Put your hands together...

greenspun.com : LUSENET : Unofficial Newcastle United Football Club BBS : One Thread

...for Wogsie. He's always first to lead the applause so how fitting that we should fill cyberspace with the percussive reports of palm striking palm for the centre-partinged maestro. Happy birthday, Zico, some of us still love you.

-- Anonymous, March 19, 2001

Answers

Had a canny game on Saturday. Got forward in the first half to take one of our best shots - less than 30 secs later he was back making an important tackle to break up an attack. Always made himself available wide right and the work rate was tremendous. Sadly, in the important final third of the field his passing (like most of the others) went awry. Shortly before being subbed he was overlapping as the extra man on the LEFT! Basically he saw he was the only guy close so just ran into the position and then sprinted back when the attack finished. The right attitude - if he can pass it on to others he could be a brilliant coach.

-- Anonymous, March 19, 2001

I had to restrain myself from lamping some of the twats shouting abuse at him again. He took the ball forward in the second half and tried to slide it through to an immobile Cort but didn't hit hard enough. Cort stood waiting for the ball instead of moving towards the thing (acres of space - extra man and all that) and some puffing Smoggie had time to waltz in and f*ck off with the ball. Barton gets the abuse and the lazy git standing stock still gets plaudits. Extraordinary. What happened to teamwork? It's like pass the parcel out there and they're all scared rigid of being the guy on the ball when the whistle goes. Pathetic.

-- Anonymous, March 19, 2001

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WARREN BARTON!!!!!

-- Anonymous, March 19, 2001

Happy birthday to the Captain of Clap. ;-)

-- Anonymous, March 19, 2001

I could have sworn I saw him in a bar onSt Patty's night.

Happy Birthday to you Happy Birthday to you Happy Birthday to Wogsie Happy Birthday to you.

There's only 3 Warren Bartons.................

-- Anonymous, March 19, 2001



Much of the direct criticism of the players is really unfair, and of course, entirely unhelpful.

Wozza and Speedo are perfect examples. We discuss their ability and weaknesses on here, as people have done from time immemorial in the clubs and pubs of Tyneside. That's all part of being a footy fan.

They didn't have good games on Saturday, in fact GS had one of those days - an absolute nightmare. The reaction of sections of the crowd really brasses me off. Two more genuine professionals you couldn't find anywhere. Even when they are not playing well they give their all.

I can accept and understand barracking players who don't give everything, bottle tackles etc., but if someone gives everything they can, they cannot physically do any more - our beef then really isn't with them, but the people who select them.

Happy birthday Wozza.

-- Anonymous, March 19, 2001


What game were you watching. Yes barton went forward but at the cost of a gaping whole at the back and he hadnt enough speed to get back. He is a miserable sod the ball went out and the lass infront of me tried to kick it back but she couldnt get it from under her seat, the look warren gave her was enough to kill. Hes inept all the hard work in the world wont make up for a lack of talent. happy birthday Warren - Retire.

-- Anonymous, March 19, 2001

I went to watch them train in half term - the man was the only one who came across to the dozen or so fans waiting for autographs - he made sure everybody got what they wanted and posed for any pictures when asked 10 minutes of his time made a few young bairns mega happy and they're the future.

When he's the worst player slag him off - until then leave him alone - he's way down the slagging off queue.

If the rest of the prima donnas had his attitude we'd be in the top 3 and that's with our current injury problems.

As for GS - 1st game back after injury - he deserves some allowances.

-- Anonymous, March 19, 2001


When I was at the Leeds game on Boxing Day, Barton came out for the pre-match warm up and ran all the way to behind the goal, took his sweatshirt off and threw it to a young fan.

Obviously Barton is one player who hardly ever wears more than his blue T shirt, so that was a thought out pre-meditated commendable gesture.

His character has never come into question.

-- Anonymous, March 19, 2001


And he's great at clapping!

-- Anonymous, March 19, 2001


Surely not a player who wants to get on with the game when we're losing? Jesus, if that sort of attitude started spreading we might try chasing the game instead of wondering around like limp pricks feeling sorry for ourselves. Where would that get us, eh? Should have been all smiles about losing to relegation fodder with 10 men.

-- Anonymous, March 19, 2001

Happy birthday.

We have slid further than I really imagined if we are happy with the performance of anyone on Saturday.

To make a plus out of Barton being better than some others is not really on. In an absolute measure of worth his skill level is not worthy of Newcastle United. Commitment is great and has to be there, but hey Rik, who's not one of the anti-Barton brigade gave him 3/10 (along with most of the others). This just isn't acceptable.

Those of you who make apologies for his (and others) performances are no better than the board or anyone else who has accepted our slide downwards. We all want the players to succeed, but that doesn't mean just cos they have been picked they are above criticism.

There's a ground swell of opinion on here that Wadsworth is crap. No real proof or reasoning. Colchester fans didn't like him. We don't see anything wonderful tactically in the players. But hey he tries hard, goes to watch lots of games socuting, so he must be good. Exactly, bollox.

Wish I hadn't started typing it upsets me

-- Anonymous, March 19, 2001


I'm just saying that application covers up a load of defects. Barton is probably no.20 on the skill level out of 21 1st team players.

BUT HE PROBABLY KNOWS IT AND TRIES TO SORT IT - HE DOESN'T PICK THE TEAM - MY POINT IS SORT THE REST BEFORE HIM - apologies for shouting but I'm narked re this constant sniping at him and none of the others.

He maybe not worthy of a B&W shirt but somebody has to play.

-- Anonymous, March 19, 2001


"We all want the players to succeed, but that doesn't mean just cos they have been picked they are above criticism".

If this is a response to my post Macbeth, my point was simply that fans getting on the backs of players who are giving their all - and I include WB, GS & RL on Saturday - is likely to have a negative effect on them and the team, and achieves nothing positive or helpful whatsoever.

So, it depends how you make your criticism - if you're really saying that you condone verbal abuse directed at individual players during the game, then IMHO this does NUFC a great disservice at an already difficult time. This is just not a sensible way to give voice to our dissatisfaction and frustration.
Booing at FT, while rather childish, is at least directed at the overall performance, after the fact, and not at individual players.

-- Anonymous, March 19, 2001


Warren Barton shouldn't have played on Saturday, but he did. He shouldn't play a week on Saturday, but probably will. Undoubtably he is one of the nicest players at the club , but I don't pay to see nice blerks clapping their hands at the end of the game and giving bits of his kit to bairns isn't going to get me to change my mind. Warren Barton is a poor premiership player. He will never get any better. We had Andy Griffin fit on Saturday, he is a better player than Barton and being so young is likely to improve with games. Barton should only get a game when there is no alternative, and personaly I would put Hughes at right back before I would use Barton.

-- Anonymous, March 19, 2001


Agree Rik - but don't blame Barton. Blame the man who picks the team.

-- Anonymous, March 19, 2001

This is the 4th attempt to post this, it keeps refusing me !!! Must be a WB fan

He's been with us since the pretty-boy summer signing close season of 1995. He came along with those other lovely faces of Shaka, Daveed and Sir Les. Four very pretty lads who sold a million strips.

In nearly six seasons he has never reached the level of a journeyman Premiership player. He keeps getting picked and that's not his fault.

How am I supposed to get him to leave ? I do not believe some players are good enough for us. Kestbaia wasn't and for me we would never be any good while he was there. Barton is the same.

If we all stand and clap him back for 90 minutes we all then feel good. He'll feel good cos he claps us and we'll feel good cos we clapped him. Just imagine if he teaches all the players to clap. We can then respond by clapping them all on. God suddenly we've got atmosphere back !!! Its a virtuous circle.

Only problem is if some players are just not good enough. Maybe then what you get is the players stop clapping the fans cos they're a bit embarrassed at losing. The fans still turn out in the bloody thousands, cheering them on, the board take that as positive approval of what they are doing (must be mustn't it ?), and we end up with Newcastle United 2001.

I am picking on Barton here but you're all right he isn't the worst. Gary Speed is his midfield soul mate, and these days Robert Lee is trying to be their pals by playing the same. And up front the absolute performances of Shearer aren't far away either (yes I know he's injured or been carrying an injury, but Ben doesn't understand that yet, he just thinks he's crap now, although I don't like him using the word crap).

How, please how, do I influence things at the match. If I manage to get the whole crowd to pick on Barton (Speed ......) and the manager decides to sub him with Andy Griffin then I'm sorry I believe that his for the long term benefit of the club, and the short term benefit of my vocal chords.

-- Anonymous, March 19, 2001


Why don't you do something constructive Macbeth - like write to Bobby Robson, or send him an e-mail, and tell him what you think and what you feel should done, and who should be selected?

Don't you think that would would be better than trying to encourage 52,000 'supporters' to barrack individual players who are giving 100% for our team - but for whatever reason are falling below your personal standards - in the hope of getting them substituted/dropped/transferred?

-- Anonymous, March 19, 2001


Happy Birsthday centre parting.

Too right about the lack of movement on Saturday, everyone was static for most of the match.

I told that to a bloke at the match and he said I was wrong and that it was Shearer's fault. What a nutter

-- Anonymous, March 19, 2001


I may well write loudly it on here, but at the match I now sit in exasperated silence at Warren and his pals.

On Saturday I didn't boo at the end, or whistle as I have done. Saturday the whole thing saddened me so much that i just felt submissive, what coudl I do about it ?

Today has wound me up on here. I'm now supposed to be thankful for what is offered, close to being glad about our mediocrity. Whether it is the Warren Barton appreciation society or the Jonno and his love affair with Halls I just can't take it.

If I did have the energy to be heard from the 6th tier I would do so I personally am too drained by the sad team we have become. I missed the Leeds game so I haven't seen us play well and win this season, not once.

Rejoice in Warren's 32nd birthday, later int he season rejoice in Gary Speed having played in the most Premiership games by any individual. Me I'll keep my rejoicing for worthier causes.

My standards aren't high, but we have seen what it takes to get into Europe, we all know what is required. Saturday we were 11 individuals short of that. Just cos you try doesn't make you good enough. Otherwise we should have kept Ketsbaia, shouldn't we ??

-- Anonymous, March 19, 2001


Macbeth - we're ALL as frustrated as you are, believe me. Despite minor variations in opinion, I really believe most people believe Barton should not be in the team, that Speed is short of the class required in midfield, that RL is past his best and badly needs to be replaced for us to move forward, and that Alan Shearer's best days are sadly behind him.

We're all knowledgable and passionate enough to know that this team is seriously lacking in several respects, and all frustrated by our inability to materially influence events.

The only real divergence is how we show our frustration. I can understand those who boo and barrack the players as this is purely as expression of frustration. However, I simply wish they would think about the effect it has on the players, most of who are actually giving everything they've got on the field. The fact they aren't good enough really isn't their fault. They don't pick the team.

Our frustration really should be directed towards the people who buy the players, pick the team, and principally those who have directed the affairs of the Club we all love for several years now. They are the ones who should be influencing matters in a more positive manner.

Hang in there marra - things will improve, eventually.

-- Anonymous, March 20, 2001


I really can't understand this thread. Barton had a reasonable game - much better than Quinn or Hughes or Caldwell. He got forward, tackled reasonably, passing OK, committment excellent. Both Boro goals were down to central defence. Quinn had tons of space, until Venables put a sub on him, and was found well - but his centering was woeful and he is relatively slow. - skinned by Stamp in the first half on a few occasions. Projecting anger onto Barton may make some feel better - but the sad fact is that we have a generally poor team with no outstanding player who can stamp his authority on the game.

-- Anonymous, March 20, 2001

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