You're thinking very negatively at the moment. If you were influential at Newcastle United, say the chairman or the manager . What would you do?

-- Anonymous, June 04, 2001

Answers

Shoot himself probably....

-- Anonymous, June 04, 2001

And miss

-- Anonymous, June 04, 2001

:)))

-- Anonymous, June 04, 2001

Howay mate, cheer up, think positevly, I'm worried about you.

-- Anonymous, June 04, 2001

Yes, I agree. It's a real concern. But I think he is moving to Monkseaton. That could do it I reckon!

-- Anonymous, June 04, 2001

I don't believe Softie's view is materially different from mine in all this - he cares deeply about the present state of the Toon, and doesn't want to contemplate continuing mediocrity.

-- Anonymous, June 05, 2001

Still nothing on the real signing that would show some ambition, namely building the academy and training facilities. Of course we can pay 15mil for Shearer and think about bidding 10mil for Carrick and keep on thinking we're a big club.

When I moved to Newcastle my brother in law took me to look at the school we were supposed to be twinning the academy with for the educational component. Apparently we even went so far as to give them some cones, balls and new nets and levelled off one of the playing fields. Over 2 years on and bugger all has happened. Now we get some weird statement about moving to the East End (where this school is) as though it's a change of plan and the seniors are taking over the site by the airport which had equally mysteriously taken over from the school as the chosen site for the academy. Obviously we are not allowed to put the First team training facilities and academy on the same site (some legal requirement about ensuring the safety of minors), so it has basically taken 2 years to chose where to put the academy, change our minds without informing anyone and then change them back again to allow the seniors to train in an open field and the academy dormitories still no more than an item on some poxy agenda. 2 f**king years and I'm supposed to be optimistic?!?

You may have missed it but channel 4 showed a documentary about football academies on Saturday like the BBC one the other week. Again they featured Liverpool's incredible 12mil complex. Any idea how much Owen and Gerrard alone would cost us? Probably more than Shearer and Carrick. No, we'll just keep on talking big and signing some great anti-climax instead of planning ahead.

When I see us assembling British players by selling 3 or 4 players to buy one replacement, or bring in foreigners on the understanding that they aren't allowed to play for their countries anymore, or announce some big name signing rather than sorting out the root of our problems then I don't see Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal or Leeds, I see Aston bloody Villa.

You're damn right it makes me negative. I'm not prepared to forget how abysmal we were last season. That wasn't lack of ability, it was lack of commitment; they worked harder for Dalglish. Sure, new season, fresh start blah blah blah. It's just that this time I've seen them coming.

-- Anonymous, June 05, 2001

I am feeling really upbeat at the moment; ST's paid for, new house on Friday, I'm even excited about Morrisons' new store in Jarrow opening on the 18th. Jeffers signing would be excellent in my book, I'll have to lend it (the book) to yous lot one day.

-- Anonymous, June 05, 2001

to compound Softie's views, it looks like Villa are ready to make further investments:

ASTON VILLA are believed to have failed with a double bid for Frank Lampard and Frederic Kanoute, with Valencia also keen on the French striker.

Where does that put us then? ;0)

-- Anonymous, June 05, 2001

SOFTIE, i suggest you do one of the following...

1)KILL YOURSELF (BAD IDEA)

2)let mediocrity sink in and live with it (bad idea)

3)support Liverpool now (worse idea)

4)articulate your points to Macbeth for his committee(sp?)(better idea)

5)pose as Malcolm Macdonald and ring up the cronny, (terrible idea)

6)follow cricket (no)

7)become a doubting Thomas like me :-) and spout negativity from all angles and head for a fight (depressing)

8)become a conservative (ouch)

9)get behind the team next year and decide its not in your hands so what the hell (easy)

10)ring Shepherd up, demand a meeting, and ACT or you are going to waste your life worrying about this (best)

Mate, some frank talking here, YOU are obviously one of the most intelligent and articulate guys on here. The majority of us (i'm prime candidate) aren't as smart, you are. Don't waste that talent whining on here (like i do). Push yourself mate, make it count, aim high. Waste that talent and YOU are no better than the people in charge of the academy. A bit tough mate, but it has to be said.

-- Anonymous, June 05, 2001

Haha that's a little over the top swifty :))

You are indeed correct that he's one of the clever chaps on here but I hardly think his depression is cause for life advice :)) it's something that most of us have been suffering for a number of years, he just hasn't got used to the idea that it's not gonna change yet....

-- Anonymous, June 05, 2001

There's more to beeing a Geordie than living in the area Softie. Always looking on the bright side when things are in adversity takes years to come to terms with.

You'll get there in the end, keep drinking the holy water mate.

-- Anonymous, June 05, 2001

he can't hit me from here gav :-)

i just think sometimes cleverer people than peple like me should use it...

-- Anonymous, June 05, 2001

But surely that's the same crime as someone as good looking as you being gay?

-- Anonymous, June 05, 2001

don't confuse me into your lifestyle mate :-O

-- Anonymous, June 05, 2001

Sad but true: we have been crap for about 50 years, the Keegan years being the exception that proves the rule. I think we are all coming to terms with it painfully.

-- Anonymous, June 05, 2001

It doesn't have to be that way dougal, it really doesn't. I steadfastly refuse to accept that us being perpetually crap was pre- ordained.

We all instinctively know the root of our problems, and I only wish I could think of a way of addressing it.

The solution isn't rocket science - just think about it, how many of us on here would have presided for four years over what is nothing other than a bloody disgrace regarding the provision of adequate training facilities for a PL playing squad, and the very best investment of all, the Youth Academy? I'll answer that one for you - none of us.!

Some things are as plain and obvious as the nose on your face, and as I said - it ain't rocket science!

-- Anonymous, June 05, 2001