British Football Thread (all divisions)

[Moonlight]

Hmmmm, I would say it will take up to 10 to 15 years for the Magpies to be anywhere near a top four slot and probably another 5 after that to be in contention to be Premier League champions. 20 years, I think the owners are going to go through managers and players like a hot knife through butter if they don't keep a lid on it.

They can't go around splashing the cash as 9 out of 10 times it ends in dressing room failure, you need a Pep Guardiola figure to do that and your current manager is not up to it. I'm expecting the Newcastle owners will waste millions on rash player decisions that overrule the managers preferred choices. Me thinks there's going to be fireworks at Newcastle in the near future and it won't be on the bloody pitch.

I keep hearing the media and fans saying they need a striker, really!, that bloody nonsense has been spouted for years and years and usually its the wrong thing to do. Newcastle's troubles goes a lot deeper than that, I would look at the defence first, are they supplying the midfield?, if not, get it seen to. Are your midfield players supplying the striker, if not get that seen to as well, if your striker is getting supplied and he's not scoring then you can blame him and only then.

If the manager hasn't sat the players down today and read them the riot act he needs to be kicked out of the club immediately. Money is a great motivator and if Newcastle do get relegated (and that's not a gimme) you won't see many Premier League teams waving a new contract in the players faces.

Newcastle v Watford on Saturday, if the managers done his job they'll win it, if he hasn't they're in for an uphill slog of a season with no one to blame but them selves.

[Jimbuna]

You may well be right but only time will tell I reckon.

[Jimbuna]

TOON have signed Wood from Burnley for 20 million.

[Threadfin]

It was 25m wasn't it? Whatever the fee, I don't like the signing, even if it weakens a direct relegation rival. But of course that is not a good reason to spend so much cash. He'll bag a few goals, but he's on the wrong side of 30, and Newcastle overpaid on this one I think. Wood is now the most expensive player in English football history over 30 years old.

Trippier's just as old but his fee was only 12m, and I like this signing. Yeah Newcastle needed a striker after Wilson went down, but Chris Wood for 25m? He'd better bag a bunch for that sort of fee.

[Jimbuna]

I have to concur

[Threadfin]

I reckon if he scores the goals that keep Newcastle up they'll see it as money well spent, even if he turns out to be a rental who leaves on a free in 18 months. And I'd say the same.

If he doesn't find his scoring boots, and they go down, it'll look like a desperate move I think. Experienced Premier League players are valuable in a relegation scrap so I hope he does well.

Will he see the service he needs to prosper? I guess we will find out! I imagine Trippier will be on corners at least from one side. Maybe they can combine for a few set piece goals.

[Jimbuna]

Looking at the names and figures being touted around tells me they're nothing more than mercenaries.

Now I know how the so-called 'big 6' fans must feel.

[Threadfin]

Yeah, good point Jimbuna. But I suppose when you're fighting off the drop a few mercenaries can be your salvation.

With their recent acquisition I guess relegation would be seen as disaster on Tyneside? I suppose so, but the drop isn't the end of the world either for a club like Newcastle. Look at how Fulham are getting on right now and they'll be back up next year. With parachute payments and a premier league quality squad Toon would bounce right back.

But your oil barons didn't splash that much cash to spent Saturdays in Luton Town, did they?

I know the gulf in money is ridiculously vast between the leagues, but sometimes I wonder what's better for supporters, winning every week in the Championship or losing every week in the Premier League. I guess you'd know having been through this the past few years.

[Jimbuna]

TOON have just taken the lead against Leeds

[mapuc]

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

TOON have just taken the lead against Leeds

By a beautiful freekick and with a little from a football shoe.

They are not in safe heaven yet.

Markus

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by Threadfin

Yeah, good point Jimbuna. But I suppose when you're fighting off the drop a few mercenaries can be your salvation.

With their recent acquisition I guess relegation would be seen as disaster on Tyneside? I suppose so, but the drop isn't the end of the world either for a club like Newcastle. Look at how Fulham are getting on right now and they'll be back up next year. With parachute payments and a premier league quality squad Toon would bounce right back.

But your oil barons didn't splash that much cash to spent Saturdays in Luton Town, did they?

I know the gulf in money is ridiculously vast between the leagues, but sometimes I wonder what's better for supporters, winning every week in the Championship or losing every week in the Premier League. I guess you'd know having been through this the past few years.

My answer would simply be...mixed emotions.

Win or lose, relegation or survival...anything is better than what the previous club owner served up and now he has the audacity to claim £10 million in the High Court accusing the owners of not abiding by a 'no criticism in public' clause against him as part of the sale agreement.

TOON have just won their second game of the season.

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by mapuc

By a beautiful freekick and with a little from a football shoe.

They are not in safe heaven yet.

Markus

They are now

[blackswan40]

a good away win well deserved now the "Mighty Toon" need to build on it and get out of the bottom three

[mapuc]

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

They are now

Must been looking at the wrong table
Because here in Denmark the Premier League table looks like this:

18 Newcastle 21 2 9 10 21-43 15
19 Watford 20 4 2 14 23-40 14
20 Burnley 17 1 8 8 16-27 11

It is the last three places 18-20 who has to take one step down.

Markus

[Threadfin]

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

TOON have just won their second game of the season.

A big three points.


Right, they are still the drop zone because Norwich also managed to win, with a brace from Josh Sargent of all people, including a delightful heel flick goal.