Christmas Tree

Sam Allardyce has lifted the lid on his final, crazy days as manager of Newcastle United. The Blackburn boss blames Tyneside hostility for wrecking his plans to rebuild the club and continuing to undermine Newcastle’s own ambitions. He reveals that he had drawn up a list of transfer targets and even brought Croatia star Luka Modric to the training ground for talks. But early in 2008 Newcastle owner Mike Ashley bowed to pressure from the fans and Allardyce’s eight-month reign at St James’ Park was over. Since then Newcastle have had a sobering term in the Championship, while Allardyce has consolidated Blackburn’s position in the Premier League. His restored credibility is mirrored by that of another Newcastle casualty, Scott Parker, who almost single-handedly dragged West Ham clear of relegation this season. Allardyce said: “I had got the staff in place and we were ready to rock and roll. “What we needed was bigger and better players – like a Modric. Modric was in our training ground, having a look around. He was top of our list. “But then somebody told Mike I wasn’t the man. They told him Harry [Redknapp] was – and I got booted out. Then Harry changed his mind. “I have no problem at all because Mike Ashley settled my contract immediately. “It was Freddy Shepherd who had taken me on, and I would have been bitter and twisted if he had sacked me, but it does get difficult after there’s been a ­takeover.” But Allardyce clearly still has an issue with the Geordie fans who turned on him and others in their ­frenzied hunt for success. “Fan pressure there is hostile towards the players. They don’t really support the team as they should, they’re very critical and the players can’t handle that. That’s what Scott Parker couldn’t cope with. He said he couldn’t play at Newcastle. “Gary Speed told me when I went up there that it’s a very difficult place to play your football. If the fans don’t take to you, you’re knackered. “I had spent a huge amount of time recreating a football club that needed recreating. That was behind the scenes, with an induction of staff who had moved with me. “We’d created a whole new working environment, but that staff got dismantled over the next six months – the club appreciated nothing and started all over again.” Allardyce, once close to winning the England job, now admits he will never be able to achieve true fulfilment as a manager. He said: “I don’t think I’ll get a chance to be England manager. That would have been the fulfilment of my career. “I’m not sure I would get the chance with a top-four club either. “I could manage abroad, but there’s no better place than the Premier League – the last 10 years have been the best of my life.”

the Chinese and Arabs

I think that's the way the vast majority feel when the parties discuss economic policy. I don't expect voters to read up on economic theory to see who they agree with either, but if people don't know what to think one way or the other, it shouldn't be an issue you use to advocate for one party over another. I'd have thought the most important issue for you would be the amount of money the Tories are going to drain out of the North East specifically. That should have you howling because what few customers you still have going out of a weekend in Shields are going to be relying on cans from Asda more and more under the Tories....and you'll be on here rather than doing jobs on a Saturday night even more than currently. and nobody wants that

That was Mike Ashley's rationale about NUFC plc the January before we got relegated. You're wrong about both. Leaving nufc to one side, please enlighten me as to how we save enough money to get out of this hideous debt without cuts. Raise taxation, which brings its own problems but has advantages over job cuts that I mentioned earlier. It’s also spreads the pain around instead of shitting on a minority who are in no way responsible for the banking collapse. It wouldn’t be fun but it would be fair, if not as fair as ceasing the assets of the bankers who got us into this mess. Public sector debt currently stands at £844b, or about 67% of GDP. The USA debt is 85% of GDP, Italy 115%, Japan 220%. In fact of all the developed countries the UK debt as a percentage of GDP is the lowest. This isn’t to say it isn’t a problem but it’s worth remembering before we had to bail out the banks our national debt was 44% of GDP. So for the sake of argument let’s say we need to cut our debt by £400b to get back to the kind of levels that caused no concern just a few years back. This could be achieved in five years by increasing the total tax yield by about 17%. I’m not suggesting the debt problem can be solved through taxation alone, but I thought it was worth providing some context. Is there a single tax increase in the Conservative manifesto? we will get all you say above AND savage cuts, unfortunately. Don't forget to add into your figures the billions each year just to keep up the payments. All the parties have being deceitful about what is to come which is why I would make all the fuckers agree a budget that will do the job.

That was Mike Ashley's rationale about NUFC plc the January before we got relegated. You're wrong about both. Leaving nufc to one side, please enlighten me as to how we save enough money to get out of this hideous debt without cuts. You can spend money to make money my good man. Speculate to accumulate. He who dares........wins! Once you've recovered, then you can reduce spending. I might believe Tory Boys cuts are the only sensible option.....if he'd actually outlined more than a third of the cuts that required. Much the same as the other parties on that score btw. Can only assume the good man at the Ashley has once again laid free his wares We are currently borrowing billions because we have no money to run the country. We have used up our credit at Lloyds, provident and laygate prawnbrokers and are only left with jimmy the knife loans Inc but sure, let's give it a go lol I was going to give you a thought out reply then I remembered You are just on the troll. Congratulations though - you are doing a marvelous job, on this and Ashley Seriously go for it. Not on the troll. I love politics and this sort of banter and what better way to learn about it. No good just discussing it with those you agree with. Take a lead from NJS. He can talk a good debate without getting all emotional

Do feel free fishy to pitch in with your own political musings from the sidelines.

That was Mike Ashley's rationale about NUFC plc the January before we got relegated. You're wrong about both. Leaving nufc to one side, please enlighten me as to how we save enough money to get out of this hideous debt without cuts. You can spend money to make money my good man. Speculate to accumulate. He who dares........wins! Once you've recovered, then you can reduce spending. I might believe Tory Boys cuts are the only sensible option.....if he'd actually outlined more than a third of the cuts that required. Much the same as the other parties on that score btw. Can only assume the good man at the Ashley has once again laid free his wares We are currently borrowing billions because we have no money to run the country. We have used up our credit at Lloyds, provident and laygate prawnbrokers and are only left with jimmy the knife loans Inc but sure, let's give it a go A recession undermines business incentive to engage in investment. With falling incomes and demand for products, the desired demand for factories and equipment (not to mention housing) will fall. This encourages the recession to continue. Keynes advocated what has been called countercyclical fiscal policies, that is policies which acted against the tide of the business cycle: deficit spending when a nation's economy suffers from recession or when recovery is long-delayed and unemployment is persistently high—and the suppression of inflation in boom times by either increasing taxes or cutting back on government outlays. He argued that governments should solve problems in the short run rather than waiting for market forces to do it in the long run, because "in the long run, we are all dead." Read more here... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keynesian_economics Well done sir! You've completely lost me. I understand what a recession is, the logic of trying to spend your way out of it......but first if all, this is not just a recession but also a crisis of confidence which is why banks are lending to business, thus we can't grow. We've borrowed, printed, etc etc and now the party is over, the drinks wearing off and it's time to sort this shit out. I know you agree and can picture you lol'ing to yourself as you posted that

That was Mike Ashley's rationale about NUFC plc the January before we got relegated. You're wrong about both. Leaving nufc to one side, please enlighten me as to how we save enough money to get out of this hideous debt without cuts. You can spend money to make money my good man. Speculate to accumulate. He who dares........wins! Once you've recovered, then you can reduce spending. I might believe Tory Boys cuts are the only sensible option.....if he'd actually outlined more than a third of the cuts that required. Much the same as the other parties on that score btw. Can only assume the good man at the Ashley has once again laid free his wares We are currently borrowing billions because we have no money to run the country. We have used up our credit at Lloyds, provident and laygate prawnbrokers and are only left with jimmy the knife loans Inc but sure, let's give it a go

All credit to him for rolling his sleaves up and getting stuck in. Swallowed his pride and let his work do the talking. Will be back in the prem soon, if he wants the hassle.

I know there are quite a few young uns on this board but it seems strange how few people really seem to realise how bad the debt problem is and how the "markets" are extremely jittery. It really wouldn't take much for the tipping point to be reached and the real shit will hit the fan. It is so bad that a three party coalition should come together to solve the problem. It really is far too serious to start playing party politics with it.

That was Mike Ashley's rationale about NUFC plc the January before we got relegated. You're wrong about both. Leaving nufc to one side, please enlighten me as to how we save enough money to get out of this hideous debt without cuts.

Cameron has buckets more integrity than Blair. A con lib pact should work without either side having to give up principles. Most commentators realise the next genera election will not be too far away so it is very reasonable for each party to say they'll put the really disagreeable stuff to one side and mainly concentrate on the here and now of beginning to tackle some of our serious problems, mainly debt. Things like Trident and immigration are not a priority in the next 12 months. Also I might add that the immediate disagreeable stuff that can't be put aside is Cameron's 'emergency budget' on immediate cuts. I can't see how the Lib Dems can credibly agree to that. you really are stupid. How the fuck do you seriously expect Uk plc to get out of the hideous debt we are in without cuts. Are you really so fucking stupid? Did you think the fairies where going to come along. Honestly, it really does amaze me the stupidity of some of the stuff you say. Please tell me how labour would get us out of this without savage cuts? Would they just do it in nasty conservative areas? Wake up? FFS, read what I said - IMMEDIATE cuts while we are barely in positve economic growth. Of course cuts will have to come, along with tax rises, but only after the economy is growing. The ONLY way to cut the deficit is through economic growth. You tit. See this is a very clear example of what you do. Waiting for economic growth is not the only way and neither is what labour or lib are suggesting. They are suggesting savage cuts too but want to wait a year because , they say, it may jeopardise the recovery. Others may believe they just didn't have the balls to say it going into an election. However rather than discuss a policy and get to the bottom of it, you just assume you are right, there is only one way and chuck in an insult. I think in the last 24 hours I've had sociapath, twat, tit. And you wonder what the problem is. Actually CT the sociopath comment wasn't aimed at you. And the twat and the tit comments came after you started the juvenile abuse. Witness this very nest of quotes for instance. You called me 'really stupid' because you missed my point entirely. You've also said I'm like a 'hyped up militant student', called me a smug bastard, and generally been as condescending as you can, with nowt to back it up. And now you're suggesting I am the one who chucks insults? Others can see this CT, you can't, what does that tell you? Have a little read through today's posts and see who through the first insult edit as I'm a Tory and hate waste I'll save you the time 1.57pm twat 1.58pm tool Now what does that say about you......... Let's put this in context shall we. 1.57 - 'do you never feel like a complete twat' - not actually calling you a twat, merely asking the question if you felt like one. 1.58 - ''Whereas you have been a tool since day one. ' Clearly a joke and in direct response to you calling Parky a tool. Nothing like your later comments, which were clearly not meant to be funny, and were obviously personal. Not that I give a shit, I'm just pointing out your hypocrisy is quite nauseating, is all. Missed out 2.26 pm and 2.56pm......showed great restraint and maturity really.

Cameron has buckets more integrity than Blair. A con lib pact should work without either side having to give up principles. Most commentators realise the next genera election will not be too far away so it is very reasonable for each party to say they'll put the really disagreeable stuff to one side and mainly concentrate on the here and now of beginning to tackle some of our serious problems, mainly debt. Things like Trident and immigration are not a priority in the next 12 months. Also I might add that the immediate disagreeable stuff that can't be put aside is Cameron's 'emergency budget' on immediate cuts. I can't see how the Lib Dems can credibly agree to that. you really are stupid. How the fuck do you seriously expect Uk plc to get out of the hideous debt we are in without cuts. Are you really so fucking stupid? Did you think the fairies where going to come along. Honestly, it really does amaze me the stupidity of some of the stuff you say. Please tell me how labour would get us out of this without savage cuts? Would they just do it in nasty conservative areas? Wake up? FFS, read what I said - IMMEDIATE cuts while we are barely in positve economic growth. Of course cuts will have to come, along with tax rises, but only after the economy is growing. The ONLY way to cut the deficit is through economic growth. You tit. See this is a very clear example of what you do. Waiting for economic growth is not the only way and neither is what labour or lib are suggesting. They are suggesting savage cuts too but want to wait a year because , they say, it may jeopardise the recovery. Others may believe they just didn't have the balls to say it going into an election. However rather than discuss a policy and get to the bottom of it, you just assume you are right, there is only one way and chuck in an insult. I think in the last 24 hours I've had sociapath, twat, tit. And you wonder what the problem is. Actually CT the sociopath comment wasn't aimed at you. And the twat and the tit comments came after you started the juvenile abuse. Witness this very nest of quotes for instance. You called me 'really stupid' because you missed my point entirely. You've also said I'm like a 'hyped up militant student', called me a smug bastard, and generally been as condescending as you can, with nowt to back it up. And now you're suggesting I am the one who chucks insults? Others can see this CT, you can't, what does that tell you? Have a little read through today's posts and see who through the first insult edit as I'm a Tory and hate waste I'll save you the time 1.57pm twat 1.58pm tool Now what does that say about you.........

So how do you know that then CT? I'd like your reponse to my accustation that you are no less ignorant than me, and would like to know why you have been acting the twat, if that's OK. It's just a fact you'll have to get used too. You post too much without little thought for facts or knowledge of the subject. You do it all the time. I think even today you agreed with prob child that libs and labour should try and stop the Tories stupid budget? Do you know the details of it? Has Dave been on the phone? You are one of these sheep who can only ever see one side of an argument. You don't quite understand politics. You try and take the moral high ground constantly and never see the hypocrisy in your views. Everything Tory is evil... Cameron must be Evil too It's understandable from a hyped up militant student but shouldn't you have grown up by now. Why not arrange some proper dinner parties with your wires legal (and probably Tory) high flyers and just listen to the grown ups for a bit. Well, the immediate tory cuts following an emergency budget have been published in their manifesto and this is an approach the Lib Dems, in common with Labour, have objected to. The reason being there is concern this could tip us right back into recession, and it's a risk not worth taking. All this information is published so I don't know why you think I'd have to talk to Cameron personally to make comment on it? Pathetic of you to say that really. As for the rest, I don't know which is worse - your own staggering hypocrisy, your patronising tone, or your sheer lack of self awareness regarding these. I'll ignore the personal jibes though and just let you get on with what you do best - making a twat of yourself. You really do remind me of cockney wanker from Viz actually, I'm sure you'd be much more at home driving a cab for 'loadsamoney' in London and posting on a Spurs board. Ok for once just back up one of your statements. Post me a link where I can see the details of a forthcoming Tory budget. Then like you I will also be able to judge whether it is stupid or not. Next, rather than once again being a smug smarmy bastard, explain to me how any other party is going to get rid of the debt without big cuts. Read the post above. The argument is about timing and the balance between public sector cuts and tax increases. All parties agree that massive cuts are necessary, and all have been vague about how this can be achieved, although only the Conservatives have been as pathetic to suggest it can be done through reducing 'wastage', which is just dishonest. Still, some people lap this rubbish up, and even claim Cameron has 'integrity'. As for providing you with links, why? This stuff has been discussed in the media endlessly for days, it was one of the main points of the TV debates. Its in the manifestos. How has it passed you by? Oh, and I'm smug am I? How you fucking have the brass neck to say that after your pathetic wind up posts yesterday celebrating 'victory' I don't know. You have about as much self awareness as Fop. So that's a no to the link for the budget details As for the wastage remark that was with regard to starting to save money. They didn't say it was all by wastage, hence the cuts. With regard to the cuts you now agree that labour will make them and have hidden how bad they are going to be. Do you think there cuts are just going to effect non public service items. A clue btw if you do you are in a minority. Most itk commentaors know whoever carries them out they will be savage. As for the winning remark, now your just being a big cissy. There has been lots of banter, slanting, dodgy you tube videos and nobody but you has had a cry on either side. I am sure the labour supporters would have crowed like he'll had they won. Some are still crowing because the Tories haven't got a majority. Do you see me crying. Ffs man Renton, grow up and get over yourself.

Cameron has buckets more integrity than Blair. A con lib pact should work without either side having to give up principles. Most commentators realise the next genera election will not be too far away so it is very reasonable for each party to say they'll put the really disagreeable stuff to one side and mainly concentrate on the here and now of beginning to tackle some of our serious problems, mainly debt. Things like Trident and immigration are not a priority in the next 12 months. Also I might add that the immediate disagreeable stuff that can't be put aside is Cameron's 'emergency budget' on immediate cuts. I can't see how the Lib Dems can credibly agree to that. you really are stupid. How the fuck do you seriously expect Uk plc to get out of the hideous debt we are in without cuts. Are you really so fucking stupid? Did you think the fairies where going to come along. Honestly, it really does amaze me the stupidity of some of the stuff you say. Please tell me how labour would get us out of this without savage cuts? Would they just do it in nasty conservative areas? Wake up? FFS, read what I said - IMMEDIATE cuts while we are barely in positve economic growth. Of course cuts will have to come, along with tax rises, but only after the economy is growing. The ONLY way to cut the deficit is through economic growth. You tit. See this is a very clear example of what you do. Waiting for economic growth is not the only way and neither is what labour or lib are suggesting. They are suggesting savage cuts too but want to wait a year because , they say, it may jeopardise the recovery. Others may believe they just didn't have the balls to say it going into an election. However rather than discuss a policy and get to the bottom of it, you just assume you are right, there is only one way and chuck in an insult. I think in the last 24 hours I've had sociapath, twat, tit. And you wonder what the problem is.

So how do you know that then CT? I'd like your reponse to my accustation that you are no less ignorant than me, and would like to know why you have been acting the twat, if that's OK. It's just a fact you'll have to get used too. You post too much without little thought for facts or knowledge of the subject. You do it all the time. I think even today you agreed with prob child that libs and labour should try and stop the Tories stupid budget? Do you know the details of it? Has Dave been on the phone? You are one of these sheep who can only ever see one side of an argument. You don't quite understand politics. You try and take the moral high ground constantly and never see the hypocrisy in your views. Everything Tory is evil... Cameron must be Evil too It's understandable from a hyped up militant student but shouldn't you have grown up by now. Why not arrange some proper dinner parties with your wifes legal (and probably Tory) high flyer friends and just listen to the grown ups for a bit. Has he been on the phone to you? The Conservatives policies aren’t clear but if you scratch beneath the sound bites what you find is the same old principles. Tax breaks for private business, less support for the disadvantaged and jingoistic tub thumping. It didn’t work last time and it won’t work this time. The only difference is that this time they won’t be able to sell off the nation’s assets to hide the damage being inflicted on the foundations of our society. Bahhhh. I assume you mean the gold The truth is that the problem with most labour supporters is that if you scratch between the surface they know very little about their own party never mind the Tory party.

So how do you know that then CT? I'd like your reponse to my accustation that you are no less ignorant than me, and would like to know why you have been acting the twat, if that's OK. It's just a fact you'll have to get used too. You post too much without little thought for facts or knowledge of the subject. You do it all the time. I think even today you agreed with prob child that libs and labour should try and stop the Tories stupid budget? Do you know the details of it? Has Dave been on the phone? You are one of these sheep who can only ever see one side of an argument. You don't quite understand politics. You try and take the moral high ground constantly and never see the hypocrisy in your views. Everything Tory is evil... Cameron must be Evil too It's understandable from a hyped up militant student but shouldn't you have grown up by now. Why not arrange some proper dinner parties with your wires legal (and probably Tory) high flyers and just listen to the grown ups for a bit. Well, the immediate tory cuts following an emergency budget have been published in their manifesto and this is an approach the Lib Dems, in common with Labour, have objected to. The reason being there is concern this could tip us right back into recession, and it's a risk not worth taking. All this information is published so I don't know why you think I'd have to talk to Cameron personally to make comment on it? Pathetic of you to say that really. As for the rest, I don't know which is worse - your own staggering hypocrisy, your patronising tone, or your sheer lack of self awareness regarding these. I'll ignore the personal jibes though and just let you get on with what you do best - making a twat of yourself. You really do remind me of cockney wanker from Viz actually, I'm sure you'd be much more at home driving a cab for 'loadsamoney' in London and posting on a Spurs board. Ok for once just back up one of your statements. Post me a link where I can see the details of a forthcoming Tory budget. Then like you I will also be able to judge whether it is stupid or not. Next, rather than once again being a smug smarmy bastard, explain to me how any other party is going to get rid of the debt without big cuts.

Cheap shot, I'm hurt.

Cameron has buckets more integrity than Blair. A con lib pact should work without either side having to give up principles. Most commentators realise the next genera election will not be too far away so it is very reasonable for each party to say they'll put the really disagreeable stuff to one side and mainly concentrate on the here and now of beginning to tackle some of our serious problems, mainly debt. Things like Trident and immigration are not a priority in the next 12 months. Also I might add that the immediate disagreeable stuff that can't be put aside is Cameron's 'emergency budget' on immediate cuts. I can't see how the Lib Dems can credibly agree to that. you really are stupid. How the fuck do you seriously expect Uk plc to get out of the hideous debt we are in without cuts. Are you really so fucking stupid? Did you think the fairies where going to come along. Honestly, it really does amaze me the stupidity of some of the stuff you say. Please tell me how labour would get us out of this without savage cuts? Would they just do it in nasty conservative areas? Wake up?

So how do you know that then CT? I'd like your reponse to my accustation that you are no less ignorant than me, and would like to know why you have been acting the twat, if that's OK. It's just a fact you'll have to get used too. You post too much without little thought for facts or knowledge of the subject. You do it all the time. I think even today you agreed with prob child that libs and labour should try and stop the Tories stupid budget? Do you know the details of it? Has Dave been on the phone? You are one of these sheep who can only ever see one side of an argument. You don't quite understand politics. You try and take the moral high ground constantly and never see the hypocrisy in your views. Everything Tory is evil... Cameron must be Evil too It's understandable from a hyped up militant student but shouldn't you have grown up by now. Why not arrange some proper dinner parties with your wifes legal (and probably Tory) high flyer friends and just listen to the grown ups for a bit.

Cameron has buckets more integrity than Blair. A con lib pact should work without either side having to give up principles. Most commentators realise the next genera election will not be too far away so it is very reasonable for each party to say they'll put the really disagreeable stuff to one side and mainly concentrate on the here and now of beginning to tackle some of our serious problems, mainly debt. Things like Trident and immigration are not a priority in the next 12 months.

Jesus you've turned into a complete tool over the last few months. What went wrong? Whereas you have been a tool since day one. In all seriousness you have been though, you know what the overiding opinion of this board and region is towards the Conservatives, and you know that people are legitimately afraid of their livelihoods under them (for good reason after what Cameron has stated). Yet you have been on an almost constant wind up, if that doesn't make you a twat I don't know what does. I think your posts usually reveal there's quite a lot you don't know.

Jesus you've turned into a complete tool over the last few months. What went wrong? Whereas you have been a tool since day one.

Jesus you've turned into a complete tool over the last few months. What went wrong?

The jobs have long gone, the roads are fucked and the Taxi trade like most trades has suffered! That is why Labour has just been kicked out. But they haven’t been kicked out have they? The electorate has voted, and what they’ve said is we're not that keen on The Labour Party but don’t have much confidence in the Conservatives either. Why is that CT, why have the Tory's failed to convince enough people that they’re a better option than the Labour Party? all the scots keeping the Tories out and filling our parliament with mps who want fuck all to do with us.