was awsome in the spl so who says he cant do the same in the championship? i think we should build the team around krul s.taylor guthrie and xisco for next seoson. and then buy some of the top players in the championship, we shouldnt have to much trouble attrackting them with our fans stadium and AS ofcourse if he stays, another good point about getting relegated is that we might actually get a trophy next seoson
if the mackems can do it then so can we 
48 Bill F // May 25, 2009 at 1:11 PM
I see my comments, post 28 has appeared.
Cheers Ed,
Incidently are you still going or have we had a reprieve.
49 magforlife // May 25, 2009 at 1:16 PM
Shearer is the only man for the job, he is one of us and cares, might be inexperienced but so what? He couldnt make a silk purse out of a sows arse with this rabble but he had the guts to have a go, what do you want, experience? We have had that in bundles with fat sam and souness and what a shambles that was, no im sorry, it has to be Alan.
50 geordie jock // May 25, 2009 at 1:18 PM
We need a clean sweep of the 1st team squad with only Beye, Bassong, S. Taylor and Enrique worth keeping (but will probably be sold to fill Ashleys pockets). Krul should be our no 1 keeper (Harper is shite) The midfield needs completely changing and have been the main cause of our problems ( no pace, no creativity no heart) Up front Owen, Martins etc couldn’t hit a barn door from 6 inches. Our youngsters have to be given a chance alongside some more experienced players we need to bring in. Maybe just maybe we can come through this.
51 bowburnmag // May 25, 2009 at 1:23 PM
To bring some dignity and pride back to the club we need staff with dignity and pride. Particularly, in a difficult division like The Championship, we need professional, honest and determined individuals. We need people like Gavin Peacock, David Kelly, Paul Bracewell, John Beresford, Brian Kilcline, Darren Peacock, Les Ferdinand, Robert Lee, to name but a few. People who in recent years even with no previous affiliation to the club, nonetheless became cult heroes not only because of their ability but due to their attitude and character. Players from whom you knew what you would get everytime they crossed that white line. Players (characters) you grew to love, even if you didn’t rate them technically. The new breed are out there, we just need to find them.
52 Shot Bru // May 25, 2009 at 1:30 PM
Majorlife, the fact that Shearer is one of us shouldn’t qualify him to do the job. Benitez, Ferguson and Wenger had no affiliation to their current clubs before they joined up. You’re right we’ve had experienced managers before like Souness, Allardyce, Kinnear etc. chosen by people who know nothing about the game, thats why i suggested Shearer might be better as a sporting director rather than a manager.
53 hitman // May 25, 2009 at 1:37 PM
this should be a fun day out.
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/cardiff-city-fc/2009/05/25/shear-agony-but-newcastle-will-head-for-wales-91466-23702792/
54 bowburnmag // May 25, 2009 at 1:44 PM
hitman – there’ll be some tasty away games, that’s for sure.
55 Michael12 // May 25, 2009 at 2:05 PM
I am sorry Ed but how have you established that Shearer is bringing back “dignity” and all these other intangible things? You all react and talk about how Shearer’s heart was broken and that he almost Shed tears. Well we almost survived yesterday but as we know especially now almost is not enough. Perhaps he regreted the fact that he was so close to getting that bumper £1 million.
What I find lamentable is the lack of tactics Shearer exhibited. He talked the talk, and miserably failed to walk the walk. HE rightly identified 3 home games 2 of which were very winnable Portsmouth and Middlesbro’ yet he took 4 of a possible nine points and a single point from the other five.
The Man brought motivation but that was where it ended. I have always said and this has made it evident that heart, guts, commitment are nothing if they are not applied properly.
We went into games with a predefined formation regardless of what the opposition did. Shearer needs to get his badges because this is what you learn there. A match is not a isolated instance but it is alive and Darwin says: “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change”
Fergie over the years at the helm of Manchester united has managed different teams and has always been competitive why, because he is the most responsive to change.
Ahsley should know, this was no time for a novice, Shearer should have known that but his arrogance in thinking “how hard can it be”
I am sorry but our future is with someone who knows the job, someone responsive to change. Even in the Championship, a lack of tactics will be punished. Ashley should bring in someone capable not fan favorites there is too much politics in this game and Ashley is trying to please the fans at every turn.
Shearer is a popular decision there is no doubt but not all popular decisions are correct nor are correct decisions popular!
He made a popular decision in bringing KK back and I am sure now we know it was not a correct decision. He made a popular decision in Sacking Wise (Who brought in good youth as much as you hate him you cannot deny this) and then another popular decision in inviting Shearer who has no credentials managerially and offering him a Million if we stay plus a very good remuneration. With that Money we could have brought in Guus Hiddink or someone of not too dissimilar caliber but again to appease the fans he brought in someone to be popular.
I am simply sorry but It is time for Mike to make a correct decision not a popular one.
I also think as fans we should look to our own conscience. The protests against Ashley forced him in this popularity contest.
56 ObaFan2 // May 25, 2009 at 2:10 PM
I’ll protest till I’m blue in the face, the owner has killed and ripped the heart out of this club and the shambles playing yesterday just showed how much effect he’s had on the team.
57 Toon_Ksk (Huh? u mean David Craig is real?) // May 25, 2009 at 2:23 PM
Shearer knows what the problems are with this club, he is the person who will give this club a restructuring which will be best for the club in the long run.
My only concern is with tactics and his style of football. Since his taking over, more often that not, the club has been playing direct football and long balls. I would like to see the ball played more on the ground and the team keeping possession. Saying that I do not Joe Kinnear as well.
Ketsbaia is intelligent and has shown to be tactically very good in the Champions League considering how far his average Cypriot club has progressed. However I’m not sure Mike Ashley will be wise enough to employ him. Mike Ashley always make the wrong decisions considering that he has not had any experience running a football club. I would fault him for past mistakes, but I hope he can learn to be wiser this time on who will manage the club.
58 Toon_Ksk (Huh? u mean David Craig is real?) // May 25, 2009 at 2:26 PM
Some of you are taking a cheap shots at Shearer with the “I told you so, he won’t make it”. Had we survived you will say exactly the opposite.
59 Paul141726 // May 25, 2009 at 2:34 PM
I don’t know if Shearer should be kept on or not. I want him to be the gaffer we all would like him to be, but 8 games is never enough to find this out. If Ashley and the fans are willing to accept the fact that stability is key to our situation, than whoever takes the reins (not Kinnear) can do some good. I don’t care what style of football we play, but get in the players ANY manager needs to play that style. So much of our squad this year and last were square pegs trying to be fit into round holes. The “old” style hold-up game can still be played or you can play a more European-style game based on individual player skill. You can even play both styles depending on your opposition, but not without that type of player. To me, it just always looked like we were at 6’s and 7’s as to what to do. Add to this the total lack of team size and speed especially in midfield and we were never going to be anything but what we became-relegation fodder.
60 workyticket // May 25, 2009 at 3:48 PM
Bill F // May 25, 2009 at 12:52 PM
“Looks like my post is getting moderated again, can’t see why as it is a copy and post of last nights.”
Bill,
WordPress (the system used for this ‘blog) will be picking it up as a repeat comment, even though it failed to publish the first one. If you have this problem again, try changing just a few details of your comment and see how it goes.
61 xfer // May 25, 2009 at 4:16 PM
Well said Ed, what you said made sense and made me feel a hell lot better. Cheers
You must log in to post a comment.