Hey it's good on here at the moment innit?

We need a good thrashing every month to liven things up a bit

Personally I get over these things (defeats) pretty quick probably due to the fact that I drink far too much, and take everthing with a pinch of salt , unlike others on here I don't spend a huge chunk of my time and money travelling to to many away games.

OK so I'm apart time suporter, but it takes all kinds. I can see how the likes of Mungomag and the rest of you (premier fans) are really devasted at some of these results away from home. It takes up your whole weekend and for what?

Atleast when it's at home, you can have a skinfull in the toon after the game, gan home, kick the cat , shout at the wife(or vice versa) then get up the next day and look forward to it not being as bad the following week.

I think some of you would all be a lot happier if you moved home to Newcastle or North Tyneside, where are there are few if any Mancs, MaKems or other anoying types around winding you up about your chosen teams inadequecies.

"Chill out it's only a game "... Bill Shankley, 1977

-- Anonymous, December 11, 2000

Answers

Well Rik, Saturday`s result certainly put the cat among the pidgeons on here, didn`t it! There have been some pretty exciting debates going on which have made very interesting reading. It is good to see that you can still make a passionate, soul baring posting on here (and it was obvious that some people`s emotions were pretty raw) and expect in return an equally passionate and reasoned debate. Long may it last!

I still maintain that the high standard of carefully considered debate and a basic respect for the right of anyone to air their opinions, is what gives people the confidence to post. Again, long may it last! (:o)

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2000

"It's only a game!!"

Have you been at the wacky baccy again Rik?

Talking about games - I watched the cricket from Pakistan last night on Sky. What a fantastic, gutsy performance from England. Who would have thought 18 months ago that that team could perform so heroically ? It's given me some hope again!

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2000

I had precisely the same thoughts Clarky. France's failure to get into the Worldcup finals, even Manchester United's protracted mediocrity during the 80's, and no doubt countless other examples. Out of the mire can come something special, as long as we concentrate on the longer term things that really matter, and stop trying to make ourselves better by finding scapegoats, and papering over cracks rather than focusing on what's causing the cracks. There is no quick solution. We may not make it into Europe next year (still a reasonable goal, but we shouldn't sacrifice everything on trying to attain it).

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2000

Spot on Windy. What we need is a 3 or 4 year Plan to get us back into a truly competitive PL position, and stop kidding ourselves we can transition in one season from bottom of the PL into serious contenders - IT AINT GONNA HAPPEN.

This squad needs totally rebuilding without spending another £100 million, cos it just aint there - players like Acuna and Cordone need to be considered merely as transitionary stepping stones in the rebuilding process.

What is vitally important is that such a process is adequately communicated to the fans, so that they can understand the approach and support it.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2000

If you wallpaper over damp marks it will look good for a short while. However, the damp will return and until you find out where the damp is ingressing there is no point in re-plastering even.

Far better to clean the gutters out, rebuild the wall, with failsafe DPM and then re-plaster.

Result: The wall will look good for years!

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2000

......then we need some Ronseal players - who "do exactly what it says on the tin!"

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2000

Oi, Clarky "on the happy Baccy again?"Moi, I've NEVER tiuched the stuff?

I'm eigh on emotion and drunk on a cocktail of Californian Red and Newcastle Brown,

BTW please dont mention cricket, I can't stomach it.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2000