Paul Green - As an Everton fan I have to say your Emre spoof is quite funny.

Stephen Day - Just read your Emre article, how hilarious, your pistake use of the term Premiership giants when refering to Everton is funny. I am the first to admit Everton have not done themselves justice for several years, however I have seen Everton win Championships, FA Cups, a European Trophy, several Charity Shield’s and complete 100 seasons in the top flight. Compare this to Newcastle’s staggering trophy haul of the past 50 years!

Steve - Hi I’m an Evertonian - and I loved your Emre to Everton pistake. Excellent humour - it seems the further you get away from “darn sarf” the humour gets better. Keep it up. P.S Please take Watson back…

Reg - What the bloody hell is the ridiculous ‘EMRE to choose Everton over Newcastle all about? Has the site been hijacked, or is it your idea of a joke? If it is the latter then boo to you.

Stu - That Emre pistake was brilliant. Made my day and it’s good to see some humour coming from the iweb. You will be lynched if he doesn’t sign now though by the barcodes. You Geordies have a funny sense of humour.

Toon Paul - Cracking wind-up RE the Scouse Mackems felllas. Love it. Great site.

Graeme Johnson - You had me worried there for a moment that Emre HAD signed for Everton when I saw your link in Newsnow but when I read it I was in stiches. I do hope we get him as he’s just what we need. Spikey and good with the ball. Him and Parker will dominate most other midfields next season and I may be forced to change my opinion of Souness if he can pull off all these signings we have been linked with. I’m unsure of Figo but there is no denying his ability and if anyone can benefit from his telling crosses it will be Shearer. Good luck with the site, first time visitor, but now an avid reader.

Red Glory - Liverpool fan here from RAWK, just read your pistake and couldn’t stop laughing. The bitter Blues are a joke and think because they have had one good season they are now the best in the world. Good luck with next season, I’ve always liked you Geordies and with any luck Souness won’t do to Newcastle what he did with Liverpool - sign a load of misfits. Emre and Parker is a step in the right direction for you lot so things are looking up.

Everton 4th - You toonies think you’re so smart and clever don’t you’s well we think your pathetic so-called humour is crap and it will be us laughing at you’s when Emre joins the mighty Everton. Europe here we come. Bye bye fat Geordies.

Andrew Bolam - Yes I did enjoy your Parker article but there were too many questions.

David - It was a very good article. I also can’t wait to see Parker in our midfield. I have always thought he could become a top player and I hope he proves that here.

Beardo - A really useful article. Thanks for that. I enjoy your site a lot. It’s getting better and better. Doing this on other purchases is a great idea!

Lasse Hansen - Nice, I got to know Parker in a different way. The only thing I knew about his playing was things I saw on FM and CM. Thanks from Norway.

Mark - Excellent article - really interesting to hear unbiassed views from fans who have actually watched Parker play.

Jes Jakobsgaard - I am absolutely certain that Parker will prove to be a good signing, but it is nice to see that the people who know him rate him highly… not only as a player but also as a human being, with the right attitude (and attitude is where we suck…) Howay the TOON !!!

Coolsmurf - I have to agree Parker can be compared to Lampard/Gerrard and any other similar centre midfielders. He was in tigerish form for Charlton, just a pity he had to play second fiddle and then got injured thereafter when he was at Chelsea. If he can stay fit and produce his Charlton form, we have got an impressive midfielder in our hands.

Jussi - Excellent read. Great idea to interview fans who have followed Parker more closely than us over the years… and thanks to Rich & David!

Chris Thompson - Reading the Parker article one thing that stands out is his desire to improve all the time and I am likewise genuinly excited by this purchase and can’t wait to see him in our engine room. Interesting article, keep up the good work.

Michael - Will you be interviewing fans for all signings? I think you should as this is what will make this site stand out even more from others and draw in the visitors. It is refreshing to hear what others have to say about our team and club and Parker seems a first-class signing. More to follow please, interviews and players.

Dave - I agree & for the same reasons. Dyer may have had potential when he first signed but that’s evapourated & I can’t see him improving to a level where he becomes a real asset. Cash in on any value and use the money towards the (minimum) two strikers, central defender & two full-backs we desperately need.

David - Load of rubbish. Dyer biggest waste of money in our history? Marcelino for starters… Dyer is a top player, keep him at Newcastle!

TLG - The only thing that Dyer has is pace and when he uses it he pulls up injured. Enough said.

Don - I agree entirely with your article on KD. I have never been convinced that he was the player some articles write about. It would not bother me if they sold him tomorrow and got a good player in return i.e. Upson or O’Shea for the centre of defence. We would still need a winger for left and right of course and I am one of the people who would take Bellamy back, baggage and all.

Ian - “Newcastle on average play 48 games a season, so for 20 of them, just under half, we are without his services. Often in vital games too - Lisbon anyone? Had he not gone off injured, we would have almost certainly won that game.” To say that we almost certainly would’ve won a game had he been there is contradicting yourself. If we didn’t have him at all who would we have that would be in a position to win us that game? Surely if what you say is true we’d have lost anyway, and that hardly puts us in a better position does it?

Bill - Fickle is one way of describing football fans. Ok we can all have a change of heart over a period of time when circumstances change, over turned often by events, some beyond anyones control BUT how fickle the fans over Dyer? Beginning of the season and he was the devil incarnate and not just with the fans. The management also were in despair over both his attitude, lack of application and all those problems with cars, women, hotel rooms etc. Half a dozen reasonable games at the end of the season and hey ho, all is well and the talk of new contracts. My number one priority is to sign Dyer up to a new contract says Souey.

Well my friends if I had a penny for every waste of space who has lifted his game on half a dozen occassions before a new contract is to be negotiated I would be a very rich man. We see it all the time, or do we? How many can’t see past their noses and the last performance? How many are so short term in their thinking that they actually endanger our great club? Too many me thinks. No, sorry, 10 months ago we’d all have thrown Dyer out the club. For me not because of wanting or nor wanting to play in a certain position but because of his abject failure in every position in which he has played. I recall standing watching him play at Blackburn season before last and his obvious lack of effort and interest was there for all to see, except for SBR that is. So no. Go please. You have financially raped my club so leave for a fee and give us something you never did when you played for us - something useful, money and the chance of success.

Ed Harrison - Give Dyer a new contract so we can get a good fee for him - maybe next summer. That seems to be what they did with Andy O’Brien. When they only have a year left on their contract they cannot get too much for them - give him a new contract and a year to prove himself - if he continues as he has in the past - sell him next summer - but for a good price.

Richard - Just think you should give Dyer a break. He’s probably the best player we got left at this club and deffo the most high profile player which is what we need. He is not part of the England squad for nothing. You said yourself he picked up form last season and played well, so why slaughter him again now? What about Jenas along with others who are not half as good as Dyer? Get rid of them before Dyer.

Paul White - Howaythetoon you seem to me to have it in for Dyer. I usually enjoy reading your articles, very informed and objective but this is the 3rd or 4th time you have had a go at Dyer now and I feel it’s undeserved. OK he has let us down in the past and we must never forget that but he has changed his ways I believe and shown us what an asset he can be to the club with a tremendous run of form near the end of the season. It would be sheer madness to get rid of him actually because we need him. We need strikers badly and a replacement for Robert, getting rid of Dyer will mean we will then need a right winger. Just how much money do you think we have? Sorry but I disagree with you on this one.

Bob Patterson - Smashing job, brought memories and a few stray pieces of sand into my eyes which caused the watering, good stuff just getting into your site and enjoying it very much, great balance, well done.

Natt - Having grown up in the Toon (many years ago) I took a great deal of pleasure from your trip down memory lane. Although one of the memories that will stay in my head is the picture of the corrigated shead (the entrance) with the massive letters forming NEWCASTLE UNITED FC. The bottom line is that for the majority of us Geordies it is the simple love of this team, our team that keeps us going and coming to watch them. Keep the faith maybe this year, Howay the lads….

Howard - Just what the doctor ordered that. Some great memories on there for me and I’m sure many others. There hasn’t been much cause for optimism of late but having my memory jogged like that has really put me in a positive mood and reminded me just why I love Newcastle. Keep up the good work kidda and ta for the memories.

Les Robson - Really enjoyed going down the list of all the best of Newcastle Utd but got to say that picture of the mighty is not Wyn Davies but Tony Green. Other than that it was really good. Thank you. Howay the lads

(Ed: Thanks for spotting that - we have now fixed it.)

Martin Jobes - Hi, just a few lines to say how much I appreciated your links of great Toon memories. A few brought a tear to my eyes, especially the last one with the club badge. “Aand this is what it’s all about”, indeed it is. Thanks and keep up the fine work with the site.

Eric Newton - Just to let you know that photo in the Caption of Mighty is in fact Tony Green and not Wyn Davies. Thought you should know. Keep up the good work lads and lasses!

(Ed: Thanks for spotting that - we have now fixed it.)

David Coker - Read your article with interest. I think to compare Bramble with King is a bit much. But other than that maybe fair comment but I still feel that we will finish higher than you next season as you are the perenial under acheivers, then again so are we but I cannot say I would want any of your players to replace ours. A lot of potential with your lot but will they ever fulfil it. We will see.

Daniel C - Way aye and all that! I am a Spurs fan. I have just read the article concerning who you would want to buy from Tottenham. I wont mention what you have said as that really is one of the most ridiculous articles I have read in years. The fact is at the moment, you are really awful. You have played awful all season and to even consider that Bramble is even in the same league as King is on the verge of ludicrous. In my eyes the only decent players you really have are Shearer and perhaps Dyer. When you have done the double over us, then please feel free to come and have a look at our players, until then, maybe it is us who should be looking at getting players from you. Dyer, £2.5m perhaps..? Thank goodness the majority of Geordies do actually know their football and what they are talking about. Take your blinkers off mate. One last thing, we offered Parker £48000 a week. You offered him £55000. Good luck with that, he’s average.

Texas19 - Dear Newcastle supporter, I live In Norway but I follow the Premiership closely trough sattelite and the web. I’m a Spurs supporter and I must say I find It hard to belive that you rate Bramble up with King. Your Keane descripion was accurate and I totaly agree, not needing Robbo I can understand. You have one of the best gk around but Robbo has had a great season and for the first time he looks fit. Bramble Is a physical and strong player but he is nowhere close to matching King’s positioning and leadership skills. This Is not the heart talking even though he is truely beloved by the fans and for good reason. Ledley King can play for any european team and command a defensive line good enough for any manager. Bramble has improved much this season and that’s great, didn’t think much of him 2 years ago but he still has a lot of mental work to do. King plays at his best in big matches and never lets us down, can you say the same about Titus? It’s not my intention to mouth down any of your players but I think most would agree with me on King vs Bramble. Good idea by the way looking at your opponents this way, great work and see you at WHL.

Jon Burrows - Not a bad article but Titus Bramble better or as good as Ledley King?! Ha ha ha! Don’t make me laugh! Bramble is nowhere near breaking into the England team, nor will he as he has proved time & time again he is not good enough! Where as Ledley King has played on the big stage and proved he is more than capable. Different leagues I’m afraid.

Ben Cooper - You have got to be kidding me? Titus Bramble better than Ledley King? I know support for your own team is blind, and you may have black and white specs on, but that is just plain daft. King was one of only 3 players in the premiership to play every minute of every game, played in a defence that conceded the 4th least goals, made the highest number of last man tackles in the premiership, and blocked 40 shots, the 3rd most in the premiership. He was Spurs highest Opta ranked player. Apologies, but I can’t seem to find any opta articles on Titus Bramble on the internet, which probably says a lot. Including that opinion in an article that also claims that Defoe is no better than Vassell and you are in danger of being accused of having little knowledge of football at all. Vassell scored 2 goals in the league last season, 3 in all competitions and 24 in all games in the last 3 seasons. Defoe scored 13 league goals last year, 23 in all competitions, and 66 in 3 seasons. Hardly even comparible. Other Spurs players that could walk into the Newcastle match squad would include Robinson, Kelly (he’s already better than Carr) Carrick, Davis, Kanoute, Keane.

Spurs fan - Is this article on who Newcastle could buy a wind up? They must be, or just not have a clue about football, how anyone could say Titus Bramble of ALL people is as good as Ledley King is beyond a joke. Please spare us this pointless article, or get someone who knows a thing or two to write your pieces first.

Dave - This has got to be one of the funniest articles I have ever read. Not because of the very valid points about Robbo and Shay Given etc but because of the link you make between King and Bramble. Nothing like Geordie blinkers. I live with a Geordie who was quite happy to deride Bramble for much of his career in Newcastle. Mistake has followed mistake and although physically strong his brain and feet often let him down. Speak with any premiership footballer and one of the best defenders they will face is King. His mind is years ahead of him and his ability to not jump in and stay cool puts him far ahead. Chelsea, Arsenal and Man Utd have all been named with King and quite rightly so. He is pure class and I believe will form a back 3 of King, Terry, Ferdinand in the not too distant future. He is worth £10M + with Bramble worth a laugh. As for Carr you can keep the good for nothing fat git!

Chris - Just read your article and had to laugh, as a Spurs fan we have been a long way behind you boys for a bit but your assesment of some of our/your current players is quality! Interesting opinion about Keane, his record (goal scoring wise) would suggest it’s wrong but there we go. Robbo Vs Given is open to debate as both are quality keepers… but Ledley Vs Bramble, ‘Howay’ mate! Bramble is at best an average premiership centre back (hence your shocking defensive record), whilst Led would be an established international in most countries. We turned down a £20 million bid for him from Chelsea last summer and Wenger was keen to take him to the scum. Can’t remember anyone being interested in Bramble, can’t think why! Defoe - over rated? What about Alan - if you took him off penalty duty then I think it would take about another 5 seasons to pass ‘Wor’ Jackies record!

Steve White - What a ridiculous comment that Titus Bramble is as good as Ledley King. Any fan in their right mind would rather have King than calamity Bramble. Bramble struggles against Premiership strikers where as King showed in Euro 2004 that he can mix it with the best when he kept the so called best player in the world (Thierry Henry) totally quiet for nearly the full 90 minutes. King would improve the side ten fold alongside Boumsong.

Mark Rayner - Spot on, best 30 mins I’ve spent in ages. How about the worst of..?

Tony Robinson - Great picture gallery and glad to see a more positive attitude to the club, Souness and 2005/06 from Newcastle-Online. BUT you are showing your age (I’m being kind here) with your photo of The Mighty Wyn under ‘Mighty’ - do yous not knaa that it’s the great Tony Green, man? I’m sure Wyn won’t mind cos he wasn’t as good-lookin’ as Greenie. Just thought aad mention it, like. Keep up the good work.

(Ed: Thanks for spotting that - we have now fixed it.)

Lisa M - I love the Newcastle are great thing, really depresses me all this negativity. Fans need to cheer up, we support the best club in the world as those wonderful pics prove. Howay the lads

Chris H - Brilliant!! Some funny, some sad, some bloody annoying and some plain wonderful moments - thanks.

Mick Readman - Cheers - just the tonic I needed.

Stephen Andrews - I somewhat agree about Robbie Keane and that Shay Given has done exceptionally well and can be mentioned in the same breath as Robinson or vice versa, but saying Bramble in the same breath as King is just insulting and brings your story/article down to the same level as the scum and the other tabloids that print rubbish, especially when you put in the article that Shay Given has been behind a poor defence for six seasons, how many has Titus Shambles been there, as the key center back???

Jake - Brilliant article and totally agree with you.

Peter Waggott - Being an ex-pat Geordie in sunny Jersey it is difficult being a Toon supporter, particularly as almost everyone here follows either The Red Scum, Chelski, The Gooners or Liverpool. Admitting to supporting NUFC is invariably greeted with howls of derision, particulerly after the season we’ve just had. It was great to read your article, which set out very clearly all the reasons supporting the Toon that others find so difficult to comprehend. Most people here were not born within earshot of a football ground (unlike me - SJP) and cannot understand that it is not a choice, but a matter of birthright. Thank you for putting into words what all true supporters feel in their guts.

Mark Gooding - This is the best thing I’ve ever read about Newcastle and you sum up exactly why we are a great club. The Southern w@nkers that perpetuate this myth that we are big underachievers should be sent a copy of this to remind them just where we were a few years ago. A good few fans should read it too, particularly the ‘new’ fans. Champion read.

Canny lad - I think this is a tremendous article. I wish their were more supporters like yourself, who display true faith in NUFC, instead of all the whingeing hangers-on. Their are too many people who have forgotten the things that you highlight. Its time everybody got behind the whole team (which includes the management/board) and give them the support that they deserve, as they have shown over the years as servants of the club. Had they not shown restraint and good business management we would be like Leeds Utd, or unable to dip into the transfer market. I like you believe our time will come for success and we will sustain it.

Mick - This person lives in a dreamworld - let us be posative but, do not think that those who run the club are not continually thinking about bums on seats, sponsorship and money. Performances and winning are secondary if they could retain high profit levels without spending they would. In fact it is only the pressure put on them by the supporters which makes them spend on new players. As for the idea that there is an endless supply of people waiting to take up season tickets I really do think that that is a myth.

Ben McClew - Quality read - that very article should be read to our players in the dressing room every time they walk onto the pitch as a reminder of just what it means to pull the shirt on.

Lazy - I liked this article alot, the author made alot of good points and he put down my thoughts on ‘paper’ exactly the way i would want to.

Ian - Absolutly spot on and overdue imho, I just aint articulate enough to write something as well as that.

Chris Conroy - The article is spot on. At least we are not trying to sign Frank Pingle or clebrating Bobby Shinton being top scorer with less goals than a Bellamy. Its obvious the squad has been in decline for a few years just look at the ponts total not just league positions. We have got the great laugh which is the Mackems next season and when we look at what we ended up with pionts wise are we realy saying we couldn’t win 6 more games than we did last year? That would put us back up the league again. I know as yet we havent signed anyone , we rarely do before july but look at the players leaving. O’Brien certainly not the best - famous for equalising against the Mackems, poor Nikos scored the winner and didn’t even get his own song! Hughes, reliable consistent, not outstanding in a number of positions would you really like to see him holding Taylor and Ramage back?

Bellamy, well what can I say that his goals record doesn’t look great, not one club in the top 5 interested now or ever which is a good enough reason for letting him go without the baggage. As for Shola if Souness gets £3mill for him he will have to have his contract extended. Sure he said it was the best squad he ever had but could he really have said I’ve joined a club on the slide with more problems than a maths test I dont think so. I think Bramble, and Dyer are unrecognisable since he joined and the younger players are also benefiting. Lets give the team and manager a chance, there are too many happy to moan on. As for Shepherd alright you wouldnt want him marrying your daughter but would we really prefer McKeag or Murray giving McCarthy a couple of million to spend. The site’s great but so is our club, lets all have a nice summer making money on the aussies thrashing england and then get behind the lads again in err, a few weeks time!

Adam - This is very true. I was just a bairn when Kelly was around but the club has took massive steps but last season it seems like we jumped back 5 years. But a good article.

BlufGhandi - How about a list of the greatest top 10 matches? Or top 10 matches from each decade or something? Scrapping the barrel for ideas, tell me where to go if they’re shite. Greatest players for each in each number? Pictures showing the development of St. James’ in every decade just to drive home how much it has improved? Minds blank, full of a lot of rubbish ideas so I won’t pass them on.

Joppa - The only article that made me feel like writing in. Nowt like a romantic to get the mind back on track and the soond of the Toon Army ringing in ya ears. well made point very nicely put.

Dave Waggott - Who wrote this article? It should be compulsory reading for all who are interested or have any involvement with NUFC.

Matt Skaife - I completely agree with this article. Yes the club have some problems, but that’s when the club need our support, and the fact remains that players are driven by confidence. We threw in the towel with Bramble early on into his Newcastle career: labelled him a ‘joke’. Yet with the crowd getting behind him, arguably it was his injury that co-incided with our poor finish to the season. Of course there were other factors, but negativity must be well timed, and must be helpful. Often this site (excellent as it is), like the article informs you, goes a little too far sometimes. O’Brien is an honest bloke, and where he may not have the ability to cope at such a huge club, he’s far better than the show off ‘gits’ (Robert) that humiliate our club. Likewise Aaron Hughes is another one we shouldn’t criticise but thank for wonderful dedicated service without any nonsnese. Maybe you should take a more positive tone to the club, and show us that there is ‘hope’ of success at St.James’ Par! k.

Syd Barhey - I think your correspondent says a lot of sensible things and you could do worse than take heed. There is no merit in constantly deriding the Club we all love and even if you have taken exception to some of the actions of the management and players from time to time, I think we can agree that whatever else we may think of Freddy Shepperd, he wants the club to succeeed - he stands to lose loads too after all if things do not work out. Question by all means and challenge to the full, but please do not let cynicism take over.

Alktraz - I feel the general critical tone reflects how most Toon fans are feeling right now. This will only be dissipated when the team start doing it on the pitch - if they don’t things will get worse, possibly much worse.

Paul Michaels - Hey, loved the end of season reveiw guys. Smashing read once again. I don’t agree with Bramble having the best season but I agree with the overall feeling that Souness has to go.

Glenn - Great article as for Alan Shearer - Kenny Dalglish Mk2

Bully - Hi, that’s an interesting article, never really looked at things like that before. I guess with Shearer we’ll just have to wait and see I suppose. I think he’ll be a cross between Dalglish and Venables. Hope not…

Gosport Toon - Interesting article HTT. Re the Souness section points re injuries, agents, referees, opposition tactics etc could easily be levelled at Wenger, Fergie, Mourinho. My assessment of Souness is he is desparate to be a winner, as a player and as a man he gives 100% to what he does in the pursuit of being a winner and he doesn’t have time for people who don’t have the same attitude. I see him as being in the same mould as Hughes, Shearer and Keane in terms of personality. He wants consistency of performance and results and the team he inherited was always liable to blow hot and cold. He doesn’t want to waste time dealing with anybody other than people who are totally committed to the team effort hence the bust-ups with various players, similar to Fergie in that respect. It is too early to judge how the Toon reflect their manager as he has not yet had the chance to put his stamp on the club but you can see in his preference of Boa Morte for Robert and Emre for Viana and Boumsong for Hughes what type of player / team he wants. Too many of our team are either too young, inexperienced or not good enough to go from semi finalists to Cup Winners and Souness is looking to address that problem. Re Wenger I don’t think his team reflect his personality, if they did he would be extremely entertaining and nice on the eye, something like Halle Berry with Peter Kays personality.

John Skidmore - Quite a good article and I agree with most. One question for you though, that I cannot remember anyone asking. If Mr. Shepherd wants all this Geordie Chairman, Geordie Manager, Geordie Captain and predominately Geordie players (which is utter sh*te, by the way) why did he sign Nicky Butt when Michael Carrick was desperate to get away from Spurs? Answer that one Frederick!

Scott - Great read the end of season reviews fellas, plenty off stuff for everyone there. You should turn this site into a book as it’s hard to read from the screen.

Russell - As a life long supporter of 44 years born in Gateshead and now living in the south. I feel I have to say a couple of things. Having watched a very poor side at St. James’ (Liverpool) - who went on to win the Champs League! I just wonder, does my club have the knack and luck to win anything!! Sadly without these 2 things, I think not!! And unfortunately, I may not ever see things changing for the next 44 years!!!

Josh Reeve - I dont fully agree with the section of this article about Graeme Souness, I too am a Newcastle fan and I don’t think our side play the same way Souness acts. Mainly because you said that you dont know what Newcastle side will turn up, I agree with that but I think you can be sure of how Souness is going to be. He is always direct and slightly tempermental, I don’t think our style of football is the same.

Phil - I think that Souness must go in the next few years or Newcastle will be a mid table team for the next few years. Then we should have Alan Shearer as our manager because he knows the players very well and will build a good team sprit and can teach young strikers the Shearer way!

The Shamen - In-depth and very incisive article on the main page - opinions aside I enjoyed it alot. Excuse the cliche but you hit the nail on the head RE Souness, Shepherd, Shearer, Robert + Bellamy… although there are many here, i.e. those who let emotions override any sense of objectivity - who will dismiss your opinions as tosh.

Brian Chalmers - I think Wullie has it pretty much spot on with his assessment of the whole Bellamy/Souness affair and I share the concerns he exprsses within his review of the season. Good questions and good answers. Keep up the good work lads, interesting as always.

Ben - I often agree with your comments Wullie, and I think you are spot on with this appraisal of a dismal season. You insight into the situation with Souness is spot on. We’re in for another terrible season at this rate.

Paul K - Is this the same Craig Hope who writes for the Chronicle and Pink? If so I’m impressed. I always enjoy reading his views and this is a major coup for the site.

(Ed: Yes, it is the same Craig Hope.)

Kaori - I agree with this author as having a manager that is nothing better than Sir Bobby Robson, is stupid. To think about it I feel that our board did not have to see as far as Chelsea and Liverpool who hired good new managers but they win something at the end of the first season but for us nothing. Now even Middlesbrough is on top of us. Making me wonder are we moving the right way up or are we going down. Furthermore the board say that there are many big players wanting to join us but up to now I did not see any at all. I pray that the coming of the new season we will be playing for something to win for the first time in 50++ years and not fighting in a relegation battle.

Craig Jones - Very good answers another who knows the error of appointing Souness as manager and his inability to attract or even notice top calibre players.

Martin Price - Agreed with virtually all of it, a good summing up. How the hell we let Bernard go, beats me. He was reliable, injury free in the main, a good tackler, had heart, took a good knock virtually every game and got up after it, attacked well and had decent pace and a good shot. Don’t we ever learn? Your comments about Souness are spot on, a better man manager could have resolved the Bellamy affair for the sake of the club. The fact that he didn’t see this, dosen’t auger well for the future. Please tell me why we should perform any better than his record at his other club’s? Unless we throw ridiculus money at the situation (an then there’s no guarantee either) we have no chance of improving, mark my words. What we need is a good man manager who will inspire and lift the team to greater heights, because essentially we don’t have a bad team. If Everton can achieve, we can too. And finally, I am just getting over the disappointment of last season, and like you particulary the UEFA cup. However, if Given goes, I think I’ll slash my wrists, please, please GOD let him stay.

Peter Busby - Excellent - hit the nail on the head. This has been the worst season for a long time as far as Newcastle United goes, but we are not going to progress with Souness in charge of team affairs and Fat Fred running the club. I completely agree that the only way forward would be for us to somehow get a new chairman, who isn’t going to fill our heads with nonsense and tripe - someone who would strive for this club to be successful, not someone who is only interested in lining his pockets.

Matt - I agree with Craig Hope, I think Bramble will also play for England soon - he’s certainly good enough as he has shown. Excellent review lads (lasses?) and here is to a better 2005-06.

Scott - I absolutely agree with you, except on freddy shepherd because he is great financially, but an embarresment with the statements he has made, however the thing I wish is that Greame Sounness or Freddy Shepherd actually reads these analysis from the fans because everyone knows that sounness made a mistake in leaving Robert out of the lisbon game and now he is going to sell him to forget his mistake, without anyone on the wings, how are we going to score as many goals this season? and we need a striker with the quality of owen because he is fast and can replace bellamy, and then we can finally sell Ameobi, furthermore we need an excellent right winger and keep robert because newcastle were at there best with Robert and Solano on the wings, with shearer knockin down balls to bellamy, does anyone agree?

Matt Morton Liverpool fan - That was a fascinating article which I agreed with almost entirely. I think that there is a real sense of media frenzy in this country to elevate people such as Allardyce or Curbishley because of their nationality when the reality is they are untried and tesetd at the highest level (and have won F.A) . I do not believe Newcastle fans would want the type of football that “Big Sam” has to offer which is based on gaining yardage and although Mr Curbishley comes across as a very decent bloke would you settle for continual middle of the table guff? Then there are the other British managers such as Redknapp or (god save us) Barry Fry who are lauded in the press cos they give good copy and cos they are deemed to be “characters”.

They are all so overrated it is untrue. Thanks for your congrats. I am old enough to remember the glory nights of the 70’s and 80’s but last Wednesday was the best ever. It was the greatest night of my life not only cos of the match and the comeback but cos we had waited 21 years to get it back and the longer you wait, the better the feeling of euphoria when it returns. To a Newcastle fan whose fantastic supporters have been starved of success, I geniunely hope you experience those sort of feelings sooner rather than later. Regards Matt.

P.S - Our bloke is a tactical whizz but also a true gent who is as gracious in victory as in defeat. Now im shitting myself cos we think he might be Real Madrid bound! Oh well…managerial merry go round and all that.

Alan Shearer 9 - Very good article, even if it is only stating the obvious to many of us. Basically, we’re fecked, I can’t see Shepherd changing his ways and adopting a progressive mentality to running Newcastle United, I believe we’re going to be in for a rough time for many years ahead of us unfortunately. When the success does inevitably come though, it will be well worth the wait.

Matthew Farmer - The article on Liverpool / foreign manager’s hit the nail on the head for me. That moron chairman of ours has some worrying ideas and theories on football deeply rooted in the middle of the last centuary. I beleive that while he is in charge the club will continue to go beackwards, and sadly he will stay in charge for as long as he can as he seems to beleive he’s doing a good job and that everyone thinks he is! Shepherd needs to wake up and tune into the opinion of average person on the streets of Newcastle, and start reading web-site’s like this one to see what the people really think of him and his “ideas” (If he’s not so out of touch he doesn’t even know they exist, which we can’t rule out!).

Bill Moore - Never a truer word spoken. The toon’s problems start at the top and go right down to the bottom. Everything at the Toon needs to change.

John Williams - Quite the most level headed and dispassionate review I have read for years, not just about Bentitez and his team’s success but also the perceptive assessment of Newcastle’s predicament. It’s been a refreshing change to read this especially in the light of the hateful views of a lunatic minority of my fellow townsmen, Evertonians, who are as filled with as any sectarian or religious fanatics. Their rantings evoke images of murderous Balkan blood fueds. Stay loose our kid.

Scott - FINALLY someone agrees with my views, I have been saying it for years as foreign managers have a great record, Wenger, Mourinho, even Houllier, but the matter of the fact is that they win stuff, the only British Manager that really won anything was Alex Ferguson, Sir Bobby Robson did well bringing a crappy Newcastle side up the table 10 places. Sounness to me is the new Daglish and we all remember what he did to the club, turned Keegan’s great team into a position 12 or 13 in the league, British managers just do not cut it when it comes down to winning trophys, and why is this, because they have only been in the Premiership so don’t know about the great players out there in Spain/Italy/Germany/. Hell why dont we buy from River Plate again and get a younger Solano type player. I know Sounness has manged abroad but quite frankly I don’t care cos we sucked this year and it was his fault cos he fell out with Bellamy, he fell out with Robert, With Shearer nearly past it and Ameobi being…well Ameobi is just crap(sell him ASAP) who else was going to provide and score? Souness is Scottish, I am Scottish so naturally you would think I would support him, but I think him and Freddy Sheperd are both idiots, BRING IN A FOREIGNN MANAGER!

Dave - First let me compliment you on that, it makes for a cracking read. second, surely it can’t be just me that was struck by the simlarity of the Cuningham/Ghalger story and the Souness/Bellamy one of today? Well done, I look forward to reading more.

Smithy - Wow, fantastic read. That would make a great book - get it wrote son, I’d buy it.

Glenn - Alan Doh’Liver piece is a work of genius!!!! made me laugh out loud, quickly followed by severe depression coz its so realistic. Lord help us next season.

Christian - Couldn’t agree more. Oliver’s a sycophant, terrified to criticise Fat Fred, in case he stops getting his juicey little exclusives. And if I had a pound for every time he’s used the phrase “well wide of the mark” this season, I’d have £27.

Pauline - The Doh’liver stunt is hilarious, more please.

Thanks to everyone who wrote in.