Five positives to take from NUFC’s season so far

The dust is beginning to settle after our poor summer transfer window. We all wanted more additions, investment and options in the squad by now. As always with Newcastle, things are never straight forward and we head into a long season with us again at the centre of supposed unrest, rumour and seemingly never far from a ‘crisis.’ However, under the radar there have been some positives for fans to cling to so far this season.

Rafa is still here

Arguably the most important. Rafa was clearly undermined and not happy as our lack of transfer activity folded. Ironically, he may be missing at the dugout this weekend for a hernia operation but Rafa has not resigned. As mentioned in previous articles, he may be waiting for other clubs and no longer see a long term future here but regardless, the longer he stays the better our chances of survival this year are.  This story is going to run and run, so let’s appreciate him being at the helm.

We did beat West Ham…

As typical with NUFC, it’s easy to sometimes forget the actual football and what happened on the pitch. We did secure a vital and resounding victory in our last Premier League game. The 3-0 victory was impressive and gets our season underway, even if West Ham were very poor. It takes the pressure off us getting our first win and the support for Rafa from the fans may again have kept him here. There were some good performances and players like Ritchie, Hayden and Clark looked at home in the Premier League after we all had doubts on whether they could make the step up. It is one game of course, let’s hope they can build on it against Swansea.

Atsu form  

Despite a few highlights, such as that goal against Rotherham, Atsu failed to secure a place in the starting XI in the Championship last year. Our last of investment under Ashley meant it still made sense to make the deal permanent for £6.7m and it was assumed he would be a good option off the bench. However, Atsu has started the season well. He was arguably our best players against Spurs and got a great assist for Joselu against West Ham. He has a point to prove and has forced his way into Rafa’s XI. New signing Murphy will have to continue to wait to get a run in the side if he keeps it up.

Signings showing their worth

As mentioned, we wanted more signings and more quality signings. That is clear. However, some of Rafa’s buys are starting to show their worth. Mikel Merino looks a real find. He impressed against Huddersfield despite the idiotic comments of Souness and looked the part against West Ham. Even when he came on against Spurs, his range of passing, vision and work rate was clear. Being left footed offers us a nice balance in the middle of the park too. He even has his own song now and has been talking about the transfer being made permanent already; Newcastle need to do this as soon as possible.

Lejeune may be injured but he has showed promise. He had a great pre-season and looks a commanding centre half. He is due to return this weekend which is a boost considering Mbemba now also is set for time on the treatment table. Could be a steal at £8.7m.

Joselu arrived to little fanfare, including myself. After a 27 year old who didn’t play regularly for Stoke is never going to get fans drooling. But credit where it is due, he has looked sharp. I thought he made far more of an impact than Gayle when he came on for our number 9 against Huddersfield and of course capped his home debut with a goal last time out. Maybe he will prove us wrong and be a good addition.

We have options for Swansea

Now the transfer window has closed it is clear we don’t have the quality we hoped for in the squad. We do though have options in the squad to rotate things if needed. Shelvey is back this weekend after his ban and it will be interesting to see where or if he plays with the form of Merino. I would like him to be given a shot in the number 10 role as we have still not solved this area of the pitch.

Rolano Aarons is fit and firing again. He wont start but he is a clear talent and it would be great if this could be his real break through year. Lejeune could return, Murphy could still help this season too and Joselu is on a roll. He is banned (again) but Mitrovic scored against West Ham and has been on song for Serbia. Yedlin could come back to add much needed pace as well.

We don’t have star players but we have options in most areas of the field except left back, which is ironic after the Pardew era. Hopefully some of the squad can step up and fill the void left by a lack of investment.

Who do you want to see given a chance against Swansea?

About Simon Riddlesden

Lifelong Newcastle United fan and East Stand season ticket holder. Observations from a supporter who has followed NUFC during Champions League participation and through relegation, taking me from Milan to Scunthorpe.

84 thoughts on “Five positives to take from NUFC’s season so far

  1. Good read Simon, thanks.

    Swansea will be tough, but these are the games we need to pick up points at, so fingers crossed.

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  2. all games away are tough,i dont know if i rate the Swansea manager much think the jury is still out on him

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  3. Thanks Simon, yep I would agree with the positives you list, just a shame it’s the players that have to step up some more to see us safe when the owner should of.

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  4. Simon – you missed off we turned a profit in the transfer window mate – important that, very important!!.

    I think Huddersfield have shown that there will be no easy game this season. Personally I don’t rate Swansea & loosing Siggurdson & Llorente are big players for them to loose. I know they brought on Bony & Renanto – but Bony hasn’t had a good few years, and whilst Renanto is a big name, he has a reputation already of being a bit of a passenger – unlike Sig who won games on his own.
    If we go at Swansea with the same workrate as we did against WH then we will win – if we work as hard as we did against Huddersfield, we will loose – I think in the main it’s as simple as that.

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  5. KIMTOON:
    Yep, depends which Toon turn up as always.

    Kim – is that down to poor leadership on the pitch?.
    I think Rafa can do all the work he likes on the training ground with them, and when they do what he wants it works. I just think we still lack a nature leader as a capt. One who will ******* those not putting it in or tracking back.
    Shelvey for me is too inconsistent himself and after those stupid sendings off, he has no grounds to ******* anyone IMO.

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  6. Premier league clubs have voted to close the window before the season starts.

    Mike Ashley asked ‘do we really need one at all?’.

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  7. Shouldn’t the Captain be on the field? Lascelles is not guaranteed a start. The only one I can think of at the moment who is guaranteed a start is Ritchie. Maybe that will change as the season progresses.

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  8. Sharpy17:
    Premier league clubs have voted to close the window before the season starts.

    Mike Ashley asked ‘do we really need one at all?’.

    😆

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  9. Sharpy17: Kim – is that down to poor leadership on the pitch?.
    I think Rafa can do all the work he likes on the training ground with them, and when they do what he wants it works.I just think we still lack a nature leader as a capt.One who will ******* those not putting it in or tracking back.
    Shelvey for me is too inconsistent himself and after those stupid sendings off, he has no grounds to ******* anyone IMO.

    For me mate, I would try Elliott as he’s set to be automatic choice and always seems pretty vocal both on and off the pitch .

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  10. NUFC Index‏ @NUFC_Index · 9h9 hours ago

     More

    Rafa: “The North East already feels like home for me

    🙂 😎

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  11. We’ll beat Swansea and wonder who mentioned relegation? There’ll be the usual crew who denied predicting it.
    Mark or mock my words!

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  12. Troy: I’ll mock them. Who mentioned relegation on here? Last time you said “mark or mock my words” you said England would win the Euros. Then you dialed it back to say England would make the final. Is that mocking your words enough or do I have to bring up Lee Clark?

    I am guessing you meant England would win the Eurovision Song Contest because that is a lot more likely. This year’s entry is bing bing bong goolie.

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  13. George Caulkin‏Verified account @CaulkinTheTimes · 3h3 hours ago

     More

    Rafa Benitez set off for Newcastle this morning but had to turn back – still feeling the effects of an op to clean out an old hernia wound

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  14. NUFC 360 Retweeted

    Martin Hardy‏ @mhardysport · 52m52 minutes ago

     More

    Rafa Benitez will not face the media tomorrow because of his medical situation, NUFC confirm. Remains doubtful to lead Newcastle at Swansea

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  15. Rafa should stay at home for a couple more days. He has like 3 coaches who have been with him forever and I am sure he can call them and give tactics talks.

    If he feels up to it he can go to Swansea. What is it like an hour and a half’s drive from Merseyside?

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  16. Actually, it is a lot farther than I thought.

    165 miles.

    approximately 4 hours.

    I have to brush up on my UK geography.

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  17. I think we will survive, IF the players put the graft in and don’t do what they did against Huddersfield again.

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  18. shamrock:
    A hernia is not something you can muck about with. I would chill at home if I were him.

    totally Sham, shows the dedication of the man though, wish our owner was as fully committed to the cause.

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  19. Rafa’s instruction during the play is so important. Too bad we gonna miss it at Swansea. The result won’t be good, I am afraid.

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  20. For those who couldn’t open the above link, here it is
    September 8 2017, 12:00am, The Times

    Rafa Benítez illness feels symbolic of Newcastle United’s malaise under Mike Ashley

    George Caulkin, Northern Sports Correspondent

    Newcastle United fans fear manager’s possible absence on Sunday is start of a long goodbye, writes George Caulkin

    Share

    For Rafa Benítez, injury was added to insult. After a loveless end to the transfer window and a summer of festering tension, the Spaniard set off for Newcastle yesterday after minor surgery to clean out an old hernia wound, but discomfort turned him back to his home on Merseyside. Those stitches and staples, that flare up of infection, feel symbolic of a club who are once again ailing.

    Premier League clips powered by Sky Sports

    Sunday’s Premier League match previews

    Benítez is stubborn, but his staff are advising him to miss Sunday’s Premier League fixture away to Swansea City. It is an inconvenience, but it may also be what the future looks like, because there is a sickness to Mike Ashley’s Newcastle United, a regime with an allergy to consecutive good decisions. Where their manager is concerned, supporters fear that a long goodbye has already begun.

    Promoted to the Premier League as champions, powered by momentum, coalescing behind a garlanded coach, Newcastle should, in theory, be in the rudest of good health, a rebirth the city yearned for. They were no longer the dead-eyed works team of Ashley’s Sports Direct, but an energised institution, promising more. Blissfully, briefly, they shimmered with possibility.

    “Ashley does not have the wit to see history repeating itself

    That moment has shrivelled. Having confounded precedent by appointing a man with a gilded CV and a reputation for pushing clubs — as all good managers must — the sportswear retailer is sowing discord, spreading dismay.

    Last week, as the deadline approached, Benítez travelled to Switzerland to attend the Uefa elite coaches forum, chaired by Sir Alex Ferguson. Back on Gallowgate, Newcastle were trying and failing to sign Matt Targett, a bit-part left back, on loan from Southampton.

    It made for a depressing juxtaposition. “What an irony,” nufc.com said, that Benítez should leave such a prestigious gathering, “to try and manage a club with absolutely no ambition and run like a pub side.” It was not a dissenting voice. At True Faith, the Newcastle fanzine, there is “an overwhelming sense of dread”. The Mag, meanwhile, wrote that “the ‘Rafalution’ and Newcastle’s last hope now hang by a thread.”

    To understand the plunging mood, you must contextualise Ashley’s decade at St James’ Park, the two relegations, the dismissal of cups as not a “priority”. He has twice employed Joe Kinnear and meted out humiliation to Alan Shearer and Kevin Keegan. The name of the ground was changed. There is plenty more, but as a banner inside the stadium summarised: “We don’t demand a team that wins, we demand a team that tries”.

    Alan Pardew, John Carver and Steve McClaren all explained that Newcastle could not compete, which was what made Benítez’s arrival last March all the more extraordinary, both from his and Ashley’s perspective. Benítez spoke about stature and history. He looked at the club and did not simply see the eyesore of countless hoardings for Sports Direct, he saw potential.

    At a meeting with Ashley at the end of last season, Benítez was given a budget and, like the previous year, encouraged to stay. He set up deals for Tammy Abraham and Willy Caballero but nothing happened. Abraham will face Newcastle for Swansea City on Sunday having joined on loan from Chelsea, while Caballero moved on a free to the league champions. Newcastle were playing catch-up but never caught up and Benítez, who refused to dismantle the Championship team he had assembled before replacements were signed, expressed concern. In public, he implored Ashley to “keep his word.”

    “Benítez longs to repay fans who have shown him adoration but avoiding relegation is a questionable dream

    When all the haggling stopped, Newcastle’s net spend was below Huddersfield Town and Brighton & Hove Albion, both promoted with them. There was no new goalkeeper and no fit left back. “A complete shambles,” nufc.com called it. “These penny-pinchers are gambling with our future yet again.”

    In January, Benítez wanted two new players, but none came. An absentee landlord, Ashley began attending matches, but avoided his most prominent employee. Dysfunction again, infection spreading. There has been no direct conversation between them since May. When Ashley gave a rare interview to Sky Sports last month, he apologised to Keegan and Shearer, but does not have the wit to see history repeating itself.

    Not for the first time, Ashley is seeking to sell the club but he has learnt nothing. His drive for self-sufficiency at Newcastle now feels like ideological austerity. Beyond some skin-deep alterations, the training ground is unimproved. Commercial income has fallen. And now the team have been starved of investment and the great risk-taker has rolled the dice on doing just enough.

    Fans have stayed loyal to Benítez but share his frustration at a summer of limited transfer activity

    Fans have stayed loyal to Benítez but share his frustration at a summer of limited transfer activity
    Ed Sykes/Action Images

    Benítez is not a just-enough manager. He longs to repay fans who have shown him adoration but avoiding relegation is a questionable dream and although he will not resign, it is not unreasonable for him to expect more. When his health allows, he will get on with it, anchored to the club by a contract that stretches for one more full season, by his relationship with supporters and little else.

    One day, West Ham United, who are long-term suitors, or some other club will stump up Benítez’s £6 million release clause. Ashley believes he has spent too much of his own money, but millions have been wasted chasing his mistakes. He is making another one and the cost will be more than cash. He is not Newcastle’s owner, he is its illness.

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  21. Talking about bad tattoos. My brother (no, not me. It is really my brother) had a tattoo of his girlfriend’s name on his upper arm. Of course it was not something short like Kim or Kate, it was Melissa and went from shoulder to elbow. I didn’t know he had it done and hadn’t seen him for a while. We met up in the Canary Islands a few years back and he had this giant, ugly Maori design on his arm which is when he told me he had to get it done to cover up “Melissa” at he behest of his new girlfriend.

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  22. The oracle Lee Ryder has given his verdict for Swansea – we might get beat or we might get a draw. Great Lee, I’ll run down the betting shop straight away.

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  23. Well, I’m going for an away win. 2-0. Swans lost their 2 best players, I think Sigurdsson was involved in about half of their goals and Llorente was their top scorer. Bony has done nowt (10 games, 2 goals at Stoke) since he left them (he couldn’t even get into the Stoke team, why does that ring a bell? Oh yes, Joselu) and Sanchez is unlikely to start.

    It is unfortunate that Rafa has not been able to coach the players but they have mobile phones and skype, right?

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  24. I will paraphrase one of the comments in The Chronic – what are the 2 man made objects that can be seen from space? The Great Wall of China and the fence that Lee Ryder is sitting on regarding the Swansea game.

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  25. The wall cant be seen from space. Thats an urban myth. Not unless you are using technology. But then I can see my car from space if thats the case.

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  26. I might not agree with Lawro’s or Paul Mersons Giant Balloon Head’s predictions but at least they make them. They use their knowledge and experience to come to a conclusion. Lee Ryder uses his knowledge and experience to say “er, I dunno”. I mean, what is the bloody point of The Chronic having an article on Lee Ryder’s prediction for Swansea when she says “er, I dunno”

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  27. shamrock:
    The wall cant be seen from space. Thats an urban myth. Not unless you are using technology. But then I can see my car from space if thats the case.

    OK Shamrock. What are the 2 man-made structures that can be seen from a low earth orbit, on a very clear day with maximum visibility?

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  28. You see, I may be wrong with my Swansea prediction but I backed it up with a couple of facts. That Swans lost their 2 goal scoring threats and replaced them with someone who has played 10 games in a year and another who will probably start on the bench. Can I apply for Ryder’s job?

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  29. He could also have said that last year under Rafa our away form was the best in any of the leagues, that we are built as much for a counter attack as a pressing game because one thing Rafa has done is add pace to the team. That we took West Ham apart and were doing well against Spurs until we were Shelveyed and also were a bit unlucky against Huddersfield. All, valid points Eric, but Rafa hasn’t been able to concentrate on the game plan what with his operation and there may be a hangover after a disappointing last 2 weeks of the transfer window. OK, I say, but I’m sticking with 2-0 to the Toon. How about you Lee? “Er, I dunno”.

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  30. Eric Sykes: OK Shamrock. What are the 2 man-made structures that can be seen from a low earth orbit, on a very clear day with maximum visibility?

    Paul Merson’s giant balloon head and the trail of destruction left behind by Donald Trump’s lack of action on climate change.

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  31. Sham: Trump hasn’t had time to impact climate change, obviously. The local governments know what is coming though. I was in Miami and they have totally redone their drainage systems. They know sea levels are rising and that storms will get worse. I don’t really see the point in denying it except a few polluters have bought US Congress. There’s a lot more money to be made in making preparations for what is to come.

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  32. True about Merse though. I read that scientists have discovered a black hole in our universe that is a billion times the size of our sun. That is almost twice as big as Merse’s heed.

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  33. He doesn’t have any discernable neck. His head sort of fades into his shoulders. Like that Momma on Honey Boo Boo if you get that show.

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  34. I will get back to football eventually. It is just that Ryder sets me off. Do you know that they literally invented the saying “money for old rope” to describe the Chief Football Writer’s job at The Chronic? They advertised it that way 20 years ago when they hired Lee. Also, perquisites: annual junkets to NZ, Ireland and USA including drinking in Milwaukee’s poshest 5 star Hotel (The Pfister, I have been there) with NUFC players, and Steven Taylor.

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  35. Will anybody buy Steven Taylor’s tell-all book when he writes it? No. Me neither. The only thing I would find remotely interesting is what he said to Andy Carroll to have him break his jaw and what it was like only being able to eat through a straw for 2 months.

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  36. Proposed chapters from Steven Taylor’s self published new book:

    Chapter 1:

    No John, No… Pictures of John Carver modelling his thong underwear collection.

    Chapter 2:

    I had a reet good shag with your lass last night Andy…

    Ouch, that hurt. Medic. Do I really have to get my jaw wired? That will stop my banter.

    Chapter 3:

    How to burn bridges and make everybody hate me (more).

    (That’s enough chapters Eric, ed.)

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  37. Steven Taylor…

    What actual headless chickens write to Agony Aunts complaining that they are compared to.

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  38. Sham , I tried to post that couldn’t see the great wall earlier but this site wouldn’t let me post again.
    Low earth orbit could possibly get a view of parts of the wall in the right conditions, no recent snowfall and a sunny day.
    I think the pyramids are visible in low earth orbit.

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  39. Kimtoon: my point was not about what could be seen from space but that Ryder was building a massive fence that he could sit on 🙂 If you want to get into what man-made things can be seen from space then obviously it would be the lakes behind dams such as Hoover and Aswan. But that wasn’t my point…

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  40. Chapter 4:

    I spent some time at the Portland Timbers…

    (2 months before I was sacked). It was different there. It is almost like it was another country.

    Chapter 5:

    Who has the blankest face and dullest eyes …

    Me mam says Phil Jones but I think she is just being nice to me.

    * Do I get a writing credit for giving Stevie T ideas? Of the people on The Chronic poll that they had about his book 62% said they would buy it. Can I conclude, therefore, that 62% of Chronic readers are either morons or Mackems?

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  41. I will use this again as a chapter.

    Chapter 6:

    Who do headless chickens point to when they want to feel superior?

    Steven Taylor.

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  42. Chapter 7:

    If Steven Taylor was a fruit or veg, what would he be? No cruciferous vegetables because that is too easy, and Wayne Rooney already has the trademark on Potato.

    Yes, Eric. A leak? A plum?

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  43. I have to get to like 10 chapters and I cant think of any more thickie analogies. I really do want to hear Taylor’s version of why big Andy smacked him?

    ICE, DO YOU HAVE THE SCOOP? That you can say without being sued?

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  44. And… I don’t (do) mean to go on a rant here. But, how can the dictionaries change the meaning of “literally” when people have literally being using it wrong and instead of figuratively? Their excuse is that it is used the wrong way so often that we should just accept it and use it interchangeably with figuratively and the real use of literally.

    OK. So if I say my left foot is my right foot enough times should I just accept I have 2 left feet? Be hard to buy shoes.

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  45. So Rafa is missing the game on Sunday. Suppose it will give us an idea how it will work when he leaves. 😯

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  46. Stu, I would imagine he’s given precise instructions to the coaches, the only real problem is not being there to make tactical changes mid game. All the same he can phone from home as it’s on tv.

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  47. Chapter 8:

    Aw… which one’s are the correct feet again Mam?

    I have 13 pairs of trainers and none have L and R on them so I just don’t know which are mine?

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  48. Chapter 9:

    The one’s with Stupid *** are yours baby. Stands for both Stupid *** and Stevie Taylor.

    Love, your mam.

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  49. Chapter 10:

    I had Lee Ryder ghostwrite this book for me. He has never gone beyond “5 things he learnt” before so I am not sure how it will turn out. 10 Chapters. Whoa Lee, let’s start with 6 and move on to Peter Ramage’s 7 things I learnt.

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  50. Eric Sykes:
    I have to get to like 10 chapters and I cant think of any more thickie analogies. I really do want to hear Taylor’s version of why big Andy smacked him?

    ICE, DO YOU HAVE THE SCOOP? That you can say without being sued?

    Trying to chat his bird.up on the sly,then rubbishing her in front of the lads,so the storey goes at the training ground,but Ime saying nowt

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  51. # Legend
    # Micky Quinn
    # Legend Micky Quinn
    # Legend Amdy Faye
    # Legend Stevie Taylor
    # legend lee Ryder

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  52. Icedog: Trying to chat his bird.up on the sly,then rubbishing her in front of the lads,so the storey goes at the training ground,but Ime saying nowt

    Cheers ice. I will ghost write the book and get back to you. I already have the 10 chapter titles.

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  53. Just in case any of you missed Stevie T’s book chapters that I am ghost writing for him, here is a summary:

    1. Pics of Carver in thongs.

    2. Getting smacked by big Andy, eating through a straw.

    3. How to not influence people but how to really annoy people.

    4. Portland – another country?

    5. I look as dumb as a post but Phil Jones is worse.

    6. ST = headless chicken without the brains.

    7. Wayne Rooney looks like a particularly ugly potato.

    8. ST has L and R written on his trainers.

    9. ST stands for Stupid ***.

    10. Lee Ryder can get to 5 things he learnt, ST can get to 6 (including which foot to put in which trainer) and Peter Ramage can manage 7.

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