TicTacWoe

Everyone on here would agree that the Shepherd era was better overall. The latter days with him at the helm were shit though and I actually prefer the current situation (which has come about through a large slice of luck as others have said.). Most don't think the current plan is likely to be sustainable. Chances are it won't be, but LM seems to have a serious problem with allowing people to even remotely enjoy the good spell we're having.

unfortunately for you, you should take notice, or are you going to spend the next few years taking the opposite view to me, then realise I've been right all along, like the vast majority of people did about our new owner and the ex-owners. Oh noes! Actually Leazes, I agree with lots of the things you say, and I think a good few on here do. It's mainly the fact that you keep saying it all endlessly that is ridiculous. This fact is though, we could get into Europe this year by finishing 7th, and we're playing good football at the moment, I'd really just like to sit back and enjoy it while it lasts rather than immerse myself in negativity/pessimism and the past as you seem to be doing.

Sweet jumping jesus, I thought McClen was bad, check out the post Newcastle career of Paul Robinson: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Robinson_(footballer_born_November_1978)

Wow, Jamie McClen has come on leaps and bounds since leaving us: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamie_McClen

What on earth was that about? Surely there isn't much debate to be had about Kean (ie unheard of bald coach given a job he should never have gotten and failing miserably).

Used to get some goals from him on Cm97/98 though, with Shearer being out for the whole season.

and Gary Brady.

He probably means Amdy Faye

Their squad seems to be constantly changing, pretty much ever since they came back up with Keane managing them. Loads of players coming and going, endless rotation, quite a few loan players as well. All very messy, no coherence.

there's only 5 points between the two Manchesters. Let's not go overboard here. I could easily imagine Man U ending up with it again still.

Absolutely loved Rob Lee (my favorite player growing up) but I'm not sure if his later years would put him over Dyer. He was still useful and very steady but he had lost the attacking edge from his game.

Andersen was gone in 1999, switch for Luque. I'm sure there are plenty of other options though. Could add in the likes of Bassades, or that guy Wise got on loan that never played. Personally, from this era I hated seeing Nicky Butt's name in the team virtually every week while he was here. I never liked him and he was fucking shit, even if he "gave his all" apparently.

I feel sorry for him too but he shouldn't be in this position, ie he should have been sacked/never given the job in the first place. I honestly don't have a clue what the Venkys are playing at. I like Blackburn but I really fear for them at the moment.

they've been shite for almost the entirity of 2011 largely because they lost/sold anyone who scored goals and bought a load of nothing players in the summer. He deserves the sack, as does Kean at Blackburn. Of the 3 under fire managers I have sympathy for Coyle, little money to spend and has lost some of their only decent players to long term injuries.

The Sun have denied it apparently. Probably best not to speculate on that rumour for the moment. Truly abhorrent if true obviously.

would still be strange seeing as he was starting to get Wales going. If anything I'd more be wondering if he stayed in the game so long to keep his mind off other things. As KSA said, whatever the reason, the tragic reality remains the same.

Well done Hugo, great tribute. Seems like Speed was universally beloved, makes the whole thing all the more shocking/confusing.

looks like a walking heart attack/alcoholic lately

I was talking about the latter day shepherd teams to the current side though. Of course if we took the whole Shepherd/Halls era and compared it to Ashleys it would be mostly players from the mid 90s and early 2000s with the exception of a few of the recent defenders.

eh..... no we wouldn't! I'm delighted at how well we're doing but we're nowhere near being a top 4 team nevermind anything else at the moment. 6th or 7th is the absolute best we can hope for in the near future.

I certainly agree that this team is better than the latter day squads of the Shepherd era. Nevermind in terms of pure ability, there's much more spirit and togetherness that had long been lost after Sir Bobby's time in charge.

just shouldn't have mentioned the selfish thing on the very day of the man's death at least. Well anyway, enough about Barton. He's really of no consequence.

two genuine class acts

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