Park Life

CHEICK TIOTE is back in the reckoning for Newcastle United’s huge test against Manchester City – with the Toon star insisting: “We’re not afraid.” The Ivory Coast midfielder has made a good recovery from the knee problem that has ruled him out of the last three matches. And the battling engine-room warrior is hoping to be back in the fold for the trip to Eastlands this Saturday to take on the star-studded Citizens – with the Magpies’ unbeaten record firmly on the line. Tiote – who sat out games with Blackburn, Stoke and Everton – was also withdrawn from international duty with the Les Elephants. Now, the competitive and tenacious African wants to face moneybags Man City and told the Chronicle in his first interview since shaking off the injury: “The manager will make sure we are right for the game, tactically, physically and mentally, and if I am selected to play I will be doing my absolute best to keep our good run going this season. Read More http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/newcastle-united/nufc-news/2011/11/15/cheick-tiote-in-frame-to-face-manchester-city-72703-29777331/#ixzz1dmOc9uMC

I love these threads though. Stevie starts one every 4.6 months.

I didn't know that. I like India, and I like Indians generally apart from when you ring Virgin Media. It was said a decade ago that Leeds, Bradford and Birmingham/Villa would produce Asian players, not sure what went wrong there. They're shite at football. My arms only come down to the bottom of my rib cage, less of the flid references please. We're often pushed towards being doctors or going into computers rather than sports Sajj, Manchester

I didn't know that. I like India, and I like Indians generally apart from when you ring Virgin Media. http://en.wikipedia....ockey_World_Cup Out of the 12 WC's India and pakistan have won it 5 times between them.

I didn't know that. I like India, and I like Indians generally apart from when you ring Virgin Media. It was said a decade ago that Leeds, Bradford and Birmingham/Villa would produce Asian players, not sure what went wrong there.

Btw hockey competes with cricket as the most played/competive sport in India/pakistan. Most pop sport in China is table tennis followed by badminton and chess. FIFA talk a load of PR bollocks when it comes to spreading the game, they haven't really managed to change any of the historical and culturally dominant sports in countries around the world. It's a ridiculous franchise driven gravy train there to keep Amex and Mastercard happy.

Everton and Sheffield United scout China. So 2 then.

You could easily flip this thread and ask how many white men are in the top 10 boxing rankings at the premium weights?

How many European scouts are in China/India or Singapore/Thailand?

Yeah, an Indian kid doesn't have world class players to look up and aspire to. That's what football culture is about. No coincidence that the NE of England has produced so many top class footballers. It's not the biggest area in terms of population, it's about football culture. Bairns in Newcastle grow up with Gazza, Beardsley, Shearer et al to aspire to. Think that is definitely part of the puzzle.

Aye, that's sort of what I was getting at. I think you might see more coming through in the next 20 years though with the explosion of the game on TV. I think that's exactly what will happen and then we won't even get past the group stages.

None of it explains entirely why an area with 70% of the worlds population has literally produced no one. Alright they're too weak mentally and phsically and a load of them are ladyboys.

But, what did he want to hear?

In his book he said he used to kick a stone about for years, and never kicked a ball till he was 12 years of age. I'm at my best with the imaginery ball.

Stevie there is a difference of enjoing a sport as a spectacle and it being a fundamental activity of the culture itself IMO.

How many great players has America created really?

Cricket is the national sport of India closely followed by 'Who wants to be a millionaire'.. Chess became very popular when Anand climbed the rankings. Football is viewed as a spectacle in most of Asia rather than a 'must do' sport. In Asia in general education and science are venerated to such a level that it's almost like a sport...(no running out onto the allotment after school). If China for instance set their mind to it and more players played abroad could become a force in modern football. Ultimately a lot of it comes down to prestige. In Europe it is asscociated with prestige and still a way out of poverty/poor education/mucking about in school (but the infrastructure is there to catch these young players). In Asia education is the way out and is the number one sport.

Looks the biz.

£35m for an assistant hairdresser??

Don't worry about people disagreeing with you it brings balance to threads. Also made the letter I wrote to the culture secretary last night well worded and to the point. I used many of the points people have made on here but focussed on disclosure of real not theoretical commercial benefits as critical in evaluating the erosion of heritage. I asked that Hunt or Penrose ensured that If SD remained the sponsor of the stadium that the financial benefits to the club and community be spelled out publicly so that an assessment of whether this erosion of local heritage was actually being compensated. I worded it better than that though. if I get a reply, will hoy it in here. Good stuff bro. Look forward to the reply.

Don't worry about people disagreeing with you it brings balance to threads.

...........and he could have done these kinds of things so much better with a little thought and a little nod to the history and supporters of the club - if he was really concerned about such things - he's clearly not. He should understand that SD is not a top tier brand and associating TOO HEAVILY with NUFC is to the detriment of the latter - if he was really concerned about enlarging the image and profitability of the club beyond the UK - but he clearly isn't that bothered. When last year I saw that he was opening new shops in Europe I did for a moment believe that he would enlarge the NUFC brand carefully and methodically with good advice...This is just the dropping of a huge turd onto our branding lanscape and has scared off anybody who had thoughts of getting involved. I was involved with a big big company a couple of years ago and we discussed for nearly two weeks on wether a new range of price sensitive airline seats should be called a 'product' or not on billboards. Product being a negative term with regard to the 'homely' image big carriers try and sell (witness Virgin and BA in the past)... Soemtimes I think MA just needs someone around him who can give good advice. The reason he hasn't after all this time is that he clearly doesn't give a shit. Which is a shame cause this club has all the jigsaw pieces to be top 10 football brand europe wide.

Smash and grab Wummimg at its best.

Don't like the truth eh? It's nothing anyone (including me) hasn't said already.....which is why sponsors won't pay much to slap their name over an existing name with over a century of history behind it. history has been thrown away for nowt here, when it's a valuable commodity that could be exploited worldwide, like Old Trafford - the theatre of dreams. Basically MA was (maybe by luck or chance or whatever or Pardew) on the way to rebuilding the competitive nature and seriousness of the club which has in turn raised expectations and then he goes and does THIS. PR blunder: Total.