PaddockLad

Their success has been based in financial power though. Whats helped them become the biggest football "brand" in what could be termed the "emrging football markets" ? Its is partly due Ferguson being backed in the transfer market. Look at the fees paid for Ferdinand,Rooney, Van Nistlerooy etc etc...their financial muscle blew everyone out of the water. Why were they so far ahead? its down to "brand power",and the income that generates. The media have unwittingly but undoubtedly contributed to the promotion of the "United" brand iyam. That and the "club" itself shamelessly exploiting the events of Munich 58. Michael Crick wrote a very good book on it called "Betrayal of a Legend".

Whether its meant to or not it is still massively disrespectful. Intent isnt the issue, its just fuckin wrong! Its contributed massively to the "United" brand in the last 50 years. This has in turn contributed to their huge commercial success, which has helped them dominate on the pitch. Go to Bankok, Tokyo or Mumbai and mention "United" and they know exactly who you're on about, and thats all down to the media.

The bong eyed monster is the French bloke who managed spurs for 5 mins before Jol did...Santini?

hark at you, "Smirnoff Dave"! It's giving a fuck about things that don't matter that drove me to drink.......long may it continue!

It maybe doesn't matter that much, but that doesn't make right. Its piss poor lazy journalism from the smug pricks in the media. They pull clubs, managers and players apart for any hint of unprofesionalism, yet they can't get the name of one of the biggest clubs in the world correct. If you're going to get paid for something as trivial as reporting on sport, at least try and get the facts right.

It is but I dont think he'll win....am doubling Boston Bob in the 2-40 with Long Run...maybe a treble, not looked at it too closely.....

‘Ashley a different class’ says Beardsley 8:00am Friday 16th March 2012 in Sport Newcastle United legend Peter Beardsley has called for owner Mike Ashley to be given the credit he deserves for resurrecting the club's fortunes. The 51-year-old former England international, who enjoyed two hugely successful spells with his home-town club before joining the coaching staff, has been handed the task of identifying a new generation of stars in his role as football development manager. However, he believes sportswear magnate Ashley, whose reign has been beset by controversy - the latest the decision to rename St James' Park as the Sports Direct Arena - is presiding over a bright new era on Tyneside. The Magpies stand sixth in the Premier League with manager Alan Pardew determined to secure European qualification in their remaining ten games of an already impressive campaign. But while Pardew has received plenty of plaudits, Beardsley is convinced both Ashley and managing director Derek Llambias should be also congratulated. Beardsley said: "He [Ashley] is different class, I have to say. Unfortunately, he hasn't been given the support he deserves, but now people are starting to realise the club is on an even keel and going in the right direction. "I have to say - obviously I am biased and it will always be my club - the club is going in the right direction. "We have got a brilliant owner, a brilliant managing director, a brilliant manager, and if you have got those three who are really positive, you must have a chance." Pardew arrived in the North-East under a cloud in the wake of Chris Hughton's surprising departure, and was swiftly dismissed by many as just another member of the so-called 'Cockney Mafia'. However, having secured Premier League status during the second half of last season, Pardew has set about the task of building a team which can compete in the upper echelons of the table. Asked if they can cap that by qualifying for Europe, a feat which would need results elsewhere to go in their favour, Beardsley said: "That would be nice. "The good thing is, that's not my problem, that's the manager's job. But to be fair, he has done an incredible job, he really has done an incredible job. Everybody around the place likes him. "The Geordies, he would probably be the first one to admit, they didn't want him initially, but they have been pleasantly surprised, and onwards and upwards." Ashley's efforts to make the club self-sufficient have not always been well received, but figures released last week showed they are close to breaking even. With the days of marquee signings over, the emphasis on producing home-grown players to supplement the astute business conducted on the recommendations of chief scout Graham Carr has become increasingly important, and that is where Beardsley comes in. Beardsley said: ''We had a big meeting about it yesterday, and the manager is incredibly positive towards young players. "The manager has promoted a lot of youngsters this season and they have had a chance - and I wouldn't be surprised before the end of the season if one or two more get a chance." * Beardsley's comments came as he performed the opening ceremony for a new 3G artificial grass pitch, part-funded by a £102,000 grant from the Football Foundation, at the city's Walker Technology College. Pedro bumming his bosses up again....youd have thought he fancies Pardew's job one day........

EPO abuse - rampant at Barcelona http://www.ergogenics.org/484.html which is a link from this thread on a cycling forum: http://justcycling.myfastforum.org/archive/barcelona-f.c.-if-it-s-too-good-to-be-true-it-probably-is__o_t__t_4426.html I'd heard the rumours about various teams in this country....still dont beleive them tbh, but it does make you think....are Barca so good because of doping?....

Thats the point though....if you're from Manchester its ok to call them "United", but the media has promoted the use of it as a brand. Probably unintentional to begin with but with jobs in the football media increasing by fuck knows how many per cent in the last 20 years its now the accepted term. Its fuckin lazy, innacurate journalism in the first place which has lead to the media unwhittingly contributing to a huge commercial success story which a lot of their success has been built on. And the "club" itself has ruthlessly exploited the events of Munich 58 for its own gain as well, all to increase the "brand" around the world. In this regard theyre one of the most morally repugnent institutions this country has seen in the last half century.

Been going on for over 50 years. The media have helped build the manu "brand". Fuckin hate it. I've often referred to Newcastle as "United" and some strap on has attempted to correct me. Only the once mind

Who the fuck was this then??!!

30 players either played or made the bench in 2004/5. You're on about [possibly] embarking on a similar campaign with a lot less than that.Factor in HF's post about players out of contract and its lunacy to suggest we should be getting rid of as many. As I've said, I fear for us if we qualify, because Ashley,Llambias and no doubt Pardew think the same way as you.

Which I acknowledged here > http://www.toontasti...ost__p__1050284 The point being that the squad has the bodies, too many of them deadweight and we could easily cut down the number while building a stronger group. What sized squad are we allowed should we qualify for Europe?....I remember the week we played Heerenveen, the Saturday team was vastly different to one which played in Holland. Bowyer got the winner with a backheel and I remember thinking that he'd not played on a Saturday for weeks. Souness used the squad well that season, despite our league form being abysmal. Was there a limit on squad numbers back then? 25 players isnt enough to compete effectively on two fronts iyam and our league form will suffer playing Thurs/Sun. Theres no way they'll let Perch go,whether we like it or not hes considered as cover for 3 posistions by Pardew. I fear for us if we qualify for Europe. We'll be bedding in replacements for Tiote,Krul and Ba as well don't forget

Why ever would he want us to fail to qualify? Err...Llambias's comments above? smaller squad? European campaign?....or am I reading it all wrong? Is there some deep underlying truth am missing? or should we not take the chairmans comments at face value?...

No they're not, they're faced with bell ends like Souness on the telly giving their opinions in exchange for huge bundles of Rupert Murdoch's cash. Thats what causes the "pressure". Is Tommy Smith at Melwood beasting them? no he's not. Alan Hansen gives them a verbal hiding every week, trousering a million pounds a year in public money. Your ex players are over represented in the media and thats where the pressure comes from. You've come as close as we have to winning the league for the last 22 seasons so can you tell me where the day to day pressure comes from? Its a bit like saying Huddersfield have more pressure on their players because they won 3 titles in the 20s or 30s.

Not going by the atmosphere at your derby game last night theres not. I was at Arsenal on Tuesday and they made more racket than you lot did in December as well. Fuckin Arsenal!!

Theyve all got you on ignore Leazes, they cant see your question I think Ashleys praying we dont qualify for Europe. I never thought Id say this but so do I. If we qualify for the Europa League I wouldnt be surprised if we have a flirt with relegation next season. Certainly we wont finish in the top 7.

For me Carroll's biggest problem is his manager. Same as Souness, he expects players to be brilliant virtually every week because they were, and if theyre not its up to the player himself to sort it out. That sort of management strategy is getting on for being 20 years out of date, which is ironically around the last time Dalglish managed a club which won something under him. To be fair he looked a bit better last night, a bit more confident than a few months ago. But whats the point in signing him knowing exactly the sort of player he is and then giving him nobody to provide service to him? fuckin ludicrous. If Carroll ends up being deemed a "failure" at Anfield its down to the club and not the player iyam.

Sunderland AFC= Pathetic Sharks or mabye Bottom Inspectors?

Mrs Brooks was arrested under Operation Weeting last July on suspicion of conspiring to intercept communications, before being released on police bail. She has also been arrested as part of the Operation Elveden investigation on suspicion of corruption. fuckin hell this daft cows got a season ticket for her local nick.

West Ham very keen not to see Pompey go bust, taken a player or two from them on loan to ease Pompey's wage bill, one of them might be Liam Lawrence? Hammers stand to lose 6 points if Pompey cannot fulfill their fixtures.The clubs who would benefit most would be Reading and Southampton. I'm with the majority it seems and can live without Sam's stone age football in the premier league. Southampton,Reading and Brum for me, maybe Cardiff to sneak into the play offs.

I thought he was a coward when we played Wolves at Molineaux, bottled 3 50/50 ballls that afternoon. I thought he was a poor player when he played for Manu v Southampton in the cup last season. Hes done nothing since then to change my mind.

Just looking at the games he's managed in the past, and he's never dropped from the high thirties and fourties. Faster pace in this league, but i don't think he's tired. Just think it's as Jonny said. Difficult to shine when the ball is 20 foot over your head most of the game. Tiote sits deep and does plenty of snapping at heels so he can shine in a game like last night. Cabaye is supposed to be our playmaker, but he can only do that when he receives the ball at his feet in the opposition half. Very rare last night. To me he was playing too deep. And I'm pretty sure hes been told to sit in by Pardew. It happens in too many games for it not to be a tactical instruction from Pardew. He needs to be 10 yards further up the pitch receiving the ball and laying it off left or right or up front. Him and Tiote look to be crowding each other sometimes. And his passing has gone to pot. First half last night was atrocious on the ball. Still, form is temporary and class is permanent. No shortage off effort from him, but the much maligned Arsenal midfield grafted their nuts off too. They pressed us all over the pitch, never really let us settle. I was impressed with them last night, Rosicky looking like the player he was pre Arsenal, a fuckin genius.

Hooray! the truth at last!

Thought Van Persie was a muslim anyway? Next Dutch squad meeting will be a bundle of laughs I'm sure.