Kevin Keegan's job when he was Newcastle's manager was to win a trophy, just win a trophy never mind the expense and we all know what happened.
Keegan was great for Newcastle but he did scrap the resorves and neglect the youth set-up. Several players, Carrick at WHU being the most high profile, decided to join other clubs – a kid in Everton’s resorves called Southern, who I know, moved away too. This strategy in the modern game with player power is as it is, is a non-sense I think we can agree.
TSM is remembered in a terrible light by the majority of us I think and, of course, he did an awful lot wrong. But he did do one or two things right – he bought Solano, Hamann, Given, Speed for starters and JD Thomason(sp?) who has proved he can cut it at the top but all of this is for another argument because I would just like to thank a TSM’s good decision: Alan Irvine.
Irvine has taken Newcastle’s youth set up from being a joke to one where the U17 could win a major trophy tonight at SJP – a fantastic achievement. In the period Irvine has been in charge the Club’s actions have been poor to say the least. Little Benton Farm is at last under construction so we will have top-notch facilities – this has not been the case while Irvine has been doing his job. He has worked in less than ideal circumstances.
It’s Irvine’s last game with NUFC tonight I really hope the youngsters can win for him but more importantly for me because I’m simply gagging for success, for any feckin success. Thanks Alan and good luck at Everton.
I’ve just read in the Journal that both Kenny Warton – a youth coach, and former player – whom Irvine headhunted from the Smogs a little while ago has been promoted into Irvine’s shoes and interestingly Peter Beardsley who also apply for Irvine’s job has been promoted to a job in NUFC’s youth development management pyramid. Considering how famous PB is and how easy it would be for him to get a high profile job it can only be good for the future.
Add to this what a good job John Carver is doing along side YBR then, well: good eh?

-- Anonymous, May 13, 2002

Answers

Dalglish's achievements are akin to Mussolini getting the trains to run on time

Alan Irivine has been brilliant, we have to hope Wharton/Beardsley live up to his standards.

-- Anonymous, May 13, 2002

Well I don't know about anyone else but I'm going tonight and am looking forward to seeing our youngsters play. I hope they give him a good send off (another 5-0 win against a Man Ure team would be good)

-- Anonymous, May 13, 2002

It is extremely unfortunate that Alan Irvine is leaving after doing such a magnificent job in less than ideal circumstances.

One really has to wonder just what caused him to leave after the strange business of him announcing several months ago he was leaving "with regrets" to take up a job with the FA that he "just could not turn down", only then to agree to take up a coaching position with Everton (ffs!) a few weeks ago. Something smells here, and I'd love to know the truth.

Kenny Wharton and Pedro are assuming a massive responsibility to maintain and drive on from the progress made under Irvine - being Geordie lads they carry the support and goodwill of everyone.

-- Anonymous, May 13, 2002

Dalglish's achievements are akin to Mussolini getting the trains to run on time

That's good enough to go on top of the BBS as a permanently featured quote Macbeth. :-)

-- Anonymous, May 13, 2002

Perhaps he thought his achievements merited promotion to YBR's number 2 and didn't like it being treated as a sinecure for someone with no experience. Possibly.

-- Anonymous, May 13, 2002

That's an interesting point Softie - I wonder if he applied for the No2 job to BR, was turned down, and told they needed him to stay with the Academy?

That sounds very plausible, is entirely in keeping with the 'management' style at SJP, would certainly cause him to realise he had no real career development potential at SJP, and decide to sod off. Nail on head, perhaps?

-- Anonymous, May 13, 2002

Anyboby at the Straawb the neet?

-- Anonymous, May 13, 2002

I'll be there around 6-ish - not being one to miss an opportunity to see silverware.

-- Anonymous, May 13, 2002

And me!

-- Anonymous, May 13, 2002

Got to bath a shrieking child and put him to bed at 7ish so not much point in coming along after that. Tell us what this Zola fella is like.

-- Anonymous, May 13, 2002

You can tell there's a bairns match tonight - it's p*ssing doon!

-- Anonymous, May 13, 2002