Just perusing icNewcastle's 'story' about their latest online poll. Seems 13,000 votes were cast to cash in on Dyer. The writer makes the obvious conclusion that supporters are ready to see the back of him.

But of course the overwhelming majority of voters, some 48,438, are ready to say bye-bye Marcie.

Oh my. ;-)

-- Anonymous, April 05, 2001

Answers

Unfortunatly I live in yorshire the crack down here is Dyer is going to leeds and Bridges to the toon, apparently the deals already done. Think not.prehaps there trying to soften the blow.Toon start selling players like Dyer last person to leave put the lights oot. York Mag

-- Anonymous, April 05, 2001

My poll throws up some completly different figures, but I can guarantee Niall and Biffa havent fixed it.

-- Anonymous, April 05, 2001

Surely these people realise their poll has been seriously rigged? If so, it really is irresponsible to attach significance to such a hugely distorted poll.

I've just sent the following e-mail to the author of the article, Ross Gregory at icNewcastle:

Dear Ross,
I really must take you and the Evening Chronicle to task over the article this evening attaching ill-founded significance to the results of your reader poll that asked who Bobby Robson should cash in on to generate cash to buy new players.
You must surely realise that this poll, in common with others you have run, has been seriously affected by internet techies to the extent that the result actually means nothing at all.
As I understand it, one very well-known NUFC web-site initially bragged about rigging the vote to the extent that after the first few days the vote in favour of Kieron Dyer being sold was something over 80% - clearly a hugely distorted vote.
In response to this, I know of at least one web-site that set about restoring some semblance of sense to the vote - with the result you finally saw. If nothing else, the size of the "vote" should have alerted you to the problem.
My real concern is that Kieron Dyer's view of his future at NUFC could be destabilised by this nonsensical poll if he were really to come to believe that 13,000 Newcastle fans feel he should be sold. On the other hand, it is also grossly unfair to Marcelino, who has enough problems already, to be now caused to believe over 30,000 fans want him to be sold if that figure also is wildly inaccurate.
If you are going to make such a big deal of these polls, you owe it to your readership - as well as the subjects of them - to ensure they cannot be rigged in this way.
Regards.

-- Anonymous, April 05, 2001

Very good Clarky I agree whole heartedly with your E mail to them, but I bet you don't get a reply . The Chronicle couldn't give a stuff about Newcastle United, they are a commercial organisation and the people who dream up these things probably are more interested in their bonuses for getting a reaction from the public along with "who shot Phil Mitchell" rather than who NUFC should sell to raise funds for new players.

Anyone who believes these fixed polls are thicker than me , and that's saying something.

-- Anonymous, April 05, 2001

good un clarky lad... but as certain as you have written that I'm sure it's going to make a world of difference to the twats who write it. The main thing here is, I'm sure YKD and all the rest of the players don't even pay attention to such shite.......

-- Anonymous, April 05, 2001

......hey, I'm an incurable idealist!

-- Anonymous, April 05, 2001

Guess you know why I've been so quiet recently now...

-- Anonymous, April 05, 2001

Me and all Softie. If there's even a sniff of truth in this poll, my season ticket will be having a lot of sleepless nights between now and renewal time. It's already on it's third verbal. :-))

-- Anonymous, April 06, 2001

By way of feedback, I've had no response from icNewcastle to my e- mail regarding their BS article - no surprise there.

-- Anonymous, April 06, 2001