Topic: Newcastle - RIP Jamal Khashoggi; Free Salma al-Shehab

[BlackandWhitePaul]

I would say it is pretty much obvious to everyone that Villa are down so it is 2 from Norwich, Sunderland and Newcastle.

I'm sitting here thinking what if it goes to the last day of the season, Norwich are all ready safe . . . . . we are away to Spurs, it is the 93rd minute, Mitrovic skips past one, two, three defenders, effortlessly then unleashes a piledriver that not only ensures Newcastles survival, but also sends the Mackem c*nts down.

Yeah right, in my dreams   

[The North Bank]

I would say it is pretty much obvious to everyone that Villa are down so it is 2 from Norwich, Sunderland and Newcastle.

I'm sitting here thinking what if it goes to the last day of the season, Norwich are all ready safe . . . . . we are away to Spurs, it is the 93rd minute, Mitrovic skips past one, two, three defenders, effortlessly then unleashes a piledriver that not only ensures Newcastles survival, but also sends the Mackem c*nts down.

Yeah right, in my dreams   

That's not going to happen is it.


You're at home to Spurs last day of the season.
The nightmare scenario would be needing a Newcastle win to stop Spurs winning the league. Imagine having to rely on Steve McLaren.

[BlackandWhitePaul]

That's not going to happen is it.


You're at home to Spurs last day of the season.
The nightmare scenario would be needing a Newcastle win to stop Spurs winning the league. Imagine having to rely on Steve McLaren.

Yeah, I said away to Spurs.

I'm not thinking straight.   

[mattD]

Can't believe we're sitting here after all these years and Ashley is still the owner of Newcastle.

Let's be honest, he hasn't ever hired a decent manager yet and seemed obsessed with the cockney brigade taking over the club.

I feel sorry for the Newcastle fans having to put up with this, who by and large are a sound bunch. What hope have they got if the owner hasn't got one thing right in his tenure? If Ashley thinks the answer is Moyes, then I hate to think what the problem is! The fans seem pretty unanimous in wanting Rafa as their next manager (showing themselves to be more sound than the Villa lot who didn't want a 'fat Spanish waiter' in 2012... famous last words...) and it would be a great appointment.

But would any manager succeed under that structure at Newcastle? I doubt it - it's a poisoned chalice thanks to bad ownership. As said, the rot starts from the top, and if the men at the top are rotten, then everything else fails. What needs to happen now is for Newcastle fans to stage mass boycotts of St James Park. It can't carry on like this - Mike Ashley is destroying that club and even from an outsiders point of view, it's not nice to see.

[BlackandWhitePaul]

Last day of the season, May 2015, Ashley gives his 1st, his one and only interview since taking over at Newcastle United.

I needed to watch it again to be reminded of what he said.

I wish I never watched it   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6X_zJWnox8

[[new username under construction]]

Last day of the season, May 2015, Ashley gives his 1st, his one and only interview since taking over at Newcastle United.

I needed to watch it again to be reminded of what he said.

I wish I never watched it   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6X_zJWnox8

I think you could get a very good manager in easily. Big club, one club city etc....but these is your problem. The fat fucker

[thegoodfella]

If the job is available, Rafa should take it. He would do well if he can make this a long term appointment.

[OOS]

If the job is available, Rafa should take it. He would do well if he can make this a long term appointment.

Him and Mike Ashley will go down like a house on fire.

West Ham job last summer was perfect for him. Less pressure, decent squad and some money to spend and Europe.

[Red Beret]

If the job is available, Rafa should take it. He would do well if he can make this a long term appointment.

"Newcastle manager" and "long term appointment" are a contradiction in terms and have been for some time.  Chelsea have had a dozen managers in as many years but I reckon Newcastle could give them a run for their money.

EDIT: I'm not sure why there is so much sneering at the prospect of Moyes taking over though?  Yeah he's a bit of a yes man and his nickname at Preston NE was Dithering Dave by all accounts, but Everton were in a very similar state to the current Newcastle team when he took over. 

The United job was always going to be too big for him but he's a steady enough pair of hands.  And he'd have more resources available then he ever had at Everton - Newcastle have hardly been thrifty.

The only real question is would fans show patience and give him the time he needs?

[BOBSCOUSE]

Rafa will be in the position of wanting a table leg, two footstools and a pair of curtains.  Fat Fucker Ashley will give him a freebie Newcastle 3rd strip in Junior size 2012/13 vintage, framed and signed photo of Wor Jackie and an out of date Pukka Pie.

Would be insane for Rafa to go there under Ashley's ownership.

[BlackandWhitePaul]

I keep tuning in like every 15 minutes to see if he's been sacked yet.

No news isn't good news     

[Cracking Left Foot]

I hope Rafa stays well away from Newcastle, with all due respect to Paul and the other Geordie fans on here. It's Ashley that's the problem, he's absolutely toxic, and I'd fear for Rafa if he took the job. His reputation has already taken a knock in recent years, and I wouldn't want to see him struggling anymore.

Any decent manager needs to stay away until Ashley's sold up. But who knows when that'll be? I love Newcastle as a city (did the stadium tour on a stag weekend a few years ago, and the staff there and the people in general are absolutely sound) and have a few mates who are Geordies and it's sad to see them in this state.

[4pool]

I keep tuning in like every 15 minutes to see if he's been sacked yet.

No news isn't good news     

If you want a managers name from out of nowhere--- Bob Bradley is your man.

He'd make you competitive. He's done that with every team he's managed. Knows how to coach players.

The problem is he's American and wouldn't get the time of day in the English press.

[DutchRed]

Norwich and Villa have no chance. Between them and Sunderland and Sunderland are better equipped. It would sadden me but I think they'll go down again.

[BlackandWhitePaul]

Norwich and Villa have no chance. Between them and Sunderland and Sunderland are better equipped. It would sadden me but I think they'll go down again.

Much as I hate to say this, I would say Fat Sam's got more fight in him than MacClaren will ever have.  I'd love nothing more than Sam to take the Mackems down.  I'm not counting on it though.

[BlackandWhitePaul]

If you want a managers name from out of nowhere--- Bob Bradley is your man.

He'd make you competitive. He's done that with every team he's managed. Knows how to coach players.

The problem is he's American and wouldn't get the time of day in the English press.

I am just looking at this  http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/dec/19/bob-bradley-le-havre-usa

Look at this . . .

“From the time that I was finished with the US team, my name was linked, 10 or 12 times, with jobs in England, and only once did I have direct contact with the club,” he says, perhaps with a slight hint of vexation. “Had I had opportunities in the Premier League, in the Bundesliga, in La Liga, I think I would have been ready to jump on any of them, but those type of opportunities never materialised.”

[Filler.]

I keep tuning in like every 15 minutes to see if he's been sacked yet.

No news isn't good news     

Can't quite get my head round it. The time to get someone else in was yesterday. It's last roll of the dice time. Why isn't it rolling?

[BlackandWhitePaul]

Can't quite get my head round it. The time to get someone else in was yesterday. It's last roll of the dice time. Why isn't it rolling?

Mad isn't is, especially when one thinks just how much money Newcastle are going to lose out on if/when they are relegated.   Everyone knows the one thing that motovates Mike Ashley is money so why hasn't he not sacked MacClaren and got a decent Manager in, even if it costs him £5million, it would be worth paying Rafa or anyone else that money if they could come here and save them from going down.  £5million is peanuts next to what Newcastle are going to lose.

[exiledintheUSA]

Mad isn't is, especially when one thinks just how much money Newcastle are going to lose out on if/when they are relegated.   Everyone knows the one thing that motovates Mike Ashley is money so why hasn't he not sacked MacClaren and got a decent Manager in, even if it costs him £5million, it would be worth paying Rafa or anyone else that money if they could come here and save them from going down.  £5million is peanuts next to what Newcastle are going to lose.

I wonder if it is an availability thing, I'm sure they've been asking around - maybe no one wants it with the team in their current predicament?

[ABZ Rover]

What's Joe Kinnear up to these days?

[red vinyl]

^^ This Paul has to happen or its doomed.Rafa would be the best option for the short term,in my opinion.

[johnny74]

Newcastle are gone I think now. McClaren is a good coach but as a manager he has "loser" tattooed over his face.

He's like a haunted wet sock.

Imagine being "motivated" by Steve McClaren?

[BlackandWhitePaul]

What's Joe Kinnear up to these days?

Public relations.

[BlackandWhitePaul]

If you have never seen it, watch this, it is fucking hilarious.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97-p_hFsFao

[Miltonred]

^^ This Paul has to happen or its doomed.Rafa would be the best option for the short term,in my opinion.

I don't see why Rafa is considered a good fit by anyone. When has Rafa (and I do rate him as a coach and a man) ever dealt with a relegation scrap?
I don't have any suggestions to be honest so take it for what its worth. Its a shame Pulis has suddenly turned WBA around, you might ahev stolen him from them a couple of weeks ago when Baggie fans were giving him the gears. He would be a good fit for staying up.

[Six Beardy]

http://footyaccumulators.com/wtf-newcastle-fan-bummed-to-death-by-zebra/

Seems legit. 

[rafathegaffa83]

Louise Taylor of The Guardian is reporting McClaren is likely to be sacked within 48 hours.

[LovelyCushionedHeader]

Why does everyone think that McClaren is a good coach? What is this actually based on? It's all I've heard from fans and the media lately, yet I doubt 99% of those saying it have ever seen him coach.

[Fiasco]

Why does everyone think that McClaren is a good coach? What is this actually based on? It's all I've heard from fans and the media lately, yet I doubt 99% of those saying it have ever seen him coach.

Well Ferguson had him as his assistant for a couple of years and I'd imagine he wouldn't have done so just out of kindness. Being a good coach doesn't make you a good manager. He's actually won a couple of things as well and hasn't been scared to go abroad to try his hand.

He's likely a very good coach but he hasn't been able to fully translate that into management. It happens to a lot of coaches.

[Sammy5IsAlive]

I am just looking at this  http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/dec/19/bob-bradley-le-havre-usa

Look at this . . .

“From the time that I was finished with the US team, my name was linked, 10 or 12 times, with jobs in England, and only once did I have direct contact with the club,” he says, perhaps with a slight hint of vexation. “Had I had opportunities in the Premier League, in the Bundesliga, in La Liga, I think I would have been ready to jump on any of them, but those type of opportunities never materialised.”

I think I mentioned his name the last time a PL job was coming up but I've always wondered whether Curbishley made his own decision to step back out of front-line management or whether he has effectively been black-listed after suing West Ham. Worked wonders at Charlton who got relegated the season after he left and again the season after that, won 7 out of West Ham's last 9 games to keep them up on the last day (albeit with the help of Tevez) before getting them to 10th the next season and then he just disappeared. He's coaching at Fulham at the mo so it's hardly as if he has lost touch with modern football. Maybe he just prefers the relative peace and quiet of coaching?

[LovelyCushionedHeader]

Well Ferguson had him as his assistant for a couple of years and I'd imagine he wouldn't have done so just out of kindness. Being a good coach doesn't make you a good manager. He's actually won a couple of things as well and hasn't been scared to go abroad to try his hand.

He's likely a very good coach but he hasn't been able to fully translate that into management. It happens to a lot of coaches.

Yeah I get all that, I really do. I just find it annoying when the media and fans bang on about his coaching abilities like they know it as 100% fact. In reality, they've never seen him coach and it's all just based on the reputation he has.

I like the term "he's likely a very good coach". Much more apt.

[Fiasco]

Yeah I get all that, I really do. I just find it annoying when the media and fans bang on about his coaching abilities like they know it as 100% fact. In reality, they've never seen him coach and it's all just based on the reputation he has.

I like the term "he's likely a very good coach". Much more apt.

Maybe he's a charlatan and by virtue of his nationality he continually gets jobs. Who knows

[rafathegaffa83]

Why does everyone think that McClaren is a good coach?

To be fair, there is a world of difference between a good coach and a good manager. Some are both. Others aren't. Sammy Lee for instance is regarded as a very good coach, but did poorly in his foray into management at Bolton. McLaren seems to have done better in Holland where players perhaps have a greater tactical understanding. I think in McClaren's case, he seems to have performed better at clubs without a massive degree of player power (Twente, Boro). His lack of managerial authority was noticeable at Wolfsburg when Diego opted to take a penalty against Hannover 96, when he wasn't the club's designated penalty taker.McClaren was sacked the day after the match.

[lindylou100]

McClaren sounds pathetic in interviews, it's a wonder any of the players respect him. As for a new managerial candidates, what about this Nigel pearson fella? he's not in a job currently, brought up Leicester from the championship and left a good squad to boot despite a tight budget. Could do a lot worse than him no?

[ThePeetmix]

McClaren sounds pathetic in interviews, it's a wonder any of the players respect him. As for a new managerial candidates, what about this Nigel pearson fella? he's not in a job currently, brought up Leicester from the championship and left a good squad to boot despite a tight budget. Could do a lot worse than him no?

For the short term it may not be a bad option. If anyone's gonna drive a boot up the arse of the players who are just cruising by each week collecting their wages, it'd be him.

[moondog]

Mourinho could warm up for the United gig by doing an internship at nou castle til the end of the season?

[TepidT2O]

McClaren sounds pathetic in interviews, it's a wonder any of the players respect him. As for a new managerial candidates, what about this Nigel pearson fella? he's not in a job currently, brought up Leicester from the championship and left a good squad to boot despite a tight budget. Could do a lot worse than him no?

He's a broken man to be fair...


He should be sacked, it's crushed him, it's for his own sake.

[Red Beret]

Mad isn't is, especially when one thinks just how much money Newcastle are going to lose out on if/when they are relegated.   Everyone knows the one thing that motovates Mike Ashley is money so why hasn't he not sacked MacClaren and got a decent Manager in, even if it costs him £5million, it would be worth paying Rafa or anyone else that money if they could come here and save them from going down.  £5million is peanuts next to what Newcastle are going to lose.

Either somebody doesn't want the new manager's first game to be against Leicester or Ashley is so tight fisted and short sighted he doesn't want to blow £5m in compensation for MacClaren only to still see Newcastle relegated under his replacement.

He may also (arrogantly and stupidly) feel he personally can manage without the new TV money - even though it's the club that actually needs it.

[Red Beret]

He's a broken man to be fair...


He should be sacked, it's crushed him, it's for his own sake.

Or he could recognise this and resign, but that would mean missing out on his payoff.

I've no sympathy at all for managers who continue to cling on way past the time it's clear they have nothing left to offer.  They're as mercenary as the footballers they coach.

[Banquo's Ghost]

Or he could recognise this and resign, but that would mean missing out on his payoff.

I've no sympathy at all for managers who continue to cling on way past the time it's clear they have nothing left to offer.  They're as mercenary as the footballers they coach.

I can't say I have sympathy either, but it's understandable. Not many people would walk away from multi-millions for the sake of looking a little bit noble for a couple of hours. And managers face arbitrary sacking almost their entire working lives, whether they are doing well or not.

I wouldn't put it past Ashley to have done the numbers and decided that compensation plus the costs of a new manager and his demands for investment is actually more expensive than a trip to the Championship. It's clear he doesn't give a tinker's cuss for the Toon, and might have decided to let them decline for good.

Any new manager of calibre - or David Moyes - will be holding his feet to the fire in negotiations. He probably hates that and might refuse out of pique.