Newcastle just drew home with Portsmouth after an insipid and unmotivated display. Seeing their fixture list, they have very little chance of surviving. Very sad for a team who not so long ago used to be a regular in Europe, a little longer ago were our main competitor for the 3rd place and what-it-now-seems-ages ago were main title contenders.

My mom worked near Newcastle for 2 and a half years and she loves the city. They've got a very loyal fan base, great support and I can personally testify that a lot of men wear team jerseys around the area, not even on match days.

What has happened with Newcastle ?

Just shows how quickly things can change.

Anyone worth having from them?

Just shows how quickly things can change.

Anyone worth having from them?

owen if he can stay fit, might be worth looking into, we would get him for a snip if the barcodes are relegated

MArtins as well.

To their credit, they were pretty good in the first half. Dominated, even.

Its really incredible. From 3rd place to 19th in a mere six years. I dont wish relegation on Geordie fans, or on Ashley and his lot (who I really have sympathy for) but I dont think they have had a defender worth a damn since Woodgate left. Bramble, Boumsong, and now Colocinni were decent defenders until they put on a Newcastle top. For all the money they have spent on wingers and strikers you would think they wouldve fixed this by now. Maybe having Given spoiled them.

I dont really know who I would want from them. Owen is my favorite non-Chelsea player of all time, and Duffer was probably my favorite Chelsea player in recent memory, but I doubt either would do anything other than add depth at this point. Martins is an amazing athlete whose finishing is way below par, and personally I wouldnt want him. Gutierriez is the only one I can think of, but he seems to be injured alot

Maybe someone young like Jose Enrique, Xisco or Guthrie?

Edit: just watching Shearer now on SSN. What he said was positive but how he said it was depressing

Edited April 27, 200916 yr by TheWestwayWonder

owen if he can stay fit, might be worth looking into, we would get him for a snip if the barcodes are relegated

Not this old chestnut again, the man is finished, has been for 2 seasons, yeah sure he's a natural finisher.....but did you see the glaring miss last night.

lets put this bed not now not ever.

I'd definitely prefer Martins to Owen.

Bassong, Jonas, Duff and Beye aren't bad either - but none are really worth signing imo.

I'd definitely prefer Martins to Owen.

Bassong, Jonas, Duff and Beye aren't bad either - but none are really worth signing imo.

Martins is a poor mans Tevez

I don't pity Newcastle.

They are the football equivalent of your averagely retarded X factor contestant bleating that 'I deserve this because I really want it', not because 'I'm any good at it'.

Their fans are fanatical, yes, but have bugger all idea of how to build a successful team. At the first signs of not being able to score four world class goals every game, they want change, because 4 world class goals every game 'is what they deserve' because the city is so 'passionate' about football.

For all their decades of achieving nothing, their only constant has been their fanbase and their complete lack of patience and tolerance at not being Barcelona.

Chairman after chairman has cow-towed to them, giving them everything they've asked for, regardless how ludicrous. You want Kevin Keegan back, even though he's perennially on the edge of a nervous breakdown? You got it. You want Shearer in, even though he has absolutely no experience whatsoever and this is the most crucial period in our recent history? Go on then...

I heard last night that the fans were booing their own team well before half time which just sums it up. Shearer said afterwards that his team lacked confidence.

Can't think why....

Shearer is correct, the team are lacking in confidence, also skill, passion, stamina, ability and pride.

Gutierriez is the only one I can think of, but he seems to be injured alot

Maybe someone young like Jose Enrique, Xisco or Guthrie?

You don't want Gutierrez. He works hard, but his play is essentially devoid of any quality.

My friend who is an avid Newcastle fan swears that Jose Enrique is the worst left back in the league, as well...

Chairman after chairman has cow-towed to them, giving them everything they've asked for, regardless how ludicrous. You want Kevin Keegan back, even though he's perennially on the edge of a nervous breakdown? You got it. You want Shearer in, even though he has absolutely no experience whatsoever and this is the most crucial period in our recent history? Go on then...

I agree with you on the impatience and general naiveté of the fans, but I can't agree with you on the chairman front.

Mike Ashley has made promise after promise to them, about investment in the team, players he'd buy and money he'd spend, and has delivered on none of them. Keegan said where exactly the team needed improvement, and Ashley failed to give him what he needed. He also installed Dennis Wise in the position of Director of Football, with the promise that he wouldn't interfere with transfers. Then what does he go and do? Interferes with transfers...

Although I don't really think much of Keegan as a manager, it was entirely down to Ashley that he was so alienated that he was forced to leave.

Spot on Mike.

The expectation levels of those fans is ludicrous. They think they are Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Juventus rolled into one up there

They are often stated as 'the best and most passionate fans in the UK' , normally by SKY and from what i can see they come to this conclusion simply because the fans wear more replica tops in the ground than anyone else.

They shouldve stuck with Alladyce, any sympathy i had for them (which wasnt much) went when they fired him and replaced him with 'King Kev'.

I wouldn't touch any of the Newcastle squad with a barge-pole. All over the hill and watching them last night they look a complete shambles. Owen, Martins, Viduka, Smith, Duff all poor. Their best player for most of last night was Nicky Butt - at least he showed plenty of passion.

Anyway, this was sent to me earlier by a mate - mildly amusing.........

tune - petula clark, down town

When you're a mag and Keegan's fckd off again you know what's coming next

DOON TOON

When you've got Ashley all his debts and his worries things look bleak at best

DOON TOON

Just listen to the traffic on the way to Bristol City

You'll have to sell old Mickey and you're squad is looking sh*tty

Good times ahead

Next year in the second tier

You can forget about europe for many a year cos you're

DOON TOON

Fckin deserved as well

DOON TOON

Look at how far you've fell

DOON TOON

Doncaster's waiting for you..

In terms of the great world of football it isn't really that big a fall from grace. They were out of the top flight for years, finally made it to the big time, spent loads of money and done okay - never won anything though. Then they started to fall away again, before now it looks like they're back where they belong.

Any fans that only ever want a local hero get what they deserve in my book. A great city but dumb fans.

They've got derby matches with Leeds to look forward to

Edited April 28, 200916 yr by bonetti

Mike, when you put it like that, its probably whats deserved. I remember earlier this year Keegan left in a hump because of Wise trying to sell Barton. He had achieved nothing in his second spell, and yet the fans felt the need to send death threats to the man who had sunk millions into their team becasue he had managed to piss of their legend.

Nibs, that song is brilliant.

I will say one thing for sure. They could still escape mathematically, but I dont think anyone who watched the game or the highlights could conclude that team had any confidence or ability to tap into that could potentially save their season. They look beaten already

They sold the only player I'd be interested in and that was Shay Given not that he would have wanted to be our second choice keeper.

Shearer is correct, the team are lacking in confidence, also skill, passion, stamina, ability and pride.

He also missed out 'a manager that knows his arse from his elbow'

Shearer has made howling errors in team selections in consecutive games now and they should be bloody grateful to have got one point out of a possible 6 because his selections didn't deserve it!

God its grim up here lads. It hasn't stopped raining since last night either. The dark times are back on the Toon.

Theres passion in the city...it's just often misplaced in hating Ashley, Sheppard, Wise, or any of the 'Cockney Mafia' who have attacked Newcastle. If they cheered on their team at St James' Park more often, they wouldn't have been in the mess they're in.

As far as football goes, they're looking dire. No shape last night, no clue as to how to create anything going forward, and a massive wage list on players cashing in on their previously held talents. Owen, Duff, Butt, Viduka...does the list need go on? Formerly good players, who fancy a last taste of big money, and the suckers who pay for it are the fans, and the 'Cockney Mafia', who did nothing to cripple the club, and tie their hands financially.

Good enough for them,

hope it helps sort them out...a little spell in the Championship.

There is not one player I would take from them; certainly not Martins, who has ballooned far too many chances, and for the love of God there is no way I'd take Own. That little, stunted Scouse scrote should be captain of the Premiership's most over-rated team....infact, that makes me think if a new thread!

Great post MikeO and liked the ditty there Nibs.

On the plus side for Newcastle fans, I here Blackpool are thinking of putting a roof on their away end next season