Pencil_Neck

hopefully.............

Too much smoke & abuse as a child

True, I couldn't possibly read all of the disparaging articles on Newcastle United

Some valid comments CK.......

From LFC....... In 2005 Milan gave the Reds a first half footballing lesson, and had the better of the later stages, but ended up humiliated. Two years later they were easily second best for the first 44 minutes, and barely created any chances all night, but clearly their luck had changed. Had Dirk Kuyt's goal-bound first half shot not been deflected away by the kind of interception Liverpool relied on two years ago then things could have been so different. An inch or two and the game swings Liverpool's way. Instead it was Pirlo's average free kick that deflected off Inzaghi's upper arm that made all the difference. An inch or two to the left and it misses the striker for an easy save. The ball never ran the Reds' way. Take Dida's parry from Pennant's shot as just one example. Then there was the ref's refusal to give Gattuso the second yellow he deserved. It clearly wasn't going to be Liverpool's night. However, over the two finals one win each strikes me as pretty fair. And while Milan banished their memories of two years ago, they cannot damage ours; the songs are just one reminder. The cup on permanent display is another. Five times is still the third best tally in European history. Maybe too much history was made that glorious Turkish night; my fear before this game was that Milan would fluke a victory now that Liverpool have improved, and so it proved. That's an unwritten football rule. It's known as Sod's Law. That's not to say Milan's quality wasn't apparent with some of their possession, but the game hinged on the jammiest deflection. It allowed them to dictate the tempo of the second half but still they rarely troubled Reina. It's times like these that I'm most proud to be a Liverpool fan. Being adjacent to the travelling Kop I was reminded yet again of the power it possesses and the bond that exists between the crowd, the players and the manager. Anyone would have thought Liverpool had won, such was the noise even 30 minutes after the game had ended. No other club has fans this gracious in defeat or inspiring in adversity. After the final whistle, when another miraculous comeback had been denied by the referee's premature whistle, the masses of Reds stayed to applaud Milan and show their appreciation to Rafa and the boys. Milan's players were shocked much later in the night when, having milked the applause of their fans, and finally ready to head in, they realised the remaining few thousand Liverpool fans were still applauding them. They came over for more appreciation, and will have left aware of how special our fans can be. It was a great moment. While losing is a tough feeling to accept, this didn't come close to the sickening emptiness I felt at half time in Istanbul. There is no shame whatsoever in losing this 're-match', nor in this fashion. If 2005 proved our players had amazing guts, this showed that we now have a superior football team. Play better, but lose. That's football. Another paradox is that the club, in defeat, is better placed to push on this summer than it was two years ago as European Champions, when it was a case of having a clearout without the funds to make all the telling purchases necessary. New owners mean a fresh injection of talent on the pitch, to add to the exciting core that did everyone so proud in Europe this season. It will be a great summer. No one outplayed us beyond a few minutes here and there, and the consistency across all Champions League games was excellent. Now that needs to be applied to the Premiership. Last season showed what was possible, with a remarkable percentage of domestic games won, and I'd expect Liverpool to be back above the 80 point mark again. I think back to Valencia, and how Rafa had impressive league seasons in alternate years. And also how he took a team that had just finished runners-up in the Champions League and, within a year, had ended their three-decade wait for a league title. It's easy to say first is first and second is nowhere, but that Valencia side proved losing in club football's biggest final can be a stepping stone in progressing to greatness. Like Liverpool, they made it to two finals in quick succession, and only top teams can do that. Some Liverpool players came of age on Wednesday night. Pennant, Agger, Kuyt, Mascherano and Crouch all experienced the biggest night of their careers and all had some great moments. All will have learned much in the process, and gained belief in their own abilities. Pennant in particular deserves special praise. Again it's paradoxical but the hurt of a defeat can motivate. Success breeds confidence, but defeat on such a big stage creates hunger. The crucial thing was that the players will be able to sense the improvement since Istanbul. After all, there was no sign of the mauling that humiliated Manchester United in the semi-final. So there are positives to take from a disappointing result. But my abiding memories will centre around the amazing support, from Syntagma Square to the Olympic Stadium. If a new Anfield can house more of these passionate Reds and recreate the Kop - perhaps even increase its size and power - then the sky will be the limit. I'm in awe of them all, and consider myself lucky to be part of this large family. It's a great time to be a Liverpool fan. New investment, world class stadium being built, and a manager who is as good as they come. There is the nucleus of top class players, and the team can only improve with time. So, congratulations to Milan, but well done to the Reds for a performance to make us proud.

Lets bring in some hard working Polish folk......job completed in half the time

And that's just the Americans.........

Do you pan for gold in the Wansbeck?

If the banks can gain a similar verdict in a higher level court.....end of the money return train. The banks are more likely to challenge claims now given this decision........I'm OK, my debts were 7 years ago

Eh? Keep off the drugs.......

Every watched Pulp Fiction petal..........

I aint no black MF..........Mr T is a BMF Keep up.....I appreciate it's difficult for you....do try harder

Pardon me, what kind of feral language is that?

Say what fool

Read this.........end of the train Visit My Website

Otherwise known as social security payments, etc.

Copied from BBC site.......... 100% spot on Sam Allardyce is the latest manager unable to resist the temptation to sip from the poisoned chalice that is Newcastle United. The former Bolton boss insisted he would be taking a break from football when he resigned last month following a successful spell at The Reebok. And some cynics might suggest he will get one by taking on the task of delivering St James' Park's first trophy since the Inter Cities Fairs Cup in 1969. This is because Newcastle have occasionally represented the game's equivalent of the madhouse, rather than a club of standing with one of the biggest and most loyal support bases in the game. It will take a big man to manage the huge weight of over-expectation at a club that loves to portray itself as one of the giant Premiership institutions, without actually coming close to silverware in 38 years. And Allardyce will need all his force of personality and uncompromising approach to lift the curse that appears to have descended on Tyneside when it comes to success. Allardyce's appointment has already divided opinion in Newcastle, based on the perceived long-ball, physical style his detractors claim he employed at Bolton. No end of Opta statistics, or details of any number of backroom scientific experts employed at Bolton, will disabuse some fans of the notion that his approach was actually based on getting the ball to Kevin Davies and hoping for the best. Allardyce will argue vehemently against that - and his success at Bolton suggests there is far more to his approach than meets the eye. Big Sam may also respectfully suggest to his Newcastle critics that beggars can't be choosers, given their singular failure to land big prizes. He must also convince certain figures in a the hugely-powerful Newcastle media, who were openly and savagely critical of Allardyce and methods during his time at Bolton. It will be interesting to see if they change their tune now. Throw in the fact that Sunderland have surged into the Premiership under the charismatic Roy Keane, a man who knows what is required at a big club and is ruthlessly driven, and you can see why the Toon Army are insecure about their current status in the North-East. This is all before Allardyce actually gets down to the task of managing a football club that is always in close proximity to the self-destruct button. Allardyce will need to rejuvenate a mediocre team that is seemingly split by discontent - and resolve the future of the England striker who still represents their best chance of achieving success. The job was too big for Glenn Roeder. The credits were rolling for him once he produced little more than a tactically-naive surrender against AZ Alkmaar in the Uefa Cup. And since his departure, the skeletons have come tumbling out of the cupboard, with Obefami Martins mysteriously declaring himself unfit to play at Watford. Charles N'Zogbia was jettisoned for preferring to send texts rather than listen to a team talk, and the normally tactiturn Nicky Butt has been moved to criticise team-mates he feels would rather be elsewhere. A happy ship to join then, Sam. Allardyce, who has not managed a so-called big club before, first needs to inject a large dose of reality into Newcastle. He needs to deliver a sharp reminder about the club's history and success - or more pertinently the lack of it. Allardyce is not following some unbroken glory trail. He is following almost 40 barren years and no-one should insist he comes with a guarantee of success. Newcastle attract big crowds and spend big money. But a big club? Not if you measure that particular statistic by their success in the last 38 years. Using that yardstick, Sunderland have got the edge on their arch-rivals. Allardyce needs to re-inforce a defence that occasionally represents the next best thing to an open goal, and rid the dressing room of the shirkers who let Roeder and Newcastle down so badly. And then we come to Michael Owen. Owen's time on Tyneside has been wrecked by injury and his public image has taken a bit of a pasting after his return to fitness was accompanied by rumours he may be ready to leave. Chairman Freddy Shepherd, who for all his critics has always backed managers with cash, has demanded loyalty from Owen. It is an understandable ploy but whether it is a wise one remains to be seen. The bottom line is that Owen is fiercely ambitious and lives for winning medals. He will not fill the gaps in his collection - the title and the Champions League - at Newcastle. Allardyce will need to be at his most persuasive to keep Owen at Newcastle but my money would be on the England striker quitting, if one of the big four come in for him. This may seem harsh on Newcastle, but when they bought Owen they did not buy sentiment and romance they bought one of the most ruthless and single-minded figures in world sport. Newcastle put clauses in his contract to secure his services and fight off a return to Liverpool - they cannot squeal should he choose to exercise them. So there is the task facing Allardyce. Win over critics in the crowd and the media. Improve a mediocre team. Rebuild a broken dressing room. Convince Michael Owen to stay at Newcastle. And win their first trophy in nearly 40 years. Welcome to Newcastle, Sam

Sam Allardyce is the latest manager unable to resist the temptation to sip from the poisoned chalice that is Newcastle United. The former Bolton boss insisted he would be taking a break from football when he resigned last month following a successful spell at The Reebok. And some cynics might suggest he will get one by taking on the task of delivering St James' Park's first trophy since the Inter Cities Fairs Cup in 1969. This is because Newcastle have occasionally represented the game's equivalent of the madhouse, rather than a club of standing with one of the biggest and most loyal support bases in the game. It will take a big man to manage the huge weight of over-expectation at a club that loves to portray itself as one of the giant Premiership institutions, without actually coming close to silverware in 38 years. And Allardyce will need all his force of personality and uncompromising approach to lift the curse that appears to have descended on Tyneside when it comes to success. Allardyce's appointment has already divided opinion in Newcastle, based on the perceived long-ball, physical style his detractors claim he employed at Bolton. No end of Opta statistics, or details of any number of backroom scientific experts employed at Bolton, will disabuse some fans of the notion that his approach was actually based on getting the ball to Kevin Davies and hoping for the best. Allardyce will argue vehemently against that - and his success at Bolton suggests there is far more to his approach than meets the eye. Big Sam may also respectfully suggest to his Newcastle critics that beggars can't be choosers, given their singular failure to land big prizes. He must also convince certain figures in a the hugely-powerful Newcastle media, who were openly and savagely critical of Allardyce and methods during his time at Bolton. It will be interesting to see if they change their tune now. Throw in the fact that Sunderland have surged into the Premiership under the charismatic Roy Keane, a man who knows what is required at a big club and is ruthlessly driven, and you can see why the Toon Army are insecure about their current status in the North-East. This is all before Allardyce actually gets down to the task of managing a football club that is always in close proximity to the self-destruct button. Allardyce will need to rejuvenate a mediocre team that is seemingly split by discontent - and resolve the future of the England striker who still represents their best chance of achieving success. The job was too big for Glenn Roeder. The credits were rolling for him once he produced little more than a tactically-naive surrender against AZ Alkmaar in the Uefa Cup. And since his departure, the skeletons have come tumbling out of the cupboard, with Obefami Martins mysteriously declaring himself unfit to play at Watford. Charles N'Zogbia was jettisoned for preferring to send texts rather than listen to a team talk, and the normally tactiturn Nicky Butt has been moved to criticise team-mates he feels would rather be elsewhere. A happy ship to join then, Sam. Allardyce, who has not managed a so-called big club before, first needs to inject a large dose of reality into Newcastle. He needs to deliver a sharp reminder about the club's history and success - or more pertinently the lack of it. Allardyce is not following some unbroken glory trail. He is following almost 40 barren years and no-one should insist he comes with a guarantee of success. Newcastle attract big crowds and spend big money. But a big club? Not if you measure that particular statistic by their success in the last 38 years. Using that yardstick, Sunderland have got the edge on their arch-rivals. Allardyce needs to re-inforce a defence that occasionally represents the next best thing to an open goal, and rid the dressing room of the shirkers who let Roeder and Newcastle down so badly. And then we come to Michael Owen. Owen's time on Tyneside has been wrecked by injury and his public image has taken a bit of a pasting after his return to fitness was accompanied by rumours he may be ready to leave. Chairman Freddy Shepherd, who for all his critics has always backed managers with cash, has demanded loyalty from Owen. It is an understandable ploy but whether it is a wise one remains to be seen. The bottom line is that Owen is fiercely ambitious and lives for winning medals. He will not fill the gaps in his collection - the title and the Champions League - at Newcastle. Allardyce will need to be at his most persuasive to keep Owen at Newcastle but my money would be on the England striker quitting, if one of the big four come in for him. This may seem harsh on Newcastle, but when they bought Owen they did not buy sentiment and romance they bought one of the most ruthless and single-minded figures in world sport. Newcastle put clauses in his contract to secure his services and fight off a return to Liverpool - they cannot squeal should he choose to exercise them. So there is the task facing Allardyce. Win over critics in the crowd and the media. Improve a mediocre team. Rebuild a broken dressing room. Convince Michael Owen to stay at Newcastle. And win their first trophy in nearly 40 years. Welcome to Newcastle, Sam

How about the missing billions given to white trash slackers in towns like Ashington, Bedlington.....?

So very very well put sir

I seem to recall an expensive son of a metal sheet worker.......not exactly Owen's fault he got injured & would you want to play with that present group of players!!

Indeed