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Site Features |
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Your Shout: Readers Mailbag (21st Dec
2005 To Jan 16th 06)
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You lot have been busy over the last 25 days or so, writing in to
the site in your droves and covering all manner of subjects with that
man Graeme Souness and Albert Luque the major topics of discussion.
As ever, here are all your e-mails, published in full.
RE:
"Readers Letter: Can It Get Any Worse"
As everybody knows and agrees we need a coach in a hurry, all the
names that have been put out, yes we would all like O'Neill or Hiddink,
we have got to get through this season though and then get somebody
like that for next season. In the short term what about "Tommy Craig"
he knows all the players and is doing a fine job with the reserves.
He has been there for a long time, he must be doing something right.
Just a thought, what do you think? Thanks and howay the lads. -
Les Robson
RE:
"Readers Letter: Can It Get Any Worse"
I think he is totally right and we should all fear relegation. Although
he may be quite extreme, it is true what he is saying. We're in shit
knee high and we don't know how we are gonna get out of it it would
seem! - Toon Fan
RE:
"Readers Letter: The Signs"
Another ridiculous view from an N.O reader. Why should the manager
be the fans choice, what do we know? Judging by the lack of knowledge
or awareness of the situation the club finds itself in, displayed
by some fans, I would say they should be the last to be consulted!
Ruud Gullit's appointment was welcomed by a lot of 'fans' and look
at what he did to the club! - John
RE:
"Readers Letter: The Blame Game"
Well balanced article. I am sick of reading biased reports that seek
to apportion blame to one person. This is a pleasant change. I have
two further points the raise that I feel are relevant in the context
of the article. Firstly, the season we finished 4th we didn't buy
any players other than bring in Bowyer on a free. I think Robson had
done a magnificent job and had effectively got the team to over-perform,
much like Everton last year, but why didn't the club buy some players
to keep up the momentum! Secondly, I believe Robson and also Souness
have made a mistake in having a weak backroom staff. Robson at Barcelona
had a young Mourinho working for him. I do wonder whether Robson ever
felt his position as Newcastle manager was ever strong enough - if
it wasn't then maybe the last thing he needed was to have a young,
highly capable backroom staff ready to take his place!
I am not anti-Souness. However one key statistic is that when under
Robson we finished 4th we had successfully managed to win more games
than any other club when first conceding a goal. This surely is a
marker for the managers ability to read the dynamics of a match and
have a positive influence on the outcome. Under Souness I don't believe
we have won a match in which we first conceded a goal. I have time
for Souness, and certainly cannot see what benefit it is to the club
to sack him mid-season, but I am not convinced with his tactical knowledge.
In his defence it is fair to say that our substitutes bench has been
very weak this season owing to our injuries and therefore he has had
little option in being able to introduce impact subs. Whereas Robson
had Lua Lua etc. - Simon
To: Newcastle-Online.com
Hey, I'm really enjoying these reader contributions. I don't often
agree with some of the opinions expressed by your writers and I tend
to mainly read up on player ratings and the match analysis more than
the rants but I'm finding the diversity really enjoyable. Hey, I might
send one in myself :) Keep up the good work guys. - Mick
RE:
"Readers Letter: The Blame Game"
Absolutely first class read! Enjoyed the article very much, and it
makes you think who the real problem is doesn't it! - Garth
Hope
RE:
"Winter Break Anyone?"
I think you're onto something. Personally I'm also in favour of a
winterbreak for football reasons. Winter breaks = less injuries to
players because they a) get a rest from muscle fatigue, and also mental
fatigue which can be argued to be linked to injuries b) already injured
players get more recovery time. If you have less injuries then you
will have better football, as more star players will be available
for more games and team cohesion can be built from the same 11 being
fielded many games in a row. Also the mere presence of a holiday will
mean players will be fresher after a rest, and therefore more likely
to play good football. Of course safety is more important, but a winter
break also makes sense for footballing reasons. - Newcastle
Fan
RE:
"Readers Letter: The Blame Game"
In regards to the question of discipline of the players, I was reminded
of a quote from a manager of a local football side here in Sydney
who had just won the title in the AFL (aussie rules) after something
like 73 years in the wilderness. He put it down to the decision not
to sign 'dick heads.' There were questions raised about the team's
management recruitment selections as they did not always choose the
most obvious candidates in the pre season drafts over the previous
seasons leading to their success. He said that their policy was vindicated
when the candidates they chose not to sign made the news papers for
the wrong reasons and noted how they were being transferred to other
teams regularly. People in the sports business are not known for their
honesty and candidness during interviews so this assessment really
stuck out for me. When you look at the Bellamy's, Dyers, Jenas' and
Robert's maybe the Toon should have a closer look and stop all the
lame hero worship and get some fair dinkum players instead. -
Allan
RE:
"Readers Letter: The Blame Game"
'We have a specialist finisher in Owen, who really needs a workhorse
in the mould of a Rooney, Beardsley or Bellamy behind him, rather
than a fellow centre forward alongside.' We needed Nihat!!! Why didn't
we get him, we are fools as a club. - Steven Bainbridge
RE:
"Readers Letter: The Blame Game"
Brilliant analysis... Good luck Souness, because if you ARE going
to succeed here, you will need it, all the best to you and the lads.
- Toon Fan
RE:
"Readers Letter: The Blame Game"
Quite possibly the best article I've read from this site and they
have wrote some good un's these past few months. When I opened the
page I though 'another Shearer rant', but it wasn't like that. Well
done on an intelligent analysis. The title says 'blame game', yet
the author hasn't blamed anyone and maybe fans shouldn't look to blame
any single individual either. As the article demonstrates, no-one
is really to blame, lots of factors and permutations have conspired
against us. The important thing now for Freddie is to take stock of
the club and steer it back on course. - Charles Smith
RE:
"Readers Letter: NUFC Must Act Now"
I am fed up of reading about Graeme Souness now! He is an arrogant
talentless man who is single-handedly destroying everything good about
Newcastle United. We, the fans, want him out NOW! I do not remember
one season where we have gone a goal down, and knew we would not pull
at least one goal back! Now we concede a goal, and we might as well
quit. I remember the good old days of comebacks, oppositions would
score 3, but we would score 4. Remember Shearer's hat-trick against
Leicester in the last 15 minutes of the game, to bring us from 3-1
down, to win 4-3? These days we are lucky to come back from one goal
down! I'm fed up, the entertainers are no more! Souness was a tough
player, and he is content as long as our players get tough! Sometimes
it works - against Arsenal it did! Souness does not have the tactical
brain to know how to play against different teams in the Premiership.
Although there are more coaching staff than players they cannot come
up with a solution why our talented squad cannot play well together!
There is too much deadwood at Newcastle! We need Souness and his coaches
out now! Also, has anyone else realised Souness has started blaming
his wife for everything! He doesn't do post match interviews (when
we get beat) because his wife will tell him off. He doesn't go to
watch the reserves play because he would rather get into trouble with
Freddy then into trouble with his wife!! Well Freddy... if you are
reading this... please please please get the deadwood out now!! If
you don't think there are any other suitable managers available, I
am more than happy to give you my services!! I guarantee I could take
this club to the next level... you should see me on Football Manager
2005 - I won the Champions League 3 times you know!!! Hahaha... maybe
Souness should practice on that for a while! - Carl Haynes
RE:
"Readers Letter: NUFC Must Act Now"
Agreed - what worries me is that the quality players we do have here
will want to leave if this goes on - Given, Parker, Owen etc, and
would would be hard to blame them. - GRC
RE:
"Readers Letter: NUFC Must Act Now"
Why must Newcastle act right now? Is it because you and other impatient,
blinkered fans will throw a hissy fit if they don't? Try opening your
eyes and seeing that the problems at this club have got more to do
with previous managers failing to successfully invest in good players
then Souness' management? - John
RE:
"Readers Letter: NUFC Must Act Now"
I really enjoyed Nick's article, he is so bloody spot on! Souness
is a crap manager full stop, there's no getting away from it. The
alarm bells rung for me when he took charge and said 'systems and
tactics are for school teachers!'. Well just look at Chelsea, Liverpool
and Man Utd who all, incidentally, have 'systems and tactics'. Keep
em coming... - Tommy Wright
RE:
"Readers Letter: The Blame Game"
This is a tremendous article that reaches the high level of quality,
insightful, reasoned, un-emotional opinions I am starting to expect
from your web site. I get rather weary of the usual tabloidesque rabble
rousing diatribes typically associated with soccer opinions. Of course
you have now set very high expectations. If your site was managing
NUFC, we would all expect the Champions League trophy delivered next
year. Keep up the good work. - Jon Lee
RE:
"Readers Letter: The Blame Game"
Fantastic article. At the end of the day when all is said and done,
we need a manager, strong enough to resist the double forces of Shepherd
and Shearer. - Nick Dryden
RE:
"Readers Letter: The Blame Game"
Great article! I totally agree that the manager has to be in charge
of the team, not the chairman. I think, as you, that this is where
the problem lies... - Simen
RE:
"Readers Letter: The Blame Game"
Very good in depth report. - Paul Anderson
To: Newcastle-Online.com
ON Sky TV Graeme Souness says he has done nothing wrong since arriving
at NUFC. How about the following list off the top of my head: 1. How
about failing out with four first team players in just over a year?
2. How about selling decent players for a pittance e.g. Hughes? 3.
How about failing to sign a decent defender? 4. How about failing
to qualify for Europe with a team which had previously finished in
the top five for the three previous seasons? 5. How about failing
to address defensive frailties while simultaneously blunting our attack?
6. How about boring, boring football which does not even get good
results? 7. How about 21 wins in 55 league games? 8. How about a reserve
centre forward on the left wing? 9. How about Celestine Babayaro?
10. How about Amady Faye? 11. How about going on National TV and airing
dirty linen over a petty dispute with a local journalist? 12. How
about Craig Moore? 13. How about Kieron Dyer's contract? 14. How about
£8M for Boumsong? Pity the SKY reporter just accepted his claim at
face value. - Lord Of Doom
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
Bravo fella. That sums up exactly how I feel. We need to support our
team not criticise them for everything they do wrong. If you had to
go to work everyday and have a bunch of people taking the piss would
you want to stay? Would you want to stick the boot in with the chance
you fluff the decision and end up with egg on your face? If we back
our team we will be made proud. We shouldn't criticise at every opportunity.
Bad luck this season like but makes me wonder what the training staff
are doing to the lads. They blame the shitty pitches but I blame the
techniques. A few changes: Stop playing Shola on the left! Sell Titus
Shambles! Keep Given: What a legend we're lucky to have him!
- AndyP
To: Newcastle-Online.com
Just writing in to say a big congratulations to King Al on his 200th
Newcastle goal. What an achievement. Who would have thought 10 years
ago he'd score that many. I was at the match and it brought a lump
to the throat. - Mark
RE:
"Toon Player Ratings Vs Mansfield Town (h)"
I went to the match and you have to admit it - the Stags outplayed
you! We were dominant for the whole of the match but our players will
get tired more easily because we are from a lower league - different
class of players. It should have been a draw and I would have loved
it for all you Geordies to have come down to Mansfield (how about
a friendly in the summer). I agree with the column and your fans were
shocking! Although I say that, there isn't much at the Mill. Tell
me this, if you had to choose one person from our squad to be man
of the match, who would it have been? 3 players impressed me: Stephie
Dawson, Adam Rundle and Gus Uhlenbeek, they ripped your players to
pieces IMO. - Craig Willgoose
RE:
"FA Cup Match Report: NUFC 1-0 Mansfield Town"
Best thing I've read by anyone about football for years. I'm sat here
nearly filling up! If you could bottle the little lad's passion and
wonder and feed it to the chairman and most of the players we'd win
the league. This article ought to be pasted on the dressing room wall
for these prima donnas to try and get it (with the obvious exception
of Al and Given), but Souness would probably put it on upside down
while McDermott and Saunders dropped the blu-tac. Ho hum, sharpen
your axe Freddy and bring on the next clueless under-achiever. I was
4 when NUFC last won a trophy - I hope the kid above doesn't have
the wait I've endured. - Jamie
RE:
"Readers Letter: Newcastle United Need Guus Hiddink"
Just a couple of comments. Why are Australia doing so well at the
moment? They now have a shitload of players trading their respective
wares in some of the finest leagues in the world. 10 years ago if
you were watching Australia you recognised 2 players. Now it's like
watching a Premier League match. You can't give the manager all the
credit there. Second thing - If Hiddink has been at the top of the
coaching world for 45 years he must be older than Sir Bobby. Finally
- people want to bring in a foreign manager? Souness is a foreign
manager. Can't see the attraction. Maybe Alain Perrin would take the
job. Maybe you're right. Souness til the summer. The only trouble
is, it would be nice to have a manager who is more successful than
Souness, which would suggest that they're sitting higher up the league.
So why on earth would they want to move to Newcastle, who have one
of the worst reps at the moment , in almost every area. -
Rob Brown
RE:
"Readers Letter: Sling Your Hook Graeme!"
Cracking stuff mate totally agree, I don't know how he has managed
to keep his job this long? I would really like to see a manager at
the helm for a long time and to be given a fair crack at it even if
success isn't within a few years but it is evident Souness isn't the
man for the job. Get in a decent manager and give him time and end
this circus that has plagued us for so long. We deserve better! -
Alex
RE:
"Readers Letter: Newcastle United Need Guus Hiddink"
I agree with Alan Shearer 9 (on most things he said in this article,
but not all!). Hiddink is a brilliant student of the game - he has
tactical nous that he adapts to suit the opponent and the individual
game at hand, he motivates his players as individuals and he welds
them together as a team. What he did with Australia in the space of
time that he had was nothing short of miraculous. Plus he appears
to be no bullshit and no nonsense. How he would react to having to
manage NUFC with the Chairman we have is another thing, but I for
one would L-O-V-E to have him at the toon. I would love it. -
Beno
RE:
"Readers Letter: Newcastle United Need Guus Hiddink"
Couldn't agree more, Newcastle really do need inspiration and I can't
see it coming from Sourpuss, sure he's got injury problems but really
it's not the injury problems that are the issue, Sourpuss really lacks
man management skills, he's living in yesteryear as far as management
is concerned. When Newcastle signed him from Blackburn he was most
probably just weeks away from the sack yet Newcastle were a lottery
win to Blackburn, we paid compensation to take him and saved them
from having to pay compensation. There needs to be changes in management
and they really have to get rid of the old boys network, Sourpuss's
team are not really up to it. John Carver was most probably a better
coach than any of Sourpuss's team. I agree the current Australian
coach would do wonders for Newcastle, but any deal should be performance
based and a sacking clause which prevents compensation payment for
performance bonuses, so base salary is all you have to pay. I can't
believe it would cost us 3 million plus redundancy to his team, it
smacks of desperation when we signed him. - Marz
RE:
"Readers Letter: Sling Your Hook Graeme!"
I fully endorse the comments written by Tom Watson concerning the
interview given by "lucky" Graeme Souness. The past 8 months have
seen our great club slip from UEFA Cup Quarter-Finalists to mediocre
mid-table obscurity. The demise is nothing short of a disaster in
sporting terms and has come about entirely because of the miss management
of souness and his back-room staff.
In the modern game we are forever being told that football is no longer
about the first eleven, but is a squad game. Yet when even a couple
of players are injured the squad theory gets blown out of the water
and managers like Souness cry wolf. Well, Mr Souness, who put the
squad together in the first place? You took great pleasure in dismantling
a perfectly good squad and seemed to have failed miserably to replace
quality with quality. If the results aren't materialising then that's
because YOUR squad are not performing; not because some of their team-mates
are out injured.
As fans we gave the manager the benefit of the doubt when he talked
about the bad apples and the poison within the dressing room; we accepted
his reasons for letting talent go and we waited patiently to see who
would come in to not only replace the missing talent but also add
to it. Parker looks a good signing, although the fact that most of
his work comes from having to play in front of the worst central defensive
partnership that the club has endured for 20 years may account for
his sometimes overworked performances; the jury is possibly still
out on Emre until we see a run of 20 or so consecutive games; Luque
seems out of his depth and too lightweight to handle the Premiership
(shades of Maric, Tomasson and Viana). Faye is not Premiership class,
nor is Boumsong. Craig Moore does not even come into the equation
as only the club doctor and physios would recognise him in the street
and Babayaro is probably the worst left back that we have had in recent
times.
That just leaves Michael Owen and the fact that Souness threw all
his eggs into the basket when he paid £16m means that the basket is
now empty. Don't get me wrong; as a died in the wool fan I was delighted
that we captured Owen; I'm just so annoyed with Souness for not putting
together a quality squad to support him. Souness has had ample time
to get it right yet the performances just slip from poor to mediocre
and there seems no end in sight. We lack leadership on the pitch;
seem disorganised, cannot put together even a short sequence of passes
and cannot defend as a unit to save our life. We don't look like a
team anymore. In fact this reminds me of the dark days of the late
70's and early 80's. - Steve Hastie
RE:
"Readers Letter: Sling Your Hook Graeme!"
Thank you, a big thank you for everything you wrote, Tom. I am Tom
too and like yourself I am a Newcastle fan for over 30 years. I live
in Poland and my English is not so good to write all my thanks, so
I hope you let me subscribe my text. I remember many bad times but
never was I so depressed. We can say many things about Sir Bobby's
sacking but Souness' arrival was like a spit into his face. From the
first day, I knew that our future would look dark. Unfortunately I
was right. Last season I watched on TV almost 30 of our games and
thanks to my friend in Newcastle I had the honour to be at St. James'
Park. It very depressing to watch my team unable to even get a shot
on target in many of these matches. We play without tactics and ideas
(high, long balls were good 30 years ago...).
Nobody wants to help players with the ball, so often we end our attacks
passing to... Shay who must kick to nowhere. We can't find free space
because we don't play one touch, pass and move football. In defence
no concentration, no understanding, bad positioning and marking. Souness
shows his frustration almost every week so no wonder that players
are also frustrated and the team have no spirit. The worst thing is,
that Souness doesn't see it and just thinks that he is a great manager.
So we have no hope for better times with him! Now is a very good time
for a new manager. He will have a few months to get to know the team
and prepare it for a new season. I call you all in Newcastle - DO
EVERYTHING TO KICK OUT SOUNESS!!! - Tomek Ciosanski
RE:
"Readers Letter: Sling Your Hook Graeme!"
Excellent letter, everything written is spot on. One can only imagine
how much the Souness era has cost Newcastle, but the damage will last
for years. - Dave Balmer
RE:
"Readers Letter: Sling Your Hook Graeme!"
Three words. Change. The. Record. - Dev
RE:
"Readers Letter: Sling Your Hook Graeme!"
Hey I totally agreed with what Tom Watson had written. But honestly,
no matter how we disagree and want Souness to leave the club, it all
depends on how the chairman sees things. He should look at the present
situation and Newcastle's performances, the form is not getting any
better. Even if there's a need to splash cash and strengthen the squad,
getting powerful players, under the management of Souness we will
still not get anywhere good. The defending is the worst of all and
should those defenders take a look in the mirror themselves, are they
fit to be defenders? Maybe those defenders with "B" should leave.
Should Souness carry on managing Newcastle United, then maybe he should
look himself in the mirror to and change his ways. We will just have
to see what it's going to be like for another few performances. It's
up to the chairman now to read the reader's mailbag and see the present
situation for himself and decide where he wants to go and where to
get a new manager from and who is the best man for the job to turn
Newcastle into a more powerful team. Don't let us (supporters) lose
faith in Newcastle United, something should be corrected and done
before it's too late to see a sorry state where good players start
leaving for a better club with a better future. - Bobby
RE:
"Readers Letter: Sling Your Hook Graeme!"
Sorry mate, but I think it is YOU that requires a reality check. I
am not a Souness fan but it is exactly this sort of hysterical, over-reaction
that is the problem at the Toon, always has been since Keegan! Seems
that Toon fans just love to polish their high horse so that they can
roll it out every time they want to moan about something. If you can't
see the good (as well as the bad!) that Souness has done in the short
time he's been at the club and you can't recognise that the club has
been hit harder by injuries than any other then there really is no
hope. Surely you need to present a balanced analysis rather than an
illogical character assassination? It's true that the squad is not
big enough but that's more down to Freddy's last-minute transfer gambles
that he likes to play and his reactionary attitude towards any difficulty
at the club, it is on record that Souness wanted to end up with 2
extra players after transfers (specifically claiming that the squad
was not big enough) but ended up 2 down because Freddy couldn't deliver
in time and was hedging his bets with Owen.
I'm sorry but I really can't see the outrage in Souness' comments
that you do - I genuinely believe that the Toon has a problem of over-expectation,
fueled by stirring journos who want to sell papers. It has always
been like this... do you read the Chronical? I've been to St. James'
for over 10 years now and have become sick at the miserable, demanding
crowd. It's not like the old days and I believe it's the attitude
that you've shown in your article that's the major problem - borne
of desperation, Toon fans DO NOT get behind the team like they used
to at home. I wish I could buy an away season ticket and dump my home
one to be honest! All I'm saying is that you sound hysterical, please
try to make a calm and honest appraisal of the situation, my point
here really doesn't relate to Souness but to the unhelpful outraged
attitude constantly demonstrated by Toon fans, please look at the
events of the last 10 years and tell me you can't recognise the significance
of what I'm talking about? - Paul G
RE:
"Readers Letter: Sling Your Hook Graeme!"
Total load of rubbish which displays extreme prejudice rather than
structured criticism. This can easily be identified by the tendency
to tell other people what to think. No doubt one of the idiots who
would rather see us lose games if it leads to the manager's dismissal.
- Terry, Low Fell
RE:
"Readers Letter: Sling Your Hook Graeme!"
He is treating us all with contempt! He's a basement manager and I
have never been so upset with a NUFC board, why do they not realize
how lucky they are to have the best fans in the world! There is no
way back for Souness he has no relationship with the local press and
worse, no relationship with the fantastic Newcastle fans, he holds
us in such contempt he doesn't feel he has to even face us. Freddy
we have been the past, we are the present and we are the future, we
are Newcastle United fans and we have had enough of Souness. -
Stephen
RE:
"Readers Letter: Sling Your Hook Graeme!"
1 Ok so Souness was not our choice that is a fact.
2 The fault of this is Freddy Shepherd that is a fact.
3 Freddy can’t pick managers that is a fact, this is his fourth attempt.
4 Alan Oliver is causing trouble at the club that is a fact.
5 If Oliver were any good at his job, he would be working for one
of the National Newspapers that is a fact.
6 In 30 years supporting the club, this is our worst run of injuries
that is a fact.
7 OUR Club is being turned into a laughing stock that is a fact.
8 Oliver is a regular on Sky Sports that is a fact (why?).
9 Supermac is badmouthing us in the press and on Radio just as he
did in 1976 that is a fact.
10 Shepherd, Souness, Oliver, McDonald. All make a good living on
the back of NUFC that is a fact.
11 I will be at the match Saturday and buy my season ticket next Season
that is a fact.
Answers = I don’t know. Is it anything to do with number 11? -
Mick Readman
RE:
"Readers Letter: Sling Your Hook Graeme!"
I agree with most of the things you've said Tom but I don't spend
money to see matches as much as I'd like to as I live far away in
Spain and it's complicated. But something makes me feel sorry for
Souness. I think much is due to the fact that he has bought really
good players like Luque, Owen, Emre, Parker and Boumsong, and the
fact that these players which we really need in the team as well as
other 1st teamers like Taylor Babayaro, Shearer, Solano, Dyer, Ameobi,
hell the whole team has been sabotaged with injuries even before our
first league match and since then has been getting worse and worse.
That's not his fault, that's down to a lot of bad luck. It's asking
too much to the remaining players week in week out, so I'm glad they
dug deep and gave us a few good wins we can at least cheer about.
I didn't want Souness as manager in the first place but now the only
thing we could really do is have patience because now we have a better
squad than we've had for ages. To put in one word it will be SUPPORT
Souness. I really believe he'll get it right, and what good is another
change in manager, he'll might sell the wrong players. Thanks for
reading. - Justin
RE:
"Readers Letter: Sling Your Hook Graeme!"
This article should be sent to the press and Sky TV. This is the opinion
of the vast majority. - Jim Greenfield
RE:
"Readers Letter: Sling Your Hook Graeme!"
Excellent, I would give this work a grade A if I were a teacher. -
Jonny
RE:
"Readers Letter: Newcastle United Need Guus Hiddink"
I have to say I totally agree with you and have wanted us to get Hiddink
before we got Souness, not only has he done brilliant with PSV but
now he has qualified Australia and taking South Korea and Holland
to the Semi-Finals of a World Cup and played attractive flowing football
in the process, something not seem with us under Souness and I don't
think we ever will. I know we have had injuries but he has now lost
more games than we have won, not acceptable at all. If it means keeping
Souness until the Summer then so be it, but we cannot afford to get
the next manager's decision wrong again, or we could even have a temporary
manager in charge until the Summer. If Real Madrid can do it we can
if it's for the good of the club.
One of the reasons I feel we struggle to win home matches now is because
we play such boring football the crowd find it hard to get excited
and get behind the team which has been one of our best weapons in
the Robson/Keegan eras, they used to say it was our 12th man. I think
we have only scored 1 goal in the opening 15-20 mins of a game and
are usually going in at half-time level and the crowd become anxious.
I feel with someone like hiddink we would then go out to try and win
matches rather than keep it tight, playing attractive flowing football
is so important because keeping the fans happy and excited will help
us get more wins.
This is a massive few months for the club, lets make sure we get it
right, you cant keep blaming injuries all the time, Liverpool had
horrendous injuries last year but finished 5th and won the Champions
League and I didn't hear Benitez complain after every game because
he actually knows how to manage club with tactics, something Souness
has no idea about and even admitted it himself when he said he doesn't
worry about tactics as long as you have proper players. Maybe that's
why our players seem to wonder around like headless chickens because
tactically they have no clue what they are supposed to do. Lets just
hope Shepherd thinks Hiddink is the man and goes all out to get him
but I doubt it. - Darren Mills
RE:
"Readers Letter: Newcastle United Need Guus Hiddink"
Mint story, I totally agree, and while we're doing business round
there, why not bring Dirk Kuyt here too! - Ally-Boy
RE:
"Readers Letter: Newcastle United Need Guus Hiddink"
I have defended Souness against some ridiculous criticism ever since
he was first appointed. I have also stated that some of the managers
names bandied about probably wouldn't entertain coming to SJP. And
I have said on a number of occasions that the manager I would choose
to replace Souness, who may be a realistic target, is Guus Hiddink.
I didn't see the game you refer to but from what I have seen of his
teams in Europe I think he could be the answer to our problems. We
cannot afford for the next manager to get things wrong! For all of
Sourness' failings he will leave the next manager with some real talent
at his disposal and none of the big time charlie time wasters that
were here under SBR. - Gosport Toon
RE:
"Anagrams Never Lie"
Very funny, livens up my day. But anyway we need to KEEP Souness,
who else are we going to get? Someone who sells the current squad,
then brings in new players, then gets sacked, Newcastle United is
a manager merry-go-round, this needs to stop for the good of the club,
Rome wasn't built in a day. - Toon Fan
RE:
"Anagrams Never Lie"
Loved it, a very enjoyable read Archie. You're an asset to this fantastic
site. I don't think I have read any of your articles without laughing
at some one liner or idle piece of wit. Keep writing your positive,
funny and very enjoyable pieces, please. - Martin Johnson
RE:
"Readers Letter: Newcastle United Need Guus Hiddink"
He is a fucking AWESOME coach. I've seen how his teams play and they
take the piss out of 'over-achievement' because they're that shite
normally. He took Korea to the World Cup Semi-Final, PSV to the Champions
League Semi and has won numerous titles, plus got crappy Australia
into the World Cup. What a man! - Ash Wills
RE:
"Readers Letter: Newcastle United Need Guus Hiddink"
If Guus came to wor NUFC, it would be brilliant, and come on, not
all Aussie players are crap! After all they still beat the poms in
their last encounter! - Gibbo
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
Give this man a job... brilliant column, every word a truth. I hope
Freddy and Graeme see this. - Olly Good
RE:
"Toon Player Ratings Vs Middlesbrough (h)"
"A masterful display in leading the line, won almost everything
in the air and protected that ball with his body as if his life depended
on it at times". Your view of Shearer's performance, my view
was that he was utterly inept, forlorn and incapable. Continuing this
hero worship is exactly why the club will never move forward. You
can't criticise the manager but praise someone who contributes so
very little as a striker and as a captain (just look at Lee Clark
to see what a skipper should do on the pitch). Shearer WAS a Newcastle
great, WAS one of the best English strikers ever but does he really
do more on the pitch than the like of Ameobi or Luque? - Realist
RE:
"Toon Player Ratings Vs Middlesbrough (h)"
I'm not even going to bother to comment on Bramble and Boumsong. Everybody
knows and thinks the same. As for Souness, personally I wish he'd
sod off. What I will comment on are the two idiots who sit behind
me (Leazes L7) neither are Geordies and gave Luque nothing but abuse!
I must have been watching a different game. I thought he looked much
more comfortable than I've seen him so far, and he looked like he
has the ability to conjure a goal up out of nothing. Give the lad
a break! He's playing in a different league, under a clueless manager.
The last thing he needs are his own fans giving him undeserved abuse.
Kudos to the real 'supporters' who applauded his efforts. -
Louise
RE:
"Why Souness Has To Go"
He was a brilliant player, but a crap man manager. You don't get rid
of players like Bellamy, I know he could be a pain at times but hey
aren't we all. He is tactically clueless, the players are not with
him plain and simple. Freddy has already sacked him, he is just waiting
for a replacement, come on down Martin O'Neill. You know it makes
sense. - Wayne Smith
RE:
"Toon Player Ratings Vs Middlesbrough (h)"
As long as Newcastle rely on an ageing Alan Shearer (which is sad
to see because in my opinion he was the best striker in Europe between
1994-1998) Newcastle will never win anything, FACT. Get rid of Souness
he is totally tactically wanting, we should have got George Burly
when they had the chance. You never know Martin O'Neill might show
up hopefully! - Wayne Smith
RE:
"Great Expectations"
Nice points apart from the crossing time zones bit. I come from Gloucester
and watching every game would be an impossibility for me in my location.
The trouble and strife I go through to watch the games that I can
get to IMO makes me just as much a fan as anyone else. I'm 40 and
have supported N.U. for 34 years through every up and down, mostly
downs. Not once have I wavered, so all this stuff about not being
born and bred within throwing distance of a club so you're not a true
supporter is IMO tosh. Also I myself was right behind Souness up until
he had most of the squad at his disposal and nothing seemed to change,
but we must not rush into things again. If Big Sam won't come until
the summer let's wait till the summer. Thank you and goodnight. P.S.
Sell Elliot, Bramble, Bowyer and Babayaro now. - G Hearn
(Ed: I think Archie, the author of the article
in question, was referring to foreign glory hunter type fans like
those that follow Manchester United...)
RE:
"Referee Watch: Steve Bennett"
In this article and others, Paul persists in describing this referee
as 'excellent'. I find this a ridiculous statement. Having watched
him referee not only Newcastle's games, but football league, Premiership,
UEFA and International games my own opinion of this referee is far
removed from Paul's. Bennett constantly makes decisions too quickly
and reaches for his cards or points to the penalty spot where a moment's
thought could allow him to consider the pace of the game and other
factors leading to a law infringement. It is obvious from his refereeing
that he simply does not understand how the game is played and has
no notion of a punishable foul requiring intent.
His approach to handling players on the field is reminiscent of a
school teacher in the David Elleray mould. He achieves nothing by
this (nor did his predecessor) - if anything he further-provokes those
on the end of his lectures. He does not deserve, and receives little
respect from the players as a result of his poor refereeing. He is
petty, he misses crucial decisions and his windy lectures ensure he
wastes more time than any traveling 4-5-1 team. Something he fails
to add on to the halves of football he has blighted. To his credit
he has a recent history of owning up to mistakes made on the park.
Regrettably his apologies are useless 24 hours after a crucial decision
has effectively ruined a competitive match.
During the Newcastle v Middlesbrough game it appeared his new year's
resolution had been not to produce a card. In achieving this he managed
not to punish a Viduka elbow as well as an Elliot hand-ball and a
dangerous and unnecessary foul on Shay Given. What is not in doubt
is his ability to re-enforce with determination the most futile and
preposterous of FIFAs annually introduced idiot laws. His ability
to choreograph the removal of a player from the fray following a foul
(only to reintroduce him as soon as play continues) is not in question.
It is this, I think, that helps him to maintain his position at the
top of the FA's list of referees.
I wish Paul the very best of luck in his refereeing career. To reach
the very top he will have to appease the Football Association in exactly
the way Bennett does. I hope that instead of taking inspiration from
the likes of Steve Bennett he appreciates the respect given to the
best of referees in recent years - namely the peerless Perluigi Collina
and Paul Durkin, the Premier League players' most respected referee.
Both of these referees are their own men. They display a fondness
of the game regularly ruined by Bennett and his ilk. - Neil
RE:
"Why Souness Has To Go"
I agree with this page completely. Souness has wrecked this fantastic
football club and now must surely go!!! - Immsy
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
Cracking read and I agree totally. Everyone should remember it took
a certain Mr. Henry of Arsenal ages to score the first goal, if he
had been at Newcastle we would have loaned him somewhere and missed
out one of the most gifted footballers I've ever seen close up. -
Colin Rogerson
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
Excellent, Excellent article. Finally a Newcastle fan who talks sense.
As a Liverpool fan I'm praying you keep Souness for as long as possible
because when you get rid of him you've got a lot of material to be
a good side. Just please when you win 3 games in a row don't be one
of those fans going on about winning the league and coming in the
top 4! - Ben Whitfield
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
I am a Newcastle fan and have been since I was 7 years-old. I think
this article was good as it shows Viana is a top player also who needs
a chance, like Luque. - Yaser
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
I totally agree with Howaythetoon, why in christ's name should Luque
give a shite when the likes of Real come out and say we want Luque,
he is a star in his in his own making, coming into a shite side full
of highly paid no hopers, other than Big Al and Parker who have we
got to put out faith in? Emre is just returning to fitness, N'Zogbia
getting there eventually, Faye for fuck all, Bowyer? Question mark
says it all. Lee Clark, part timer but thankful for the equaliser,
Ameobi has to go, bring back Lua Lua all is forgiven, Nobby again
nursing injuries but will come good, Elliot, good bye and good riddance,
Boumsong and Bramble what a shambles, Ramage getting there, needs
a few more matches for confidence, and Given next captain of NUFC.
Chaps give Luque and Emre a chance, they haven't been here a wet week
and what we are a pack of crying women, jesus at least got a chance
on the cross to redeem himself, why fuck up our future. Start supporting
the 2 most important overseas signings in the last 5 years or shut
up. - Micky Hamill
RE:
"Why Souness Has To Go"
A cracking article. Mirrors the way everyone I know feels about this
man. Along with the ghastly Ruud Gullit, he is the worst football
manager I have come across. Even worse than Alan Ball. Living in Edinburgh
its hard to judge the mood of the city. I would be interested to know
if it is only a matter of days until he is relieved of his position.
- Rod Cole
RE:
"Why Souness Has To Go"
Oh, buddy, what I want to do most right now is print this article
out and pin it on my notice board... absolutely spot on (the only
thing I'd like to have some say about is, Fat Freddy is equally rubbish
as our current manager; look who he's hired except KK and SBR). -
Alan Lee
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
Too right Mate! How can anyone expect Luque to play amazingly well
like he did in La Liga, he's a superb footballer, me being a huge
fan of the La Liga myself. Newcastle United all over, great Signings...
no idea how to use them. - Andrew Brown
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
My heart wants to call you a dick head but my brain tells me to agree
with you, and after 38 years of love and hate for the club for me
its too late to give in (my balls talking), you're spot on with what
you say. - John Minto
RE:
"Why Souness Has To Go"
Alright, so Souness has gotten us a few good players, Owen to name
a good example... but jesus christ! He's had so fucking many good
opportunities to prove himself that he may just have the qualities
of an OK manager, but NO! No, no, no, no! Time after time he disappoints
us... I'm fed up with him, and I'm fed up with Freddy Shepherd. Please,
please get us a REAL manager, instead of a new Souness. -
Hitland
RE:
"Why Souness Has To Go"
You are right Souness has failed to make even the minimal expectations
of our club. The players are unfit and when Hughes took over Blackburn
he said he had to improve the fitness of their players, when Souness
was there they had tonnes of injury crisis' as well! His poor tactics
and man management skills are dragging Newcastle down! - Ed
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
Pretty impressive, I completely, all you need to do now is tell Souness
that. - Glenn
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
Saw the link on the BBC 606 forums and have to say what a brilliant
read mate. Passionate and to the point. A bit OTT with the swearing
but when you're passionate about an argument you're trying to make,
it can come out like that. Keep kicking arses mate. Tob site BTW.
- Richie
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
Get off your highorse you moronic fool. He's shite and doesn't give
a fuck. It's clueless idiots like you who see to it that we keep these
softshites and rob the club of wages. - Tony
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
Can't help but agree with most of this rant. Every successful side
has that mixture of youth and experience, pace and creativity. I've
watched Luque both at a club level and at national level. He is the
real deal. I just don't think he is at full fitness just yet although
he looked a bit better against Boro, despite that early miss. On the
question of creative talent, when is Emre due back? And why is Ameobi
preferred to N'Zogbia? Why did we not insist on a direct swap of Carrick
for Jenas? Why do we allow Milner away on loan, when after the sale
of Ambrose he would have been a natural replacement? Even with Solano's
return he could have learned from one of the best and with the ever
present injury problems (I would have said "jinx" but it's far beyond
that) he would have had his share of first team games and have been
an active member of the first team squad.
All he needs is a little confidence and some shooting practice. And
don't even get me started on the Faye's of this world. As for Parker
he is now doing the job that Gary Speed did so well and Butt did so
badly. Good tackler, simple first time balls, lacking a bit of pace
and with better luck could have had a a couple of goals from midfield.
I fully expect him to be in the World Cup squad. Just heard of the
rumour that Keegan may be Sunderland bound. Can't see it myself, he
doesn't need that agro nor the hate mail from so called Newcastle
fans. - Eric Newton
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
A lot of sense spoken here. Luque oozed class in Spain. However, he
was also guided and improved by a first class coaching staff. Currently
he works with second rate coaches who took Blackburn from bad to worse.
Just take a look at Leeds United's results since John Carver went
there. He was used to working with quality and for the most part getting
decent results. So what do we do, sack him at the new manager's request
and bring in Saunders and Murray. Blackburn fans were clapping there
hands after last season's 3-0 home victory, that we had taken that
bunch off there hands. By the way, that was the only game that a certain
assistant manager ever took charge of the first team (John Carver).
We had an opportunity for continuity until a top class manager could
be found but instead we took the first man that wanted the job. -
Mr F
RE:
"Why Souness Has To Go"
Brilliant article, totally agree. - Robb P
RE:
"Why Souness Has To Go"
I totally agree. The team selection and performance against Liverpool
was the final nail in the coffin for Greame Souness. It showed how
tactically inept he is and totally unable to motivate his players.
We can't do worse than get rid and either get a new manager in, or
put Roeder in charge in the meantime. - Adam Gradwell
RE:
"Why Souness Has To Go"
Oh my god, I had goosebumps reading that article, it's the
most truthful thing I've ever read... superb! - Paul
RE:
"Why Souness Has To Go"
I could be here until the 3rd of January 2007 if I gave you all the
reasons why Graeme Souness has to have the common decency to resign
as the Toon manager. If you thought Gullit or Dalglish were no good
for the Toon then compared to Souness you were sadly mistaken. He
has taken Newcastle from being in the top five of the Premiership
and in Europe 3 seasons running, and one of the most feared teams
in Britain to a laughing stock. If I take you back to mid season 02/03
newcastle had just qualified for the second phase of the Champions
League and had recently beaten Juventus 1-0 at a once known fortress
called St. James' Park.
And they narrowly missed out on the Quarter-Finals after coming home
from the San Siro with a 2-2 draw. If Souness took 'the best team
he had ever inherited' to the San Siro now the result would be a forgone
conclusion and not even worth thinking about. My point is that the
Toon need a breath of fresh air in the staff department. And if that
breath of fresh air comes from Ottmar Hitzfeld or any other manager
with similar credentials I am not bothered, as long as we do not see
the 3rd of February 2006 under the shambolic reign of Souness. -
Sean Mitchell
RE:
"Why Souness Has To Go"
Souness is inconsistent, he is always blaming the defeats on injuries.
He's playing Ameobi on the left ahead of N'Zoggy. What kind of manager
does that!! Obviously a rubbish one. - David Bennett
RE:
"Why Souness Has To Go"
Two words for this article my friend, spot on! - Steven Edgar
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
One of the few sensible things I've heard from a Toon fan in a while,
I think we must have the dumbest most short sighted fans ever. I wish
Clarkie never scored yesterday - the chairman may have gained half
a fucking clue and realised he doesn't have a football manager, but
a long ball merchant. Theses are worrying times at St. James's. -
David Cook
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
I went to go and see the Toon Vs Spurs on New Years Day and I have
got to say we were wank! no commitment, no passion, no desire. Even
shearer didn't look bothered. Although Luque did not look up to much
and he hasn't in any other of his 3 games I do agree with you. Why
offload him so early? he obviously has talent, I've seen him play
for Deportivo in Spain and he was a class act. I was over the moon
when we signed him and still am excited to see him. Once he has settled
in at St. James' Park, he'll do well. The only fucker we need to offload
is Souness and his crew of under achieving ambitionless staff. There
is only one Bobby Robson! - Sean Mitchell
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
How utterly lucid. And how very, very true. - Seb
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
Completely spot on - how is he supposed to play when he is getting
booed for not putting big hard tackles in? Is that what we bought
him for? Get behind him, give him time and see what a quality player
he is! - Stuart Turner
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
A little too much swearing not that I’m against it. It gets the point
across and in this article it is entirely justified. Because it comes
from the heart. I too have missed two matches not because I couldn't
get there but more I am realising that I couldn’t be arsed to go there.
And have thought along with a lot of other people that Souness from
the beginning is the wrong man for job. I gave him a little credit
when we started to get results and thought possibly I'm wrong. But
underlying to the fact that we have a truck load of talent on the
field, how could it not succeed and gain results. It’s kind of like
falling into the old bucket of nipples analogy - let’s face it with
Owen playing we would grind out some results. Take Owen off and we
don't stand a chance we come out sucking our thumbs. The team need
direction and something called tactics. Being clever about playing
the game and not just sticking 11 players on the field hoping that
if they push up that they might just score. So at this point we really
just need to see what happens. Hopefully the Scot will go and be replaced
with somebody decent or you could probably pick up anybody off the
street who has some idea of football. But PLEASE take some kind of
forward step and not a sideways step or even backwards like this current
administration. - Trent Watson
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
Well argued, lots of truth as well but if the logic applies that it
takes a year to bed these "proper footballers" in this league why
buy him in the first place? Our need is now, or in the case of when
he was bought, the day after he arrived. Never once did I hear anyone
from the club say this guy ain't for this season so don't expect too
much. He might well be the dogs bollox in the sunshine where defenders
aren't trying to kick lumps out of you and you get a bit of time on
the ball, how about we appeal to the likes of Bolton and Blackburn
to spare a thought for his style of play when the time comes to face
them, surely they will respond and stand off him while he performs
his magic? The guy's persona tells you he doesn't fancy the type of
football the majority of the teams in the Premiership play, I've just
watched him against Boro, apart from being afraid to challenge for
the ball do they have the same offside rules in La Liga as they do
here? If so why the fuck doesn't he try and play to them, I read one
report on his missed chance that said he hit the post cause the ball
was on his weaker foot, my arse. Weaker foots are for the likes of
us who enjoy a kick about in the park for that price tag and reputation
you shouldn't have a weaker foot, I really do hope I am wrong and
he goes on to great thing for us, I just cant see it happening though.
We agree 100% on one thing, Shola is a tool. - Billy The Nose
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
There are 290 of us NUFC fans here in BKK, and we really enjoyed this
article, and agree with this. We don't know who is ruling St. James'
Park, players or the boss. It seems like it's a department store,
anyone who wants to come in, he's in, and anyone who wants to go out
can simply go... Luque is too much. We love Newcastle, we all do.
We are dying here to get some good news. - Dean
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
My sentiments exactly. We won't be relegated this season but Souness
must go now. - John Ritchie
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
I enjoyed your article and agree with you, Luque in. Donald Duck out
(Shola Ameobi) Luque is a class player given the chance. Mr Souness
sell Shola and all the other headless chickens and keep the footballers
and build on them. - Dougie
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
I love this rant. It has everything you need for true football rant
- it has a go at the fans, the players (with the exception of Luque),
the manager, but mostly "the club" in general. But mostly I like it
because you could change the names and use it for any club in the
Premiership or any of the leagues, hell if you stuck it through Babel
Fish you could even use it for Real Madrid. Howaythetoon is clearly
a true fan who loves his club and is in despair at its current predicament.
Join the club mate. - Sack the Juggler, long suffering Evertonian
and football fan
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
I totally agree this lad needs time to adjust and more importantly
games to get form, not to mention the fact he has had a really bad
injury. You would think he will get the games now with Micky England
comes first Owen out, but knowing Souness he has a chance to rest
Luque, well he has played 2 game in a row. Can anyone answer these
questions, where is Emre? Where is Dyer? Where is Carr? How does Amdy
Faye get a game in front of Bowyer/Clark? How does Shola get a game?
Why have we got more back-room staff than players? What do they do
in training? - Toon Fan
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
*Applause*. This is one of the best articles I have read about Newcastle
United during the "dark era". If it was up to me we would sack Souness
and get Paul Le Guen as our new manager, provided he's interested.
Just think of the damage our team could make in a 4-3-3 with Shearer
as the target man, Luque and Owen wide of him, and a midfield consisting
of Emre-Parker-Bowyer (I haven't given up on him yet, even though
he's a twat). - Aleksander Enoksen
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
This is the most intelligent article I've read for a long long time.
Is is nothing less than shocking that some "fans" already want Luque
to get the hell out of Newcastle United; My God he's been injured
almost since he got here. I doubt that he intentionally tore his hamstring.
I think all of the players at this club want to be here; they want
to play good football and they want to win some silverware. But you
cannot expect them to win anything just by throwing them on the pitch
without anything like tactics and a game plan. The stupidest thing
I've ever heard was Souness saying "Tactics don't win games; players
do." If that was true; what the hell do we need a manager for?
- Lars Langvand Samuelsen
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
Well said, Freddy shepherd, pay attention! - Alan Curley
RE:
"Why Souness Has To Go"
Poor tactics, no team spirit, no vision, poor discipline, dour approach
to football, lots of injuries, no defence... he depresses me. I love
football and love the Toon. He has to go NOW! - Dermot
RE:
"Why Souness Has To Go"
Cast your minds back a few years. Newcastle under Bobby Robson in
the Champions League, finishing in the top 5. However Robson made
some shocking buys (Viana, Bramble, Kluivert), and didn't take the
club forward the way he should have in his last season in charge.
He should have gone in the summer of 2004 in my opinion. But we all
know what happened. And what does the chairman do? Replace him with
a manager with a shocking record compared to Robson. We had to go
for someone who could continue the progress made in from 2001 to 2003.
But no, we got Souness.
Now I'm not a huge Souness-hater personally - I think the guy's more
genuine than a lot of managers out there. But tactically, sometimes
I think he makes Graham Taylor look like Rinus Michels. And what makes
it worse is the names that were going around to replace Robson. Bruce,
Allardyce, O'Leary spring to mind. If desperation creeped in, I'd
take O'Leary at a push. But the others? Don't make me laugh. These
same names are going around today amid rumours over Souness' future.
This shows just how far this club has fallen. Yes Robson had to go,
but at least he had us progressing. What would you rather have - the
Toon giving Inter a run for their money in the San Siro or scraping
a draw with the Chemical Brothers at SJP?
That's the reality. And this may be a bit patronising from a fan who
hardly gets to games and isn't a born Geordie (Northumbrian roots,
mind), but we should all be ashamed of ourselves for not getting on
Souness' back quicker. Most of us could see he wasn't going to do
much for the club, but I think this is our mistake. Now before folk
counter this with all that "but support the team, it's what we're
here to do", just take this into account. We go on backing a team/manager
going nowhere, the chairman sticks with the status quo. We make our
case against the management team with such ferocious voice and Fat
Fred will have to act. Cynical, but I'd rather have a change at the
club than see it go on like this. What do we want at NUFC? Champions
League for a start, yes? Can Souness take us there - no way. Could
Robson - yes, and he did. Who could again?
I hear O'Neill being mentioned. Yes he did well with Celtic - but
it's easy up here trust me. One good season in Europe, but their football
was pretty dire and he was lucky to have Larsson in his prime. Remember
Leicester in the Premiership - kick and rush. That's not NUFC. Please
fans see through O'Neill - he is NOT the best man for the Toon. We
really do need to go for a foreign coach. Why? Three words - Chelsea
(although that's all a sham, a crime against football, with Abramovich),
Liverpool and Arsenal. They are the top dogs - that's where we need
to be. It might be wishful thinking, but I only hope Fat Fred does
look at Hitzfeld, or Hiddink, or Ranieri even.
There are others - Paul Le Guen - three league titles in a row. Watching
the 1997 Champions League final on an old tape not long ago, I thought
"That's how I want the Toon to play" watching Hitzfeld's Dortmund.
There were no big stars - just 11 winners (a cliche I know, but very
true). They could change formations in an instant, from 4-4-2 to 3-4-3
and seemed at ease with it. Under Souness they look lost. Craig Bellamy
must be laughing, the little shit. It'll probably never happen, but
Hitzfeld would be perfect for Newcastle.
Rumours go on linking him with Manchester United. He'd go there no
doubt. But Fergie won't be sacked mid-season. Souness should - and
we should get the man in now (or someone else high-calibre). Come
on fans, wake up to reality. We cannot accept the situation we're
in (injury jinx or not). A Bruce, Allardyce, Curbishley, Moyes, O'Leary
wont do us. We need a quality boss, who's won something of note before.
Souness has to go now. Go get yourselves outside St. James' and make
your voices heard. Fred might listen if he's not out for his fourth
lunch of the day. - Mikey
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
Brilliant. Sheer brilliance. This article sums up perfectly the perpetual
problem that we have in the stands at SJP. The total lack of patience
that the supporters have with new introductions, particularly those
coming from abroad is utterly frustrating. The way that Luque and
Viana have been treated over the past few years by our so called knowledgeable
supporters is nothing short of a disgrace.
Both players have flair and creativity in spades, but it needs time
to bed players in. I entirely agree with Mr Howaythetoon. No player
of any quality will want to come to the Toon as long as we continue
with the tirade of abuse that we are so apt at. No other club is so
eager to rip their new signings to bits as we are. Would Robin Van
Persie still be at Arsenal if they treated him the same as we do;
remember that Henry had a horror show for the first 8 months he was
at Arsenal as well.
We have to have patience with these players if we want flair and exciting
football at SJP. We can't keep screaming abuse at them for not doing
the stuff that they weren't brought into do in the first place. As
a final note, and this just says it all to me, overheard from the
guy sitting in front of me in Gallowgate......."that Scott parker,
shite! Doesn't get forward enough" I now believe that too many people
who watch the modern game have absolutely NO idea what they are talking
about.
Thanks for this article, and while it doesn't absolve the wasters
and shirkers in the squad, or the manager for some woeful tactical
decisions, it does highlight a significant problem. The fans have
got to start supporting the players. I took my old man to the Villa
match (he lives in the midlands and hasn't been to SJP for at least
20 years) and he was appalled by the lack of support and atmosphere.
We need to accept a certain amount of responsibility and make SJP
a place where quality and talent want to come to. - Rich
RE:
"Why Souness Has To Go"
There isn't any way that this article could've been written better.
Absolutely spot on. Geordie fans should take heart from the 'we're
after you and we're coming' line. seek' im, seek 'im... -
Keith
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
That was a good article and maybe it should be read by Newcastle's
coaching staff. They, or should I say he, does not seem to understand
what is going on around him. Does he not see that for the amount of
injured players Newcastle has that something must be wrong with the
training or rehab?
Surely he can not continue to blame it on bad luck. Maybe the Owen
incident was, of sorts, an accident (damn you Paul Robinson, although
I hope you can do the same in the World Cup to strikers that I will
not name) but for players to have the same injury over and over and
for them to take so long before they are back, the question has to
be raised, do they know what they are doing?
I was all for standing by Souness when he arrived and when the results
were not exactly going his way as another overhaul of staff would
most likely cause more problems (not that it could get much worse).
However, now, it seems that it is not just the players bodies letting
them down (I don't think I need to list the injured players!!) but
their minds too.
Maybe for one last time (I hope) a new competent manager should be
brought in to get Newcastle back where they should be. I would say
to the boo-hardy fans that before they force Freddy to make another
decision, spare a thought for the players who will be left without
a manager (even though some may say that would be better) if Souness
does go.
The fact that getting a top class manager to go to any club is difficult,
but getting one to come to Newcastle may turn out to be a step too
far. The booing may be directed at individuals but it will not be
helping the players, booing no matter who its at, does not inspire
nor does it offer confidence.
The manager (and other staff) must be shipped on, but until then backing
Newcastle players no matter what or who is there should be a priority.
PS I do sympathise with supporters who pay to see matches. I support
Newcastle as much as I can however I would feel aggrieved if I paid
to see them come off second best in most matches. - Matthew
Sackwood
RE:
"Why Souness Has To Go"
What an excellent summation of the situation at SJP, well argued and
reasoned analysis without one expletive! - Jack
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
I find all that swearing to lower the tone of what is an otherwise
excellent website. Very good read though and I think maybe on this
subject the swearing is justified. - Marcus H
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
Absolutely first class article. I honestly believe that you are speaking
for the majority of us but unfortunately, the minority seem to be
seated a bit to close together. Albert Luque is a fantastic football
player and as you say our manager AND our chairman, along with our
lower league coaching team know nothing about modern football. It's
no good looking for another Alan Shearer... it's an Albert Luque we
need... you know, that bloke from Spain who is trying to prise Ameobi
out of the team so that he can get a game. The truth is, we are now
Blackburn in disguise. And if things don't change for the better soon...
we'll be Leeds United in disguise. - Dev
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
Wow this was posted on the office MB, lots of my fellow Geordies agree
completely with you. Inspiring stuff and great website. Keep up the
good work lads. - Paul
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
Hi I know I'm not from Newcastle but my family are and we all share
the same views that Souness was the cheap replacement for Bobby. They
should of put Bobby up in the board room and found a suitable replacement.
I agree totally about the article. What I find hard is how we still
for some reason attract these players to the club. Then when they
get here Graeme Souness pisses them off, doesn't give them a chance
and sells them for half the price. Hugo Viana has exceeded every club
he's joined, shouldn't that tell Graeme something. The next thing
that wasn't mentioned is why is it us who suffers the injuries constantly.
Others clubs don't head to every match having the weekly concern of
soft shites not wanting to play so make the worst of slight bruise
to the leg.
Man Utd, Arsenal and Chelsea who we should be up with have one or
two injuries but the players want to play and get fit quickly. Not
the bunch of hypochondriacs we have drawn to the city's night life
(I don' think I've ever witnessed a fully fit team yet). I feel sorry
for you lot paying huge amounts to watch our team get destroyed in
defence every week with players who were ok in their previous cubs.
Bramble, Boumsong, Carr, Babbyaro. Does anyone know if we've still
got the same defensive coach as there seems to be a pattern about
our defence in the last 16 years of my life. I feel this club should
be fighting for Champions League places every year and that we should
be scaring teams with a fully fit team with tactics that work preferably
from a different manager. - Marcus Chisholm
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
What is this, HTT, a Toon fan taking a sensible look at the Luque
situation. Congratulations! I watched the Boro game and what was noticeable
was that Luque started out very gingerly, but as the game progressed
he got more into the game, and was willing to try a bit more. I think
he wants to get out there and do the biz, but he's still very wary
of his hamstring. Lets be honest, the poor guy was never going to
just turn up and shine, was he. We made sure of that. Imagine the
scene - little Al turns up at the training ground and his introduction
to Premiership defences is the 3 "Bumble B's" - Bramble, Boumsong
and Babayaro. OK he has a serious injury and it takes a few months
for him to get fit again, but he's not worried, because if the Bumble
B's are all the Premiership has to offer, he can turn up half fit
and stroll through the game, and still get a hatful. Anyway. Back
he comes into the team against Liverpool.
What's this? No Bumble Bs here. Just a first class defence that gives
goals away the same way that Uriah Rennie gives decisions Newcastle's
way. (Is it just me or have we not seen much of Rennie at Toon matches
this season?). "Ahh" thinks little Al, "maybe this is one of the few
teams in this League with a defence that is better than ours" Next
game Middlesbrough - "maybe this is the other team in the league with
a defence that is better than ours!" Training our forwards against
our own defenders is like buying players from the Scottish Premier
League. If the required result is quality, what's the fucking point?
I think we misled Luque a bit, making him prepare for the Premiership
by playing against the Bumble B's.
But I reckon the guy has class, and I think that putting him in the
middle and pushing Ameobi out wide on the left, Souness has actually
made the best of a bad job. Once he gets the hang of the physical
side of English football, and he gets over his hamstring tear, watch
out. This guy can play. It would be nice, though, if he managed to
get his arse into gear before Souness gets his arse booted out. And
I think Souey probably agrees. By the way - 3 days into the transfer
window and zilch? Either we've got another "Owen" up our sleeve, or
Freddy's about to give Souness the dreaded "vote of confidence". -
Rob Brown
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
I agree with most of what you are saying. However my question is,
do we have the squad to cover Luque as he "finds his best form"? If
not (and personally I don't feel we have) we could be taking a huge
gamble on a player who may be good in Spain but unable to alter his
game for the Premiership. You all remember Veron!! As for Souness
I didn't think he was the man for the job when he arrived and he hasn't
changed my mind. Unfortunately I think we are stuck with him!! Who
else is out there??? - Paul
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
Excellent read, some real truths... - Roy Purkins
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
Quality, quality, quality. Never a truer passage written. I travel
up there for most home games and also want to see the football you
describe. As soon as you mentioned Luque playing for Arsenal or Liverpool
I could see it. It would definitely happen. But wor lot. Nee chance.
Keep up the good work. - Gary Adams
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
Spot on, will sounesss read it, probably not! - Keith Pothecary
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
I live in New Zealand and get up at all hours of the night to watch
my beloved Newcastle on SKY. I'm 64 years-old and still kid myself
every season that this will be our year, until about November then
I give up. I cannot understand how a club getting 52,000 supporters
every week cannot turn us out a decent team. When someone realises
that to compete in the modern game you have to have a midfield with
skill and pace not Faye, Bowyer ,Clarke etc. If we had three Michael
Owen's up front they would still be spectators for 90% of the game.
Just another depressed Geordie but at the end of the day I'll still
have my alarm clock on when they're on SKY. Howay the lads. -
Gordon Laskey
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
I agree with everything in the article, I am a NUFC season ticket
holder, and have supported the Toon for 45 years ,and it is disgraceful
the way the fans got on his back against the smoggies. I took only
10 minutes for this idiot sitting in front of me and my son to to
make an arse of himself by shouting insults like "lazy Spanish bastard,
get your foot in". If Luque is allowed to settle in, he will do the
business for us, I don't doubt that, but will the pressure from the
fans and media be to much? I myself, do not want to watch hoofers,
cloggers, and cart horses, but would like to see better organisation
in defence (not keystone cop defending), more flair and movement from
the midfield but most of all, some commitment from the players that
are paid the kind of money that I can only dream about. -
David Robinson
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
I agree with some of the comments and of course disagree with some
but to condense my opinion, I've always found when coaching or managing
a team, that success seems to come when the balance of the team is
right, some hardmen, some skill etc. but to blend it all together
we need attitude, and that's where we seem to be failing. -
Harry Horsman
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
There's no short term fix to this problem, in Ginola we had probably
one of the best footballers EVER at SJP, in the team he played with
he was outstanding, however if he was playing in today's team what
would be his chances, slim I would guess. I've advocated a complete
overhaul of this club of ours, the likelyhood of that is remote, with
Souness and his cronies being the only major change, this in my opinion
doesn"t go far enough, but unless someone buys the Halls and Shepherd's
nowt will change. NUFC has been dogged with controversy for years,
this is nothing new, history books confirm it, bollocks to the "curse"
idea, it's been badly run from top to bottom for more than 50 years,
can't really see in my lifetime it changing, sad as it is.
As for luque I'll reserve my judgment, however I was one of the first
who recognised that Boumsong has got to be up there with the rest
of them as being one of the worst footballers I've seen, and to be
honest I criticised him from the start, the worrying thing about it
that it cost us 8m and someone at our club thought it was money well
spent. Finally, I remember you writing an article some while ago along
the lines of being totally fed up, sick of footy etc, it's something
that usually happens over a long period of time, it seems however
it's struck you earlier than normal, maybe it's due to you realising
quicker than most that this club of ours, and football generally is
rotten to the core, you have my sympathies. - Thaitoon
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
What a total load of crap you talk! - Eldradamus
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
Word Up. Newcastle are playing like the fucking Norwegian national
team. As soon as the back-four get hold of the ball they pump it up
towards the strikers. When the fuck did Owen become a targetman? Fuck
this, get rid of the twat who controls the team, and get rid of the
twat that hired him. - Liam
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
Your article is THE best article I have read about Newcastle and football
in general since the fucking doomsday which is what we are heading
under with souness. I appreciate what the 'grafters' do for this club
and for football but your point about 'real' footballers such as Mr
Luque is as starkly honest as it is frightening considering the ever
growing rumours of his 'impending' departure. It must be especially
nauseatingly ironic for Luque. Signed for a specific purpose or mission
which is too provide entertainment and goalmouth action, such a mission
now being made invalid by Souness' sheer and grotesque ineptitude
and yet somehow through this quagmire of a mess being held up as a
scapegoat to the fans which is frankly quite despicable.
I sincerely hope you send a copy of this article to every fucking
media outlet in Newcastle and address it to Souness, Murray, Dean
fucking Saunders, Shepherd, Shearer and even Sir Bobby who I hope,
even though it may tug on his heart, to draw a wry smile upon that
wise old face at the shit that is facing his beloved Toon. He may
find it impossible to resist, and that is something I myself found
to be the case. Best wishes and HOWAY THE TOON! - Ash Wills
RE:
"Why Souness Has To Go"
Excellent article and speaks volumes. It took a while to figure Souness
out but now I know, he basically lacks tactics and the basics in football.
Things like controlling the ball, passing the ball, some of our team
struggle. Tactically did you see our midfield against Liverpool's
- Gerrard and Alonso - lambs to the slaughter. Souness never interviews
because he could not answer questions on tactics, some of the player
choices astound me. As a season ticket holder I have seen 1 good game,
against Arsenal which was brutal. The rest of the games, well if it
was not for the away support you would hear a pin drop at SJP. Lets
get rid of the clown in charge, two men I rate - 1. KK - we would
love him back. 2 - Martin O'Neil. - Steven Denton
RE:
"Bloody Foriegners: Why Do We Bother?"
I'm not going to agree or disagree with this article; only say that
it made me laugh and cheered me up. When I first started watching
football, in the late fifties, it was noted for it's humour. I would
love it to re-emerge and replace the 'outraged' brigade. -
Terry, Low Fell
(Ed: Cheers
Terry, glad you got it, many didn't...)
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
Well said, but pity our manager is still there but who would you replace
sourpuss with? I don't think his support staff are good enough, they
are more of an old boys network appointment. - Marz
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
I couldn't agree more with your approach to Luque. However, I find
that our lack of passing is the result of our first team getting a
lack of practice together. We have a superb combo of Emre and Parker
in the centre of the pitch, but half the time one of them is injured
and the other times our defence seems to enjoy hoofing the ball over
them. I am one of the only people who sympathizes with Souness because
he brings in 50 million worth of signings, they get injured or play
with little to no match practice and he gets blamed for it. We have
seen glimpses of brilliance to come (West Brom) where our defence
is on the brink of being average (Boumsong is still an issue) our
midfield is outstanding with the likes of Parker, N'Zogbia, Emre and
Dyer (back with plenty of tricks to spare) and one of the best attacks
in the Premiership (Owen and Shearer). - Julian Surface
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
Excellent, absolutely fucking excellent. Spot on. - Nial Griffiths
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
Couldn't agree more, spot on. - Big John
RE:
"Why Souness Has To Go"
Mick, absolutely spot on, but what can we do when the powers that
be, e.g Shepherd, trots out his xenophobic claptrap and that only
a Geordie or UK based manager will do. It all stems from Gullitt daring
to take on Shearer. But Dalglish was far more inept and surely we
should have learnt that dour, dismal and depressing Scotsmen and NUFC
don't mix. No, we only have Bruce and then Shearer to look forward
to, unless somehow Shepherd has a personality transplant and for once
does the right thing. Get any one of Hitzfeld, Hiddink or Le Guen.
- Nick Dryden
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
There is a lot of truth and common sense in your article. After watching
today's match (Boro) I think that Souness should have learnt a great
deal from this match. 1) Luque has got to be given a fair chance -
he showed today that he can definitely play. 2) Ameobi definitely
cannot play. 3) N'Zogbia can play and should be persevered with. 4)
Elliot should be discarded. Today, after Ameobi was removed, the ball
stayed in the opponent's half for a little while and we managed to
play some of the best football seen under Souness. If Souness doesn't
see this then my mind will be made up, i.e. Souness out. If he does
see it he can have a very good future.
With Parker and Emre in centre midfield and N'Zogbia and Solano being
allowed to play with slightly more width and Luque being given a striker's
role we can play good attacking football and retain possession as
well. Surely he can see that Ameobi interferes with any attacking
or possession football that is attempted resulting in the ball coming
straight back towards our goal. No wonder our defenders are nervous
wrecks. As a supporter of Newcastle for over 50 years I consider the
above points to be blatantly obvious and cannot understand how Souness
and his staff/advisors cannot see it as well, I would have expected
that with all of their professional experience that they would have
seen it before now. As I said earlier if Souness does not see it then
I join the Souness out brigade. If he does see it and acts upon it
he could yet have a successful time as our manager. LAST CHANCE GRAEME!
- Nick Reid
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
Well said, I'm not sure how many of you that have seen Soccer Am over
the years but when Luque played for Deportivo he was on 'Showboat'
every week banging in quality strikes and dazzling defences with his
skill. And so what if he's a bit lazy the poor kid's had the worst
injury of his career at this injury ravaged club, he's going to be
a bit worried that it might happen again. It may not be until another
months time that he's confident about his hamstring completely being
repaired. Bring in a good manager and he will be banging in goals
every week, because Souness does not have any tactics without Michael
Owen. In my view if Souness stays we will be in a relegation dog fight
this season and this time we might not beat the drop because Souness
does not have a fucking clue. Give Luque a chance and tell Mr Souness
to look at himself in the mirror and ask himself whether he can turn
this club around but I don't think so like fifty thousand other Newcastle
fans. - Cab
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
Amen. We have some great footballers at this club and yet Souness
continually makes them play the kind of football you see on your local
playing field, don't pass it, hoof it. I've never seen such bad football
come out of a bunch of on the whole very skillful players. -
Paul
RE:
"Why Souness Has To Go"
As a Newcastle fan, I agree. It can no longer be countenanced. The
longer we allow this circus to continue the more share of the blame
we should take. As fans we have power, it is time we wield it. With
Michael Owen out God knows where goals will come from. - Michael
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
"Put him in an Arsenal or a Liverpool side and he'd tear
the League apart because that's the type of player he is, fast, powerful,
tricky and with a great left-foot." Are you sure? We haven't
scored a single goal when he has played, I know the rest of the team
is shite but he is slow and weak. As for being fast, powerful, tricky
and having a great left foot. He hasn't produced a single trick yet
or shown signs of his 'great' left foot. - GLO
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
Thank you for that post, hopefully allot of Geordies will read this
and realise what pricks we have all been at some point, I felt sorry
for Luque when he signed, a couple of days later Michael Owen signed
(who Luque is probably very near to in terms of ability) and the whole
city pissed their pants with excitement. Where was the love for Luque?
We truly will never learn. - Ben
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
First class article, 100% to the point. Some fans need to get real
and get their heads out of there arse. - Matt D
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
I totally agree with you, Luque is class. he must be getting really
pissed off he's been fit for the past three weeks but that useless
fucker Shola gets a game instead of him on the left wing. Souness
was fucking clueless against Liverpool, he played N'Zogbia in the
middle when he could of played Clarky who still has it. Apparently
Souness has fell out with Carr. That's it started again, just wait
until he falls out with a few more he will ruin the club and I can't
bear to see it happen. We need him out before our class players leave
such as Owen, Parker, Luque and Emre. Bring in Le Guen - a top manager.
He'll bring us back where we belong in the top 5. We have got a good
enough squad, we just need to replace a few players. We have been
unlucky with injuries but I do not think that Wigan have a better
11 than us.
They have a better manager that gets them to play football for example.
League cup away to Wigan, their RESERVES outplayed pretty much a strong
Newcastle 11. It was shocking, we play too deep, punt the ball up
to GOD (Shearer) all the fucking time, Shola has said many times he's
the one to take the number 9 shirt and score twenty goals a season,
he can't even fucking score a goal. The guy is about 6 foot fucking
8 and he can't even win a fucking header what was he doing against
West Ham? Get Souness, Ameobi, Faye, Bramble and Babayaro out because
they are all fucking useless. Babayaro, he's only there for the money
and the fanny down the Quayside, Bramble would forget his fucking
head if it wasn't screwed on. Get Le Guen, Ashton to play alongside
Owen, Wayne Bridge, another good centre back, a right wing back and
I think we'll be class. What do you think? - Davey
RE:
"United WE Must Stand"
This is all very well, and for the most part I agree. However, what
gets me so much is the circumstances in which he was appointed in
the first place. If the replacement of SBR was in the best interests
of the club then football is indeed 'a funny old game'. In particular
for the last few weeks, I really haven't been expecting the team to
win, this is not being pessimistic, it's being realistic. I was (un)fortunate
enough to see the Liverpool game on the telly and it was abysmal.
What I saw that day was not Newcastle United. I say we should cut
our losses and get rid of him now, anybody who still has a shred of
optimism over GS is living in cloud cuckoo land. Best regards to all
Toon fans. - Keith
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
I can't agree more, Luque is a class act, you don't get to be a first
choice Spanish international regular if you are shite, he doesn't
get stuck in, but do we want a Billy Whitehirst back? It's not Luque's
job to tackle and harry etc. That's why we bought Parker and Faye.
- Reedos
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
I cant agree with you more, it's all well and good having a team made
up of hard workers... if you're in the championship. In the Premier
League you need hard working players, like Scott Parker and even Emre,
but who have some quality on the ball and you need players with creative
influence to unlock tight defences such as teams like Chelsea. This
is why we need a player like Albert Luque, he's a quality footballer,
he has flair, we need this type of player in our team, not just people
who run around like headless chickens but couldn't pass a ball 5 yards
never mind 40 like Bowyer for example. - Dave Baker
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
Great piece, a good combination of heart and head. The one issue that
not one person can deny is that Souness is patently an amateur tactician,
in a league where the masters will win time and time again against
him. The league table doesn't lie, we will finish where the quality
of our manager deserves, as will Sunderland. Around 13th for us...
bottom by 20 points for McCarthy. Truth is Sir Bobby was better, replacing
a football legend as a coach with this clown! His time was coming
to an end, true enough, but the parallel is Shearer retiring this
year and being replaced with Robert Earnshaw or Walter Anypandy, i.e.
someone clearly not good enough unless your aspiration is to finish
10th tops. Like the man says, get realistic. With Souness at the helm,
expect, no thank the Lord, that he can drag us to the limit of his
own abilities. - Andrew Watson
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
I totally agree mate, yeah, the manager is a bag of shite, but a large
section of the fans are also to blame. The only reason Fat Fred ain't
got rid of Graham Shiteness is the fact that no better manager is
currently available. I would be delighted to get a new man in, preferable
one that could motivate the players at his disposal, as that seems
o be the main problem, but for the life of me, I cant think of one
that would be interested in the job at the minute. I know if I were
a half decent manager looking for a new club, I wouldn't touch Newcastle
at all. - G Sutton
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
I was pissed off when I read the article about the foreigners the
other day. But I have to say I almost totally agree with this one.
I can't remember one game this year when we have played good, intelligent
football. All the fighting is fucking boring to look at, and it doesn't
win us anything. You have to fight, but not after every bloody pass!
It looks like the players are banging their heads to a wall. We have
the players to play nice football, but I think Souness wants our whole
team to play like some dinosaurs. It certainly seems that way. -
Simen
(Ed: The 'Bloody
Foreigners' article was a parody, a piss-take...)
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
First piece of sense I've heard about Luque. He is in the Tomasson
bracket, quality player that will move onto better things and suffering
from trying to acclimatize in a disorganized, under performing, uninspired
team. But Souness shouldn't be booted out until we have a quality
replacement (and backroom staff) sorted out - wait until after the
World Cup. - Donnie
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
True, true, true, true, true. Enjoyed every word of this article.
Spot on! Give the man a chance. Showed good tendencies today against
the smoggies. - Tim
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
100% agree, Howaythetoon as the next Toon manager. - Mick
Hunter
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
Censor the offensive and unnecessary swearing, and it might get read
more. - Chris Wade
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
Spot on mate! Well said... at last a fellow Toon fan with a bit of
sense who can see the big picture. - Steve
RE:
"Why Souness Has To Go"
When souness came he did say it was the best group of players he's
ever had to work with, yet he got rid of Bellamy for telling the truth.
He should have been able to sort the problem out for the sake of the
club, if you look at his time at Blackburn it was the same there,
he got rid of good players and would have taken Blackburn down if
we had not gave him a job, it looks like we play to stop the other
team from scoring and sneak a goal, this makes the Toon players look
like they are afraid to go forward. With the cost it is to get into
a game now it is not value for money and if Souness is still here
next season, well Mr Shepherd and co will feel it where it hurts most
- their pockets. - Jimmy Scott
RE:
"Why Souness Has To Go"
Loved that article - it really sums up the truth - the reason he got
rid of Robert is because he told the truth. Souness has turned us
into the bottom half team that we should not be and we need to take
action now not later - get rid and get a new manager! - Steve
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
You lot write extremely good articles, always a pleasure to read.
This particular one - SPOT ON. Firstly with the whole Luque situation,
your opening three paragraphs could not be any more precise to my
feelings on the topic. It simply amazes me that people are getting
on his back and calling him a mercenary and that he doesn't give a
shite. The guy has only played a couple of games for us, and have
they forgotten that he's just recovered from a double tear of the
hamstring? Maybe some of these moaning bastards need to get out there
and play some football themselves to appreciate what football means
to these players and what an injury can do. I play for my Uni... which
happens to be the best sports Uni in the country, and for me representing
them is something I take great pride in. These footballers are playing
professional football, something they have worked their whole lives
towards - which means they are as passionate, if not more passionate
as the fans cheering and jeering them.
I don't believe anyone of the footballers in our squad is playing
purely for money, I really don't. Even Kluivert, who was picking up
a heafty payment was not playing JUST for money. Luque is one hell
of a talented footballer, we saw glimpses of it against Man United
- BEFORE his injury. Your point about Newcastle wanting flair football
is again spot on. I was so happy to read your article because it was
so precisely matched with my feelings! Our fans are great, amongst
the best in the world - but my gosh can we be very idiotic at times.
We want Keegan style football... but at the same time we don't want
players who don't put in the effort. Not every player is built like
Scott Parker. Not every player's idea of effort is barging and diving
around, getting a foot in. Not every player sweats blood like Shearer.
Everyone is different, as you stated - we don't want a team of 11
Lee Clark's. A TEAM is about balance.
OK, we want everyone to put in hard work up and down the pitch, but
take me for example. I am an attacking player, who usually plays behind
the front man or on the left wing... very much like Luque. I am not
the greatest tackler, but I know my strengths are going forward. My
team knows this too and therefore accepts that I may not track back
as much as I should. That doesn't mean I DON'T. It means I am less
effective there and my energy is better conserved for what I am useful
for. I think the same principle could apply to Luque (it did for Ginola...
why not for our current crop?). Souness wants a team of fighters...
why? Because that is the impression he has gained from the Chairman
and public. We need to sweat black and white for the badge. YES the
players DO... but not everyone shows that in the same manner. As you
stated above, let the ball do the hard work. We've got such a talented
first team. Our midfield of Emre, Parker, Dyer, Luque, Solano, N'Zogbia
etc... these are players who can USE the ball.
They see passes and with the ball at their feet can retain possession
(something we're rubbish at). Who do they pass to though? Oh, we've
got a £17 million striker who has bags of pace and a good footballing
brain to make the runs for the through balls. But NO - Souness doesn't
want the ball going in the back of our net - that is his first thought
unfortunately, don't let them score, and we can get one on the break.
HOOFING the ball out of defence is not the answer Mr Souness. It isolates
the midfield and hands the ball back to the opposition, putting the
defence under more pressure again. Why can we not just pass the ball
to feet. Do we not watch Arsenal? Newcastle United are a funny team
really - we want good football, yet want passion and graft... there
is no reason why we cannot have both.
Your article hits the nail on the head in regards to that conflict.
The Luque situation is a pure joke, and one that I cannot believe
has escalated to the levels it has. How can such a mass of supporters
turn against a player who is wearing our shirt after just a handful
of appearances? All in all, I hope thousands of fans read this article
and back down with the attitude after reading it. Part of the reason
we fail to move forward as a club is because of the pressure put on
players by us fans. I hate to say it but it is true. Look at Viana
- such talent, never given a chance to shine, and when he did play,
was given a hard time by the fans. Keep up the good work with your
articles, it's a great website. Let's hope things may change for the
good of our club in the near future, starting with everyone backing
Albert Luque, and allowing the team to play football to feet, utilizing
the abilities of our players. All the best, - Mohsin Khan
RE:
"United WE Must Stand"
I take your point Jonny. However, the reality is that now, even more
so without Owen, Souness does not have the motivational powers to
move us forward. A new man would have a month to sign players if needed.
However, we have good players already but Souness has demoralised
them and set them into a self fulfilling prophecy of doom, wiping
out all confidence and self belief. We have to be pro-active, not
reactive, otherwise we will just drift. The players aren't playing
for Souness - that much is obvious. Souness has an army of drinking
buddies and hangers on who won't tell him the truth. Compensation
payments yes, but it could be more costly in the long run to stick
with someone who is directionless. Souness will hide behind injures,
but look at Wigan reserves! We still turn out 11 players on obscene
amounts of money every week. However, there is no game plan, a plan
B or even a plan A. Souness' idea is try not to lose, but watching
a Souness team is a cure for insomnia. Souness is a Shearer yes man
and for that alone deserves little sympathy. NUFC desperately needs
to escape and move on from the iron grip of Shearer who employs Shepherd
and Souness as his henchmen. If Souness went the injuries would magically
clear almost overnight. Shepherd do the right thing for once and act
now. - Nick Dryden
RE:
"Why Souness Has To Go"
I think Souness has to go because he is totally inept and more importantly
tactically flawed. I knew from the day he had an argument on Sky tv
with Bellamy we had the wrong man. He argued with Andy Cole, Dwight
Yorke and Dunn at Blackburn just to show he was the boss. I would
not have minded if he had come here and got new backroom staff or
kept a few that served us well, like John Carver, but he did not.
He brought with him all the deadbeats that had almost got Blackburn
relegated. Now he is doing the same here. You tell me that Gerrard
Houllier, at the time, would not have been a better manger? I know
Shepherd is thinking act in haste, repent at leisure. But if he does
not act now he will have all the leisure he wants in the Championship.
- Paul
RE:
"Why Souness Has To Go"
He has destroyed our squad, has no tactical nouse, no man management
skills, no people skills (press) no passion for the Toon, no hope.
- Roy Purkins
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
Absolutely spot on. With the cocktail of Shepherd, Souness and Shearer,
which player in their right mind (apart from the megabucks) would
come to SJP. You know as soon as Souness is sacked, our buffoon of
a chairman will usher in Steve Bruce! This will probably be at the
behest (like most things) of Shearer who doesn't do foreign managers
and has a far too cozy relationship with Shepherd! Shepherd has allowed
Shearer to use NUFC as his own private plaything and ingratiated himself
to Shearer ever since those Mary Poppins remarks. As Geordie fans
we tolerate all this through our rose tinted Shearer spectacles. David
Pleat only echoed what many of us have already known and others must
face up to or we will forever suffer route one dark age football.
Luque in a footballing team, minus the constraints of Shearer and
under the guidance of a Le Guen/Hiddinck would flourish I'm sure.
Get rid of Souness, appoint a good technical foreign coach and away
we go. But no, this is NUFC where we are governed by a selfish egomaniac
of a captain, a clueless, demoralising manager and most disturbing
of all a chairman who should never have been allowed back to SJP in
the first place. Happy New Year. - Nick Dryden
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
Amen mate. Agree with every single word. Even the ticket thing, I
try to go over 2/3 times every season, I'm only seventeen so it's
difficult, but this season I haven't bothered yet. I have no desire
to see inept performances from the squad (generally) and spend hundreds
to do so. Souness is tactically outwitted by most in the Premiership.
Why, against Spurs, put N'Zogbia and Luque on the bench, but Shola
wide left? Why, at Anfield, play N'Zogbia centre, Bowyer right when
you have Clark and Solano at your disposal. Hell, even put N'Zogbia
on the bench, Solano right and Bowyer centre? But no, we put out a
poor midfield against one of the best midfield's in the Prem, and
get outclassed. Anyway, once again, agree with every word you said.
- Michael
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
Absolutely agree with everything written there, I watch the Spanish
League all over here and Luque is pure class and he does need time
to adjust to the pace of the game and like the author of this story
says it's not Luque it's that wanker Souness who has tactical ability
of an elephant in a china shop. - Garth Hope
To: Newcastle-Online.com
In all my years as a Toon Army supporter it is hard to remember a
team brimming with so many cash bandits. True over the years we've
had a few money mercenaries - Marcellino comes to mind - but in this
current team, we've hit the jackpot. Craig (the invisible antipodean
man) Moore, Emre the magnificent... NOT! Albert (Who, where?) Luque
shows no allegiance to the club or fans at all. Add to that Sourness
stays loyal regardless to his pet donkey - Shola Ameobi. An expert
at falling over, running into opposition forwards and missing gilt
edged chances in front of goal, this player must be in line for the
NUFC Donkey Hall of fame. He can easily take his place alongside Andreas
Andersson, Stefan Guivarch, George Reilly, Kit Napier, Billy Whitehurst,
Graham Oates amongst others. - BFGB
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
Although I don't agree with your expression style (swearing and the
blasphemy), or having a pop at Shola and Souness, you make some great
points and, very courageous for going against popular opinion and
sticking up for Luque. I don't understand the flak he gets either.
Good on you for supporting the player! - Hugo Lines
To: Newcastle-Online.com
Before Souness took charge, we had just finished fifth and this was
said to be unacceptable by the chairman. Well what do you think of
the so called mighty Newcastle now Mr Shepherd? Chelsea apart, we
have spent the most in the Premiership this season. The board has
backed Souness and our demise can hardly be down to them. They have
spent big and at the start of the season, there was a wave of optimism
all around St. James's. That wave was soon vanished after the first
home game of the season as we conjured up a dull, boring 0-0 draw
against newly promoted West Ham. The Tottenham game just highlighted
what poor team we actually are. We're sloppy in defence, too lightweight
in midfield and now lost our 17 million striker upfront to injury.
The Owen and Shearer partnership has promised so much, but has rarely
had the chance to shine and this latest injury blow could signal the
end of our dream team partnership. There's no doubt Owen is a striker
of the highest quality, but you do wonder whether his loyalty is with
Newcastle United. I get the impression he is using us and as long
as he gets himself fit for the World Cup, he'll be happy. What made
matters worse on Saturday was that Jermaine Jenas put in a performance
that he rarely delivered in his last two seasons in a black and white
shirt. I wouldn’t go as far as saying he was magnificent, but he played
a part in their second goal and was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet
himself.
Jenas has scored three goals for Tottenham this season, which is more
than any of our midfielders. That has already beaten his tally of
last season when playing for us, where he only managed one goal and
was largely ineffective in the majority of games he played. Souness
continues to stick Ameobi on the left wing, who has no left foot and
offers no width what so ever. IF you're going to get the best out
of Shearer, he needs service from the wings, something that's not
going to happen playing Shola out wide. He should throw a youngster
on and see what they can do because lets face it, they can't do any
worse.
I go to every match wearing my replica shirt with pride. If only them
mercenaries out on the pitch would show the same sort of passion us
fans show. Their blessed with talent, that we could only dream of.
If only they would combine this talent with passion and pride for
our football club. People always ask me why I bother following Newcastle
home and away. I always tell them I don't go to support the players
or the manager or the chairman, I go to support Newcastle United the
football club. The football club I have supported as a bairn and will
continue to support for as long as I live. There's somethings you
can't change in life and your football team is one of them. -
Simon Fettes
RE:
"Albert Luque: Get Me Out Of Here - I'm A Footballer"
Brilliant article, shame there are so few supporters out there with
the same attitude. The only way to change the parochial attitude at
the club is to get shot of the man at the top, who would rather employ
a numpty manager because he is British, than do what is commonplace
in most of the business world and employ someone based on their abilities
and suitability for the job, regardless of where they come from. Many
people may suggest that you can't fault the chairman because he has
provided a generous amount of funding for new players. This may be
true but when you give it to someone like Souness he may buy quality,
but he doesn't know how to use it, he could have Rooney, Ronaldinho
& Henry in his team and they'd still be shite. To be honest I don't
really blame Souness for the position the club are in, he was a shite
manager before he came to Newcastle and nothing has changed, I blame
Freddy for employing him in the first place and for seemingly having
no long term strategy (he seems only capable of being reactive rather
than proactive). - Croz
RE:
"Why Souness Has To Go"
Absolutely superb article. Agree with everything said, unfortunately
I was one of the ones who said from the outset what he was going to
do to our great club, and I hoped I would be wrong. But he has done
everything and more to destroy the club. The next manager is going
to inherit a right mess. And probably no funds. We need to get it
right this time. Souness out now. - Dave Balmer
RE:
"Match Preview: NUFC Vs Middlesbrough"
If we get beat today it is time the board should get rid of Sounes
and the rest of the rat pack. - Bob Roberts
RE:
"Match Preview: NUFC Vs Middlesbrough"
NUFC Vs Middlesbrough is my first match. I have read your article
and agree with you about the position of Ameobi, Luque and N'Zogbia.
Luque should, if we want any result other than defeat, play up front
with Shearer. I am attending this match expecting, with our currant
problems, a draw or defeat. However I am praying to God for divine
intervention and hoping for a Victory. - Sean Parker
RE:
"Bloody Foriegners: Why Do We Bother?"
I think that was a great article and agree with the fact that it is
unfair to criticize foreign players and moan about their apparent
"lack of heart". - Jimburst
RE:
"Match Report: Liverpool 2-0 NUFC"
Brilliant match report I salute you, I only wish more sports reporters
and people from newspapers/other websites, can be more detailed and
critical in analysis of our games. I find it baffling that If you
express certain negative views on your own club you get shouted down.
This is the place for our true passionate fans that say it like it
is, and If venting our own spleen means being labeled a makem or a
doom merchant? Who cares. The very people that keep burying their
heads in the sand, refusing to say it like it is are the ones that
are holding our club back. They are the prawn sandwich eaters who
don't care, don't have a voice but as long as they have their season
ticket renewed each year that's all that matters to them. These are
the people who are the ones that go to St. Jame's Park every weekend
like as If they're going to church on sundays, they know it's a load
of bollox yet they shut their mouth and just look on. No wonder St.
James's sounds like a mortuary these days. - Manny
RE:
"Match Report: Liverpool 2-0 NUFC"
Apart from calling Rafa Benitez, Alan Pardew, in the post match reaction
section, I think this article highlighted the key problems at Newcastle,
even before Souness took charge, it was clear that your defence needed
sorting out and yet he still goes and spends the majority of the money
in midfield and attack. Liverpool have shown this season the importance
of building from the back, once a team can defend well then they can
think about attacking and scoring goals. - James
RE:
"Match Report: Liverpool 2-0 NUFC"
Good stuff. I'm a Liverpool supporter and before the match I was afraid
Owen would do an Anelka on us but by half time we were cruising. Of
the other teams in the league I always want Newcastle to do well and
I hope that you guys do improve and move up the table, of course only
as high is below Liverpool of course. I do agree that with Souness
I doubt that will happen. Good luck anyway. - Amit
RE:
"The Halcyon Days: Where Did It All Go Wrong & Where Next For Newcastle
United? (Part 1)"
I know this article is old now, but I've just found it and I wanted
to tell you that I thought it was a great read, well done. -
Steven
To: Newcastle-Online.com
Tonight was absolutely disgusting. The weather forecast left no doubt
about the weather. Yet I am encouraged to travel to the ground in
spite of Police warnings on road conditions only for the game to be
cancelled, too late to help loyal fans. I was already at the ground
when the announcement was made. The disregard for loyal fans is unacceptable.
- Reay Henderson
RE:
"Who The F*** Are Charlton Athletic?"
Rather a nasty headline... although the content is good. I know who
the F*** Newcastle United fans are... they're folks who bombarded
our Colin Walsh with coins and other missiles when he broke his leg
playing against you at St. James' Park. Never mind he scored twice
a couple of seasons later when we came back from 0-3 at St. James'
to win 4-3, and that was WITHOUT Robert Lee. - Nigel
RE:
"Toon Player Ratings Vs Liverpool (a)"
From a liverpool fan... Excellent article, showing an awareness of
the game and a balance which the mainstream media could do with. I
especially enjoyed your observation of how stupid it was for your
manager to have your defence play deep against our clever but unpacy
strikers (Crouch and Morientes) but then try to hold a higher line
against Cisse (who is as fast a player as I've ever seen, with the
possible exception of Tony Daley playing for Aston Villa years ago).
I would say though that Crouch and Gerrard were lucky not to go for
raising their hands as those are the rules, raise hands at an opponent
and you get sent off. But Bowyer did go down a little bit Alcock-like.
I'm personally very glad that we didn't sign Bowyer and I'm surprised
your club and a manager as classy as Bobby Robson would touch Bowyer
or Woodgate with a 20 foot bargepole. This next bit is a bit tongue
in cheek (but only a bit). Not wanting to sound superstitious but
it's almost as if the two of them are cursed and bad karma follows
the two of them everywhere they go. Since you signed the two of them
things have gone badly. Don't forget that West Ham signed Bowyer to
try to save them from relegation and it didn't work. Bowyer gets sent
off now for you guys so regularly it's becoming an art form, and since
Woodgate went to Real Madrid, they have all but collapsed (by their
standards that is). Get rid of Bowyer and remove the curse, West Ham
took a bit of time to recover but they're back in the top flight and
doing well, get rid of him and give the good signings you've made,
Parker, Emre, Owen, Luque a chance to shine. - Mohamed Ismail
RE:
"Toon Player Ratings Vs Liverpool (a)"
Very good article mate, just got the link off a LFC fan site. Agree
about the ref as well. Anyway, Best Wishes for 2006 (except against
Liverpool!) - Moorsey
RE:
"Toon Player Ratings Vs Liverpool (a)"
As a Newcastle fan for years, watching the match, I only can say that
the best team deserved the 3 points. The reds played better football
than the Magpies. The manager for the 2nd season in his management,
the matches played he has lost or drawn more than he has won.
- Willy
RE:
"Toon Player Ratings Vs Liverpool (a)"
Taylor's '3' seems wrong to me as before he went of he wasn't that
bad and also in your paragraph about him you have mentioned nothing
that would make him warrant a 3 you've just talked about his injury.
Given, I think deserves an 8 not a 9 as he did, accident, let in a
own goal. - Steven Bainbridge
RE:
"Toon Player Ratings Vs Liverpool (a)"
A pretty honest review of the match, I agree Solano should have been
off for the pen & Bowyer should probably have been booked, but anything
bad that happens to the little twat is fine in my book. Your midfield
was particularly disappointing& a game I thought could be a banana
skin with St. Michael returning & Shearer on the verge of his record
proved to be as comfortable a win as I've seen at Anfield this season.
- Peter Moss
RE:
"Toon Player Ratings Vs Liverpool (a)"
Souness must be sacked and fast. The minute we heard that he was to
replace the great Sir Bobby we knew it was a bad choice, but we all
knew he was the man to sort out the dressing room and he probably
did. It’s clear now that he has no clue or interest in football strategies
and tactics!! He even said it before he wants Newcastle to be like
his old Liverpool side and let the players manage themselves on the
pitch (it might have worked 30 years ago but not when football turned
into science). Making FIVE changes to a team that just had the best
two performances of the season is criminal. Rushing back players from
injury again and again and again is cruel (Dyer should sue him). Taking
off the only player that had a shot on goal at half time is crazy.
Sack him now before he wastes millions again in January. Big Al it's
time to step up and be the player/gaffer. - Yaya
RE:
"Who The F*** Are Liverpool?"
Brilliant read, enjoyed every bit of it, I hope you get a job in the
media as that is one great report. - Scouse
RE:
"Who The F*** Are Liverpool?"
Excellent article, also your center backs at the Toon are POOR very
POOR and this will be the key to the hammering you are getting at
Anfield today. Well done in getting Owen though. Pity he'll be coming
HOME next summer! - BigK
RE:
"Who The F*** Are Liverpool?"
I thought this was a well constructed article. Being a red I think
you will still lose. The main reason is you have no belief in your
team. But I hope its another classic 4-3 with Liverpool being the
victors of course. YNWA. PS Saint Michael will be back in a red Shirt
before the end of next year! - Chas Sutherland
RE:
"Who The F*** Are Liverpool?"
Excellent Article. Well written and well thought out... I may be a
Liverpool fan but I sure respect talented football writing! I have
recently taken my FA level 1 coaching course and have read extensively
about tactics as its a personal interest of mine. You are tactically
spot on as to how Newcastle could and why Chelsea were so successful
against the Reds. In closing I'd like to say Happy Christmas and keep
up the good writing for 2006. I'll definitely be back for a read!
- Damien Barr
RE:
"Who The F*** Are Liverpool?"
Came across this article on NewsNow, I enjoy reading opinions of opponent
supporters so thought I'd give it a go. Intelligently written, found
it quite thought provoking and not once did I turn my nose up at anything
(a rarity when reading oppo stuff). If I was a Toon fan, I would visit
this site often! Good luck on Monday, not too much mind! Owen Vs.
Carra will be a good one! - Alex
RE:
"Who The F*** Are Liverpool?"
Well in lad that was a good read, showing no bias to Newcastle which
must be pretty hard to be fair. I think in the early stages of Monday's
match you will dominate due to your pace and us being to an extent
Jet-Lagged or certainly tired from Japan. I feel if we keep you out
for the first 20-25 minutes the likely hood is we will win. Djibril
may well start as he linked up very well with crouchie and didn't
play in the final. Anyway good luck after playing us and hope you
have a good season after sacking Souness. - Danny Coyne
RE:
"Who The F*** Are Liverpool?"
As a Liverpool fan [waits for abuse to stop...] your article was one
of the most informed and insightful I have read in a long long time
(better even than some of the shite found on some so called Reds sites).
You summed up the squad brilliantly and if the team and in Mr Souness
in particular were as balanced and knowledgeable as the writer you
would be a lot further up the table than you currently are. Here's
to another classic match on on Monday. - Michael Pillay
RE:
"Who The F*** Are Liverpool?"
Very good article and as a Liverpool fan I would say pretty accurate
as well (although you maybe missed out the influence of Garcia particularly
at Anfield)! Wish we had reviews of the away teams like this available.
- Alan
RE:
"Who The F*** Are Liverpool?"
Very impressive article and very interesting for me as I support Liverpool.
I reckon that you've got it spot on regarding our strengths and weaknesses.
Hopefully we'll be signing a centre back with bit of pace in Jan and
that will be one more problem addressed. As regards your comments
re lack of width and pace again it looks like Rafa is sorting this
out. I reckon that if he can get the right players in we have an excellent
chance of winning the Premiership next season. I wish you the best
on Boxing day (but obviously I hope we win!). I have a lot of respect
for your club and your excellent supporters and always like to see
you do well against neutral teams. Happy Christmas and wishing you
the best in 06. - Colin
RE:
"Who The F*** Are Liverpool?"
I am a Liverpool fan but found this to be an exceptionally well written
argument with clear, succinct points which engage but do not insult.
Also, for my money - the author is on the button with his assessment
of my beloved Reds! Enjoy the game fellas! Another 4-3 perhaps? Terrific
read - I will read it more often! - Mark Cohen
RE:
"Who The F*** Are Liverpool?"
Title was a bit strange - however very good read. Keep up the good
work - hope you have a good season other than when you play us!!!!
- Jeff
RE:
"Who The F*** Are Liverpool?"
I am a Liverpool fan, and when I saw your headline I thought what's
this crap all about? I must admit when I read the article it was well
written and very informative, and obviously a lot of work and research
had gone into the article. I found it very interesting to read an
opposing fans view that wasn't full of rubbish sensationalism and
stereotypical views, so I'll say again well done. - Ian
RE:
"Who The F*** Are Liverpool?"
Hey I'm a Liverpool fan from Rochdale and I have to give it to you
when I first read the banner slagging of Liverpool I was angry but
after reading your article, just have to say a nice piece of work.
Carry on with the good work. - Haroon Akram
RE:
"Who The F*** Are Liverpool?"
As a red, I was dubious when I came across your article on Liverpool.
I expected the usual fanzine style guff, lauding your teams chances
and dismissing a formidable opposition. However I came across one
of the most comprehensive and intelligent opposition analysis, I have
ever come across. Accurate, unbiased, and very well researched. I
just hope the big man (Souness) doesn't come across it as you hit
the nail on the head with our weaknesses. Anyway I just hope for a
thrilling game, although with our current style of play I can safely
say a 4-3 corker is not on the cards. Good luck to St. Michael on
his homecoming although I hope he doesn't score. - Dave Molineux
RE:
"Who The F*** Are Liverpool?"
Excellent in depth analysis. Very informative, even for a Liverpool
fan. I shall be watching other team reviews by this site in future!
- Garry Hawes
RE:
"Who The F*** Are Liverpool?"
I am massively impressed by this article. While there are a few things
I disagree with as a life long Liverpool supporter I was very surprised
to see such an accurate and thorough break up of our team as you've
done in this article. Well done. - Thomas
RE:
"Who The F*** Are Liverpool?"
This is a great blog. Dispassionate, informed and analytical. As a
Scouser I am used to reading biased diatribes against the team, mixed
with insulting comments about the city. I don't expect Liverpool to
lose but at least there will be a rational response here. -
Peppe
RE:
"Who The F*** Are Liverpool?"
Well done. That's why we are looking for a right midfielder. But bear
in mind Luis Garcia can also do the job in which case Gerrard will
be the supporting forward. As for pace up front, we may just play
Cisse and speedy Gonzalez. May the best Liverpool team win. -
LFC Fan
RE:
"Who The F*** Are Liverpool?"
All you need is a black board with a pitch drawn on it. Seriously
you lived up to the hype the West Ham opposition guide created. Great
work. - Hugo Lines
RE:
"Who The F*** Are Liverpool?"
If Souness read these and followed your advice, he would be such a
better tactician.- Steven Bainbridge
RE:
"Who The F*** Are Liverpool?"
Quality article mate. As a Liverpool fan I can say that you've got
us down to a tee. Not many fansites go into this detail. Good shit
bud. - Dave
RE:
"Who The F*** Are Liverpool?"
In response to your question who the fuck are Liverpool, we are 5
times European Cup winners who have won more in one season than Newcastle
have in their life. - Craig
RE:
"Who The F*** Are Liverpool?"
Hi, Good stuff... Of course Newcastle is nothing like Chelsea so trying
to do what they do is a whole different ball game altogether. Of course
with Owen up front you guys definitely have a chance to score, even
against Liverpool at fortress Anfield (yep, becoming a fortress again!!)
I think without Parker, who is now your engine in the middle, we can
expose you guys and put a couple in your net. Good luck though...
- Amit
RE:
"Who The F*** Are Liverpool?"
I must admit that as an ardent Liverpool fan I look forward to this
match as much as the derby and Man U!! You Geordies know your football,
as displayed by possibly the most balanced appraisal of an opposition
team I have ever read. Really enjoyed this article, lets hope for
another 4-3 classic, to Liverpool hopefully. Good luck for the rest
of the season (after you've played us)!! - Jim
RE:
"Who The F*** Are Liverpool?"
This was an excellent article. By far the best I've read from a fan
site. I'm a Liverpool fan BTW and am impressed by your accurate analysis
of our team. - Lee McAllister
RE:
"Who The F*** Are Liverpool?"
I'm a Liverpool fan and I think this is a very interesting reading.
Job well done mate. I'm also looking forward to the game. May the
best team win. - Runar
RE:
"Who The F*** Are Liverpool?"
Read the article as a Liverpool supporter and thought most of the
points that the author made seemed very well informed and properly
researched. He clearly knows his stuff and although I didn't agree
with some of the points he made I found myself agreeing with most
of it and thought his tactical analysis was spot on. It was well balanced
and very well written. - Michael Walsh
RE:
"Who The F*** Are Liverpool?"
I'm a reds fan who came across this article in the build-up to the
game on Monday. I have to say this in one of the best pure football
articles I've seen in a long time. It's thorough, detailed, unbiased
and is real quality. Over the years, it's been said the Geordies have
the best fans in the country, this sort of illustrates why, I think,
the passion and depth comes across in bucketloads. Congrats on getting
Owen in the summer by the way, he'll serve you very well and as someone
commented it's ironic after years of stealing some of your finest
talent (Beardsley, Keegan, Alan Kennedy, McDermott, etc) seeing you
guys pull one off in the opposite direction. Good Luck on Boxing Day,
I think you'll need it against Rafa's crushing machine...
- Dal
RE:
"Who The F*** Are Liverpool?"
Second best supporters in the world, you lot. - Ged
RE:
"Who The F*** Are Liverpool?"
Well written article. I'm a reds supporter and its great to see this
kind of balanced article on fanzines. Better than the crap that Chelsea
and Man U always trot out. Reflects very well on the educated football
fans up in Tyneside. - Aaron Fairhurst
RE:
"Who The F*** Are Liverpool?"
Great piece - observational, open minded and pure - I thought football
didn't allow people to be like this. WELL DONE! - Zav
RE:
"Who The F*** Are Liverpool?"
The most intelligent article I've ever seen on Rivals. - Jim
Peel
RE:
"Who The F*** Are Liverpool?"
We are the greatest "team" (with the emphasis on team) to have ever
graced the game of football). That was a really good article, enjoyed
it very much. - Kamal
RE:
"Who The F*** Are Liverpool?"
Great read! Just a quick hello to you people on the site, I'm a Liverpool
fan and I must say I wish Liverpool.tv would do something similar
on our web site. SUPERB Stats and very well put. Judging by what you
have wrote you lot should manage Newcastle, you'd win the league no
problem!! See you at Anfield. 3-0 to the redmen! Sorry, bye. -
Stephen Lea
RE:
"Festive Cheer: 12 Days Of Souness?"
Absolutely brilliant stuff. Wonder if it might get an airing at Anfield?
Have to say I'm really enjoying Archie's new column, he brings a whole
new dimension to the site, keep it up Archie! - Toon Fan
RE:
"Behind Enemy Lines: A Liverpool Fans' View"
That was an excellent article from the Liverpool lad. His analysis
of NUFC as a badly run club is painfully close to the mark. -
Beardo
RE:
"Referee Analysis: Phil Dowd West Ham 2-4 NUFC"
I always enjoy reading these articles. What is disappointing in the
PL is how often the ref's seem to be biased towards the home teams
both in terms of free kicks, penalties and yellow/red cards awarded.
I must say that Phil Dowd gave one of the best displays of unbiased
reffing I have seen for quite a while. On the evidence of his performance
in the WHU match I'd be happy for him to ref all of our remaining
away games and our home ones as well! - Gosport Toon
Thanks to everyone who wrote in, keep them coming. |
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