The Martin O'Neill thread (with added sacking #2188)

[Monty]

One thing I will say, there are plenty of shit teams around at the moment.

Look at Newcastle's form. They have gone from looking exciting and attacking last year to looking like a McLeish team this season.

And through the majority of last season there were quite a few 'we should follow the Newcastle approach' posts on here.

Their scouting approach certainly, and I would argue that we have.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

I think that Papa Cisse has stopped firing, which hasn't helped them.
When he arrived he looked like the next Messi for the first few games.

[Concrete John]

One thing I will say, there are plenty of shit teams around at the moment.

Look at Newcastle's form. They have gone from looking exciting and attacking last year to looking like a McLeish team this season.

And through the majority of last season there were quite a few 'we should follow the Newcastle approach' posts on here.

Their scouting approach certainly, and I would argue that we have.

It's difficult to say we have without comparing the behind the scenes stuff, but the results of some little known, yet very good, overseas players arriving can't be argued with.  But then we've also brought in quite a few young lower league players, which wasn't a key to their success last year.

[Monty]

It's difficult to say we have without comparing the behind the scenes stuff, but the results of some little known, yet very good, overseas players arriving can't be argued with.  But then we've also brought in quite a few young lower league players, which wasn't a key to their success last year.

Indeed, which I'd argue is us getting one up on them on this front. Also they're pretty Francocentric with their overseas signings, whereas we seem so far to have concentrated on Holland and Belgium - Phlegmocentric, if you like.

[Toronto Villa]

One thing I will say, there are plenty of shit teams around at the moment.

Look at Newcastle's form. They have gone from looking exciting and attacking last year to looking like a McLeish team this season.

And through the majority of last season there were quite a few 'we should follow the Newcastle approach' posts on here.

yes, I was one of them. From a finding players side of things they are what we should be doing. As opposed to being conned into buying overpriced British talent exclusively, it should be a mixed bag of unearthing gems in the domestic market and savvy purchases from abroad. Newcastle are being found out because Pardew, irrespective of what his mirror image was telling him hadn't suddenly become Mourinho and his coaching is being found out. Also, the players that were in such a rich vein of form, especially players like Cisse have completely cooled off.

[Toronto Villa]

It's difficult to say we have without comparing the behind the scenes stuff, but the results of some little known, yet very good, overseas players arriving can't be argued with.  But then we've also brought in quite a few young lower league players, which wasn't a key to their success last year.

Indeed, which I'd argue is us getting one up on them on this front. Also they're pretty Francocentric with their overseas signings, whereas we seem so far to have concentrated on Holland and Belgium - Phlegmocentric, if you like.

two paracetamol should fix that

[David_Nab]

Cabeye being injured and the goals drying up for Cisse haven't helped.However it could also be the case that teams have worked them out I might be wrong but didn't WHU under Pardew do well initially ,got to a cup final then their form dropped.

[Davey B]

I think if anyone ever questioned the ego of the man, this quote should end all debate -

- '"I don't want to sound wildly boastful, but not only am I the best man for the job, I am actually the only man for the job."

Just read this on the BBC site. Amazed there are not a lot, lot more comments about it. Would love a Sunderland view on that level of arrogance. What a cock.

He's right Jim.  There's a view from Sunderland.

Still in denial davey my old friend? Lose tonight and those blinkers may well disappear- the end is nigh!

   Hi Eastie, not in denial at all marra, we are poor at the minute no argument, yet if we win tonight we are up to 15th position or something. Though we are well amongst the relegation fodder now, the worst we have been in my opinion was against QPR at home, which was woeful. Rough run into January for us as well. Still confident he'll turn it around despite the QPR and Norwich results, QPR we got more than we deserved, Norwich we didn't get what we were due. It's just the way it is at the minute. Not happy, but not yet ready to slit my wrists either! 

[Chris Smith]

Newcastle aren't the first team to suffer from the problems of a small squad and the additional strain of European football. It shows that qualifying can be something of a poisoned chalice as it doesn't bring the financial rewards that enable you to strengthen.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

Newcastle aren't the first team to suffer from the problems of a small squad and the additional strain of European football. It shows that qualifying can be something of a poisoned chalice as it doesn't bring the financial rewards that enable you to strengthen.

True.
The financial rewards of the UEFA/Europa League are pretty meagre.

I remember seeing the figures somewhere, might have been on here.

[Archbishop Herbert Cockthrottle]

I think if anyone ever questioned the ego of the man, this quote should end all debate -

- '"I don't want to sound wildly boastful, but not only am I the best man for the job, I am actually the only man for the job."

Just read this on the BBC site. Amazed there are not a lot, lot more comments about it. Would love a Sunderland view on that level of arrogance. What a cock.

He's right Jim.  There's a view from Sunderland.

Still in denial davey my old friend? Lose tonight and those blinkers may well disappear- the end is nigh!

   Hi Eastie, not in denial at all marra, we are poor at the minute no argument, yet if we win tonight we are up to 15th position or something. Though we are well amongst the relegation fodder now, the worst we have been in my opinion was against QPR at home, which was woeful. Rough run into January for us as well. Still confident he'll turn it around despite the QPR and Norwich results, QPR we got more than we deserved, Norwich we didn't get what we were due. It's just the way it is at the minute. Not happy, but not yet ready to slit my wrists either! 

You say that now, but sometimes all it takes is a prank phone call.

[villan1975]

I think that Papa Cisse has stopped firing, which hasn't helped them.
When he arrived he looked like the next Messi for the first few games.

I thought Newcastle played well last night in a really good game. They definitely miss Cabaye and a huge part of Cisse misfiring is the fact he is being played out wide and doesn't seem to be able to play well with Ba as a pair. Newcastle will finish top eight with ease and I would love us to have players the quality of Ben Arfa,Cabaye and Colcoccini.

[JUAN PABLO]

Did anyone else hear Neil Lennon on 5Live on Sunday?
The interview was about Celtic's European exploits this season. The interviewer mentioned that it had been done without spending loads of money.
Lennon casually said something along the lines that after MON left, the club had to tighten it's belt regards transfer policy and that they were only now starting to come out of it.

Proof that in MON's case history does repeat it's self ad nauseum.

Loads of my celtic supporting mates told me exactly the same thing. Left the club in a financial mess.   

[JUAN PABLO]

I think if anyone ever questioned the ego of the man, this quote should end all debate -

- '"I don't want to sound wildly boastful, but not only am I the best man for the job, I am actually the only man for the job."

Just read this on the BBC site. Amazed there are not a lot, lot more comments about it. Would love a Sunderland view on that level of arrogance. What a cock.

He's right Jim.  There's a view from Sunderland.

Still in denial davey my old friend? Lose tonight and those blinkers may well disappear- the end is nigh!

   Hi Eastie, not in denial at all marra, we are poor at the minute no argument, yet if we win tonight we are up to 15th position or something. Though we are well amongst the relegation fodder now, the worst we have been in my opinion was against QPR at home, which was woeful. Rough run into January for us as well. Still confident he'll turn it around despite the QPR and Norwich results, QPR we got more than we deserved, Norwich we didn't get what we were due. It's just the way it is at the minute. Not happy, but not yet ready to slit my wrists either! 

He will pick warnock, Dunne  and salifou up cheap as you will be ok.

[PaulWinch again]

Newcastle aren't the first team to suffer from the problems of a small squad and the additional strain of European football. It shows that qualifying can be something of a poisoned chalice as it doesn't bring the financial rewards that enable you to strengthen.

True.
The financial rewards of the UEFA/Europa League are pretty meagre.

I remember seeing the figures somewhere, might have been on here.

Meagre is generous Mark. It's one of the major reasons that the tournament is completely dead, there's no great incentive to it.