Happy New year everyone!! Ive been reading the comments about the subsitutions etc and why speed was playing in the first place if he had a virus. Plus the fact that there seems to be a lot of players wanting to leave. So... the question is has Bobby lost or losing the plot and are his man management skills not what they once were??? Personally I think Bobby is getting the foundations right, by signing our promising youngsters on long term contracts etc. I dont think we will become a major force for a few years yet but at least we are starting to build with solid foundations!!!

-- Anonymous, January 09, 2001

Answers

I've mentioned on anothe thread that the players Bobby is recruiting seem to be of the type that will be committed to the cause and prepared to fight for the sake of the team.

With regard to those players at the club who want away, I can't help feeling that there is a them and us divide happening as Bobby will inevitably have his favourites and players that hand in trnasfer requests are bringing their own downfall.

Look at Glass, none of us can understand why he isn't being selected but maybe Bobby feels that deep down he hasn't got it in him for a fight after showing the wrong attitude in the first place.

It will take a lot more time to get the whole squad pulling together and I have a feeling that a certain amount of blood will be spilt before this happens.

-- Anonymous, January 09, 2001

Rebuilding time. I think he should get all the players together, ask who wants to make a longterm commitment to the Toon and tell the rest to bugger off and see ho wwell they do at other clubs.

-- Anonymous, January 09, 2001

How many would walk out of the door though!?

-- Anonymous, January 09, 2001

Given seems more annoyed by the fact that nobody has spoken to him about 'being dropped'. If that is so, that is bad man-management.

-- Anonymous, January 09, 2001

Err, Beardo. Given wasn't dropped - he was injured. From past experience, there's been little to choose from between the 2 keepers. Typically, they've only been "demoted" when they have been injured. A bit presumptious methinks of Shay to regard himself as being dropped for the Spurs and Villa games. Harper has acquitted himself very well indeed and couldn't be faulted for the goals at WHL - indeed, he made a great penalty save.

-- Anonymous, January 09, 2001

i'd question bobby's style and the affect on the squad

it's odd that an above average number of toon players want out

i'm not condoning what domi has done but humiliating him in public wasn't the best move (isn't hindsight great)

similarly, given's reaction seems a bit extreme if you look at the bare facts. what's under the surface?

-- Anonymous, January 09, 2001

I didn't see it as humiliating him in public, the way I read the situation was that having read a critical "piece" on F365 being attributed to Domi, Robson would have went to Domi and asked him if he had gave this interview. Then when Domi was resuscitated and denied talking to F365, Robson would have called a press conference to let him explain how F365 were liars.

Then when F365 explained how they had proof of the interview Robson bought a gun and Domi escaped across the channel disguised as an onion salesman.

Voila, a less the perfect getaway having left all his Mica Paris cd's, expect a daring raid after lights out.

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2001

Whatever the situation these players are in they have acted wrongly in their capacity as Professional Employees of Newcastle United Football Club.

Given shouldn't have handed in his transfer request and Domi certainly shouldn't have gone back to France. Domi could have easily followed the route of Goma who went to Bobby and explained his situation. Bobby accepts Goma's situation and will let him go if a club puts in an acceptable offer.

Goma has enhanced his reputation at this club by the way he has acted in a professional manner and got on with the job and doing it very well. Big difference in character and I bet Bobby speaks to Goma frequently about staying.

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2001

Seems to me that Goma and Given have both acted correctly in requesting transfers. 10/10 and above reproach. Domi, on the other hand, went down the Anelka/Hamann route of claiming everything was hunkydory but talking to the press about how much he would rather be playing elsewhere. Coincidentally, of course, this makes his position at NUFC virtually untenable but means that if he is sold we are required to pay off the balance of his contract as he is sold "against his wishes".

Bobby has said something like: "Right, you back-sliding, streak of piss, what's this you've been saying to those cockney loudmouths on the internet? We are considering this a transfer request and you'll get bugger all from us."

Domi. after a call to the Anelka brothers, agrees to state categorically that he never said those naughty things. Bobby then says: "I can't create a precedent whereby one of you slimy little weasels asks for a move and still gets a loyalty bonus when your contract is terminated so you can fuck off and rot in the reserves you ratbag."

Domi packs his bag. NUFC don't have to pay the shyster's wages and the stable door is shut in the face of anyone else following the Didi/Didier route to riches. Bobby pockets a tidy bonus from Fat Freddie for handling it.

Paymasters 1 "Players" 0

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2001