An early posting this week as I am off to Baltimore to participate in the FSC show live on Thursday evening from the NSCAA annual convention. Steve McClaren and Gerard Houllier will in attendance although I am not sure when they are scheduled to arrive. I will be back on a plane early Friday in order to get back to do the Friday show.
Because of this the weekend preview normally posted on Thursday evening will be sketchy at best this week.
Djnima - What are your thoughts on the Brazilian trio of Ronaldo, Pato and Kaka? It was a joy to see Pato's tears when his contribution brought Milan their first home win. Can you see Milan going on a run and making fourth in Serie A? Do you see Rafa getting the axe in the summer or before? I think he should be given the remainder of the season. Terminating him sooner would be a mistake. Could you see Mourinho popping up in the Prem next season? Maybe United or Liverpool?
Bobby – I would not be getting too carried away with the Brazilian trio at this time. Kaka is the only one at this point that can be relied upon as a consistent threat. The chances of Ronaldo playing from now until season’s end has to be considered remote while Pato has not played thirty professional games.
Every team in Italy on the top teams in Europe are going through the game against Napoli looking for Pato’s strengths and weaknesses and his habits good and bad. One thing is guaranteed and that is that Pato good sides will not grant him the freedom that Napoli did. He obviously has a ton of natural talent but I think the expectations being placed on plus the reaction to Napoli win have been ridiculous.
Fourth place is a realistic aim for Milan even though they are currently 12th. After 15 games they have the same number of points as last year and they finished with 61 points. However, it might take a couple more points this time. The 4th place finishers in Serie A since 2002 have finished with 61 points, 67, 66, 62, 54 and 61 (2002-2004 were 34 game seasons so I have pro-rated the points). Udinese are currently tracking at a rate that would give them 68 points.
Milan plays Udinese this weekend so that is an important match for both clubs. A concern for Milan might be the number of games they might be facing because of the three games in hand in Serie A.
In terms of your Rafa and Mourinho questions the answers can be yes, no or a mix. There are far too many twists, turns and downright weirdness in the game to pontificate on the future based on what is in place today. It’s fine saying that terminating would be a mistake but would you say the same thing if they get knocked out of the FA Cup, loss their next three league games and get stuffed by Inter Milan? Mourinho will resurface in the Premiership but who knows when. Circumstances will dictate that.
MasMaz - Wenger should sign Beckham on loan. He sure could have used him on Saturday. The game was calling for some good balls into the box with Ade, Bendtner, Gallas and Eduardo. Some of those corners were atrocious by Fabregas. Becks doesn't play any less defense than Walcott anyway.
Bobby – Even if Wenger was interested it’s more than a case of the Galaxy not allowing it. As I understand it FIFA regulations don’t allow players to flit between federations on loan deals. There are proscribed periods which would mean if he did go out on loan he would miss part of Galaxy season. Over the years Beckham has always shown great positional sense and has defended well – he’s never been a great tackler but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t defend.
CIAO - I'm interested to know what you think of Klinsmann's move to Bayern. It appears he as already attracted Borowski to make the move in the summer on a free transfer. I'm curious to see how the Kahn and Sepp Maier, the goal keeping Coach who Jurgen fired while coaching the NT because he publicly backed Kahn over Lehmann. Do you think Kahn will retire this summer or move to another club? Also are there are players you would like to see move to Bayern? And are there any other players you see that need to move on?
With all in mind, is Kevin Keegan the best choice for Newcastle right now? As some of the media reports they could appoint Alan as his assistant so he gains experience. Whoever gets the job will need a lot of patience from the owner and fans.
Bobby – Bayern would not have signed Klinsmann without discussing these kinds of issues so no matter what course of action he takes it should come as no surprise to the club executive. I would be surprised if Kahn moves to another club in order to delay his retirement.
The question of picking players I would like to see moving to Bayern seems to be predicated on me caring who Bayern Munich signs – which I don’t. Bayern started their housecleaning last summer – two seasons to late – so I am sure that there are some who still have to be shipped out. I have only seen Bayern play sporadically this season so I’m probably not a reliable source for who should be punted.
Keegan might be the romantics choice but times have changed and I don't think he would be able to replaicate the great performances of the 90s. Whta's more with Kevin Keegan it always seems to end in tears. If Alan Shearer wants to be a manager then he should go out and work at it and learn the trade.
Craigy_f – 1. Do you own any replica shirts - if so which ones? 2. Who, if anyone, did you swap your shirt with? 3. Your take on Pato's debut, Ronaldo's (and Ronaldo's Hair) return and Arsenal's task in the CL. 4. Seems like the SFA is whittling things down, has your former view changed? 5. Scudamore refutes Blatter - who do you tend to side with. 6. Boys and their toys - some that stand out are Gibson and Walker, Briatore, Ashley, Abramovic. There is a new breed of owner who seems to have 'done it all on Championship Manager' and now wants to do it for real. Do you have any opinions thoughts concerning that? 7. No Couch at The Riverside (apart from the possibility of him acting as a security guard) why do you think he didn't even travel with the team?
Bobby –1. There might be some more tucked away in storage in the basement but the only one that I see regularly is one I was sent from Scotland when Tayport played Linlithgow Rose in the Scottish Junior Cup Final a few years ago. 2. I once offered to exchange shirts with a member of the Canadian national senior team but was turned down. I should probably add it was the women’s team and we were an over 35 (I think) men’s team that was asked to play them as part of a training camp that they held locally. 3. Good but excessive exuberance. 4. Sentiment seems to be moving towards Mark McGhee. In all honesty I don’t think I would have a problem with McGhee, Davies or Burley. Burns leaves me cold and Souness worries me. 5. It reminds me of the remark attributed to Fergie – You have Posh ####e and Wenger in a room, you have a gun and one bullet. What do you do? Fergie – ask for another bullet.
Both are spinning frantically with the truth of it somewhere in the middle. Blatter wants to turn the clock back not because it will improve the game but because he fears the power of the clubs and the possibility that it might affect the cash cow that it is the World Cup.
Meanwhile Scudamore conveniently forgets that one of the major reasons put forward in support of the formation of the Premiership was how it would help the national team by – amongst other things – cutting the top flight to sixteen teams.
The truth is that a pittance of what the Premiership genertes is making is making its way to the grassroots. What is more there appears to be a wealth of evidence that the Premiership has alienated an entire generation of fans who can no longer afford to attend Premiership games. The Premiership is a boomers league or pretty dam close.
6. If you’re goals is the pursuit of wealth and status (as a league) then you should not be surprised when big (and often ruthless money) is attracted as well. Without a proper process to vet owners then you get what you deserve.
As fans we can enjoy the spectacle each week but Premiership teams have in many cases become playthings as you correctly point out . Or worse, vehicles for financial speculation. If the Arabs (I was surprised Dundee United have that kind of money!) do buy Liverpool and Hicks and Gillett make off with a substantial profit then it will only lead to more speculative investment. We also see it trickling down to Championship team who are available for relatively little money.
7. I think Crouch’s situation – whatever the reason – has been overshadowed by the draw followed by the Klinsmann revelation.
Bonmot -- Any recent news on Americans moving to the Premiership this month?
Bobby – I doubt anything that you have no read elsewhere. Johnson still talking to Fulham and a move for Benny Feilhaber from Derby to Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Redfan2000 - If you were gaffer against Villa which Liverpool 11 would you play?
Bobby – Call me a traditionalist but I would go for the best eleven. One thing about playing against Villa you know what to expect.
You need to shut down the supply to Young and match Carew physically. Agbonlahor’s pace is a concern and giveaway as few set pieces as possible. I looks to me that Villa’s primary weakness is at full back especially if they can be coaxed forward and leaving space behind them. But I think the same is true for Liverpool.
Finnan and Riise especially give the ball away far too cheaply and their crossing as been generally poor this season. Either way the game might be won or lost (or drawn) in the wide positions.
Henry14 – Q 1 Last week you dogged my question on the somewhat rascist statements that they pour at foreigners as if they are illegal immigrants. In any line of work other than football you are reprimanded or fired for such comments. Q 2 What your view on Walcott, and do you think Wenger is satisfied with his progress? Q 3 Who do you think will win the African Cup of Nations? Q 4 - If you had a club with a managerial vacancy, who would you have, Klinsmann or Benitez?
Bobby – Q 1 - First of all I think – I hope – you meant dodged rather than dogged. Dogged is what Stan Collymore got up to wasn't it? And I am not going to answer your question because it wasn’t a question it was a statement with a question mark on the end of it.
Q2 – Walcott is 18 - give the kid a break. At times he plays as if his body is out of sync with his brain but that will sort itself out with experience. He has fantastic pace and is able to turn defenders. Give him time and he will be a very good player. You really need to ask Wenger but the fact that he plays him or has him coming into games regularly of the bench is probably an indication that he has confidence in him.
Q 3 – I don’t know about picking a winner but I will be watching South Africa with interest.
Q 4 – Depends on the club, the country, the financial situation, the expectations, the history, the culture. Otherwise you are running the risk of fitting a square peg in a round hole. Appointing a manager in football is the same as in any other business. If you don’t understand your needs and the environment then you are more likely to make an expensive mistake.
Ringo - I never did understand that whole Clydebank/Airdrie situation a few years ago. Could you explain what happened, how could one team go bust buy another team and replace them? And any idea what happened to the Clydebank supporters?
Bobby – You’re testing my memory on this one. I think you have to go to the mid 60s. There was some sort of agreement between East Stirlingshire (a team in the Scottish League at that time) and Clydebank who were a Junior club with ambition.
It did not work out but shortly after Clydebank were elected to the Scottish League (2nd division at that time). It may have been to replace Third Lanark. Airdrieonians (great name) were also part of the Scottish League and had been for a very longtime.
I think the Steadman brothers were the movers and shakers behind Clydebank and by the mid 70s they had a Clydebank team (Davie Cooper prominent) good enough to gain promotion to the first incarnation of the Scottish Premier League which was formed in 1974 (?).
Fast forward to the early part of this decade and Airdrie went bankrupt only to be reformed under the name Airdrie United. But they had no place to play as they lost their place in the league when they declared bankruptcy.
They applied for a place under their new name but were refused. At the same time Clydebank were experiencing financial and attendance problems. The owners of Airdrie United stepped forward offered to buy Clydebank and had it approved by the SFL.
They then applied to rename the team Airdrie United and move the team to Airdrie. From what I understand a reconstituted Clydebank is now back in the Junior ranks.
As for the Clydebank supporter – I think he is still around.
VVV, I fare no better at getting laughs via this format
Redfan, clearly that's not the team that will play Luton.
However, I think that perhaps it should be. Crouch and Kewell start to allow some window shopping (rumors are that they may be sold to fund Mascherano, though Kewell should only be allowed to leave if another winger is purchased). I would give a few kids a chance. Only then will a Robbie Fowler/Michael Owen type of player be found. From all indications, Nemeth is a good prospect, Insua has played already and people are still bullish on him, Spearing is being touted as a Carragher/Gerrard type of player (read, passionate) and El Zhar has been impressive. If Luton's strapped team can't be beat by that team, it would be sad.
REDSTUFF
Verbal - I agree, If Liverpool need to bring all guns to bear to beat Luton (smegged up and shedding players at a horrendous rate) at home then things really are much worse than they seem.
Maybe I wouldn't quite dip as far into the youth/reserve side as you. A manager with stones would do that, perhaps.
So the Liverpool first team (injuries taken into account) is picked and hammers Luton with 7 or 8 goals; this proves what? In fact if the aforementioned first team only manage a couple fo goals and Luton score then they look even worse then they already do (Torres aside).
I mean Luton aren't all that difficult, even we managed to beat them at Kenilworth Road. So a huge powerful and red club like yourself taking two goes to beat them... :)
Verbal-The youngsters shouldn't be brought out against Championship opposition in the FA Cup. Maybe the Carling Cup or if it was a third division side or lower but thats too much of a risk!
HATTERS
Last few games -
Luton 1 - 3 Swansea
Luton 1 - 1 Liverpool (FA CUP)
Luton 1 - 0 Yeovil(8th)
Port Vale(21st) 1-2 Luton
The Gas(15th) 1-1 Luton
Luton 1 - Tranmere (10th)
Cheltenham(19th) 1 - 0 Luton
Luton 1 - 0 Forest(2nd) (FA CUP)
LGB - Lah!
They are a League One side!
They currently sit on 23 points from 24 games
Four players (including the club captain) have jumped ship recently and they may struggle to field anything other than a stand in 'keeper.
You have to go back quite a ways to actually have a Third Division :P
Bobby there was some discussion about Walcott and his abiities. I too believe it is too early to tell in what kind of player Walcott is going to develop. I any case, I was wondering what position do you think he is best suited for. I see him as a winger rather than a striker. He has certainly the pace for it and has played at that position more often than striker.
Last edited by Sleeper000 on January 15th at 2:10 PM.
Looks like the G-14 was officially dissolved today. I wonder if FIFA agreed to compensate clubs who have players injured whle on international duty, as part of the deal.
Well 5-0; smiles all round; Gerrard score an hatrick; created tons of chances; showed lots of nerves in front of goal and the Kop were noticeably vocal.
Worryingly only Babel socred from the strikers, of whom 4 played.
It was a good work out and we needed one. More than anything we can go into the Villa game with some goals behind us as a team. We are still in the FA cup and I sincerely hope we meet Havant and Waterlooville in round 4.
I am very very glad Luton have a buyer and that they also got half a million quid from this replay.
A good night for Luton and us and now Villa.
Bobby you allude to a first eleven at Liverpool, but failed to tell us who yours would be, from the pool of players available right now.
I totally agree, and have mentioned it often here, with Babel and Torres up front and hope we see it soon.
Didier Deschamps is the latest 4-1 fav for the Newcy job. I hope he likes brown ale.
Ged says he's staying in Paris. Wise man.
VVV you are right the Sky news says that the G14 is disbanded and a new representative body for all UEFA affilliated leagues is formed on paper. Players injured on international duty will be compensated, all this as part of an agreement, albeit on paper, announced this evening.
Last edited by redfan2000 on January 15th at 4:35 PM.
BLUESTUFF
DM continues to build with the signing of U17 player Dan Gosling.
ENGLAND U17
England U17 managed to make the final of the U17 European Competition this summer
Clubs represented at this level are
'Boro - 3
Chelsea - 3
Leicester - 2
Arsenal - 3
Brum - 1
Hammers - 1
Spurs - 1
Mancs - 1
Palace - 1
Bristol City - 1
Huddersfield - 1
Everton - 1
Colchester - 1
Fulham - 1
Toon - 1
Player to watch in the next couple of years perhaps.
THE TEAMS ON 39 POINTS & THEIR LAST 12 PL GAMES
..........W..D..L..PTS
Everton...8..2..2..26
Villa.....7..2..3..23
Liverpool.5..5..2..20
Man City..4..5..3..17
LGB :)
REDSTUFF
Not bad against a keeper carrying an injury and an ex red. Swansea might be tougher opposition. As will the Villa.
Perhaps the burden of not having the captaincy may be a more permanent thing or will he get it back on the weekend?
Babel looked better when he came through the middle!
AZZURI
This is what Donadoni's side have to face on the road to SA in 2010
September 6, 2008 – Cyprus (A)
September 10, 2008 – Georgia (H)
October 11, 2008 – Bulgaria (A)
October 15, 2008 – Montenegro (H)
March 28, 2009 – Montenegro (A)
April 1, 2009 – Republic of Ireland (H)
September 5, 2009 – Georgia (A)
September 9, 2009 – Bulgaria (H)
October 10, 2009 – Republic of Ireland (A)
October 14, 2009 – Cyprus (H)
SERIE A
Maniche signs for Inter to ease their midfield injury woes.
BOBBY
Said on FSC last night that a win and loss is better than two draws. Points wise certainly but moralewise?
Last edited by craigy_f on January 15th at 5:49 PM.
bobby what do you think of robert green. i think he is the best english keeper and should be given a shot at england. They should start him now, in games where there is no pressure, so he gets used to playing for england. Secdon, do you think arsenal should buy him? they need a keeper (almunia has been good but we need world class), i think they should wait until this year or next, when he has experience before putting him.
thirdly, what happened to taylor, the reserve arsenal keeper that made his debut for arsenal against manchester utd?
Craigy_f - Morale wise you want the most points you can get. You are going to have a tough time convincing me that a team with four draws sitting two points behind a team with with two wins and two draws has better morale. If they do then they are dilussional.......and possibly heading for relegation.
Last edited by BobbyMcMahon on January 15th at 7:02 PM.
frenchking2012 - He has played well so far but I have never been overly impressed by him to be honest. If you are looking for a world class keeper then Robert Green isn't a name that would make many lists. Stewart Taylor is currently second or third choice behind Scott Carson at Villa. I thought he had a future at Arsenal but it was not the case. He looks as if he might be a career second choice in the Premiership.
Sleeper000 - I think both Harry Rednapp and Arsene Wenger have both been quoted as saying that they think Walcott's future is in a central position rather than wide. That however is long term.
BOBBY
Points mean prizes - anything else is merely window dressing - I was just throwing out a hypothetical question to see what response I got.
Although your response broadens the issue. I was only interested in the morale over two games. Over more the maths will kill you. But over two...
EFC loss to Arsenal then a win at Boro
LFC draw at City then a draw against Wigan
Between different teams the response would depend upon expectation.
MFC draw against Spurs then a draw against Reading
as opposed to a Win at Pompey then a loss to Everton
What about Southgate's team talks and coaching - how would it differ after two draws as opposed to a loss and a win.
This is the THING that interests me most, the other stuff is academic.
What would your take be on the Boro example?
SLEEPER000 and BOBBY
There does seem to be a "thing" about "wide" players moving into the centre to be more effective, (does it ever happen in reverse?)
I'm just not sure that's always the best, a few eg's
Beckham better crossing than in the middle
Giggs always brill wide
Arteta, l or r but not through the middle
cahill - always through the middle and occasionally wide
Babel, tough one, l r or c he has pros and cons
walcott, all that pace through the middle, i dunno if it wouldn't be a waste.
Zanetti, best wide but no slouch in the centre
gerrard, can be poor in the middle and good wide or can be excellent in the middle
henry rooney - both players can operate wide or thriough the middle.
Figo - wide with a drift inwards
No one ever says downing would be better in the
CONTINUED.
No one ever says downing would be better in the middle or that cesc would do well out wide.
Although after looking at my examples the best I can come up with is "IT DEPENDS"
Thoughts please!
bobby: I know that you don't want criticism of the channel on here, but i'm new to the internet and really short on time and need to get something off my chest (and this was the first forum for comment I found). I have been watching the footy news on FSWC for about 5 years now, night in, night out. However, now that I am on-line and have access to the only (in my opinion) worthwhile element of the report (you), I believe that I will shortly be cancelling my cable subscription. The reason: the constant and super-irritating lack of preparedness and professionalism on the part of those fools you share the desk with. Michelle Lissel's coughing fits were annoying enough (to say nothing of her "i'm on a soccer show, i'd better find a favorite team. Who's the best team? Chelsea? Ok. They're it." approach to being footy-centric). Mitch Peacock is absolutely bloodless and reeks of being Born-Again. Derek is an overgrown child, but at least he does his homework. The Portugeezer is the real achilles heel, though. "Chetch" and "Sibereski" were bad enough for a full season, but his trouble with comprehension and enunciation pail beside his general lack of understanding of the game. Tonight, while commenting on the West Brom v Charlton FA Cup replay he repeatedly referred to the aggregate score. Jesus #### Christ, man, it makes me want to tear my hair out. And shame on the producers who let this guy go on camera when he is clearly not up to the task. Sheesh! Besides yrself, there is one positive about the show. Jeremy is a true broadcasting pro who has just gotten better and better ov
Bobby,
Although I think it is ridiculous to think Arsenal would ever want Becks on loan for the winter, are you sure there are rules against it? Didn't Henrik Larsson do just that for Man U last year? Go on loan while Sweden were on their winter break, then leave to rejoin his Swedish team in March.
By the way, I have been watching Fox Soccer Report since day one, and, although, I think some of the hosts are better than others, I think they all add something to the mix. There is no doubt Bobby is the man to see (and that is not just because I was born in Dundee), but I, personally, enjoy the humour and spontaneity of the show. Carlos may butcher a few names, but I think he is funny, and his "not taking it all too seriously" style is refreshing. Mitch has a delightfully dry sense of humour; Derek is a little boisterous, but passion is never a bad thing; Jeremy is the consummate pro, and a good straight man for the others. Most of all, the show is from Winnipeg, and that can't be bad.
Dix;
Sure glad you tuned in; being new to the internet and short of time and all.
Do you really think anyone gives a Flying F*** if you pull the plug on the cable?
What makes you so perfect? What would your boss or manager have to say about your performances and work ethic?
The FSR crew many not be as gifted as you but on any given night they get most of it right and are frequently good for a laugh.
Relax mate and enjoy the show. If you can’t do that, then either click away or cancel your sub.
I mean after 5 years your still watching: Why? Brain dead!!
Let’s see now: Who shall we vote for tosser of the week on the blog?
GSfromWinnipeg - It does get very complicated but you have to remember that Larsson to United was still a deal done within the same federation (UEFA) while a Beckham deal would be involve a CONCACAF country and UEFA. Although we talk a lot about the transfer window there is also some localized differences around the world in order to take specific circumstances into consideration.
Not sure what to make of Rafa playing a near full strength team last night.
and don't underestimate Havant and Waterlooville ,it's never easy playing two teams.
Capello being investigated for tax fraud ,isn't that all part of being Italian?
Hey, Thierry14: "...on any given night they get most of it right." Yeah, right. So does Paul Robinson. Part of my comment was cut off, the part where I revealed that my true beef against the hosts of the FSR was that they, en masse, predicted that Everton would be relegated in the 2004-05 season. A season that culminated in the Toffees finishing 4th, one place ahead of the Pinkies. Fourth place with Beattie and Marcus Bent as the top two strikers! Rafa couldn't carry Davey Moyes' jockstrap.
yes, because in order to speak intelligently on the sport, one has to be close to perfect with their predictions. As others have said, if you don't like the FSR, don't watch it. But stop wasting space here complaining about it because it doesn't really add anything to the party. Feel free to comment on other goings-on, but it's futile to complain about sports show hosts.
Ringo...Rafa played the team to give Jamie Carragher a good night on his 500th. He also played them because they needed a match with a little fun injected after a poor run of draws.
Still I winced as Crouch, clear through twice with no one to beat passed istead of shooting. How badly has his confidence been shattered recently to play like that?
It was a good work out and with Villa this weekend we needed that.
I am puzzled how the employment laws might have so changed that someone can be sacked after they have resigned. Instructed not to come to work fine but if Blackwell tendered his resignation on paper they will have to pay him until the date of his resignation surely? There again perhaps he was made redundant? Seems to get more farcical as it gets nearer to a reslution. Anyway I hope Mr Blackwell gets a new job soon.
Turkish side Fenerbahce showing they are pure class...
http://www.uefa.com/competitions/uc l/news/kind=1/newsid=646570.html>
This is the perfect opportunity for any club to make a move for Appiah and help him out of injury.
I've been away and mostly offline visiting family in Brazil -- saw 3 games at the Maracana and 3 others in Sao Paulo. Wonderful to immerse myself again in a football-loving country, it's been awhile.
Right then, a question for Bobby, re Adebayor. Arsenal fans constantly debate about his worth and value to the team. There are those who trash him regularly, those who praise him for his improvement this season and those who go back and forth. I've never rated him much and I'm still very skeptical of him. Yes, he's scored a lot of goals for Arsenal this season but when I look at ManU, Chelsea and Liverpool (not to mention Bolton with Anelka), I see strikers that I know are really dangerous and effective. Drogba, Rooney, Torres -- and Adebayor. For me, there's no contest. Constantly offside, horribly wasteful in front of goal, and sometimes too selfish. When I watch him, I never see him as much of a threat. Tho it's true that defenders like Terry and Ferdinand have been quoted as saying that Adebayor gives them the most trouble in the league.
I do know what he does bring: enormous work rate, holds up the ball very well, great technique. So, Bobby, what do you think of him? How would you rate him as a striker now, and do you see him having any greater potential? Many gooners (not me) routinely say that Wenger should just get rid of him because he'll never be good enuf, do you think that's fair? And I have to ask, how do you compare his quality to Crouch? :-)
honestly, I think the jury is out on whether or not Keegan's appointment is good or bad. Either way I do not care much about Newcastle. I just hope he doesn't waste players like Emre for the likes of Butt...
I think Bobby made a good point re Keegan: "...with Kevin Keegan it always seems to end in tears."
The Italian press are reporting that Chris Coleman has lost his post in Spain. A day late, he could have taken the Newcastle job like Atleti recommended.
Oh F*** me....... Wrong, wrong, wrong!
They call this a decision for the good of the club?
What are they thinking?
This goes beyond desperation.
Ashley may as well have listened to the other half of the desperate English press and called in whinging Shearer.
Is Ashley's vision that limited and/or that out of touch?
Surely there were better options available despite the concerns over the near term fixture list.
Deschamps? Coleman? Where fore art thou?
This won't end in tears it will end in suicide!!
I'm gutted.
Last edited by Mags4Me on January 16th at 9:45 AM.
I don't see Keegan at the Magpies as a big problem. It seems to me he never gets fired, he just quits when the job gets too tough. Judging from recent history, he will have to quit within the next month to avoid being fired.
I must admit, hiring Keegan definitely shows Ashley is not going to change Newcastle's fortunes. What happened to taking the time to make the right appointment? Didier Deschamps was certainly an intriguing idea and would have at least showed some real ambition and desire to try a new direction. Keegan seems like a panic move. Maybe Robson should come in as a consultant too.
Did you see Shearer's comments, something like "I want to be the manager some day." As has been said, until they hire and fire him, no one else will ever be given complete confidence.
Why do all the Everton supporters on this sight seem so up tight?
DanielGregg: Who complains about Adebayor? Those who do are..stupid! That guy scores and creates problems for defenders and keepers...in the air, ball at his feet or on the volley. I would trade him straight up for Tevez any day and even (dare I say it?)Rooney. The biggest compliment for Adebayor is that has anyone missed Henry? Arsenal is as at the top of the table (kind of hee hee. got to love GD)and I haven't heard anyone bemoan the loss of Thiery...except the nutty supporters. People who say he's selfish are again...stupid. What the h@^% do they want in a striker?
neophyte, Really? I thought the Arsenal supporters are the more uptight here. You would hesitate to swap Rooney for Adebayor straight up? Rooney is the most over-rated striker around; yes, even more than Crouch :)
TOON
OMG is Ashley that smegging stoopid! Even Ant & Dec would have been a better choice!
Can't go cross the same bridge twice.
MAGS4ME
Condolences mate!
CAPELLO
Basically much of Italian football owes huge sums of dosh in back taxes - so it's not really such a suprise that a high profile name is being used as a headline.
TOON TWO
Position 11th - played 22 W7 D5 L10 GD-12 PTS 26
Last few
2-2 at home by Derby
1-0 loss @ Wigan
2-1 loss at the Bridge
2-0 home loss to city
1-1 away draw in fa cup to Stoke (
6-0 hammering at Old Trafford
- how are things going to go with these games
stoke at home in fa cup
bolton at home
at Arsenal
home to boro
at villa
home to man u
home to blackburn
at anfield
at brum
home to fulham
worst case that's maybe a wins against stoke bolton and fulham and a couple of draws, being six points above the first relegation place today is a manager with a track record of exciting football anything other than ludicrous.
Before you think about exciting think about the real possibility of the Championship!
MAGS4ME TWO
Thoughts mate?
Don't worry though,
Peacock
Lawrenson
Lineker
Waddle all seem positive.
BLUESTUFF
DM is no closer to finally having a number two, although having grown up eating haggis and Mrs Miggins Shortbreads he actually has a "stomach and digestive system of iron" and is unlikely to have a number two before the end of the season. After that expect a diamond.
"Think the scene where Austin Powers finally wakes up!"
NEOPHYTE - please qualify up tight!
Thankyou so much in advance!
dixsteele - The FSR crew did not en masse select Everton for relegation in 2004/05. Not even close. One person perhaps. I will check my notes next week - but if that is your main beef then you have been carrying it around by mistake for nearly four years - time to let it go maybe?
My condolences, Mags4Me. I really enjoy Newcastle United and my son supports the team (I think because they always seem to be involved in exciting games).
I'm guessing RINGO is right -- Ashley is playing to the punters with this selection. During his first spin at St. James, I really enjoyed Keegan's brand of attacking football but the game has changed substantially since he left Manchester City and I'm not sure whether he'll be able to adapt to today's Premiership. Michael Owen made his distaste for Keegan very clear in his autobiography, claiming the England coach tried to turn him into another Keegan rather than letting him be himself.
Welcome back! I'm an Adebayor supporter. For me, he's the closest thing to Drogba in the Premiership. He's great in the air, holds up the ball very well, is a willing runner with good vision and great technique (even though he suffers from the odd loose touch). If anything, he's a little too unselfish for my taste. And more than a couple of those offsides have been shown to be poor decisions.
For me, his finishing isn't the best but neither is Rooney's. He missed four easy chances against Newcastle and reminds me of Andy "one in four" Cole far more than Adebayor (although Rooney is much, much better player than Cole).
It's ludicrous to compare Adebayor to Crouch. In fact, Adebayor would probably be the perfect partner for Torres because he's far more mobile than Crouch and much better in the air. Oh, and possesses better vision, strength and technique.
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