English (and other British lower league) Football Discussion

Toon Fans

1158 replies · 130,969 views
17 Dec 09:19 · edited 09 Sep 05:19
From afar I am very impressed with Hughton (did i mention he wa ex-Spurs?).
 
Sends carroll to the dog house but leaves the door open and then talks him up:
 
Whether or not he is EPL managerial material I'm not sure, but if he takes the Toon up and maybe even wins the fizzy pop league, he should be made an honorary Geordie.
 
 

"Phoenix till they lose"

Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion. 

Genuine opinion: FTFFA

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20 Dec 03:46 · edited 09 Sep 05:19
Yeah, Hughton's been alright.  Some more general comments from him are here.

And Danny Guthrie has a message for the haters: thanks!


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20 Dec 19:22 · edited 09 Sep 05:19
2-0 vs boro and 10 pts clear for now!

"Phoenix till they lose"

Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion. 

Genuine opinion: FTFFA

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21 Dec 00:48 · edited 09 Sep 05:19
Good win.  Plenty of whining about the ref being on our side, though I think he was just relaxed rather than biased.

It might as well be 7 ahead: I don't see WBA dropping points while hosting Peterborough.
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21 Dec 05:31 · edited 09 Sep 05:19
Pride comes before a fall... (or 5th place at home can lose to bottom place in the EPL)

"Phoenix till they lose"

Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion. 

Genuine opinion: FTFFA

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21 Dec 08:06 · edited 09 Sep 05:19
PBTF for sure
but your mob are looking for bounce return easy
little surprised given the seemingly unlimited ineptitude of the Owners and the selling of Nigerian Super-Star Obafemi Martins.

but credit where it's due, Magpies are soaring

E's Flat Ah's Flat Too

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21 Dec 09:26 · edited 09 Sep 05:19
Casheley is a tw@t and this has been well documented.

However Hughton does not have to deal with Midget Wise and I'd venture that he probably has a bit more of a say on how the team is run than his predecessors.

Having said that, the squad is not EPL material IMO if I'm being honest and some of the top players may have had to be sold to reduce debt while others were just deadwood and not earning their keep.

(I'm talking about you Owen you lazy, over-paid midget. Funny how you managed to start scoring goals when you put on a red shirt and not when it mattered - you @rse)

I think even Cashley must realise that he needs to support Hughton so that if they do get promoted then he can hock-off the club at a higher price.

And that will be a good outcome for everybody.

"Phoenix till they lose"

Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion. 

Genuine opinion: FTFFA

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21 Dec 10:10 · edited 09 Sep 05:19
Hey, I'm not proud of WBA - I just rate them.

We've got the backbone of a good EPL squad.  Need more depth, and, some creativity in the midfield, but I wouldn't want to roll out many of the current roster. 

Oh, and in fairness to Owen... the git was only the worst offender.
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21 Dec 12:10 · edited 09 Sep 05:19
Stripes wrote:
Hey, I'm not proud of WBA - I just rate them. [/QUOTE]

Top fella!

[QUOTE=Stripes] We've got the backbone of a good EPL squad.� Need more depth, and, some creativity in the midfield, but I wouldn't want to roll out many of the current roster.


Zurab, Marlon and Danny Simpson are all on loan so doubtful if they will be with the squad next season.

Up front if there's any good thing about being in the fizzy pop, it's the opportunity for Carroll and Ameobi to develop and gain confidence for the step up to big boys' league.

I think there is a small core of experienced and handy players that would be at home in the EPL, and a heap of youngsters behind.

So yes I agree -more depth.


Junior822009-12-22 09:55:11

"Phoenix till they lose"

Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion. 

Genuine opinion: FTFFA

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22 Dec 05:47 · edited 09 Sep 05:19
Forgot about Simpson leaving - have to find a decent right-back.  Zurab looks to be pretty much gone already.  Marlon has a job to do now but we can do better next season.

Is Harps up for a return to the EPL?  My heart says yes - how could we shrug him off now?!  Either way, he is getting on and the club needs a long-term replacement sooner or latter.

Totally agree on the "internal loan" effect of relegation.  Carroll has said it's really helped his game and (if he keeps his head straight off the field) should be a first-team regular from now on.  Young Nile Ranger is growing in confidence too, but I don't know if he'll be up for the top flight next year.
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22 Dec 13:16 · edited 09 Sep 05:19
It's the silly season and although over a year too late this blog is rather amusing:

http://threewisemonkeys75.spaces.live.com/Blog/cns!964A5627EBB3C970!863.entry

"Phoenix till they lose"

Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion. 

Genuine opinion: FTFFA

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24 Dec 02:42 · edited 09 Sep 05:19
Dear Mr. Maradona,

Merry Christmas!  Sorry to hear about all the troubles with the press.  They really just don't know what a good guy you are.  All the best at the World Cup next year!
Stripes2009-12-24 15:42:36
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24 Dec 20:35 · edited 09 Sep 05:19
"Oh Guttierrez, from Buenos Aires, he's Spiderman, he's our superhero playing on the left or right, wearing black and white he is f#cking dynamite!"
 

"Phoenix till they lose"

Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion. 

Genuine opinion: FTFFA

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25 Dec 13:52 · edited 09 Sep 05:19
Interesting.  Looking at Hughton's comments to the Times he seems to have been targeted along the same line as the Redgraves - i.e. to be a "respectable" celebrity spokesperson for the party - and quickly found himself a more "respectable" outfit to associate with after the WRP imploded.
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26 Dec 14:36 · edited 09 Sep 05:19
The game at Wednesday is currently tied 2 all.  So, before the euphoric rush of a last-minute winner kicks in, I should write that this has been an ugly, ugly game.  Ameobi's goal was handsome, Harper made a good reflex save, and Carroll (in the time he's been on) has shown off his strength and close control.  (This last is slang for "our team has just been lumping the ball up the field".)
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26 Dec 20:37 · edited 09 Sep 05:19
Stripes wrote:
(This last is slang for "our team has just been lumping the ball up the field".)


2-2 it was. Looks likes Nix tactics and the outcome is the same.

"Phoenix till they lose"

Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion. 

Genuine opinion: FTFFA

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27 Dec 02:50 · edited 09 Sep 05:19
"Nix tactics"?! - let's not say things we can't take back.  Playing direct to the likes of Shola Ameobi and Andy Carroll isn't entirely crazy.

That said, the lads definitely looked like they were playing for a draw.
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27 Dec 04:25 · edited 09 Sep 05:19
Hopefully not the first bad mistake that Hughton makes.

However if he gets the obnoxious little oik thug to perform and do well for the club I will elevate Hughton to Sainthood in the Church of Wor Sir Bobby.

Junior822009-12-27 17:25:44

"Phoenix till they lose"

Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion. 

Genuine opinion: FTFFA

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27 Dec 05:25 · edited 09 Sep 05:19
Not sure Hughton would like that - religion is the opium of the masses and all that, right?

Joey made us a promise last year.

"For what I lack in ability - and all kinds of other things - I try to make up for with hard work and that's all I can do."
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28 Dec 13:03 · edited 09 Sep 05:19
ESPN's top ten worst kits of the decade
 
"A few times I've been around that track
So it's not just gonna happen like that..."

edit: fixed link.  Don't know how it happened.  I must be going Bananas!


Stripes2009-12-29 11:44:53
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28 Dec 20:48 · edited 09 Sep 05:19
more dropped points. and west brom win again. lead only 6 points now and can be cut to 3 with west broms game in hand.
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28 Dec 22:27 · edited 09 Sep 05:19
Rory Fallon's club up next. Hopefully they will be on the receiving end of a Toon backlash.

Junior822009-12-29 11:27:28

"Phoenix till they lose"

Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion. 

Genuine opinion: FTFFA

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28 Dec 22:34 · edited 09 Sep 05:19
Stripes wrote:
ESPN's ten worst kits of the decade"A few times I've been around that track
So it's not just gonna happen like that..."


Dead link Stripes - presume that horrible yellow and white thing that is supposed to be the away strip is included?

"Phoenix till they lose"

Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion. 

Genuine opinion: FTFFA

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28 Dec 22:41 · edited 09 Sep 05:19
Just found it on soccernet.com

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=716898&sec=reviewofthedecade&root=reviewofthedecade&cc=3436

Deportivo Wanka - that must be a collector's item that shirt.

Junior822009-12-29 11:41:32

"Phoenix till they lose"

Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion. 

Genuine opinion: FTFFA

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28 Dec 22:47 · edited 09 Sep 05:19
Junior82 wrote:
Dead link Stripes - presume that horrible yellow and white thing that is supposed to be the away strip is included?
 
Fixed link.  Yeah.  Our last trophy of the decade!
 
 
 
 
 
 
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29 Dec 10:20 · edited 09 Sep 05:19
Junior82 wrote:
Just found it on soccernet.com

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=716898&sec=reviewofthedecade&root=reviewofthedecade&cc=3436

Deportivo Wanka - that must be a collector's item that shirt.

"Everyone in Britain seems to think we have a funny name," a Deportivo spokesman told The Sun. "It is very strange."
 
Edit:  Of course it goes both ways.  Things to do when I win lotto:
 
1.  Get a D. Wanka collectable shirt
2.  Wear it when i'm driving my new Mitsi Pajero (maybe with Pajero in big letters on the outside)
 
Junior822009-12-30 02:21:03

"Phoenix till they lose"

Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion. 

Genuine opinion: FTFFA

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30 Dec 20:19 · edited 09 Sep 05:19
Stripes wrote:
Not sure Hughton would like that - religion is the opium of the masses and all that, right? Joey made us a promise last year."For what I lack in ability - and all kinds of other things - I try to make up for with hard work and that's all I can do."


Some good words coming from the Jailbird

Good to see he is trying to pull himself together but I remain yet to be convinced given the opportunities and support he has had from the club.

"Phoenix till they lose"

Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion. 

Genuine opinion: FTFFA

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31 Dec 03:40 · edited 09 Sep 05:19
You bet me to it!
 
In all honesty, Joey really hasn't had a good opportunity at NUFC.  He signed on to work with Allardyce, got badly injured in a friendly, and by the time he was fit again Allardyce was on his way out.  That he hit the bottle and attacked people at this point was sad but not exactly unsurprising.  After getting out of jail, he only played a few games (with a commitment that the rest of the squad should have shown) before getting injured again.
 
As regards the blow-out after gettting sent off against Perennial strugglers Liverpool: the account given at Goal.com reads as poor management by Shearer.  Allardyce was interested in bringing Barton over to Blackburn even after that, but Joey seemed to think he owed Newcastle some good performances, no matter what league he ended up in.
 
He's not a model professional: he's just a regular guy with problems like the rest of us.  And the ability to play exceptional football.  If Joey can stay disciplined and avoid further injury, he'll be our best player by miles.
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31 Dec 03:56 · edited 09 Sep 05:19
I actually quite like the yellow striped top. Not as bad as some that are around, such as Chelsea's black and charcol hoops.
Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!

The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!

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01 Jan 10:18 · edited 09 Sep 05:19
I have no problems with a good tilt at the Cup, but promotion has to be the priority.  If Hughton thinks he has the squad and the timing to do both then good luck.  It would be good as i posted earlier to see how the team (with a bit of confidence and team spirit) measures up against the EPL teams in the cup, if they make it that far.
 
But would hate to see the team tire itself out and pick up injuries in the cup rounds that then contribute to dropping points in the league.  Only just over half way through the season.  A lot more footy to be played.
 
Top man that SAF - hopefully Simpson's loan will be extended - sounds like he is enjoying his time in Geordie land.
 

"Phoenix till they lose"

Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion. 

Genuine opinion: FTFFA

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01 Jan 15:16 · edited 09 Sep 05:19
Rumour has it that Newcastle will pay actual money to sign someone - 2 million for "Saint" Jermaine Beckford from Leeds.

Speaking of Leeds, Ken Bates recently remarked that, "Leeds United are one of this country's biggest clubs, even now. Only the biggest clubs in the Premier League have bigger gates; the likes of Manchester United, Perennial strugglers Liverpool, Aston Villa, Arsenal, Everton, Tottenham and West Ham."



Leeds averages 25,600 at the gate (according to Bates - Soccernet's figure is 25,148, and we know how much ESPN loves statistics).  Here's a list of clubs he didn't mention with higher average attendances this year:

Newcastle
Sunderland
Derby
Wolves
Stoke

A man with a closer grip on reality, Zurab Khizanishvili, remarked that, �Apart from the top four teams in England, I think Newcastle is the biggest club, and I wish them the best."
Stripes2010-01-02 05:03:48
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01 Jan 21:32 · edited 09 Sep 05:19
Bottom line is I suppose bums on seats (pun intended). So how Leeds is bigger than the Toon requires some creative interpretation.

Has Elland Road been confirmed as one of the likely stadia for the 2018 WC bid?

"Phoenix till they lose"

Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion. 

Genuine opinion: FTFFA

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02 Jan 02:55 · edited 09 Sep 05:19
Elland Road is part of the 2018 bid, with a plan to bring it over 50,000 capacity.
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02 Jan 07:07 · edited 09 Sep 05:19
OK - thanks for that. So at the moment it is less than 50k and if crowds are 25-26k then it is still smaller than NUFC@SJP.

(this is starting to sound like a p!ssing contest)
Junior822010-01-02 20:08:29

"Phoenix till they lose"

Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion. 

Genuine opinion: FTFFA

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02 Jan 20:09 · edited 09 Sep 05:19
Worst possible result in the FA Cup.  To be fair to the lads, trench warfare conditions were always likely to produce a draw.  (Though I thought Hughton probably should've given up on football, put three big men up front and just lumped the ball up to them.)
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02 Jan 20:13 · edited 09 Sep 05:19
Not off to a good start, but not the worst possible result? (= a loss)

Does mean that the home game replay adds more congestion to the fixtures schedule.

"Phoenix till they lose"

Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion. 

Genuine opinion: FTFFA

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02 Jan 21:54 · edited 09 Sep 05:19
Losing in Devon would've been better than having the extra fixture.  (I haven't gone back on my view that the FA Cup is worth a run, just saying that playing two games in the round is a waste.)

Smudge took a blow to the head, as well.  Not sure how bad it is, but expect to see more of Nicky Butt.   Jailbird Barton can't get fit too soon.
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