That's the message that reads to me regarding this 'stand off' between
our Captain Alan Shearer and our manager Sir Bobby Robson. Big Al's
petulant sulk at being subbed last night at Parkhead leaves no doubts
remaining in my mind that the two don't get on and that spells trouble.
What started off as a marriage made in heaven when Bobby was brought
in towards the end of '99 where he promised to get our Number 9 doing
what he does best - which he did - has degenerated into some kind
of power struggle that is threatening to undermine our Season, if
it already hasn't.
So what has happened since that memorable day when Big Al put 5 past
Sheff Wed in Bobby's first home game, a goal glut that brought about
a personal thank you to Bobby from the Skipper? Who is to blame, who
is in the wrong for this break down in their relationship? Can this
be dealt with amicably? All questions that need answered. [More
+]
Full
match report now online!
Player
ratings now online!
A Flash Of Camara Darkens Toon's Trip
Final Score From Parkhead: Celtic 2-1 NUFC
Newcastle were beating 2-1 at Parkhead last night against Celtic in
our final Pre-Season game before the big Premiership kick-off away
to Middlesbrough on the 14th despite taking the lead through a superb
left-footed strike from Craig Bellamy on 60 minutes.
Celtic come back to seal the win however through a Momo Sylla
header on 71 minutes and a deflected shot that looped over Steve Harper's
head from new Hoops signing Henri Camara with a minute
to go.
The game wasn't much to write home about with 15 subs (5 from United,
10 from Celtic) disrupting the flow of the game and although there
were plus points for Bobby there were also some bad points that will
be a worry to the United manager. None more so than Shearer's petulant
display of unhappiness at being taken off after the hour mark for
Patrick Kluivert.
United: Harper, Hughes, Bramble, Elliott, Bernard,
Milner, Butt (Jenas 61min), Dyer (Pattison 76min), Robert (Brittain
45min), Shearer (Kluivert 61min), Bellamy (Chopra 90min). Subs not
used: Smith, Gate, Ramage.
Celtic: Marshall, (Hedman 61min) McNamara (Sylla
61min), Valgaaren, Balde (Cuthbert 82min), Sutton (Camara 61min),
Hartson (Beattie 45min), Pearson (Wallace 45min), McGeady (Laursen
61min), Lennon (O'Dea 82min), Petrov (McManus 76min), Varga (McBride
82min). Celtic used up all subs.
Bobby Returns Second Serve
Bobby speaks again regarding the 'news to me' decision that this will
be his final Season as manager of NUFC, something which he knew about
a few months back.
From yesterday's Chronicle:
"Whatever happens in the next few months I will give it everything
I've got to make Newcastle United successful - just as I have since
I came here in 1999.
"Obviously I am disappointed at the club's decision not to keep me
on, but even so I will work as diligently as I always have.
"For what it's worth, I don't agree with the club's decision not to
renew my contract but football is all about opinion and I know you
have to respect other people's opinion.
"But I will not falter in the next few months and every decision I
will make and everything I will do will be in the best interests of
the chairman and Newcastle United Football Club.
"And if I have to leave, I can promise you that the club will be in
great shape when I do go at the end of the season.
"Certainly it will be in better shape when I go than it was when I
arrived.
"And when I do go I know I will be able to go with my head held high
because of what I have done here."
Football isn't the only game being played at NUFC, and Bobby isn't
the only player. Over to you Freddy...
Shearer A Wanted Man
It would appear...
First it was Genoa, then Celtic and now reports from Spain claim that
recently promoted Spanish Primera Liga outfit - the mighty Levante
want to sign Alan Shearer. According to these reports Levante's President,
Pedro Villaroel wants to bring Shearer in on a 2 year deal.
Villaroel claims: "He has an offer for two seasons
with us and his arrival is by no means impossible."
I can hear Bobby packing Big Al's bags now...
Outbreak Hits Toon!
Newcastle United and York City have both agreed to cancel Friday evening's
reserve match at Bootham Crescent as a precaution with conjunctivitis
(eye infection) spreading through the United camp which has already
infected Shay Given, Andy O'Brien, Lee Bowyer and Tony Caig. United
have also closed the club's training grounds until next week.
A worried Sir Bobby had this to say:
"It's a serious, serious business. We lost Shay Given, whose
eye is in a wretched state.
"Then we lost Andy O'Brien and then Lee Bowyer, before Tony Caig went
down with it this morning.
"The eye closes up with swelling and watering and it's very nasty.
The incubation period is five to seven days, so there could still
be some players who have got it.
"Many of the players have families to think about and we've had to
shut down for four days.
"We've told the players to keep themselves fit for now and we'll be
looking for somewhere to train in the meantime.
"I have been in football a long time and I have never known anything
like it.
"This could not have come at a worst time and we could not have been
hit at a worse place.
"What it means is the players are going to have to live separately
over the next few days.
"They have today off and tomorrow, as individuals, they are going
to have to find a local park to do their training. We will give them
all a work sheet and hope it keeps them fit.
"They will have Saturday and Sunday off and on Monday and Tuesday
they will have to change in their cars as we will keep away from our
training ground.
"The players will then have to go home and shower and come back again
at 6.30 and do the same again.
"Our changing rooms are being fumigated and we do not know where this
*virus has come from. It is not very nice for the players who are
infected and Shay Given looks as though he has gone a few rounds with
Mohammed Ali.
"It does not just concern Newcastle United - the players could go
home and pass it on to their families."
*The Far East perhaps... |
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
 |
 |
Toon
Shirts |
|
Sponsors |
|
