31st May 2005
Q: With Kluivert, Milner, Carr and Butt brought in during
the Summer of 2004, what were your expectations at the start of the
season?
Like most people I believed the capture of Butt and Kluivert in particular
were a statement of real intent from this club. However, the reality
was that out of the three of them Carr has been the best. That says
it all really. After reaching the UEFA Cup Semi the previous year
and attracting players such as the calibre of Kluivert I really thought
we had a chance of bridging the gap and getting back in the top four.
How wrong was I?
Q: Many back then at the time were calling for Sir Bobby's
head - were you one of them?
No, not at the start of the season anyway. I felt Sir Bobby Robson
should maybe have been kept on at the club in some capacity, be it
director of football or whatever. However, this decision should have
been made at the end of last season and not at the start. I don't
believe Robson would have taken us down, he would have sorted it out,
he was too shrewd. I think the timing of his sacking just shows that
Shepherd and co. still go mad in August and have not learnt from the
Dalglish/Gullit scenario this club had to endure when they were sacked
at the same time of the season.
Q: We had our usual great start to the season and the usual
happened - Sir Bobby was sacked a few games in; who was your preferred
choice of manager to replace him?
At the time I was like everyone else, wanting the big name managers
but knowing we wouldn't land them. You then start thinking who wants
the job and it appeared nearly every manager in the Premiership was
approached until Souness jumped at the chance to leave Blackburn Rovers.
Personally I would have liked to see David O'Leary take charge, I
just admired his brand and style of football with the youngsters when
he was at Leeds and with our crop of young talent , I think he would
have nurtured it.
Q: Your initial thoughts on Graeme Souness' appointment?
I was in Lancashire at the time and had BBC Radio Lancashire on when
I heard the news. First and foremost I was totally shocked and utterly
bewildered. He was nowhere near the top of my list or anyone else's
except Mr. Shepherd's.
Q: And now, 7 months into the job?
To be honest I think he as made the job harder for himself at times
with his handling of certain people and the style of play he adopts.
If he was brought in to ensure our Premiership survival then fair
enough, he did it. However, Freddy said he wanted silverware this
season and to be fair we never looked like winning anything. I think
Souness has the desire to succeed but I don't think his style of play
is good enough for Newcastle United or its fans.
Q: Do you back him or do you want him out?
Obviously my heart tells me to back him because he is the manager
of our great football club. However, my head tells me he isn't the
right man for the job. As a person I would never call Graeme Souness
or question his determination. As a manager I have no choice, from
what I have witnessed, to question his style of play, tactics and
overall management. I hope I am proved wrong next season however.
Q: United dipped back into the transfer market in January
and brought in Boumsong, Faye and Babayaro, how do you think each
has performed?
As far as Boumsong goes, well thank god he signed otherwise we might
well be swapping places with Blunderland. He has stood out like a
sore thumb in our defence and has only been playing Premiership football
since January! Money well spent. I Hope the vultures stay away.
Faye is a bit of an enigma. His work rate is commendable and I would
play him over Butt every time but I think he is lacking real quality
in that holding position. He is no Makalele, Keane or Vieira and that's
the type of player we desperately need. Players of top quality.
Finally Babayayo. I quite liked Bernard and think he was stronger
than Celestine. Baba seems to be very lightweight and I just can't
help wondering why Chelsea would have let him go for so little if
he was that good?
Q: And those signed in the Summer?
Kluivert: More than anything a real disappointment. Nicky Butt: Disgusting
display at Cardiff capped a dreadful season. Stephen Carr: Very solid
at right back. Good first season. James Milner: Good first season
for the youngster.
Q: Who is your player of the season?
This is really, really hard because there is no one player who stands
out. How sad is that! However, I would have to give it to Shay Given.
I think the fact he has had to play out of his skin shows the lack
of quality in front of him.
Q: And who in your opinion, has been the worst?
Two players can argue and fight over this accolade: Lee Bowyer and
Kieron Dyer. Unforgivable what happened and both should be shown the
exit. As footballers they both had decent campaigns. As men both should
be very ashamed. They let us all down big time.
Q: With the likes of Taylor, Ramage, Milner, Jenas, Ambrose,
N'Zogbia and Chopra, many believe we have a good crop of youngsters
there, do you expect them to make it at Newcastle?
Taylor, Milner and N'Zogbia yes. Time will tell with Ramage and Ambrose
because we have got established players in their positions. Jermaine
Jenas must start his improvement instantly next season, if he stays
in Toon that is. He is an England international now. On this season's
showing, God (sorry Sven) only knows why. As for Chopra, sorry but
he hasn't quite got it at this level.
Q: What was the most disappointing aspect of the season for
you?
Forget the Thriller against the Villa. I have to say that once again
we reached the semi final of two-cup competitions and capitulated.
When we are in big matches our so-called 'big' players duck out. We
need some big match players.
Q: And the best?
It has to be the emergence of Steven Taylor and James Milner: two
players who have the potential to be future greats of Newcastle United
and indeed England.
Q: What in your opinion are our strengths and weaknesses?
Our strength is our young talent in Taylor, Milner etc… However how
many seasons have we been saying this? As for any others, well Boumsong
looks a class act. Apart from that not a lot more. Weaknesses: The
Chairman, the board, the management, players who are hanging on by
a string and picking up 40 grand a week for nothing! On the field,
we need a striker, if not two. We also need a central midfielder and
a few wingers. Players with some experience are a must as well.
Q: Freddy Shepherd, how do you rate his management of the
club this season in particular?
Ha, ha is that what they call it - management? The fat controller
thinks he is playing subbutteo I am sure. He thinks he is the manager
and the pressure he puts on his puppet Souness is amazing, it's like
a Gepetto and Pinocchio double act at times! Even deadly Doug at Villa
is a mouse compared to Wor Freddy. Christ! And Manure fans think Glazer
will be a bad chairman!
Q: Do you back him or do you want him out?
Out and take Deadly Douglas number two with him too, along with Cushing
and a few others on the board. Where are the billionaires when you
need them?
Q: Bellamy - would you like to see him back at the club, thoughts
please?
Without doubt. So he is a gobby little sh*t at times, so what? On
the pitch he is one of the best in his position and an asset to any
club, hence the list of clubs queuing up to acquire his services.
It's not going to happen though.
Q: Bowyer - should he stay or go, thoughts please?
Go. Not a bad season when he actually played football. However, he
should have been sacked along with Dyer after the punch up against
Villa.
Q: Butt - should he stay or go, thoughts please?
I think he will be lynched if he attempts to put a black and white
shirt anywhere near his head let alone appear with it at St. James'
Park. We don't want anymore Manure cast offs.
Q: The enigma of Robert - how do you assess that whole saga?
I like Robert. He is quality full stop. Lazy and arrogant granted
but he can do things no one else at our club can, actually win games.
His contribution since he arrived has been fantastic. I will be sad
to see him leave. Souness obviously doesn't like flair players like
Robert and prefers the hard working players such as Faye, O'Brien
and co… that says it all really, god help us!
Q: Dyer's refusal to play on the right wing and snub of the
Captain's armband upset many with calls that he should never play
for United again. Since then he has knuckled down and put in some
fine performances. Has he won you over, thoughts please?
No. He is a waste of money and we should have cashed in on a long
time ago. Fair enough he may have knuckled down in recent months but
that's because he realizes that he better had. Do any of you actually
think he is doing it for Newcastle United? Not a chance, he is doing
it for himself. Always injured, disgusting disrespect of Sir Bobby,
obviously provoked Bowyer, he should be cashed in on. He has committed
far worse than Bellamy ever did and whilst one player is in exile
the other one is still hovering around. Sell him now.
Q: Kluivert - would you have liked the club to have kept him
on?
If we are talking about the Patrick Kluivert who was amazing at Ajax,
Milan, Barcelona and Holland then yeah without a shadow of a doubt.
However, if we are talking about that shadow which has been gracing
St. James' Park this season, then no thanks.
However, it's important to remember that this was Patrick's first
season in the Premiership and with all what as happened since he has
been here, is it any wonder he has under performed? His goals, which
took us to the FA Cup Semi-Final, proved he is a big game player.
Maybe we should have given him one more season?
Q: Which 5 players would you like to see signed in the close-season?
Realistically please.
Is that football fan realistically? Or Freddie Shepherd realistically?
Well here are my 5 players I would love to see in black and white:
1. Michael Carrick (Spurs). If reports are accurate
and they want Jenas then we should swap.
2. Shaun Wright-Phillips (Man City). Probably unrealistic
but could tempt City with Robert?
3. Mikael Forssell (Chelsea). Offer him first team
football?
4. Staurt Downing (Boro). Offer cash plus Nicky Butt?
5. Dean Ashton (Norwich City). Young, Powerful, Good
in the air. Get him relatively cheap, as Norwich may need to cash
in on players.
Q: Your season 2004-05 Toon XI?
Shay Given, Stephen Carr, Jean-Alain Boumsong, Titus Bramble, Steven
Taylor, James Milner, Charles N'Zogbia, Darren Ambrose, Laurent Robert,
Alan Shearer, Craig Bellamy
Q: Has Shearer, in your opinion, made the right decision to
not retire as he had first planned or the correct one?
Wrong decision for Alan. He may find it to be the biggest mistake
of his career. On one level he has nothing to lose, but on another,
Newcastle United has everything to lose from him still playing. HOWEVER,
AND PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE GOING OFF ON ONE, this is only my opinion
and dependent on the scenario that SHEARER REMAINS AUTOMATIC NUMBER
1 CHOICE NEXT SEASON! He must take a back seat in next season's campaign
but by all means try and break Jackie Millburn's record if that's
what he wants.
Q: Shepherd has claimed he'd like Big Al to take over from
Souness one day, your thoughts?
Tricky one. I think it might be better for Alan to go and cut his
teeth at a lower division club and earn the right to be the manager.
However, you never know he might do a good job. I would give it him
in a caretaker role for a few months when the club is looking for
a new manager. This way Shearer is in a no lose situation. He will
either do a great job thus keep the job permanently or he can just
walk away and come back at a later date.
Q: Shearer - is he a good or bad Captain?
Good Captain. He wears his heart on his sleeve. However, I think the
captaincy should go to a player at the back or centre of the midfield.
Look at the past winners of the Premiership, Man Utd: Keane, Bruce;
Arsenal: Viera, Adams; Blackburn: Sherwood; Chelsea: John Terry. See
a pattern emerging?
Q: What should be his role next season?
Player/Coach. However, he should be sub in most matches and play only
at home against mediocre teams. He should play if and when required.
We have to live without him.
Q: Aaron Hughes' sale - your thoughts?
Totally astounded. He was one of our better players. His versatility
is an asset to any team. Look at Manure… they keep Phil Neville because
he can play in numerous positions and he is crap! However, it was
the price that got me! A meagre sum as Villa once again rapes our
club. Nice one Greame and Freddy. Nothing like getting rid of the
troublemakers at our club is there? Sheeeesh! Good Luck to Aaron Hughes
in his new venture and thank you.
Q: Finally, what are your expectations for next season, in this moment
in time?
In this moment in time? God help us! We need some divine intervention.
Moses is going to have to part the river Tyne and lead the exodus
of shi*e out of our club straight into the North Sea!
I don't know, it's frustrating. I'm sick of 'potential', I want some
success but I just know its not going to happen any time soon. I hope
I am wrong and next season I am eating humble pie, and I will, but
I just don't believe we will do anything with the current regime in
charge.
It's going to be interesting to see who arrives this summer. I pray
to God it's not the likes of Dickov, Prso, Ball, Neill, Friedel, and
Amoroso. It doesn't bare thinking about. Time will tell and come August
everything will be positive as we embark on another season. It will
either be a season of mid table mediocrity, a season of Cup and League
success (by that I mean top 4) or it will be a season of nightmares
and relegation struggles. I expect success, at this moment in time,
I expect disappointment.
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