The press is reporting that our esteemed board is going to review Steve McClaren’s position after the Spurs game. Some might question the delay given our recent form, so I’m bringing that review forward and put it to you guys and girls to have your say on the subject. We’ll add a pole as well.
2015 has been miserable for Newcastle United. John Carver failed miserably to put a run of positive results together and we only survived because West Ham’s players were already mentally on holiday knowing that their manager was a ‘dead man walking.’ There was no effort from our players and no sign of leadership on the pitch. After years of negligent transfer windows and mismanagement of the values and traditions of our once reputable football club, the fans voted with their feet and prompted Mike Ashley himself to address the world’s media and promise change. He would ‘bolt the horse to the cart’, listen to the fans and the club would change it’s ambitions in the Cups.
We began to dream of a top manager finally being appointed and got all giddy at the thought of the likes of the outdated Coloccini and Williamson finally being replaced. Various manager’s names were linked and we ran a pole on who we would prefer. Steve McClaren had just been sacked by Derby County in the Championship following a spectacular collapse from the automatic promotion places to falling outside of the playoff places. This was the 3rd job in a row he had failed at and indicated that when the pressure is turned up a notch, Schteve goes missing. In the end, McClaren was backed for the Toon job by only 4% of voters. The next thing we know Steve has been hired. So much for listening to the opinion of the fans then.
The Toon Army did not expect miracles, but after years of mismanagement we simply asked for the following;
1) A clear out of the dead wood that had sucked the life and drive out of the squad.
2) Real investment in the playing squad with experienced players, in the right positions.
3) Improvement in both performances and results in the League.
4) Real ambition to be shown in the Cup competitions.
Of course there was more the club could do, but the above would be a good start. McClaren knew he was not a popular choice and asked the fans to judge him after 10 games. The end of the summer came and to our amazement not only was Coloccini not shipped out, his contract was extended and his Captaincy assured. Schteve and Colo even started writing the fans occasional love letters in an effort to ‘improve’ communication. Unfortunately that was not the kind of communication we were asking for….
The only player that showed any effort towards the end of last season (Jonas Gutierrez) was unceremoniously dumped by phone. Class. Almost all of our perma-crocks, feckless and past it players were retained – ensuring the rot in the foundations of the playing squad remained. Then the club splashed the cash to the tune of £50m to bring in a carbon copy of the massive failure that was Remy Cabella, and a promising but inexperienced couple of young prospects in the shape of Mbemba and Mitrovic. Wijnaldum looked to be the only incoming player that would be capable of immediately improving the squad. It was nice to see some investment in the playing squad but many were left wondering why the squad still appeared to lack experience, leaders and depth in key areas. The defense still looked woeful. The summer transfer window, combined with the appointment of McClaren – was a little underwhelming. Points 1 and 2 failed then.
Schteve’s reign started off up and down as expected. Results were still as bad as last season but there were signs of life in the team. The draw against Manchester United highlighting a defensive solidarity and togetherness not witnessed by a Newcastle fan in a long time. Schteve reached 10 games in and fans were split. The club was still in or around the relegation zone but the occasional signs of fight in the side gave some reason to be hopeful that the recovery was under way. Our first opportunity to put a Cup run together was ended abruptly when our first team was dumped out the League Cup by Sheffield Wednesday’s second string. Point 4 failed.
Fast forward to December and any signs of togetherness and leadership within the playing squad has completely disappeared, whilst results and performances have been as woeful as they ever were under John Carver. We rolled over yet again against Sunderland, were hAmmered by Leicester and ex-manager Alan Pardew’s Crystal Palace and to date McClaren has a worse record in terms of win percentages that even John Carver managed – despite having £50m of talent available to him. Point 3 failed. McClaren has looked uncomfortable in his technical area when we have gone behind and does not seem to have any aNswers. He looks like a fish out of water frankly. In recent games he has played our 2 most promising central midfielders on the wing, where they have been ineffectual and he has dropped our only player capable of holding the ball up in the forward area.
The board has a lot to answer for and needs to hand the next manager much more say in the playing squad. The board has definitely hamstrung Schteve to an extent, but HE is responsible for retaining Coloccini as Captain and HE is responsible for our results on the pitch. HE is responsible for the lack of fight and direction shown. McClaren is supposed to be a great coach, but whatever he has been doing on the training field has not been reflected in a good light on match days. Next up is two sides on form in Liverpool and Spurs who we do not have a prayer against, so why wait to review McClaren’s position? He has so far failed on every front conceivable and was never wanted by Toon fans in the first place.
Am I being a bit harsh? What are your thoughts?
[poll id=”89″]
i’ve decided to go on sunday & see stevie mac take charge of his last home game.
we’ll only be playing for a point that’s for sure- zzzzz….
roy cropper(Quote)
Surely the fact that the ‘football board’ chose these players means that they should all fall on their sword as an example of how intrinsically flawed Ashleys transfer policy is?
macman(Quote)
I completely agree Macman. Ashley needs to get rid of the lot. Any new manager needs 2 things:
1) A good reputation to get the respect of fans and players alike.
2) control over incomings and outgoings.
Shamrock(Quote)
If Ashley retains the board, he needs to at least hand the power back to the manager in terms of transfers.
Shamrock(Quote)
McClaren is said by everyone in football to be a fantastic coach but i have never heard anyone say he is a fantastic manager or even a good one, but it’s no good sacking him to bring in another no-hoper. I think there is a brilliant manager waiting for a call, that man is nigel pearson, who do you think built the leicester team? To get a top manager the structure at the club has to change but what are the chances of that?
john agar(Quote)
Eric – just to clarify from the last thread, I have no issue with the coaches being on the bench, it’s how involved they are during that 90mins that bothers me.
Sharpy17(Quote)
More comments from Steve:
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAW!!!
OH!
Say it now!
I’m back!
I’m back!
I’m back!
I’m back!
Get up offa that thing,
and dance ’till you feel better,
Get up offa that thing,
and dance ’till you, sing it now!
Get up offa that thing,
and dance ’till you feel better,
Get up offa that thing,
and try to release that pressure!
Get up offa that thing,
and shake ’till you feel better,
Get up offa that thing,
and shake it, say it now!
Get up offa that thing,
and shake ’till you feel better,
Get up offa that thing,
and try to release that pressure!
Get up off!
Ha!
Good God!
So good!
Thank you Steve. We’re all feeling much better now. 😯
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Is everyone feeling better now? Mike and Steve love us all. Please keep giving them you money mates. It’s all they ask of you….No really that’s all they want.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Let’s be fair about this lads. Let’s give Steve another 14 games before judging him. That would be 28 games total. Leaving 10 games to sort things out. Should be plenty considering the type of squad we have. Yes…..10 games to prepare for the Championship under a new manager. Or Mike could sack Steve after the Liverpool game and give the new manager 23 games and a transfer window to turn things round. Which seems more useful to you lot? Harrumph.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Does Mike even notice when we lose another game? Does he read his paper, give a big sigh and then move on to counting some nice fresh cash? Or is he busy pretending this isn’t happening at the club? Is he still sure the cart is bolted to the horse? What kind of horse do we have anyway? Is it a bit old and ill? Does it have fleas? And the cart. Is that something Mike borrowed from an old bone man?
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Surely if Ashley actually does want a successful club (and here I don’t even define success) then he will want to have someone from outside with deep knowledge of football take a look at how we run things. Let the person do his/her job and make a report (this has to be done quickly now unfortunately. It should have been done last summer). Once that is done Ashley has to decide whether to accept the recommendations but at this point does he really have a choice? Surely the current executive staff have to be closely scrutinized. Once it’s decided that changes have to be made, they should be made by the expert brought in. Then hirings are made quickly with the January window in mind. Or possibly Ashley does nothing again except sit and pray that a miracle happens and we escape relegation. I know which choice I would make.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Shamrock. Well summed up. I wouldn’t give any manager a total say on incomings and outgoings. Wasn’t Obertan a Pardew purchase? Would you give Carver, Steve or Pardew total control? I wouldn’t! But I would agree that the manager should have a large input. I am not convinced that at Newcastle the manager/head coach has little say. Steve’s recent record says it all. He is not up to it, but he is a nicer man than Pardew.
Groucho(Quote)
G2: so you are going the Management Consultant route. Won’t work in the middle of a season as it would be too destabilizing in an already destabilized situation. Fatman needs to get an experienced Manager appointed who has been successful and has a set style and set ideas.
Let them work with Carr but have the final say.
Have the consultants come in at the end of the year when the new Manager would have the choice to keep Carr or not. Have the consultants appoint the MD who would have control of finances, contracts etc. but not hiring and firing of the football staff.
Carr is the last one on that 7 year contract and is what, 75 now. Maybe his time is up but maybe he recommended some of the players that have come good like Bony but was overruled. It is time for a new broom and f@ck this 3 headed monster of a board, plus Concur. All that was ever going to lead to was indecision.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
SHAM I agree with you 100% I could quite a bit more but let the bloggers enjoy the thread as its a good’n
icedog(Quote)
The real problem is Ashley is chairman but has no interest in the football side now. He made appointments that he thought would appease the fans – Shearer, Keegan – but appointed his pals/lackeys to run the club. How many MDs/Dofs have we had now and how many were qualified? Let me count, and I will probably miss some. Mort, Wise, Liambias, Kinnear, Liambias again, Charnley/Carr.
The remit was to sort out the finances, but now they are sorted the FINANCE GUY IS IN CHARGE OF THE FOOTBALL SIDE AS WELL with the scout having made a power grab to become co-DoF. An absolutely stupid situation at a football club.
We are reaping what Ashley has sown and the whole model has to be ripped up but not in the middle of the season.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Ben Arfa playing a blinder against PSG so far.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Good summary Shamrock and something I know we all did not want, but thought might happen when a recent 4 time loser was appointed – Wolfsburg, Twente (2nd time), Forest, Derby.
I will add that I think McClaren has lost the dressing room like Carver before him. One minute he is screaming at them and the next putting his arm around them. Jack Colback came out today and basically said they are bickering with each other.
Now the football system and formation is being abandoned in mid-stream as Schteve says he is sticking to his guns, his plans, his philosophy. He can’t have it both ways.
Schteve may be a good coach as many have said but perhaps he needs someone above him to decide on the bigger picture. That obviously should not be Charnley and Carr.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Shamrock
Totally agree.
There’s a lot of people to blame for the plight of the club at this present.
The club chief executive Lee Charnley who rose the ranks from tea boy to running the club under Ashleys ownership. Carr for his player recommendations (though I spare him the least criticism as I’m sure these are his third choices and his better players are rejected on the basis they are too good and therefore too expensive), Bobby Moncur for his total lack of media input and any form of evidence that he’s made a difference as a football guru, Steve Black for his total lack of motivational skills, Steve McLaren for his non existent motivational skills, tactics and inspiration and Mike Ashley who seems absolutely clueless in running a football club and ultimately takes full responsibility for the entire shambles that is nufc.
Oh and the Clueless Crew on here who can’t work out who is to blame. I include them in the list of people I blame for the demise of my club.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Since McClaren is on the board will he have a vote on his successor?
In all seriousness, will they have anybody lined up? As I said on the last thread I think they will offer it to Pearson. I think they want a disciplinarian, and someone on the dole. He turned Leicester around last year and in the worst case scenario he has experience of bringing a team up from the Championship. He also knows NUFC.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I was trying to think of an analogy between Steve being a good coach but ineffective manager. How about a schoolteacher who is great at teaching English and get accolades and awards for his work. On the back of this, he get promoted to head master which requires a totally different skillset. He is still a great teacher but it turns out he is a bad head teacher.
Maybe that is Schteve.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I think Moyes would want too much money and too much control. Charnley and Carr may as well hand in their resignations now if he is appointed.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Also, I think Ashley will not be that bothered about paying off McClaren (who he could probably force to resign anyway). I mean, it will probably cost him 100 mil if we are relegated and McClaren is on head coach wages.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric@19 and John AGAR@5, I agree, Pearson is more likely to arrive and to be fair did a good job with Leicester . Mind you I have read that Ashley does like Moyes so that’s a possibility too, as long as it’s not Rogers who I do not rate at all.
kimtoon(Quote)
Shamrock, good read mate, agree with you and no you are not being harsh at all. I have really backed SM, no choice really, but after initially seeing some tidy play here and there it’s gone to rats tbf. If we are ANY where near as bad on sunday, then really, he has to go. The players should put a shift in, if not for their manager then for the fans, their attitude last week was pathetic and so disrespectful to the fans that travelled to London.
kimtoon(Quote)
I’m bold enough to say now and for the weak, who are uncommitted in case they get ridiculed, that McLaren will fail. He needs to go now. Today. I’ve seen enough to see he hasn’t got it.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
MOMMW
Mark Or Mark My Words
Troy Stavers(Quote)
They have to have feelers out for a new Manager right? It is not tampering if they are on the dole and all the front runners are on the dole. Can you imagine that Liverpool did not sound out Klopp when they were getting ready to sack Rodgers. I am sure they did. And I am sure we will appoint someone presently on the dole.
Maybe Steve Clarke 🙂
I would prefer a bold move for Favre but that is dreaming.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I dont think a big enough lesson has been learned just yet.
The board are hoping and praying they will still get away with it.
So they wont be looking to sack Macca just yet.
They have the excuse of all the injuries to trot out.
A couple more defeats and being rooted in the bottom 3 may focus a few minds. By which time it could well be all too late anyway.
tough ****
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
BB we have virtually no injuries to the players they expected to perform this year. The injuries are to fringe players like Obertan, Haidara and Riviere. The only first choice player that is out is Krul. You could say Tiote and Taylor but that would be dumb as they are perennial sick notes. They were going to loan out Aarons before he got crocked.
No, they have the squad they chose available so the mistake is in motivation, tactics or who they bought in the first place.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
On one hand I dont want NUFC to suffer another relegation, not really really.
But on the other, I really dont want the fat turd raking in £100M+ for this shambles of a job he is over seeing.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
And I think there is more to leaving out Mitrovic than we are being told.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
We are second bottom. No sign of improvement. In fact getting worse. It has to happen now. No more games. Get a new manager in before the Liverpool game.
I can’t believe the lack of demand from people on here. Then again, the Clueless Crew are normally barking up the wrong tree. 🙄
Troy Stavers(Quote)
This one is for Sharpy, the coaches are now fighting among themselves:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3346547/Under-fire-Newcastle-boss-Steve-McClaren-facing-new-battle-backroom-staff-clash.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490
Steve Black is telling the fitness coach how to do his job and the players say his motivational speeches are too long – often over 1 hour.
YCMIU
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Troysta: I see you haven’t suggested a replacement.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Also for Sharpy from the last thread. I think when you have the players in the room and yap motivational cliches at them for an hour then you are a motivational speaker 🙂 Doesn’t seem to be doing much good though.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric
A replacement? I didn’t want a replacement for Pards because I knew with Ashleys mentality we wouldn’t better him. I know with McLaren we can’t do any worse. Big difference. You are very slow to catch on. In fact, you don’t catch on. Don’t worry. You’re not alone on here. The chain gets completely clogged on here. Myself and a couple of others need to come on once on in a while to oil it. 😛
Troy Stavers(Quote)
So the players are arguing among themselves
The coaches are arguing among themselves
Blackie is coaching Mc on media-speak and he is now coming out with Carveresque drivel.
Steve is laying down the law one week and now wants to be everybody’s friend
Steve brings back Willo in order to drop Colo but says he is a great captain
The powers that be are going behind Steve’s back and saying to Mirror Group he has 2 games to prove himself.
YCMIU – this is a shambles and it is now all coming out in the press.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Troy: I said weeks ago we should sack McClaren and then changed my mind and said give him more time. You were kind enough to point it out to me 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Tick Tock. Who will it be? A replacement for McClaren has absolutely nothing to do with Pardew. Tick Tock.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric
Who is available Who would come?
Once we have got over that hurdle. Virtually anyone will be better than McLaren. He has lost the dressing room and unlike Pards he hasn’t got the ability to turn it round.
Rodgers. Moyes. Pearson. I don’t want any on a good day but the alternative is relegation.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Troysta: I said @19 I think it will be Pearson and gave reasons. It is all unraveling now and the press are loving it.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Troysta: My mother used to work in the Pharmacy at St Nicks. I am sure she can give me the name of a therapist who can help you get over your obsession with Pards. It is not healthy. He lives in London now and long distance relationships never work.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric
It’s your obsession with me that worries me. 😆
Troy Stavers(Quote)
http://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/newcastle-united/latest-nufc-news/steve-mcclaren-defends-fabricio-coloccini-s-captaincy-at-newcastle-1-7608170 🙄
kimtoon(Quote)
http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/624396/Exclusive-Newcastle-boss-Steve-McClaren-new-captain-avoid-relegation-Fabricio-Coloccini
kimtoon(Quote)
None of the people in key positions at the club are above average and that’s exactly how Ashley likes it. He wants people who are grateful and won’t challenge him. It’s pitiful really.
Stuart79(Quote)
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/alan-pardew-myth-buster-anyone-10503743
kimtoon(Quote)
The problems at Newcastle can not be solved by just changing the manager. We can change the manager all we want but for me it will make no difference.
Rotten from the top down.
Oblong(Quote)
Due to injuries I see the chances of Colo being dropped have gone from 0.5% to 0.
The same back four will start tomorrow. I just hope he gets the players infront of them correct as they need protecting.
Oblong(Quote)
My team for Sunday.
————————-Elliott—————————
Janmatt–Mbemba-Colocini–Dummett
—————-Colback–Wijnaldum————-
——–Perez——DeJong——Gouffran—–
————————Mitrovic———————–
Subs: Darlow, Mbabu, Anita, Sissoko, Marveaux, Thauvin, Cisse
Same back four as we don’t have many options. Mbabu had one good game for us at left back….He is not the answer.
4-2-3-1??? Sadly yes. It’s where we are as a club I’m afraid. The back four are shaky at best and they need protecting. When Liverpool are in possession we need the wingers to drop in and make 2 banks of 4. We need to try to make ourselves hard to beat. We can’t win games if we carry on conceding. I don’t care if it’s boring. I want to stay in the premiership. To do that we need points.
Perez on the right?? Yes, works hard and will do his defensive duties. Also offers an out ball for the counter.
Gouffran??? Yes, Will work hard defensively and help stop Dummett being left exposed.
DeJong?? Time he had a chance. We need leaders on the pitch. Is he up to it? Only one way to find out.
Mitrovic over Cisse??? Cisse can not play as a lone striker. Needs support and his hold up play is woeful. It’s going to be a long (and probably lonely) game for the striker tomorrow. We need the striker to be an effective out ball and to hold the ball up where possible to bring other into the game on the counter.
Oblong(Quote)
Mitro is also vital defensively when opo have corners and set pieces.
kimtoon(Quote)
Pearson? – no thanks. He’s a dull old school type disciplinarian. For three quarters of last season his Leicester were the worst team in the league. There’s only two thirds of this left!
And he’s unhinged!
georgio(Quote)
Eric – you do make me laugh mate. About 90% of your posts recently have been slagging journalists off (granted mostly Ryder) and then you us a newspaper article like that – well if sportsmail are revealing it, it must be true 😆
Sharpy17(Quote)
I think we will get another beating tomorrow, whether the form is good, bad or indifferent. Liverpool have turned the corner under Clopp and dispensed with far better sides than us recently, away from home.
If there is no evidence of improvement in the attitude of the players then I think it’s time for Steve to go, as we simply can not afford to lose to Villa. Charnley needs to fall on his sword but he won’t. It’s his manager and his signings, time to sack Lee Charnley and bring in a new director, Mike.
DJG(Quote)
Stuart: I was just yanking your chain about “Blackie” although I do think the stories are mostly true. I think he is probably trying to take charge in a situation that he sees as deteriorating but is overstepping his bounds and causing even more disharmony. Of course this is speculation on my part but probably Black is trying to make up for McClaren’s lack of aggression in his personality. That is not necessarily a bad thing but with our lot it might be perceived as weak.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I meant Sharpy @55
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – I don’t believe that’s how he operates at all mate. He may well have had a say on the strength & conditioning side of things coz I know he used to put Wilkinson through his paces at the Falcons. But he’s not the type to tread on people’s toes and he’s certainly not a media man, so don’t for a second believe any of that nonsense.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Let’s give it another go as I would actually prefer Steve to succeed. One last chance but I fear we are on a hiding to nothing with our defense. Stranger things have happened. Stoke are giving Citeh a hiding in the first half so you never know.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sharpy: the papers certainly have their knives out again but I do believe there is a lot of truth to the stories as the staff and players have admitted it. There is an air of desperation about the club and that is reflected in the performances and the in-fighting.
As for Ryder, he is probably has to play the politics game and lets the lower level hacks put the boot in more. Still, I don’t like his lazy writing and the fact he never writes anything original. He is the Chief Correspondent after all. As I have said before he should read Barney Ronay in The Guardian to see how it is done.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I have to agree with Georgio on Pearson. The bloke was sacked then unsacked for results & ill discipline just before he took Leicester on a really freak run of results. I’m afraid I see Pearson as someone more likely divide and upset the squad further rather than bringing them all together.
I’d love the Everton David Moyes, that gritty Scot who brought a bit of steel & determination to what was a very average PL side. I remember them having bad starts to a few seasons user him, but they always improved and he had them a consistent mid to top half side. People may say that’s lack of ambition, but at present we are bottom half to relegation contenders. Lets achieve that stability first then build as Everton have.
Trouble is that Moyes had the absolute backing of Bill Kenwright. He didn’t have a lot of money to spend, but any money spent was on the players Moyes wanted.
If he brought Moyes in, he would have to allow him that in my opinion. They still don’t have to spend a fortune, but they’d have to be Moyes players.
Now that all said, would it be fair to replace McClaren with Moyes without giving Mc the same opportunity to bring his own players in, and have an influence on the squad that way.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Eric – you are entitled to believe what you want mate, of course you are. But having met Black a number of times, the bloke that journo is writing about isn’t the one I met. I am not saying I know him well – not at all. But I think that journo has read that Black used to work the doors and has portrayed him as some enforcer, sticking his nose in where it’s not wanted.
That isn’t the Black I met. He’s a religious, family man. A bloke who has a silent presence around the place and doesn’t go butting heads with colleagues. He’s all about team spirit and hard work – so clashing with colleagues doesn’t really fit that for me. I think one of his main roles is to be almost like a father figure to a lot of young foreign players who come in and might struggle.
What I do think is that it’s knives out again, and the Mail in particular are fond of it thanks to the media ban carry on.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy: I can think of 5 managers I would choose before Pearson but I doubt they would come under the present structure and pay scale. I think Pearson would.
Carr and Charnley have carved out their own fiefdom and I doubt they will give that up easily. Moyes isn’t coming on a 3 year 1 mil per year contract which I speculate is about what McClaren is on.
Unless things change in terms of structure and pay we are severely limiting our management options. Maybe to a choice of one – Pearson 🙂
What Pearson can bring that McClaren seems to be unable to is a bunker mentality, an us against the world approach.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sharpy: as I said, I was yanking your chain a bit on Black.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric you could be right but I pray you’re wrong. Definitely don’t want Pearson – I’d rather have Pardew back!
georgio(Quote)
And Sharpy: don’t get me started on The Mail. They are the biggest bunch of click bait hacks out there. However, Craig Hope seems a bit of an exception and he wrote the story on the current discord which was not only about Black.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Georgio: I would take Moyes but not Rodgers. I think he is an ego maniac who would sort out the players and banish a few to make his point. However, I think he would relegate us before his ideas would work, or not work. I am still not sold that he really knows what he is doing.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Well to be honest I don’t care how good Black has been in the past, it’s his responsibility to work on and change the mentality of the players and we look like we’re getting worse…
Stuart79(Quote)
Sunderland drawing and Villa winning! Oh dear
Stuart79(Quote)