NJS

(Assuming shred of truth) Instead of just giving him a shit load of money it should be linked to targets - learn to trap a ball = £5k a week rise, learn to pass the ball 5 yards another £5k, 20 yards = £10k, do the last 2 to a team mate another £10k etc, etc. £90k for unrealised potential is stupid.

Red shirt rule applies.

The early signs when he came back to play for Boro were that he looked good and apart from "standard" niggles was a lot fitter consistently. On that basis I'd have him, however this season seems to have reversed that view which makes it look dodgy.

Do you not think Liverpool's winning loads of trophies including the European Cup in recent years merits their inclusion in the 'big four'? Yes but the way they talk the CL positions are nailed on - they aren't - us, Eveeton and Spurs but for that illness debacle have all finished in the top 4 in the last 5 or 6 years. Arsenal looked iffy in the last two years but have obviously rallied. I'd say a good manager with a good squad and a bit of cash can cjallenge them within the next 2 or 3 years with a few teams nipping at their heels as well.

While respecting the dead I'd point out that they have milked it since it happened - a lot of their "fans" both here and abroad are the result of sympathy. Also if it is ruined by a few wankers, before they get all sanctimonious they should remember their "H" taunts at scousers.

One of the major themes is how Keegan lost the "mind games" to Taggart - nice to see how much his "theatre" comment has got under the bastards' skin.

No contest as strikers - harder in midfield but still Smith for me both ways.

RIP Went to the Rupali once - ordered a Jalfrezi and a mate ordered a Madras (usually too hot for me) but they served them the wrong way around - mate thought all the hype was shite while I nearly died.

Agreed, he had a shitter. What I hate seeing is a ref giving a yellow carded player a "final warning" (ie a bottle out chat) and then seeing the same player back chatting as he runs away. Letting him get away with that shows a depth of cowardice that I have nothing but utter contempt for.

Everywhere? Yes to be honest, anything more would be a false impession of where we are in terms of the squad, apart from in goal we need strengthening in every department, had we won 4-0 tonight it would have given Keegan the impression we are good enough, we aren't and I think we can all admit that. Thats what I was going to say - I'm disappointed we didn't win but on the positive side its an eye opener to the failings of the current squad. Even counting missing players the lack of quality in midfield is obvious. As is the fact that Mr "promising youngster 2000-2007" Shola Ameobi is as shit as ever and should really be fucked off to Norwich pronto. Also I watched Bolton and thought "There but for the grace of god go us".

I think this is the key to the whole Keegan thing - I would argue theres been a gradual decline in potitivity since Bobby left which reached its low point with Allardyce - you could argue he was a victim of that but at the same time it was of his own making. As for a blank cheque I think what it actually means is that instead of saying "you've got £20m" or whatever to spend what they are probably saying is we;ll discuss and approve targets on a one by one basis without any set limits - slightly different than Keegan just saying "him, him and him - thats £19m please".

How wrong the referee had been before doesn't really matter. If a player feels the need to retaliate several minutes later he is just an idiot. There is no excuse for that kind of behaviour by shifting the blame to the referee (even if he is a tw*t like Rennie). Looking at it I think that Emre had absolutely no intention to go for the ball. Therefore it was a straight red. I agree - its a fine line between the cliched passion and commitment which we all like and being an idiot - Emre fits the latter cap and you could argue Smith, Barton, and to a lesser extent Butt do as well.

I voted UEFA - its hard to see past the good teams for domestic trophies atm.

Played ad nauseum on SSN last night. I didn't see it live - I was at the Leeds match but I remember all my mates thinking it was fantastic at the time - is summed up his passion and we saw it as putting Taggart in his place. Nowadays its seen as amusing, pathetic, embarassing and an illustration of a man who'd lost the plot and that Taggart had won the mind games. How did you feel about it then? Do you feel the same way now or has time made it a bit cringeworthy? (probably how I feel)

I don't expect it for a moment - that was just the doomsday scenario.

sums up my feelings. all my pals down here think i've lost the plot and every rational bone in my body is telling me it's a barmy appointment. he's a dinosaur; yesterday's man; things have moved on since he was last in charge.... .... but it might just work Its probably been said elsewhere but my rational bones are waiting to see who he brings in along side him - if he makes do with Pearson and Terry Mac we're fucked. If he brings in say Coleman then my rational and irrational sides might meet.

I'd go with the comment SpongeBob applied to Keegan/Shearer in the runners thread. "Hilarious, magnificent, stupid" I think the reason people are backing Ashley is that they think "If I was in his position and I was asked for an instinctive answer to who should manage us what would I say" - if you give people a couple of seconds they'd probably say Mourinho or Wenger but we're all so fucked up I'll bet shit loads would say Keegan. Of course an antithesis to the turgid dross and depression of Allardyce is a factor in that.

"Its a Newcastle player - yes!! instant red"

third yellow card for Eustace not given by the corrupt twat.

There were some on the list where I thought it would have been a good choice but at the same time I thought it would fail - Deschamps and Houllier for example. Keegan might fail but he'll get more time and less pressure than others imo.

If we have a sweep on how many signings before the 31st put me down for 5.

Thet'll change when he sees the fuckers on Saturday

The whole world will probably laugh but they can kiss my arse. Not sure I wanted it but echo the "fuck it - it'll be great" attitudes.

I could be wrong but I just saw him going to Alkmaar as someone throttling back from "big" jobs - going somewhere where limited success would be lauded and an "easy" life. Of course if he said "fuck that, I want this job with all the shit it entails" then I'd be satisfied

Howard Kendall did when he was in Spain - think it was when Ardiles got it.