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Time
For Big, Big Changes: FS, GS & AS Must All Go! |
18th April 2005
By
Gaz Pearson
I am sat here absolutely numb. I wonder how many others out there
are feeling the same? I feel embarrassed and ashamed; I hope the players
are too. The performance yesterday was disgusting. Each and every
one of those players let the club, themselves and most importantly
the fans down, and I mean everyone, including Alan Shearer. I am not
afraid to say it but the time has come for big, big changes at St.
James' Park from top to bottom.
Shepherd, Souness and Shearer: Chairman, Manager and Captain, must
all go now and let the club reform and refresh for next season. Shepherd
has too much say in the team affairs at our football club and this
needs to be stopped. He might have the club at heart but his decision
to sack Sir Bobby and install Souness took this club backwards. In
fairness to Souness, he was never a universal choice as manager, but
he has had his chance in two cup competitions and failed in both.
He should go now and make way for a new, young, hungry manager a la
Moyes, O'Leary or Bruce to come in for next season.
Today I and thousands of others will have regressed back six and seven
years to the Wembley horror shows of '98 and '99. That's how bad it
was! The style in which we played was horrendous and an insult to
the supporters. Fair play to Manchester United for they looked hungry
and attacked whenever they could. They played us off the pitch and
deservedly stuffed us. They have young millionaire players but the
difference is they are quality and play as a team. Our lads are millionaire
losers who appear to play only for themselves. What other assumptions
can you take from yesterday and Thursday's games?
I know Shearer has sweated blood and tears for this football club
over the years but after today's performance he must re-think his
decision to play on. If he was in a team of quality, with quality
attacking players feeding him week in week out then fair enough, but
he isn't! We are turning into Blackburn Rovers! Souness' style of
play is not Newcastle's. We don't expect to play like that. I'd sooner
we lost 5-4 than 4-1. At least we would have given it a go. Yesterday
we self destructed once again. Cantona retired a legend. Shearer must
do the same. God knows what will happen to us next season, but I'd
hate to see Alan in a relegated team!
Drastic? No I don't think so. Norwich City beat Manchester United
in their last game didn't they? Yesterday's display cannot be put
down to suspension or injury either. Dyer and Bowyer both played against
Lisbon and excuse me, what happened in that match? What we can put
it down to is the way our quality players have been treated by the
current regime.
I am a big Craig Bellamy fan, as many who read my articles will know,
and I can only wonder about the difference he could have made in the
Semi? Also the names of Olivier Bernard and Hugo Viana echo out in
my mind. Even a happy Robert, remember him a few weeks ago? Sir Bobby
had the same problems as Souness but he handled them better, he knew
they had a gob and weren't afraid to use it, but he embraced it and
used it to the benefit of Newcastle United, not in destroying it.
Three top 5 finishes? Both Souness and more importantly Shepherd are
to blame for this. The fans should be the judges of who leaves and
joins this club, not him! I don't think it would hurt for him to read
a local rag or online fanzine once in a while do you?
I've finally completed this article; I've been taking my time trying
to calm down and not say anything too rash. I have cooled down a bit
since I started it, but the hurt remains and I stand by everything
I have said. I am sure there will be those who agree with me, and
those who disagree, and I would like to hear from you all. One thing
is certain, and one thing we surely all agree on is that it's time
for big, big changes at St. James' Park for the club to move forward
next season, otherwise we could be were the Mackems are now, playing
football in the fizzy pop league. |
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