Toon 1 Smoggies 0
Yesterday it was my brother's birthday - and over a week ago I promised to go round for a birthday lunch (I brought the cake) not realising that Sky had snaffled the kick off time and it was a 1.30 start. OK, I was now faced with a dilemma, the choices were
1. Ask him if I could come round after the game (and maybe miss lunch)
2. Turn up late/early
3. Tape the game, not hear the result and get back and watch it as live
I opted for number 3 - and it worked... Unlike Terry and Bob I didn't have to stay clear of any media outlets (in the 70's this was a newspaper seller - now it was my mobile with text messages) and I managed the slightly surreal feat of watching the game as live.
I was so tempted to start to flick the fast forward after a dull first half - tight and nervy summed up the opening 45 mins. The 'highlight was a bizarre refereeing decisions to disallow a perfectly good goal by England's Michael Owen (EMO from now on) on the grounds that Schwartzer dropped it. Then EMO got a perfectly good goal and it looked like 3 points might finally be coming our way.
But I'd forgotten that this was Middlesbrough...and they always get a draw against us, usually by cheating (Hasselbaink's punched goal??) This was no exception. Up popped Robert Huth with a goal that was so offside that it was laughable. By the way, David Wheater - he must be the love child of Phil Stamp and Ann Widdecombe... Gruesome.
I know that the 'we woz robbed' cry is heard often, but when you get phone calls from Reading fans offering you sympathy then you know you've been the victim of a refereeing robbery. I'd been temped to put myself out of my misery by fast forwarding through the last 15 mins - for the opposite reasons to the first half. But I stuck with it. And was spitting feathers by the end of the game. Oh, and Nicky Butt brought new meaning to a bad day at the office - he was awful.
Been cheering myself up tonight by watching the Africa Cup of Nations - Tunisia v Cameroon, its just gone into extra time. A guy called Njitap is having a storming game for Cameroon in midfield, has scored a tremendous free kick and has been at the heart of all the good movement. The Toon should sign him - hang on, we already have... If only he'd play like that for us.
Monday, 4 February 2008
Saturday, 2 February 2008
Alpha Male
I've been thinking about Dennis Wise, Kevin Keegan and the upper echelons of the Newcastle United management team and the barely hidden power struggle that seems to be going on (I don't get out much these days) It strikes me that the need for a top dog can add stability if its the right man, but if its not, it leads to conflict.
An on field example is the way that Stevie Gerrard runs the show at Liverpool, everything that the team does is set up to make the most of his talents. This is fine whilst that focal point is doing well, but if the 'main man' has an off day its vital that there is a plan B. It is easy to see that Liverpool are suffering from the lack of a plan B at the moment. A couple of years ago the same situation was at Arsenal with Tierry Henry, and its interesting since he's upped sticks for the bright lights of Catalonia that the general consensus is that the Gunners have started to play better and with more invention.
We had exactly the same for the Toon with Shearer. The problem was that when he retired the void that he left was nigh on impossible to fill. Shearer's ability as a striker was equaled by his ability as a leader, therefore it was a double blow when he left. Whilst its relatively easy to bring in another striker, its not as easy to bring in another leader. Look how many captains we've had
on the pitch since Shearer went - Geremi, Owen, Smith, Given, and these are just the ones that I can recall - there will have been others. It shows that we have no leader on the pitch at the moment. I'm sure that Barton sees himself in that roll, but HMP Walton has taken care of those aspirations for the time being.
So, the need for an alpha male on the pitch is easy to see - but what about in the boardroom? I've no reason to suggest that it should be any different, leaders are needed in any area. Also, they don't have to be male - look at Wigan and Birmingham for examples of women in leading roles (admittedly these are the exceptions). So what is the position at the current Newcastle United Management team - who is the leader? I suspect that there are some huge ego's Wise, Keegan, Mort and Jimenez. But at least one thing is for sure, the man with the cash - Mike Ashley is the current alpha male in the boardroom. So despite even more press sniping that's the leadership chain. Obviously Alan Shearer is aware of what is going on - as quoted today in the papers :-
An on field example is the way that Stevie Gerrard runs the show at Liverpool, everything that the team does is set up to make the most of his talents. This is fine whilst that focal point is doing well, but if the 'main man' has an off day its vital that there is a plan B. It is easy to see that Liverpool are suffering from the lack of a plan B at the moment. A couple of years ago the same situation was at Arsenal with Tierry Henry, and its interesting since he's upped sticks for the bright lights of Catalonia that the general consensus is that the Gunners have started to play better and with more invention.
We had exactly the same for the Toon with Shearer. The problem was that when he retired the void that he left was nigh on impossible to fill. Shearer's ability as a striker was equaled by his ability as a leader, therefore it was a double blow when he left. Whilst its relatively easy to bring in another striker, its not as easy to bring in another leader. Look how many captains we've had
on the pitch since Shearer went - Geremi, Owen, Smith, Given, and these are just the ones that I can recall - there will have been others. It shows that we have no leader on the pitch at the moment. I'm sure that Barton sees himself in that roll, but HMP Walton has taken care of those aspirations for the time being.
So, the need for an alpha male on the pitch is easy to see - but what about in the boardroom? I've no reason to suggest that it should be any different, leaders are needed in any area. Also, they don't have to be male - look at Wigan and Birmingham for examples of women in leading roles (admittedly these are the exceptions). So what is the position at the current Newcastle United Management team - who is the leader? I suspect that there are some huge ego's Wise, Keegan, Mort and Jimenez. But at least one thing is for sure, the man with the cash - Mike Ashley is the current alpha male in the boardroom. So despite even more press sniping that's the leadership chain. Obviously Alan Shearer is aware of what is going on - as quoted today in the papers :-
"Right now I think the last thing they would need is another dominant personality, another name.
“It needs one personality driving things forward at the club and that is Kevin Keegan. It needs to be his way and if it is, I think he can turn things round. Myself and Kevin were just too similar personalities, we are both opinionated.
I just hope that my chosen Toon leader has a storming game against the Smoggies tomorrow... Steven Taylor - future England captain...Hopefully.Thursday, 31 January 2008
Brief Encounter
As I've mentioned before, I have to travel a fair bit with my job, this week I've been to Edinburgh, London and today, Glasgow. I also use different types of transport, train yesterday, car earlier this week and today I flew. I must have the carbon footprint of a yeti, but it saves so much time flying.
Anyway, there was I sitting waiting to get on the plane and a bloke in his 50's wandered up and sat next to me. I did the usual, quick glance and then back to the paper... Slight satellite delay whilst my synapses caught up... And then I realised that the ex-Toon manager Graeme Souness had sat next to me. I was so torn... I wanted to demand my money back from him for numerous games, but not least the Manchester City 0-3 just before he got sacked, I wanted to berate him for Boumsong, ask if he'd taken a back-hander for Amady Faye - or did he just sign the wrong one? As the words "Albert" and "Luque" were forming on my lips the flight was called. Perhaps I should have taken my friends texted advice
"Slap him and ask 4 a refund 4 all the rubbish that we paid good money 2 c". Needless to say I said nowt.
I also don't know what else alarmed me more, the fact that despite the fact that he had been staying overnight in Manchester (he was commentating on Sky - Manure v Portsmouth) he had no luggage - not even a man-bag. Or the fact that he's a Daily Mail reader... Somehow neither surprised me that much.
On the plane one thing just summed him up. The captain had to make an announcement that the weight distribution on the plane wasn't right and whoever was sitting in the wrong seat should move to the correct one... Guess who sheepishly had to move? Selfish to the core. Git.
I've been cross all day thanks to Sourness - just like old times eh?
Anyway, there was I sitting waiting to get on the plane and a bloke in his 50's wandered up and sat next to me. I did the usual, quick glance and then back to the paper... Slight satellite delay whilst my synapses caught up... And then I realised that the ex-Toon manager Graeme Souness had sat next to me. I was so torn... I wanted to demand my money back from him for numerous games, but not least the Manchester City 0-3 just before he got sacked, I wanted to berate him for Boumsong, ask if he'd taken a back-hander for Amady Faye - or did he just sign the wrong one? As the words "Albert" and "Luque" were forming on my lips the flight was called. Perhaps I should have taken my friends texted advice
"Slap him and ask 4 a refund 4 all the rubbish that we paid good money 2 c". Needless to say I said nowt.
I also don't know what else alarmed me more, the fact that despite the fact that he had been staying overnight in Manchester (he was commentating on Sky - Manure v Portsmouth) he had no luggage - not even a man-bag. Or the fact that he's a Daily Mail reader... Somehow neither surprised me that much.
On the plane one thing just summed him up. The captain had to make an announcement that the weight distribution on the plane wasn't right and whoever was sitting in the wrong seat should move to the correct one... Guess who sheepishly had to move? Selfish to the core. Git.
I've been cross all day thanks to Sourness - just like old times eh?
Tuesday, 29 January 2008
A Wise man?
Shudder....
Any change to a senior management team is usually either as a result of an internal promotion or to bring in someone with experience from the outside. The perceived wisdom of most businesses is that a strong management team is needed in order to steer the direction and to set the strategy. If this is the case, then where on earth does Denis Wise fit into this model at Newcastle United? Supposedly Executive Director (football) in charge of youth development and transfers... I wouldn't trust him with the drinks kitty on a girls night out, never mind the Toon's transfer kitty (I'm resisting the obvious comment about him organising the taxi's home..)
My only thought is that this must be part of Ashley & Mort's succession planning for if/when Keegan leaves... Other than that what are they doing paying him a reported £1.5m a year?
Anyway, one consoling thought - at least we won't have to see Adebayor again this season... A wonderful player, but at least he'll be doing damage to other teams rather than us. They didn't get the double figures that I thought that they might against us over the two games... but its been yet another footballing lesson for the Toon players. I wonder if Ashley will get his cash card out now - Giles Barnes anyone?
Never mind Kev - its the Smoggies at the weekend - they might play in the same colours as Arsenal, but that's where the similarities end
Any change to a senior management team is usually either as a result of an internal promotion or to bring in someone with experience from the outside. The perceived wisdom of most businesses is that a strong management team is needed in order to steer the direction and to set the strategy. If this is the case, then where on earth does Denis Wise fit into this model at Newcastle United? Supposedly Executive Director (football) in charge of youth development and transfers... I wouldn't trust him with the drinks kitty on a girls night out, never mind the Toon's transfer kitty (I'm resisting the obvious comment about him organising the taxi's home..)
My only thought is that this must be part of Ashley & Mort's succession planning for if/when Keegan leaves... Other than that what are they doing paying him a reported £1.5m a year?
Anyway, one consoling thought - at least we won't have to see Adebayor again this season... A wonderful player, but at least he'll be doing damage to other teams rather than us. They didn't get the double figures that I thought that they might against us over the two games... but its been yet another footballing lesson for the Toon players. I wonder if Ashley will get his cash card out now - Giles Barnes anyone?
Never mind Kev - its the Smoggies at the weekend - they might play in the same colours as Arsenal, but that's where the similarities end
Sunday, 27 January 2008
Thats all folks
Well, the end of the season has happened and its SNAFU for the Toon... Its another season in the wilderness of mid table; another season without a shiny pot for the trophy cabinet; another season when the Brasso budget doesn't have to be increased.. And this year we almost made it into February with a flicker of hope.
The predicted defeat came at the Gunners, with Emmanuel Adebayor scoring against us...again. He's rapidly becoming one in a long line of players who love scoring against us - step forward Poyet, Owen (before he signed for us) and Paul Scholes. They always seemed to pop up and score at least one against us every time they see the black and white shirt in front of them. Apparently the display yesterday wasn't the worst and a bit of character and fight was shown - but we still ended up loosing.
So, as the transfer window starts to close, we have nothing to offer any potential new players in terms of being able to win something. However, does that really matter to those players who are likely to be pulling on the shirt in the near future? Nah - its just the size of the weekly armored car drop at the bank that attracts players to any Premiership football club. Its only the fans that care.
So, Kev, my request still says the same, buy us a decent left-back. At least you've stopped playing Charlie Zog there - but Jose Enrique isn't up to the job.. A monumental waste of Ashley's cash. So get rid and get someone else in.
The predicted defeat came at the Gunners, with Emmanuel Adebayor scoring against us...again. He's rapidly becoming one in a long line of players who love scoring against us - step forward Poyet, Owen (before he signed for us) and Paul Scholes. They always seemed to pop up and score at least one against us every time they see the black and white shirt in front of them. Apparently the display yesterday wasn't the worst and a bit of character and fight was shown - but we still ended up loosing.
So, as the transfer window starts to close, we have nothing to offer any potential new players in terms of being able to win something. However, does that really matter to those players who are likely to be pulling on the shirt in the near future? Nah - its just the size of the weekly armored car drop at the bank that attracts players to any Premiership football club. Its only the fans that care.
So, Kev, my request still says the same, buy us a decent left-back. At least you've stopped playing Charlie Zog there - but Jose Enrique isn't up to the job.. A monumental waste of Ashley's cash. So get rid and get someone else in.
Thursday, 24 January 2008
Backlash
Hey, its been a (fairly) quiet week on the Toon front... well, as far as the media is concerned anyway. Just a bit of sniping that the Keegan bubble has burst - well, he didn't manage to win his first game 8-0 therefore he must be a failure and that's about it... Phew, situation almost back to normal.... And then one of those things happens that you just know is going to have ramifications for Newcastle United.
This momentous event? Spurs beating Arsenal in the League Cup (how old school am I?) semi final. Not only is this the first time that Spurs have beaten their local rivals for the first time since the invention of the floodlight, but they thrashed them 5-1. To compound this Emmanuel Adebayor and Nicklas Bendtner decided to do a Bowyer/Dyer and start scrapping with each other (interesting how they haven't had bans or were sent off - consistency huh?).
So, why is this going to impact us? Well, we've got two games against Arsenal in the space of a week, the FA Cup 4th round and the League... and I just know that we are going to be the Gunners whipping boys in revenge for this aberration of the natural order of things. I fear for what will happen to us, but I wouldn't be surprised if the goals against column is in double figures... Gulp.
The other thing that has alarmed me is the rumors that we are interested in buying Woodgate - again. Whilst I've always said that he was one of the best defenders that I've ever seen in a black and white shirt... he spent more time in the sick bay that little Micheal Owen (he plays for England you know..) I hope we've got plenty of spare beds and nurses to cope with him.. Also, it really is taking the bringing back old faces thing too far... It will be Killer back next....
This momentous event? Spurs beating Arsenal in the League Cup (how old school am I?) semi final. Not only is this the first time that Spurs have beaten their local rivals for the first time since the invention of the floodlight, but they thrashed them 5-1. To compound this Emmanuel Adebayor and Nicklas Bendtner decided to do a Bowyer/Dyer and start scrapping with each other (interesting how they haven't had bans or were sent off - consistency huh?).
So, why is this going to impact us? Well, we've got two games against Arsenal in the space of a week, the FA Cup 4th round and the League... and I just know that we are going to be the Gunners whipping boys in revenge for this aberration of the natural order of things. I fear for what will happen to us, but I wouldn't be surprised if the goals against column is in double figures... Gulp.
The other thing that has alarmed me is the rumors that we are interested in buying Woodgate - again. Whilst I've always said that he was one of the best defenders that I've ever seen in a black and white shirt... he spent more time in the sick bay that little Micheal Owen (he plays for England you know..) I hope we've got plenty of spare beds and nurses to cope with him.. Also, it really is taking the bringing back old faces thing too far... It will be Killer back next....
Sunday, 20 January 2008
Laughing all the way to Barbados
Toon 0 Bolton 0
An odd game last night, at first I was disappointed and was trying to console myself with thoughts like 'at least we had a spell of sustained pressure' which I hadn't seen in a while... But it felt like platitudes. It was a dull game, two teams being so scared of loosing that they cancel each other out and become creatively paralysed. Then it struck me - there was a huge shadow cast over this game. It wasn't the frenzy of Keegan's arrival, nor the media circus that has surrounded Newcastle for the past couple of months, no it something far more fundamental... Both teams have been fashioned by Allardyce and both teams go against the ethos of attractive, flowing football.
The Allardyce ethic was one of grinding out a result and wearing teams down. It was why he has deemed to be a success with Notts County and Bolton and was one of the reasons why he failed at Newcastle. Don't get me wrong, Allardyce isn't the only culprit - for example anyone who had this misfortune to watch Man City v Charlton FA Cup replay this week will have wondered why they gave up 2 hours of their life to watch that unmitigated expanse of tedium. Contrast that game with the approach that Arsenal have, or (through gritted teeth) Manure. They WANT to win, want to create and to entertain. I was lucky enough to be at the Nou Camp for Barcelona V Seville earlier this year. The football was breathtaking, slick and cultured. The outstanding player on the pitch was Leo Messi (wonder if he fancies a trip to the North East of England!!!) and most of all it was entertainment.
Last nights game was stilted (some of it will have been the expectation of Keegan's arrival) and cagey. Despite the fact that Newcastle have the players to play attractive football (Duff, Milner, N'Zogbia and Martins) there was little of that today. I have a vision of Big Sam with his big fat wallet (recently swelled by a £4m payout from Mr Ashley); chugging on a big fat cigar; laughing in a maniacal manner whilst sunning himself in Barbados. The sooner his legacy fades into the past the better.
Kev - at least you have a feel for the size of the task in front of you now.
PS - Highlight of last nights game? Ashley proudly wearing his "King Kev - 1" shirt. Made us laugh out loud... Good on ya.
An odd game last night, at first I was disappointed and was trying to console myself with thoughts like 'at least we had a spell of sustained pressure' which I hadn't seen in a while... But it felt like platitudes. It was a dull game, two teams being so scared of loosing that they cancel each other out and become creatively paralysed. Then it struck me - there was a huge shadow cast over this game. It wasn't the frenzy of Keegan's arrival, nor the media circus that has surrounded Newcastle for the past couple of months, no it something far more fundamental... Both teams have been fashioned by Allardyce and both teams go against the ethos of attractive, flowing football.
The Allardyce ethic was one of grinding out a result and wearing teams down. It was why he has deemed to be a success with Notts County and Bolton and was one of the reasons why he failed at Newcastle. Don't get me wrong, Allardyce isn't the only culprit - for example anyone who had this misfortune to watch Man City v Charlton FA Cup replay this week will have wondered why they gave up 2 hours of their life to watch that unmitigated expanse of tedium. Contrast that game with the approach that Arsenal have, or (through gritted teeth) Manure. They WANT to win, want to create and to entertain. I was lucky enough to be at the Nou Camp for Barcelona V Seville earlier this year. The football was breathtaking, slick and cultured. The outstanding player on the pitch was Leo Messi (wonder if he fancies a trip to the North East of England!!!) and most of all it was entertainment.
Last nights game was stilted (some of it will have been the expectation of Keegan's arrival) and cagey. Despite the fact that Newcastle have the players to play attractive football (Duff, Milner, N'Zogbia and Martins) there was little of that today. I have a vision of Big Sam with his big fat wallet (recently swelled by a £4m payout from Mr Ashley); chugging on a big fat cigar; laughing in a maniacal manner whilst sunning himself in Barbados. The sooner his legacy fades into the past the better.
Kev - at least you have a feel for the size of the task in front of you now.
PS - Highlight of last nights game? Ashley proudly wearing his "King Kev - 1" shirt. Made us laugh out loud... Good on ya.
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