Simon Rushworth's home planet?

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I'm referring to his tendency to put a positive spin on news that is mediocre at best and, as is the case today, flesh-crawling at worst. For example any unexciting news that Wayne Quinn is in fact available for a match will be described as a "terrific boost" for Bobby Robson when is is palpably not a terrific boost if indeed it is any sort of boost.

Anyway, today's Journal presents the aw-shite-aa've-pinched-meself-and-it's-not-a-nightmare headline I'm going nowhere with reference to a certain digitally-challenged (in the finger sense) whinging Hispanic defender. Apparently he's going nowhere. Rushworth's comment is that YBR will be delighted to hear it. So what planet's he from, then?

-- Anonymous, August 04, 2001

Answers

One with a nitrous oxide atmosphere, perhaps?

-- Anonymous, August 04, 2001

Well, at least half of it would appear to be true. It seems like we are stuck with him until his contract runs out. As for YBR's comment, well I guess it's the manager's job to put a positive spin on things. Unless of course Rushworth has just had a dose of sarcasm injected. Nah - too much to expect.

-- Anonymous, August 04, 2001

What do WE want out of this situation? A player who never plays and walks on a Bosman in 2 years, or maybe we accept a laughable £500,000 from somewhere?

Or would we rather have a player who fights for his place in the team, wins it back, excels, and then interest comes in from other clubs - but the guy is so good we wnat him to stay?

Obviously, the latter is the better option. Marcellino has announced that he wants to stay & fight for his place. The sensible thing for us to do as fans, is to wipe the slate clean, it's a new season, let's support the lad and hope he can start to do some sort of job for us. He has had very bad luck with injuries (like Shearer) and that is no crime. He is supposed to be a class player and we have seen far too little of that. It is in our interests to give this lad a morale boost rather than getting on his back the whole time. I was pleased to read this news in The Journal this morning.

-- Anonymous, August 04, 2001

Been there, done that, bought the te could't find a tee-shirt with "Let's get behind Marcellino" on it.

It's not the first time - that's the problem. Once in a while he does have a half-decent game, he wins the willingness of the fans to give him another chance and then duly flunks it.

Newcastle have a history of re-evaluating bogey-figures, e.g. Peacock, Barton, Speed (after a fashion) but I feel Marc is way too far gone.

I'll be happy to be proved wrong. However I think the laughable £500,000 is the most realistic of your options.

-- Anonymous, August 04, 2001


Yep we should have kept Maric, Thomasson, Dumas, Hamilton and too many others.

We all want Marcelino to succeed, but we all saw his instinct at Charlton to shy out of the tackle. Solano is allowed to be a wimp in the tackle if he has something else to offer, Marcelino doesn't seem to have anything to offer.

We can continue to back players but we just end up with them still here in their 30s, not quite good enough, unable to be sold, keeping out fresh keen youthful places.

There has been no positive comment made in any of the reserve match reports regarding Marcelino's performances. If we could get £500k for him, lose his £1m a year wages I'd be delighted, sounds like a no- brainer to me.

-- Anonymous, August 04, 2001



To be fair to Simon Rushworth, and to Bobby robson, the article in question said that Bobby was delighted to hear of Marcelino's renewed dedication to fighting for his first team place, and of the positive attitude that suggests.

That surely makes perfect sense?

-- Anonymous, August 04, 2001


We can continue to back players but we just end up with them still here in their 30s

A non sequiter. Whatever we say matters not as regards the club keeping a player. That is a manager's decision and the ability of the board to find potential buyers. (And they will be fewer and further between if WE are very hostile to the player.)

My point is that while the player remains on the books we have an asset, currently of little value, who just MIGHT be worth more if he shows the right attitude and has better luck with injuries. Nobody needs to go round wearing a "Bring Back Marcellino " t-shirt BUT if the player is selected for us again, I do hope that we won't be on his back from the first whistle, which will only increase the chance that he will fail and never be worth anything. As far as I'm concerned, the slate is clean and Marcellino still has a chance to show he can do a good job.

-- Anonymous, August 04, 2001

In general I'm with you Jonno - however, I just can't get out of my mind Marcy turning his back on Mattius Svennson as he scored that goal at the Valley last season. I'm afraid he is forever "a bottler" in my book - absolutely verbotin for a Toon CB.

If he ever plays again at SJP he'll get my moral support, no boos, but will still primarily be regarded as a bottler who has forgone the right to wear the b&w shirt.

-- Anonymous, August 04, 2001


I agree with both Jonno and Clarky here: we need to keep him in the shop window while it is impossible to forget that shocking performance against Charlton. It is interesting, however, that these players who don't cut it with us quite often fail to cut it elsewhere - Domi isn't named in the preferred first XI of a single supporter on the PSG site and they are whinging about Bobby Robson likening him to Roberto Carlos.

-- Anonymous, August 04, 2001

A failing of mine is to accept mediocrity in a Newcastle player/employee. I understand we may have no one better but I have always been of the opinion that doesn't mean you support the only candidate. At college we had hall elections for committee posts and I upset a lot of people when I consistently (and often too viciously I have to admit) argued that just because they were the only person standing they should not be elected.

If Bobby Robson dropped down and died on the Monday after the season started and we were weren't allowed to approach any incumbent manager should we give the job to Tommy Craig as the only candidate ? If he decided he didn't want it should we offer it to Carver, then Irvine, then Warren Barton and so on ?

We have to have standards. Marcelino has shown no inclination to rise to the standards I expect from a Newcastle United player. I will not boo his name if he's picked, but if he is picked against Charlton at home, and he wimps out of a challenge in the box (this isn't 'jockeying for position' this is turning away in case the ball hits you and hurts) then I will feel that my role as supporter of the club is best shown by supporting the better good of the club and making the guy understand he isn't wanted.

Jonno, I understand your position totally and I'm not saying it's wrong, I'm just saying I feel differently. You clearly, and demonstrably support everything that is Newcastle United. While a person is an employee of Newcastle United you will back them to the hilt. That is fine. My view is that players like Maric, Ketsbaia, Perez, Marcelino who have made it plain they are not good enough should be persuaded to leave. I would feel very happy if Marcelino left now for £6m fee, and that along with his million a year, we were a nett £8m better off over the next two years. I would feel pretty happy if he left tomorrow on a free and released the two million in wages slowly. If he continues to show the same inclination to be on the pitch as he has for the last two seasons then we are going to pay him all that money for no return, and no transfer fee. I really would let him go for nothing. Every extra week he's here will be about £20k out of the club, or the season ticket money (each week) from roughly 40 of us. Too big a drain.

-- Anonymous, August 04, 2001



I believe Didier Domi is an incredibly talented footballer, but one who lacks commitment. He is a dreamer who I very much doubt will change no matter where he plays.

-- Anonymous, August 04, 2001

I couldn't agree more, Clarky. It's quite sad as he left some great memories (Blackburn in the Cup and Leeds at home).

-- Anonymous, August 04, 2001

there was an interesting article in teh Independant today about a Journo cutting his teeth with the Chronic. He seemed to suggest they were tought loke robots to churn out unimaginative rubbish. Copany directors must be described as bosses, former squaddies as war heroes etc. Also journos were at the Chronic were told to make things simple as their public were not too intelligent.

-- Anonymous, August 04, 2001

I thought the journos writing style was made simple for their own sake not the readers the other rules will be just to ensure consistancy between writers on "important topics".

-- Anonymous, August 05, 2001

I don't think it's just local journalism - it's tabloid journalism which seems to start on the premise that everyone is thick.

-- Anonymous, August 05, 2001


MacBeth - I agree with your point about the kids. We are rich in youthful central defensive resources, all of whom would sell a major organ to get a first team game. What message would it give to select Marcelino over one of the Caldwells? Together the Caldwells may one day be worth a fortune os, on that basis, I agree: put Marcelino down to experience and let him go on a free.

-- Anonymous, August 05, 2001

I don't believe it's as simple as that. The stumbling block with 'losing' Marcia is probably the same one we had with Andrea, Sylia, and also the French Hairdresser and Des-perado - their current (ie. contracted) wages. As proven failures, no Club is prepared to match their wages.

We could tear up his contract, but that would require us to pay him the balance of his outstanding contractual earnings - or more likely, negotiate a mutually acceptable settlement. This could be very costly.

I fear we're stuck with Marcia for some time yet - although Soccernet reckon BR is trying to arrange a swap deal with Deportivo for Helder. That would be the best outcome for all concerned.

-- Anonymous, August 05, 2001


....... except Deportivo, of course!

-- Anonymous, August 05, 2001

A swap for Helder, with any sort of valuation in for Elena would be magical

-- Anonymous, August 05, 2001

Clarky - that's what I meant, I would just pay up his contract and let him go: he is a disgrace to the shirt AND could hamper some really promising careers.

-- Anonymous, August 05, 2001

Dougal,

I'd be very surprised if FS was willing to actually pay Marcia up to £2mm just to bog off. Just can't see it.

-- Anonymous, August 05, 2001


I'd be surprised, too, but Gary Caldwell may end up being worth Rio Ferdinand sums and we need to keep an eye on his best interests (and by extension his borther's).

-- Anonymous, August 05, 2001

... didn't stop them buying O'Brien, and apparently be contemplating bringing Helder back in.

-- Anonymous, August 05, 2001

You can stomach either of those, though, can't you? Neither is a workshy fool or worse than what we already have: Marcelino is.

-- Anonymous, August 05, 2001

..oh yes, no argument there Dougs. However, I had the same concern you have expressed about the development of the Caldwells when O'Brien was signed, but I now think he is actually our best defender.

-- Anonymous, August 05, 2001

To tell the truth, Clarky, I wouldn't hazard a guess as to who our best defender is. O'Brien is very good (although he and Dabs were awful at Anfield). We need to see what they are like when they are all fit and so on because last season isn't a good example of anything (apart from the NUFC in jury curse). I don't think Steve Caldwell is that much more than a hoof and hope defender but he is worth keeping sweet in case he forms a telepathic bond on the pitch with his much more talented brother..

-- Anonymous, August 05, 2001

young hoof and hopes turn into old Matt Elliots and Colin Hendrie's

-- Anonymous, August 05, 2001

MacB, I wasn't being critical - I was just saying that I think the pair will be more valuable than the component parts.

-- Anonymous, August 05, 2001

Talking Centre Backs, I believe we may be in for a young (highly rated by Sheff Weds fans) Sheff Weds centre half.

-- Anonymous, August 05, 2001

Just what we need: another good young centre half. As Clarky would say, purleeese. By the way, saw your latest discussion with Farrington in the Sun...

-- Anonymous, August 05, 2001

.... and your appointment of Freddie Fletcher as Chairman!
Has Shepherd been in touch yet?

-- Anonymous, August 05, 2001

Clarky, just in case you haven't seen the other thread, I think there's an invitation of sorts for you..check your e mail.

-- Anonymous, August 05, 2001

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