We have NO MORE LONDON GAMES this season!

Pardon me, ITK, could you pass that straw please? Ta.

-- Anonymous, February 11, 2001

Answers

I thought Shola (sp) can't be bothered to look up his name played okay

-- Anonymous, February 11, 2001

Its difficult to tell with Shola , I thought he was walking untill he beat someone to the ball and vaulted his legs. Lets be honest Shola has Great potential and his head is screwed on BUT if 90% of the team arnt trying he will look just as cack.

-- Anonymous, February 11, 2001

....there's nothing positive whatsoever to take from that spineless performance. Not me talking, but Bobby Robson 5 minutes ago in his live post-match interview on Sky.

"Nothing up front, hopeless in midfield and disastrous in defence" - pretty well mirrors my own HT summary.

"I'm angry, and feel desperately sorry for our supporters who have travelled from all over to witness a totally unsatisfactory performance. In fact, I want to apologise to them".

"From them scoring their first goal until HT it was like men playing boys. With all due respect to Charlton we are a much bigger Club: we have international players who just did not perform, and I am not prepared to accept that".

Word of advice Bobby - there is something not right with this group of players, and you need to face up to it. They can play against manure or Leeds when they feel like it, but against Bradford or Charlton, who are prepared to roll up their sleeves and battle, they just don't do it. This is not just an isolated occasion, but happens again and again. Something's not right, and it needs sorting, or ain't going anywhere.

-- Anonymous, February 11, 2001

Just back in office. Am shaking with fury but will do report soon.

-- Anonymous, February 11, 2001

We have world class players who simply did not perform and I am not prepared to accept that

Well whats the solution - and Clarky quite rightly points out this has been typical of not just this season, but the previous two or three.

Not a world beater - but at least Lee Clark gets stuck in to tackles in midfield

-- Anonymous, February 11, 2001

Sign Lee Clark. NOW!

-- Anonymous, February 11, 2001

Actually I thought Ameobi did ok considering what was going on around him. For me, he and Given(and possibly LuaLua) are really the only ones that can still hold their heads up.

-- Anonymous, February 11, 2001

I put this on the other thread, but it seems more relevant here...

The players THINK they're better than they are. A friend of mine from Whickham met Gary Speed on holiday in Cyprus a few years back when KD was in charge. It was the pre-season before he was sacked. She asked him what the problem was after finishing 13th and what was going to happen the coming season and Speed said: "Ah, we'll be alright." Now THAT says it all for me. Alright just isn't good enough.

-- Anonymous, February 11, 2001

woah Pete - i didn't see your posting til afterwards. I think if ever we needed Lee Clark, now's the time. not just for what he does on the field but the commitment and fight that he can pass on to the players off the field as well.

-- Anonymous, February 11, 2001

Min, I think you're right. Our players haven't learnt that you need to match the other side for effort and then let any extra class show.

-- Anonymous, February 11, 2001

The players THINK they're better than they are

Exactly Min! Have we tried team psychotherapy? It certainly couldn't hurt! And drop any player who thinks "We'll be alright". Regardless of who they are, how much talent they have, or how many goals they score. Only send out those who are honestly ready to fight and scrap and don't believe we're 'alright' until we're lifting a trophy.

-- Anonymous, February 11, 2001

The thing is, Keegan's sides were raised on being told they were better than they were...confidence is a dead delicately balanced thing..

-- Anonymous, February 11, 2001

Keegan's players also knew that if they didn't perform, the club could always replace them with someone better....a luxury YBR doesn't have.

I feel bad for him because he feels it the same way we do. If only we could translate that to the players...

As for confidence, well, Shay Given admitting that, y'know, the CL was y'know, beyond us, was...DEFEATIST even if it was, y'know, true.

-- Anonymous, February 11, 2001

LOL, Min. I feel desperately sorry for Bobby actually as he must wonder what he has to do to get through to this lot.

-- Anonymous, February 11, 2001

Forgot to mention - BR was asked on Sky about the trip to La Manga. Bless his clearly angry socks, he said something like "I really and truly don't feel like going. I feel embarrassed to be going to Spain when we've given our fans a performance like that. However, I can promise you one thing - we'll be training hard".

On balance, and rightly or wrongly, if I were Bobby I'd cancel the trip - there is no way I would be seen to be rewarding the players in any way for such an abysmal performance. I'd have them training outside tomorrow morning at 9am at the Riverside. I'm afraid that would be my version of "team pschycology" for the b@st@rds.

-- Anonymous, February 11, 2001

EVEN WORSE is that this is like deja-vu after the Southampton game. That was my last live game before leaving for NZ and i mentioned to my dad then that they were beaten before they started the match. It was almost as if they didn't WANT to play for YBR. I'd seen that look on the players faces once before - under Gullit at Soton the previous season when we capitulated live on Sky.

I've also said it before but the senior pros such as Lee, Barton, Speed and Shearer have to take the criticism. It's about time we had some answers. As clarky mentioned: there's something not right with these players.

We said much the same but thought it was because of mssrs Maric, Domi, Pistone, Tomasson, Andersson etc. I've felt for some time that they weren't the problem but the others were. I'm still waiting to be proved wrong.

Either they aren't good enough or their divide and rule tactics in the dressing room is causing a problem that leads to 'performances' like today...

-- Anonymous, February 11, 2001

what was wrong? Easy. They were shite. Very, very little to be positive about. I've supported WB on here for some time, but can't understand why Griffin wasn't playing instead. Gutless and Cack. No they are not my solicitors, but if they were I'd contact them to have at least 10 consenting adults done for pretending to be footballers. They should be too ashamed to go on their sun break, and I totally agree that if they do go, they should pay for the bugger themselves. Disappointed doesn't even get close to it.

-- Anonymous, February 11, 2001

I agree with most of the stuff here.

I didn't think Ameobi had a good game overall though. He was ok in the 2nd half, but for the first half he was non existent. Truthfully, only Gallacher came out of the game with any positives, and he wasn't at his best.

It was complete shite. Why is it that we can raise our game against the big teams, but LOWER it when we play the less glamourous teams? Hopefully, this La Manga thing will be a bit of reverse psychology. BR might take them out there and work their arses off, catching them by surprise.

We really needed some bite in midfield today - didn't get it. We really needed some competent defending today - didn't get it. We really needed some urgency about the play today - didn't get it.

The players need a good slapping and should really be fined.

Could you imagine a building firm sending out 14 builders to do some work, only for the builders to stand around whinging all day and not lay a brick? Surely they'd be sacked without a second's thought. But with footballers, they get away with it.

Good point about no more London games though. Interesting how the furthest we've travelled and won this season is the midlands.

-- Anonymous, February 11, 2001

The Sunday Sun this morning reckoned Griffin isn't 100% fit, so I was surprised to even see him on the bench.

For whatever reason, Barton's form is rock bottom right now, and he needs a spell keeping the bench warm. IMO Griffin is simply a better FB than WB - full stop.

BR seems to like to rely on experience, but his perseverance with Barton is costing us, including his feeble attempt to clear the cross leading directly to the 2nd goal today.

It also has to be said that Marcelino's performance today was comical and tragic, all in one. IMO, he should have prevented the first goal by lunging directly at Svensson instead of lamely turning his back on him.

Quinn was poor today, and couldn't have done his chances of a permanent transfer much good, although it would be harsh to single him out for criticism in such a dreadful team display - he was no worse than anyone else, and indeed better than some.

Overall, our collectie defensive ineptitude today managed to exceed even previous levels of incompetence, and has long-since ceased being even remotely amusing.

-- Anonymous, February 11, 2001

You'd think that people who'd travelled from Peru and Chile and Argentina would manage a quick flight to London.. Also, Rob Lee and Warren Barton are bleeding Londoners.....

-- Anonymous, February 11, 2001

However, I can promise you one thing - we'll be training hard".

That is the best thing I've heard all day!! I've no doubt Bobby will have them hard at it all week. It simply boggles my mind how even HE can't seem to get through to them.

Was just re-reading the piece on LuaLua in the last Scene @SJP where he mentions how one of the Colchester coaches sent them all off to work in a factory for a day to show them life on the other side. Said it did the trick and helped him work harder and appreciate what he had. Perhaps Bobby should send our lot out for a day as well? From the senior primadonnas right on down to the primadonna wannabees.

-- Anonymous, February 11, 2001

And I came on here thinking this was the 'positive' thread ;o))

Well what a bizarre pile of steaming kak that was but hey, there must be some positives ... for example:

1. Marcia's 2nd half first-time flicked through-pass with the outside of his right boot. I can't remember who he'd actually spotted making a run as, naturally, the ball was surrendered a moment later.

2. Shola's 1st half skip down the right wing. Pity the cross was then slightly delayed and was closed down for a corner.

3. Shola's working of an angle and shot, well saved by Ilic.

Well there you go - my complete list from 94 minutes of sheer torture. Sometimes you just gotta laugh and see NUFC as others must !! Forgive the flippancy, but I only managed 1.5 hours kip last night so I could watch it live. I'm a bit of a slow learner me.

-- Anonymous, February 11, 2001

Cancel the trip to La Manga and have that same 11 turn out tonight at KP against Blackburn reserves.

-- Anonymous, February 12, 2001

What a good idea Steph! (:o)

-- Anonymous, February 12, 2001

i've just got back from the pub after watching it on TV and i'm pished as a newt. That's relevant as i have to back track adn apologise to KB and all the other match thread contributors. I was watching it with an Evertonian and a Rangers fan and i have to say i was embarassed as hell.

No cries of "we're better than that" from me. We were poor, each and every one. Speed AWOL. Dyer - was he on the field. Lee - if that's your best CAPTAIN's performance, pelase retire now - GRACEFULLY. Bartinho - you don't deserve the support you've had from people on here. Quinn. If he's our best hope at left back, god in heaven help us. I think I'd rather have Domi back.

However, my undisguised, unrelenting criticism goes to Mr Marcelino latterly of this parish. FUCK OFF. and don't come back. PAY your way out of this contract if you have to but if you EVER DISGRACE [there is no other word] the black and white of Newcastle United again, i won't be responsible for my actions.

Pulling out of tackles, as a defender, is UNFORGIVEABLE. GET LOST and don't come back.

HOWEVER. [and i'm still drunk as a skunk] i've just read an email gus sent me and he's spot on. can i post if on here gus, please? I ask first cos it's only polite...

We were in it until the goal went in and our heads went down. after that they'd conceded defeat and believed in the jinx. Now, for a team to ALLOW their heads to go down is bad enough but where was the captain? MAYBE GULLIT WAS RIGHT ALL ALONG ROB.....

It seems from the after match comments that YBR is directing his attention at the midfield. IF the things that are reported to hve been said [n. on shirt etc] is true, then SELL SELL SELL and buy Clark and players who will play regardless, not ones when they feel like it: SPEED, BARTON, LEE, DYER in particular. Acuna is forgiven as i think he' still learning, Nobby for one of his more 'forgettable' performances - he's given us enough so far this season. he's allowed at least one off day.

Anyway, i'm ranting and doing no one any good but me. soz. [There - at least i APOLOGISED!]

yours, drunkenly,

min

-- Anonymous, February 12, 2001

Can I cut'n'paste that to yer Da min???

Actually, for reasons I won't go into, I didn't watch the game, nor even listen on the radio. Sorry if that seems like not supporting. Seems I picked a good 'un to miss. Let's hope YBR can sort oot their marraccas from their castinettes while they're in La Manga.

-- Anonymous, February 12, 2001

post away Screacher - he'll probably just shrug his shoulders and tut loudly at the language.... ;))

sorry if anyone was offended.

-- Anonymous, February 12, 2001

What a relief. I've just caught up with this lot and it looks like I might not be completely on my own feeling just about couldn't give a sthi if I never get to see the useless tawts again. They've got some ground to make up, and no mistake.

-- Anonymous, February 13, 2001

I just read this from the chronicle. I was starting to calm down but this has just got me incensed all over again:

"And this is what hurts us most of all. It's probably of no consolation to the fans but the players are as hurt as they are."

If anyone wanted proof that GS has NEVER understood what it means to support or play for Newcastle, there's your proof. What did i expect him to say? SORRY doesn't even begin to cover it. but THAT?

DISGRACEFUL, DISRESPECTFUL AND INSULTING. KEEP YER GOB SHUT AND GET ON WITH PLAYING FOOTBALL. REMEMBER THAT DO YOU? W****R.

-- Anonymous, February 13, 2001

Glad I'm not the only one for whom Speed's words rang hollow. thought maybe it's just because I was still very cranky about the result yesterday. Lee's comments seemed much more from the heart.

-- Anonymous, February 13, 2001