NJS

Houllier health concerns but acceptable Dechamps looks good instinctively but possibly not enough achieved imo Van Gaal Too long since at a big club therefore questionable desiire? Hughes not ecstatic but happyish Keegan head says no, heart says yes - would probably fail but would be a good ride Shearer & Keegan warming to it - but would like to judge how committed the two of them to the partnership Shearer depends on his "squad" Hitzfeld I trust Isegrim - maybe in the past but now probably not hungry enough Mourinho Would be ecstatic if its possible Abel Braga Fuck off

My take as of this morning is that this "professional" approach of drawing up a shortlist and maybe holding interviews has got the bookies, media and fans completely confused. Thats why second hand speculative articles are causing odds to go mental and headlines to be written and re-written. As I said even if we end up with someone which some may feel is a let down, at least we've tried to do things right which is progress from previous regimes.

If the bold are separate ones then 109 else 89

How many had more than £32k? - if they had less they should have been culled.

Since the club has said they have spoken to candidates and/or their representatives and will continue to do so, how is this news? Why are they obsessed with narrowing in on one person?

Possibly - I'd take it as saying they expect a candidate to realise what the club is potentially, not presently - could apply to other people as well.

I think say 10-14 days of "shopping" should be enough - assuming an appointment within a week. (Though I agree on the timing and echo Jimbo.)

Describe what the foundations are so we can judge whether they are worthwhile, otherwise fuck off.

I'm split. Knowing the law business and people like Mort I still have the hope that the whole process is in fact carried out in a sensible way and at this stage just all the information is gathered for putting it up to Ashley to make his decision. But I already hoped this was done it advance. On the other hand there have been the words of Akabusi here or Whatever on Skunkers, who normally are at least for Web-ITKs quite credible, who thought the managerial hunt was over. They or their sources could have misinterpreted things though. If those sources had bought into Redknapp's angle that he had been offered it as first choice then they could be "genuine" in their belief. I'd also like to think Ashley would want to be in on any interviews - unless theres a second round.

This interview process was mentioned by Taylor in the guardian as well. If its true there are two possibilities - they've come up with the idea after offering the job to Redknapp or as someone else said this is the way its been run from the off and the media with the help of Redknapp have made it look like the usual diving in feet first. In truth if it is the way they are doing it now then I'm happy - it sounds like a good idea even if the result is Hughes after considering others.

If we don't beat Boro and/or Bolton I'll be worried because the other 4 of the next 6 are write-offs imo.

Perhaps the media have been caught out by them doing it "Properly" for once and just assumed that meeting = offer = job. Just another angle - I suspect the cynical one is true though.

And? I've never seen people being worried about having three (or more) right-footed players in midfield... In general left footed players tend to be more one footed than right footed ones (was going to say normal there - sorry ) - when you look at Charlie and Emre I think it illustrates my point.

I'm a bit happier after reading this: Guardian Take Especially these bits: If its true (big if) and they interview a number of people then thats a better approach than reeling from rejection to rejection until someone takes it (as per Souness). I'd even forgive McLaren being considered if it meant getting Mourinho.

I read something which suggested that they spent an obscene amount for a German club but are only just ahead of second so it was considered "failure".

We look a bit left-footed in midfield - unless he plays Lua Lua or another kid.

For those who follow foreign football how likely is it that Milan (or Madrid as mentioned elsewhere) will be changing managers this year? Just wondering if the Mourinho assumption is "true".

I'd be more concerned on health grounds - Newcastle is no place for someone with a history of heart problems.

I honestly think they were applying the same logic as was applied to Allardyce. If he could get a club like Bolton to 6th/7th/8th with no money then he should be able to do better. That now becomes "well he's always played good football and got West Ham and Pompey to a decent position - just think how he would do with us backing him" You can think two ways - you can go out and get "guaranteed" success with a proven winner which as LM has rightly said we've done in the past without success or you can take someone who has shown signs that they could and impose an improved environment on them. For the record as I've said I think Redknapp wasn't a disastrous choice but I'd like to see better and I'd like to see them choose the "proven" option rather than the "potential"

I'm sorry to keep saying it and sound like a stuck record but those who thought no change was needed should wake up to where we've been left.

I watched the game on Setanta and instinctively thought it wasn't in. The replays didn't convince me. Couldn't face MOTD or Goals on Sunday - did they prove it? Did they try?

I think the "low" amount of spending was a symptom of not fully being behind Sam and as he says in the article possibly not taking enough control from the start - this interview is an attempt to say "Right, no more messing around". I agree we could be involved in the relegation fight - I said before xmas that the fixture list wasn't our friend - thats why sacking the manager wasn't absurd - the way things were going could you see 5 or 6 probable wins under Allardyce? - I couldn't. From what he's saying now we will have someone to lead us out of the mire - and I think it'll be someone decent.

Ashley returns from trip abroad to take charge and save us all - hurrah!!

Whats ambiguous about net? - othewrise you wouldn't see the net receivers.

I read one of those "rules for women" things ages ago which declared closing their eyes whilst having a load shot in their face to be a crime.