Never Again Can We Take Such Risks When Signing
Players
How many hits would you take before finaly cracking up and hitting
back? Or... I could put it like this: How many hits would Shearer
have taken before giving Lee Bowyer a good pasting? If it was Alan
Shearer who Bowyer decided to pick a fight with, I am certain Shearer
would have remained completely calm. He would probably have just put
the palm of his hand on Bowyer's fore-head, leaving the Ex-Leeds Utd
player swinging at thin air.
But in all honesty, what exactly could Keiron Dyer do to stop Bowyer
tearing into him? Keiron Dyer should not have stopped and waited for
Lee Bowyer but whether he believed Bowyer was about to head-butt him
is questionable. By the time the fight was broken up, Dyer had been
battered.
Would Lee Bowyer have dared to pick on Shearer, Faye, Boumsong, Ameobi,
Bramble, Shay Given, Carr or even Steven Taylor? I wouln't bet on
it. Bowyer was on his way back to his excellent best and not many
would have enjoyed seeing him leave in the summer before this terrible
moment in Newcastle United's history.
It really was a black day for us and one we will find hard to shake
off. None of us know the deep facts behind it all but we all know
what we witnessed on Saturday. It's a shame Dyer had to be involved.
The lad has done so well to prove himself to the fans in recent weeks
but he could have avoided the situation.
He could have just carried on playing football and dealt with Bowyer
after the game... behind closed doors. What happens now? Lee Bowyer
should never wear a Newcastle United shirt again. No matter what,
you don't start attacking people. To attack a team-mate infront of
53,000 people and manager Graeme Souness is simply not on. He must
be sacked and made an example of.
Dyer should be fined for his part and sold in the Summer. He may not
be at fault for Saturday's shocking and embarressing scenes but if
we want to attract top players to this club, then he has to go. He
is an exceptional talent and one we would certainly miss, but how
many chances do you give one player?
Newcastle United is the cause. Refusing to pass to certain team-mates
is childish and dangerous and as we witnessed on Saturday, provocative.
Approaching a team-mate and viciously attacking him is against the
law for starters. We had these concerns about Lee Bowyer when we found
out he was on his way to Newcastle. And we were right.
Never again can we take such risks when signing players. Personality
and reputation must be taken into account when bringing new faces
in. Never again should we the fans be humiliated and let down like
this. An apology is simply not good enough.
Knickers In A Twist...
With emotions running high Graeme Souness has had to retract the following
comments he made this morning: "They (Bowyer & Dyer) have been
speaking over the weekend and had a laugh about it.", the United
manager was quoted as saying live on Sky Sports News while
pictured with the pair who were shaking hands and laughing.
His comments have obviously been taken out of context, forcing the
manager to later stress:
"I wish to put into context
the words I used this morning when interviewed live on Sky Sports
News whilst we did the photocall with Lee and Kieron.
"When I said the players were 'having a laugh about it', I did not
mean the seriousness of the incident, which cannot be understated,
I was meaning the implication put out by certain members of the media
that the two of them had been at loggerheads for a long time and it
was that which had sparked the incident off.
"Everyone at Newcastle United knows that this is completely without
foundation, on the contrary, the players get on very well together,
and that's why the two players were having a laugh about it, whilst
at the same time fully appreciating the seriousness of the incident.
"Of course I cannot condone the incident in any way whatsoever, hence
the extremely firm action the Club has taken against Lee Bowyer. Clearly
we will not tolerate any misconduct at this football club."
No Laughing Matter, Idiots!
Official club statement concerning Lee Bowyer and Kieron Dyer:
Lee Bowyer has been handed an unprecedented fine, severely
censured and additionally warned as to his future conduct by Newcastle
United, following his attack on team mate Kieron Dyer during Saturday's
home match with Aston Villa. The attack led to both players being
dismissed from the field of play by the Referee.
The decision to fine and censure Bowyer was taken after Chairman Freddy
Shepherd and Team Manager Graeme Souness interviewed both players
at the club's training ground this morning. The fine, amounting to
six weeks wages, is the highest fine handed out by the club.
In Kieron Dyer's case, in accordance with the disciplinary regulations
of the Football Association the club has, on the player's behalf,
submitted notice of the player's intention to submit a claim of wrongful
dismissal from the field of play. This claim will be submitted by
noon tomorrow (Tuesday) together with video evidence.
Both players have had a fair hearing and the club is fully in support
of Kieron Dyer's claim to the Football Association.
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Freddy Shepherd Angry
Shepherd quotes regarding the Bowyer-Dyer farce:
"I'm
deeply upset, hurt and angry.
"It was a black day for Newcastle United and, speaking personally,
the worst day I've experienced as chairman of this football club.
"I never thought I would see two of our own players fighting.
"It was just unbelievable. I could hardly believe what my eyes were
telling me."
"After anger, my greatest emotion is one of embarrassment. How can
I go and face the other chairmen in the Premiership after all that?
"But most of my anger is because our magnificent supporters have been
let down again by some of our players."
Shearer Furious
Shearer quotes regarding the Bowyer-Dyer farce:
"Once
again the good name of Newcastle United is being dragged through the
dirt.
"What happened was a disgrace, there is no defence for it and I made
my feelings known in the dressing room.
"I'm very angry still and very frustrated by it all, especially when
things had been going so well and the spirit within the camp has been
so good over the last few months.
"Our dirty linen has been hung out for the country to witness yet
again.
"It was my idea as soon as I got back into the dressing room to get
the two players themselves to answer to the media.
"I said 'You two had better get out there because neither me nor the
gaffer are going to do your talking'.
"To be fair to them, they agreed because they knew they had to do
it."
Handballs & Handbags As United Are Outfought
At Home
Full Match Report: NUFC 0-3 Aston
Villa
Newcastle's unbeaten run came to a crashing halt at St James'
Park on Saturday as they were soundly beaten 3-0 by Aston Villa
in an incredible game in which United finished up with 8 men
as two of their own players came to blows just minutes after
Steven Taylor had been dismissed for deliberate handball.
Full
Match Report
Team
Lineups & Match Facts/Stats
Possession,
Shots, Corners, Fouls & Saves
NUFC
Milestones From The Match
How
The Goals Were Scored
Post-Match
Reaction From NUFC
Post-Match
Reaction From Aston Villa
Toon
Player Ratings Vs Aston Villa
Newcastle's Half-Yearly Profits
Despite what is happening on the field,
Newcastle United were able to smile slightly today after announcing
profits of £5.1m - an increase of £4.5m on the previous six months.
Freddy Shepherd had the following to say:
"I am pleased to announce another successful six months for Newcastle
United.
"Our strong financial results will enable the club to continue to
compete at the very highest levels.
"Despite the current season being a period of transition, we are delighted
to have achieved an FA Cup semi-final place and the quarter finals
of the Uefa Cup.
"Our supporters are our greatest asset and we are determined to work
hard to deliver the success their support deserves."
Download the full information regarding the interim report here
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