DISQUS

I agree 100% Raatzie. Benitez's selections and substitutions are completely baffling at present. As for the Champions League, I cannot see anyone stopping Barcelona this season, they are playing football on a different planet. There is no way that I can see Liverpool or anyone else beating them.

I see your point, very true, but there's no doubting the lads talent at both domestic and international level. The question is, can Bruce harness someone that has upset Ajax, Marseille, Spurs and Roma as well as the national side with his antics.

John:
I have to agree wholeheartedly with your comments. A peaceful walk out will leave the club's board in no doubt at the level of feeling you guys have for the situation.
Good luck with your protest and remember to keep it peaceful, it will say far more about you and the rest of the Geordie Nation than any angry scenes.

Would that be Portsmouth that were one of the footballing powers of pre and post war England? They have returned to the level they were and are nothing like Wigan.

Now Now, Newcastle have won one trophy in 51 seasons. Spurs have won 12 in the same period.

In regards to revitilising the League Cup, I still feel it has a place in the game, but how can it be overhauled?
Do we invite Scottish and Welsh sides in and create a UK League Cup? Away goals could count double,scrapping extra time and penalties? All Premiership sides are drawn away from home in 2nd and 3rd rounds? Agree Premiership sides to play Under 23 sides viz a viz the Olympic football tournament? Increase the prize money? Involve conference sides? It still guarentees a European place to the winners so the pot is certainly worth winning but it needs surgery.

Sky and money have ruined everything that was great about English football?
That argument simply does not hold water under any scrutiny at all.
In the season 1991-1992, the season before Sky bought the rights and the Premier League was born, British football was littered with awful grounds, disgusting facilities, terrible pitches, crap kits, violence was still an issue at certain grounds, the England team was a laughing stock, English clubs had only just got back into Europe after a 6 year ban, unfit and overweight players playing terrible long ball football, non existent ITV television coverage, attendences were falling in all divisions and people were switching off from the game.
So how just how did Sky and money destroy this halycon fantasy land of football? It never existed.
Of course there are negatives to Sky, but attendances have never been higher since the end of the second world war, even teams in the conference have all seater stadiums, hooliganism is nowhere near the levels it used to be, families go to games now, you can see your team on vitually any format at any time, More money is trickling down the leagues than it used to and the Premiership is an international brand watched in almost every country in the world. The football we see week in week out in the Premiership is light years ahead of anything prior to 1992.
Anyone who prefers that needs serious help.

If you take the Carling Cup seriously, as Tottenham did last season, it can generate great income, a trophy and UEFA cup place.
Bolton, West Brom and Hull all got their just deserts last night by fielding weakened sides and concentrating more on Premier League survival. It's an arguement I do not understand, a win is a win and breeds confindence and that is comething that these teams more than any other need in abundance. On the other side though, a lot of fans see it as an additional cost to see a lesser product.
As The Gaffer points out would you pay £15-£10 to watch a reserve team play? If they want full stadia, clubs have to reward the fans who go week in week out, giving tickets free to season ticket holders, local school kids who can't normally afford to go to league football or offering reduced prices for those fans that go to away games in the league.
It's not rocket science but some clubs treat it as an additional cash cow for a lesser product which fans are not willing to pay more than £10 for as the three teams last night found out, you can come unstuck very easily.

I'm the most excited about a season since 1994 when Spurs signed Klinsmann, Dimitrescu and Popescu. Ah, halycon days. Spurs can do it with a bit of luck and keeping Woodgate and King fit.
As long as the other 5 teams City, Everton, Pompey,Villa and West Ham can deliver as well, we could be in for the best Premiership season ever.

Brazil didn't qualify for the knock out stages in 66 because they weren't good enough, Sure they had some rough treatment but so did Portugal, England and the Germans. Brazil didn't win it in 1974,78,82,86,90,98 and 06 because they weren't good enough and the same applies in 1966.

I think people underestimate Samir Nasri at their peril.

The Bullard situation is a strange one, he originally moved to Fulham as he was home sick, so If he was to move on, I can't see him moving back North. Will West Ham try and rectify their decision to release him earlier in his career??
Craven Cottage is a lovely little ground, I recommend a visit to anyone coming to the UK to watch Premiership football.

And Liege had players missing in the Belgian Olympic squad. I feel sorry for Steve Finnan, a very underated player who doesn't get the credit he deserves.

King and Woodgate on one leg each are better than any pairing that Liverpool have.
Cech is still a better goalkeeper than Reina, sure he had a bad game against Turkey, but pound for pound I'd still take Cech anytime.
:)

Hi Austin, I do and the info I've seen is internal from MCFC.

I know, I felt exactly the same about the events at Goodison too. Moyes really needs more support from the board to enable him to try and get you regular European football.
The stories have been circulating since Thursday and are gathering momentum. A City fan I know doesn't even think they'll start the season!

The Premiership refs receive a retainer of £33,000 per season as well as £900 per game. Clattenburg took 26 Premiership matches last season, so topped his basic salary up by £23,400. Add on top of that European and Cup games , speaking engagements and sponsorship and he brought in a tidy packet last season so to see his company go under to the tune of a years salary strikes me as odd.