Credit Hughton for keeping quiet on Carroll.

Posted on March 24th, 2010 | 245 Comments |

Displaying leadership.
Displaying leadership.
Mystery continues to surround the recent bust-up between Toon team-mates Steven Taylor and Andrew Carroll as manager Chris Hughton chose to keep quiet on the situation that marred the build up to the Doncaster match. Those looking for any juicy bits of gossip emanating from his post match interview were left disappointed as Hughton yet again showed amazing professionalism.

The fact that the spat is currently under an internal investigation at the club probably helped in his decision to stay mute about the details of it, but his silence says more than the many column inches filled by the press about the debacle and is the strongest hint yet that something has happened.

There have been many different versions of the story over the past couple of days, Taylor started it, Carroll started it, it was about money, it was about women and so on, none of that really matters. What does matter is keeping the team on track and keeping their minds focused on the promotion run in.

Stories like this have been cited before as being a catalyst for disaster on the pitch, in fact we only have to look back to last season to see how a poisoned dressing room can fracture a club. For that reason, Chris Hughton must take credit for keeping the players mind on the job in hand and not allowing any slip-up’s at what was a potential banana skin at the Keepmoat Stadium last night. His approach to the build up to the game was evidently spot on, as were his tactics for the game as we secured a vital 1-0 away win to prevent Nottingham Forest from gaining any ground on us.

Dodging questions in his post-match news conference, Hughton had this to say:

“The team have been focused all season. Everybody is aware of things. We have carried the pressure of being top all season and the pressures that go with that. This team is very focused.”

Then Hughton was asked about Carroll:

“Andy Carroll is a player in very good goalscoring form at the moment. He’s one that we’ve continually said had to add goals to his game and he’s certainly providing that for us.”

“Andy was part of the XI. We’re always working on selection, but he’s a player on very good form. He’s a vital player for us.”

As a manager, you live or die by your decisions and lack of decision making is something that Chris Hughton has been criticised for in the past. A decision was made last night, a decision to stick by Andy Carroll whilst the whole situation gets resolved.

Was it the right decision? That is open for debate as many fans have different views on what should happen. Perhaps a better question should be, was it the right decision for the team? The answer to that has to be yes. Not only did Carroll score the winner and earn the vital 3 points for us, the behaviour of his team-mates towards the 16 goal striker confirmed that Chris Hughton made the right decision in playing him.

I’d like to think that Taylor and Carroll are man enough to shake hands and get on with playing for their boyhood team after ‘GlassJawGate’. Whether that happens is something that only time will reveal. I’m sure Chris Hughton knows what he is doing and how to deal with it. Confidence and trust is something that needs to be earnt, and Hughton is earning mine more and more.

Cheers to ringo for ‘GlassJawGate’.

NUFCBlog Author: toonsy toonsy has written 643 articles on this blog.

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245 Responses

  1. Probably best put to bed and focus on football..if I am first CoolDJ Is a Sausage Jockey

  3. haha you’ve developed a bit of an obsession with cooldj jason! Anyone know of any decent highlights from last night? Good article Toonsy, I’m beginning to trust CH more and more; if he played Carrol Taylor’s got to be at fault somehow…either that or the whole thing’s been blown out of proportion

  5. “As a manager, you live or die by your decisions and lack of decision making is something that Chris Hughton has been criticised for in the past.”

    I can’t remember who has criticised Hughton for a lack of decisionmaking apart from a few irrelevant idiots who had no clue what they were talking about.

  8. workyticket says:
    March 24, 2010 at 5:19 pm

    “I can’t remember who has criticised Hughton for a lack of decisionmaking apart from a few irrelevant idiots who had no clue what they were talking about.”

    I’ve been critical of him before :(

  9. not bothered whos at fault, we needed 3 points, we got em ,end of.
    Im not sure we`l see either of em here next season though, Carol could be in jail (allegedly) and S Taylor wont be happy Carol seems to have got away with it ,so he may put in a transfer request to go to Everton (who have already tried to get him supposedly).
    Anyhoo, whatever happens .well done the lads (inc Carol) for getting 3 massive points for us ,another 3 on monday may just see us up by easter !!!!!

  10. saying as there is no info on anything at all how do we know anything even happened. the row was meant to have happened in the shower/bath room, who is to say that al lthey did was shout etc and talyor didnt slip and twat his own jaw??? obviously carroll is not in the shit with either team mates or management. all we see in papers and tv is based on what?? notihng at all, not one word hs been said by anyone of any importance. bolox to it all, lets just play footy!

  12. MDS says:
    March 24, 2010 at 5:21 pm

    “@devonmag.

    I agree. No way he would start Carroll if he were at fault.”

    MDS, this affair is being dealt with jointly by Hughton, Llambias and Ashley, who have jointly agreed to refrain from making any statement on the issue, or make any sanction on either of the two main protagonists until a full internal inquiry on the matter has been held. Until then, it would have been unwise to make any sanction on a player, including withdrawing him from a teamsheet that he would almost certainly be on otherwise.

    Toonsy, Derek Llambias also deserves some credit for the way this situation is being dealt with too.

  13. workyticket says:
    March 24, 2010 at 5:38 pm

    Any evidence that the club have taken this stance?

  14. Stuart79 says:
    March 24, 2010 at 5:42 pm

    “Any evidence that the club have taken this stance?”

    No Stuart, I’m just lying as usual.

  15. Yes, by saying they are not making a statement means they will deal with it internally, which will be hughton, owl heed and Ashley

  16. worky..ok…haramony is one thing mate.. but you have gone a step to far…i am stunned at your post!! you want to give Lambsarse so credit for the way he has handled this!! wtf you on about??? he hasnt handled anything, he has jsut done what he always does – nothing. sweet jesus. I have often seen one or two stickign up for fatso but never in my life did i think i would ever see the words you have written mate!! please please take them back!!

  17. Glassjawgate, are we indicating some hint of side taking in this recent training room bustup ?
    I think there has been enough speculation and it does no good in regard to team morale, to keep picking at it.
    CH has the right approach, keep it in house and hopefully the players can get over it.
    Surprised there`s not more of this kind of thing, young men , lots a dosh, job competition, jealousies etc.
    Poor old Sir Bobby had his hands full at one time.
    Just proves Ch has not so common, good sense and has
    attempted to keep it inhouse, where it belongs.

  19. Afternoon Chundertaker.

    No side taking at all, it was phrase coined by a fellow contributer that bowburn, and now I, have stolen as writing training gorund bust up can be quite tiresome and unoriginal.

    The fights thing happens quite a lot. Players giving there all etc, tempers are going to flare up. Look at Hull a few weeks back, and that fight was in public!

    It’s nuch a do about nothing really, but Hughtn has done brilliantly to keep everyone’s head turned in the right direction, that is the point I’m making.

  20. Toonsy says
    “I have been critical of him before” !

    Yes Toonsy and that was noted by Workey in his second sentance, see 5#

  23. Think I opted for the other nom de plume, but guess Chundertaker is ok.
    Actually there`s someone who contributes to the blog even more negative than meself, I use the term contributes lightly, guess who ?

  24. I’d also like to point out chuck, that your comment at 20 is not football related so goes against any of your ‘rules’ that you roll out when somebody else posts something non football related.

    Double standards eh Victor?

  26. Who?

    And yes, chundertaker is the best alternative and sounds slightly cool.

    Second thoughts, it may not be for you actually :lol:

  28. Dont like ch never will!yes he has done a fab job for us but the problem i have got with him is. In the prem is he going to keep are midfield or is he going to get rid that will be my only issue with him regarding team selection. sorry are central midfield cant even get hold of the ball in the ccc what chance will they have in prem. they are the same players who got us relegated in the first place. with out routledge and jonas nothing would happen if they get injured. but what a good player routledge looks well done CH he is the one stays fit could be the difference of us doing ok.IF HE CAN BUY PLAYERS LIKE HIM THEN I WOULD BECOME A FAN HIS FINAL KILLER BALL THAT MATTERS THATS WHY WE COULD WIN THE POLLS WITH HIM NOT MANY LIKE HIM EVEN IN THE PREM WITH THAT KIILER BALL.

  29. Yeah toonsy, I’ve joined the group but can’t find groups on my iPhone facebook application. Hopefully the boys up the road from you can do us a favour tonight :)

  31. Asim, this is not really the same team at all man that got us relegated. martins, owen, viduka, beye, bassong, given, zogbia……these were all auto first 11 when fit and all were tossers and had no fight in them. The only ones that are playing now that were playing last year regular are taylor, colo, the bull, and spidrman. Nolan came in late jan as an emergency cos barton went out. the two argies was their first season in uk and anyone with half a footballing brain knows it takes at least one season before you see the real player. Also, finally, CH was not the manager last year with these players – it was about fifty others. It is impossible to say this situation is the same as last year. 2009 was a massive disaster from begining to end. I still recall fatty’s words in the first home game of the seasons program… big words on the front…’we are going to have fun this year’. ha ha. anyone else remember that!? classic man!! it should be on his tombstone.

  36. jay jay – Coventry? Hope they get pummelled mate. 2 reasons.

    1) I hate Coventry

    2) West Brom winning would kill a bit more of Forest’s hope off. Bit of demoralising before we play them!

    I can’t help with the iPhone bud, sorry.

  39. Toonsy well done on your latest fishing trip Bonny Lad you caught Chuckie hook line and sinker ;) Catch you’s later when im finished work. Tight Lines

  40. toonsy:
    March 24th, 2010 at 6:28 pm
    jay jay – Coventry? Hope they get pummelled mate. 2 reasons.
    1) I hate Coventry
    2) West Brom winning would kill a bit more of Forest’s hope off. Bit of demoralising before we play them!
    I can’t help with the iPhone bud, sorry.

    Never thought of it like that mate. And no worries about the iPhone thing.

  41. CENTRAL MIDFIELD!thats what i said not the other players. if nicky butt wasnt injured at the start of the season he would have been his first pick. we and he got luck or i dont think we would be in this top spot what do u think mate with butt playing not giving us anyhting apart from giving the ball away thats what got us relegated in the first place with his daft tackles against hull for the pen and others he gave away and the free kicks out side the box and every1 seem to score remember that 1 against the mackhams when richardson scored.

  42. toonsy always were my no1 m8 ;)after last nights game i really really hope for a good m/f for next year just to bring the best out of our good wingers,along with few others like

  43. Nah DevonMag…he just used to get on my tit’s thinking it was great to post first on a blog…:)

  44. Hey , got no problem with the occasional digression, it`s when the crazies use the blog as their personal insult machine or it gets too whack.
    Hey you think it`s easy being a control freak !
    Gimme a break here !

  46. I dont think we have to worry too much about midfield. Butt will be gone/retired/coaching. Barton, Guthrie and Nolan have done the prem before so they know the score. I wouldn’t say it’s wholesale changes needed but additions to compliment what we have currently would be nice.

    I still worry about strikers. I think that is our main priority. No goals = no wins.

    Defence, again I think is a case of padding out what we have.

  48. craig chisholm says:
    March 24, 2010 at 5:50 pm

    “you want to give Lambsarse so credit for the way he has handled this!! wtf you on about??? he hasnt handled anything, he has jsut done what he always does – nothing. sweet jesus. I have often seen one or two stickign up for fatso but never in my life did i think i would ever see the words you have written mate!! please please take them back!!”

    I think you’re going to love my upcoming tribute to Derek, Craig. :-)

    Seriously though, out of curiousity on my part, what are your views on Chris Mort?

  49. Enjoyed this Toonsy and I have to agree hats of to Hughton. The guy is impressing me more and more. Now can we leave the club to sort the Glassjawgate (brilliant) out and move on.

    I think we should all be putting our minds on the tricky trees match on Monday night.

    Flags out I think and I hope for a huge gate and loads of noise for the lads.

  50. dont agree toonsy on m/f we still hav”nt got a m/f with a bit of guile with killer type pass,know they are hard to find,and cost a lot but we need one,and good r/b cover at l/b i agree we def need a proven striker imo

  51. the full backs and central midfield is the most important thing in the prem they are the once who stop people and the midfield the once who break up play and start the attacks. the only thing going for us is enrique wouldnt change him for any1 are midfield cant do that or if they break up play move us forward quickly.

  52. Must say have`nt been a big fan of Carroll, but how can you argue with his recent bang em in form.
    Always thought he looked ungainly and lacked pace, though I recognised his airial ability right away.
    Who knows he`s still a youngster, could turn out to be the modern day “Wor Andy”
    That is if he first stops chinnin people, so howeh Andy man, give ower.

  53. chris mort was better as he communicated with us. still ashleys yes man and cant be trusted. I still hear his words in my ears now ‘ as of this momment this club has no debt’ christ what a lie that was. They still banging on about debt now ffs! So, yes another high flying yes man but STILL better than shithead now! i would have liked someone with a football brain in there, david dein etc.

  54. icedog – I agree, a creative mid would be good to compliment what we have.

    RB – Jury out. I agree we need one but I don’t know how bad Simpson’s injury is affecting him. If he can get back to his early season performances then I think he will do ok.

    LB – Cover needed, but how long have we been saying that for, years!

  55. Chuck – Thing that has impressed me in recent weeks about Carrol, aside from his scoring record, are his hold up play and ball retention. Rather than knocking balls on for others he can now bring the ball down, keep it, and bring others into play, very much like a certain Alan Shearer used to.

    Not saying he is going to be as good as Shearer, that is a hard act to follow, but if he keeps improving on the pitch and can curb it off the pitch then we have a player with real, proper promise.

  57. Worky- that internal investigation stuff is a load of crap. That’s what any company or government entity says when a controversial internal matter has been suddenly made public. It’s a way of buying time until you figure out how to handle it and what to say to the press. I don’t beleive for a second that CH didn’t have the full story on Tuesday for an incident that allegedly happended in the training ground on sunday.

  58. MDS – If Hughton does know that details, which he would do, isn’t that still classed as keeping it internal?

    What should we do? Have an open discussion about it in The Strawberry? Regardless of the fact that the players in question are professional footballers and have all the associated media attention that goes with it, they still have the same rights a you or I would in a disciplinary scenario at work, confidentaility.

  60. to me simpson at his best is a good ccc player at def,good going forward is good,compare him to young kid we had from chelsea (same age) he was green like though lack of games but better prospect imo.think we will have to agree to disagree on this one

  61. S.Taylor has always been part of my future NUFC. He is staying the are young and will deal with it.

  62. Toonsy- you’re not wrong, but I’m not sure where you are getting that from my post. I could personally care less if they all take the story to their graves with them. My point was that I don’t beleive CH didn’t have the full facts when he made his selection yesterday. Do you disagree with that?

    If my boss knew I had done something wrong but wasn’t prepared to go public, I don’t think I would be sending me out on an important public matter 2 days later. I stand by what I said- no way Hughton would have started Carroll if he had done something overtly wrong. If it turns out to be otherwise I’ll admit I was wrong.

    That’s all I’ll say on the matter- I’m sick of the story already.

  63. Controversial I know, but I’m not sure I agree with some of the angle, or particularly the headline, on this one toons.

    Granted as per my chitter chatter last night, I more than agree he responded brilliantly in terms of his management but I think it’s fair to say that saying nowt is the easy option, especially for someone like Hughton.

  64. @62…..whatever happened to inocent until proven guilty!! and of course with his hearing so soon, they can not say anything as it will put him in prison straight away. think on lads.

  65. craig chisholm says:
    March 24, 2010 at 7:05 pm

    “chris mort was better as he communicated with us.”

    Craig, it was Chris Mort’s restructuring which led to the Keegan / Wise fiasco, not Llambias’s, and it was also Chris Mort who told everyone that Kevin Keegan had the “final say” on all players. Is that what you mean by “better communication”?

  66. I think its best to keep it in house , kinda build that us againt the world mentality if things can be patched between carrol and taylor that is

  67. B.B.B.controversial you perish the thought,fed up with it now,until club say owt,like most things in football one minute wonders

  68. bowburn – But in many circumstances, saying nowt is the only option. Like I said in a previous comment, players depsite their wealth, fame etc still have a right to confidentiality from their bosses.

    Of course, Hughto could have said more, we all know he knows what is going on, but what else is there to say? Is it worth rocking the boat just to pacify a few nosey beggars and the press? Him saying nothing may be the easy way, but it is also a right he has, and it obviously worked as per last nights result.

  69. Llambias may speak a lot of shit but think he knows football compared to Chris Mort.

  71. bowburnmag says:
    March 24, 2010 at 7:32 pm

    “but I think it’s fair to say that saying nowt is the easy option, especially for someone like Hughton.”

    WTF does that mean, Bowburn?

  73. worky… you cant just pick out the bits of my text that make you look clever mate, in the whole context of what i said i still said he was a man not to be trusted and a yes man and liar. Just better than this curent twat!!! you must be a politician!!

  74. Asim,
    mate, take a breath.
    So you always dislike CH, even if it turns out that he wins things, that’s very short sighted man.
    There are always players/managers that ‘WE’ don’t take to initially, but then ‘WE’ see them grow, get better & we have to admit that they are doing a good job for the team, howay!
    & us going down last year was not all about Nicky Butt being crap, have a word with yersel.
    CH hasn’t been playing him cos he rotates players, like all managers do. They’re not always ‘injured’, they’re being rotated & left out without everyone thinking they’ve been dropped. Do you know owt about football?
    Please stop trying to create scapegoats man, everyone has good games & bad. & if my memory serves: didn’t we just win, away just last night with Butt in the team.
    While i’m no fan of Butt per se, i can’t help sticking up for the guy on this occasion.
    Soz like.

  75. craig chisholm says:
    March 24, 2010 at 7:48 pm

    “worky… you cant just pick out the bits of my text that make you look clever mate”

    Yes I can, mate. ;-)

  77. toonsy says:
    March 24, 2010 at 7:43 pm

    “bowburn – But in many circumstances, saying nowt is the only option.”

    Toonsy, Bowburn is just attempting to judge Hughton through the lens of his own weakness, a very human error which most of us are prone to.

  80. Workey
    Suckered Chisolm right into that one.
    As for Mort, bit of a mystery, some kind of numbers cruncher apparently, who I believe was out of his depth as far as football management was concerned, but smart enough to see the approaching train wreck following BSA`s sacking, got his ass outta there unscathed and back home, both job wise and outa the north east.
    Saw him at a coupla games never looked happy or into things.
    Whether he is personally responsible for what came after or not, have no clue.

  83. Aye,
    it’s always canny to kick back & reflect in the after-glow of a hard fought away win against the odds like.

    Or is that just me?
    :)

  84. Easy/only – same thing. Basically, he stood to gain nothing from saying anything so ‘no comment’ was an easy approach. It was everything else about last night that was difficult. Credit for that, not keeping schtum.

    Hughton gives the impression that he doesn’t like talking to the press much anyway (who does?), which was my point about it being easier for Hughton not to discuss it.

    But cheers for the slight on my character worky 8O

  85. Chuck says:
    March 24, 2010 at 8:03 pm

    “Workey
    Suckered Chisolm right into that one.
    As for Mort, bit of a mystery, some kind of numbers cruncher apparently”

    Chuck, he’s a lawyer who was brought in as Chairman for a limited period to supervise the restructuring of the club. His stay was only ever going to be for a shorter period.

  86. Craig i just qualified 78 with 83 mate.

    Felt i had to put a bit meat on them bones.
    ;)

  87. Can’t believe chisholm walked into that one.

    The alternative view, is that Mort could have been a decent fella, told it how it was and that Llambias and Ashley changed their minds, with a little direction from Mr Wise.

    I’m just saying it’s an alternative mind chaps. Far be it, that I should question the integrity and greatness of the board…

  90. bowburnmag says:
    March 24, 2010 at 8:06 pm

    “But cheers for the slight on my character worky”

    It wasn’t a slight on your character, Bowburn. As I wrote above, it is something we are all prone to, it’s a part of our psyche. But, if we are conscious of it, we can gain more insight.

  92. workyticket says:
    March 24, 2010 at 5:46 pm
    Stuart79 says:
    March 24, 2010 at 5:42 pm

    “Any evidence that the club have taken this stance?”

    No Stuart, I’m just lying as usual.

    Presuming that that is a try at sarcasm Worky I’m still waiting for a reasonable answer.

    workyticket says:
    March 24, 2010 at 7:38 pm
    craig chisholm says:
    March 24, 2010 at 7:05 pm

    “chris mort was better as he communicated with us.”

    Craig, it was Chris Mort’s restructuring which led to the Keegan / Wise fiasco, not Llambias’s, and it was also Chris Mort who told everyone that Kevin Keegan had the “final say” on all players. Is that what you mean by “better communication”?

    Wasn’t Chris Mort’s restructuring – It was Ashley’s grand plan. Mort just happened to be the intirim Chairman who was there.

    The info I have is that Mort was offered the chance to stay but didn’t want to commit as he knew there was a certain degree of friction generating.

    With you on the KK debate though – He did say KK had the final say – Unless he was told that too of course.

  93. Guys some of you are getting a bit feisty with each other if kept in order it is healthy.
    Well done the lads last night. Three vital points. The sooner we clinch promotion the better then we can push on for the title.
    I just want to say Tamas Kadar is going to be a world star. he has arsenal written all over him. We have to play the lad which is a difficult problem with Colo, Williamson and Taylor all playing well this season. But for me it has to be Kadar and one other.

  95. works – aye, but you only had half a sentence at the end before!! Now you’ve qualified it, it sounds slightly better.

    But it still potentially implies I’m judging Hughton when I was only making an observation. I think…

  97. Anyone who has facebook, there is some tw@t on andy carrolls fans page giving him and the Geordie brotherhood a load of sh1t, feel free to speak your mind and show support for our player and Geordies as a whole.

  98. Stuart79 says:
    March 24, 2010 at 8:21 pm

    “Wasn’t Chris Mort’s restructuring – It was Ashley’s grand plan. Mort just happened to be the intirim Chairman who was there.

    The info I have is that Mort was offered the chance to stay but didn’t want to commit as he knew there was a certain degree of friction generating.”

    Stuart, you just wrote “interim” chairman. So why was he an interim Chairman? Because he was brought in to supervise the restructuring of the club then go back to law.

  99. So still no answer then Worky?

    Anyway Mort – He may well have been supervising the restructuring but it wasn’t ‘his restructuring’ it was Ashley’s, Mort just oversaw it.

    Normally you are such a stickler for detail and contradiction…

  103. Worky,

    You’re always saying that journo’s just make things up and are no real source of confidence in what is actually happening.

    But when it suits, you use the papers to try and make a point (Which it doesn’t actually do).

    They both say he is over seeing things (Changes) at the club – Implententing Ashley’s plan….

    So still it says nowhere that it was ‘Mort’s restructure).

    Next…

  104. Stuart79 says:
    March 24, 2010 at 9:13 pm (Edit)
    Worky,

    “You’re always saying that journo’s just make things up and are no real source of confidence in what is actually happening.”

    Stuart, it is widely known throughout the legal profession that Freshfields and Chris Mort are specialists in corporate restructuring, but as we’re on the Internet and talking about a football club, what other sources would you suggest? They include direct quotes from Mort on his role at the club. You really are a crashing bore.

  106. bowburn – I’ll have that ‘most read blog’ title off you at some point you swine :lol:

  107. toons – I reckon there’s a bit of a cheat to be honest. I might let you in on the secret (assuming I’m not chatting sh*te) :D

  108. A mechanic is an expert in putting a car engine together but if I asked him to take one out of MY car and put another one in I would say it would be my idea/plan and the mechanic would implement it.

    Not the mechanics restructure

    Aye ok Worky.

    Once again a pointless excercise in trying to prove a point – Which once again you have failed in.

  109. Anyway you’ve bored me once again with your contradictory mindset and attempted one-up-manship.

    Accept you mis lead people sometimes and move on.

    TTFN

  110. GOOD NEWS

    Taylor and Carroll are still friends on Facebook. There is light at the end of the tunnel ;)

  118. Can’t believe somebody says that Taylor must be at fault because he played Carroll. Did the fact that Taylor was in hospital with a wired jaw not have something to do with it.

  119. I think what was meant was that Taylor must have done something to warrant getting a thump. By all accounts, that is the story that is being reported by those apparently ‘in the know’.

  122. You can’t find andy carrolls fan page? That’s a shame because this bloke needs abuse. I would copy what he says but it’s got the f word a few times. Plenty of scope for abuse as well, a jock who supports Norwich city.

  127. Toonsy chuck must be related to Rooney then :)
    Clint ;) I know what you mean mate
    Icedog sorry mate I have been flat out with work the last few days Bud :(

  128. I though icedog meant my dog photo :D

    Chelsea put 2 Portsmouth players in hospital. Nice.

  131. big dave, no worrys m8 no rest for the wicked eh,off thurs for 2-3days hope to be back for sunday

  134. icedog – So long as your back for Mondays match.

    jay jay – Best of both worlds really. Chaventry got beat but West brom only scraped through. They are away at Reading on Saturday which isn’t an easy game.

  135. sons hopes im”e not wants use my ticket for his bird to go,talk about loyalty,se another carroll/taylor thing coming here

  138. Toonsy, Derek Llambias also deserves some credit for the way this situation is being dealt with too.

    Why ?

  140. Hughton, has done a marvelous job and credit to hughton he has brought the dignity back to the club.

  146. This is funny

    On March 23, 2010 @ 18:31 Pradajames says:
    He started and got his 16th against Doncaster today.

    He’s a million dollar talent with a ten cent head. Kid needs to stay out of the clubs and get his shit together. He could be a club/country star if he can stop doing stupid things like breaking our future captain’s jaw.

  147. summer of 69 @ 138 – I never said that, that was workyticket I believe.

    My comment on Llambias is actually @ 18 ;)

  150. I still don’t see why people are still on a downer over Hughton.
    His main priority for this season was to get us promoted. We have been top for just about all of this season.
    We need four more wins to go up.

    What more does the guy need to do?
    Come around to your house and give you some afternoon delight?

    Get a grip and realise that we have a good manager that I think will do ok in the PL. He has no ego to speak of and he seems honest as the day is long.
    He started off a ropey, especially last season, but he has been learning and growing in to a decent manager.

  151. how come icedog and big dave have put pitures of there wifes in there avatar boxes :lol:

  153. agreed micky toon, has my full backing

    re: the weekend, hopefully, with reading being in the form they are, they’ll do one on wba, then we’ll smoke forest come monday and home in time for supper

    i would like to make one point… after watching the majority of our games this season, and i think its fair to say… we’ve conceded goals more by chance than skill, and in the same breath, we havent conceded goals more by chance than skill, both on our part and our opponents!

    take the donny game… our back line was static and in the first half if it wasnt for harper, we were 2 to the bad. i still feel our defense is an issue, despite all the praise its received

    and in comparison, our attacking momentum with routledge is awe-inspiring compared to what were used to… but again, chance or skill will be decided come the EPL

  154. Micky Toon , i completely agree with your views regarding Chris Hughton and it’s nice to hear his name being sung at SJP this season , i also believe it’s only a matter of time before a pro ashley chant will be heard ringing around SJP in the near future ! it’s not something i would start but would definitley join in with.

    The tide is now turning in mike’s favour.

  155. For crting out loud you guys who down Hughton. Please knock it on the head – he’s done one helluva job.

    Do you want to return to the days when managers are coming and going at such a rate that it’d have made sense to fit revolving doors to the manager’s office?

    Wake up and get off his back!!

  157. and you’ve stuck with a picture of your boyfriend eh batty

    and yeah yeah, i know your gonna say “just like you then” and yeah, your BF has a bigger weapon ;o) but thats probably why you walk like john wayne… know what i’m saying like

  158. one mike ashley , there’s only one mike ashley , one mike aaaaaasssssssshhhhhhlllllllleeyy , there’s only one mike aaaaaasssssssshhhhhhlllllllleeyy….

  159. bit early for that like dick

    if were floating mid table of the epl come this time next term with a good crop of players and with a slim chance of europe… you still wont get the toon singing his name!

  160. just wondering whether ashley,s blue print to bring in young players,we may see more and more similar incidents to what happened on sunday?if we are not going to sign players over a certain age,then we are going to have a lot of young players without any older pros giving them advice.
    there is not going to be any leaders as such,say for instance an alan shearer to keep the youngsters in check.
    chris hughton and calderwood will be the only two to fulfill this role,and there input may not have the same effect as an older pro,as hughton et al will not spend as much time with the players.
    if there is any truth in some of the reports,if there were rising tensions between carroll and taylor,why wasn,t it nipped in the bud before it got to the stage where violence was involved?.
    on the subject of hughton,owlhead,and billy bunter,being given credit for keeping schtum,lets be honest it,s a self interest thing really.
    commendable in one way ,that this incident could have derailed the promotion push,but in another no different to how these people have acted since they,ve been at the club.
    could this buying of only young players be another potential kick in the stones for ashley further down the track?.
    what if a player for instance zinedane coming to the end of his career,looking for one last shot before calling time on a illustrious career,would these type of players not be worth their weight in gold for a short time,to help with the development of youth players,or younger pros?.
    even if an older world class player was offering his services for free would ashley knock these offers back?
    if he did take up such an offer,would he be going against his own plan,sorry to waffle on,it,s jusy something that has not been mentioned in all the furore of the last few days.

  161. richard head,t would have to disagree with your comments on the forthcoming mike ashley chants,i think it will be a hell of a long time before that happens if ever.
    imo it,s more likley to return to anti ashley chants to be honest.
    if we are promoted this term,it would only take a bad start to next season before the whole business rears it,s head.
    as fat freddie shepherd said”geordies never forget”,they maybe shelving their anger this season to get behind the team,but believe me it will not be that easy.
    if ashley were to act in a similar fashion to our last disasterous prem season,words like square and one come to mind.

  162. Trojan69, I’m not sure mate, if you look back to arsenal (who are the best when it comes to young talent) last season, the most immature and stoppiest player they had was their oldest and then captain William gallas so I don’t think it’s as clear as that mate.

  164. Well bowburnmag , TROJAN 69 may be able to wind-up a few on here but i’m not biting.

    :)

  166. summer of 69 @ 138 – I never said that, that was workyticket I believe.

    My comment on Llambias is actually @ 18

    i know i copy and pasted what worky said and it had your name on it

  167. Hands up from me on Hughton, i couldnt make head nor tale of him at the start but the way he has put the team together slowly but surely has won me over and the way he handled the shite at the beginning of the week was the clincher, especially playing Andy and his reward for that.
    On the subject of Carroll, Journal is now saying its not a fractured jaw but a cheek bone, just shows what a guessing game the whole episode has been.
    Williamson is back for the Forest game and the biggest question for me is who does he play in centre midfield with Smith, Barton and Butt all wanting to play but i have an awful feeling that he will leave Guthrie out to accommodate his bigger personalities, hope i am wrong as he has been excellent in his preferred position.

  170. BBM – There seems to me to be a general consensus that CH is not the man for us now or if we go up. Our friend asim seems to think he’s worse than a dose of the clap. Saying that I’m convinced asim is either 2 or a WUM.
    Anyway, to me, there seems to still be an underlying current that CH is not the man to take us forward.
    Perhaps it’s just me who sees this as I don’t get on here much these days and my match day attendance is sparse to say the least. I blame toonsy. Well, you’ve got to blame someone, so why not him? ;)

  171. It’s alright, I blame toonsy too.

    I think the tide has been gradually turning for a while and most people concede that he could be a great manager for us. I guess there is a doubt about how he will cope, if only because of his record in the Premiership while caretaking. But we all know that it was under difficult circumstances.

    And in truth, that doubt would exist whoever was in charge, at least it would for me. The key thing is to give him a chance and give him a decent shot at it.

  172. I cannot see how anyone could be anything but delighted with CH and Calderwood. What more could you ask for from a manager? Ashley would be insane not to give him his head of steam next season if we do go up.

    Personally I think some people aren’t happy unless the manager is a foreigner in a sharp suit with a Champs League trophy to his name. Tried ’em. Didn’t like ’em.

    As for GlassJawGate – sounds like just another dressing-room tussle; it’s just that this time a bone broke. Impressive if Carroll did cause a fracture; Taylor’s made of steel girders and dark matter.

  173. all this arsenal blueprint shit does my tits in! they have and do still spend big money on established players too – such as arshavin for over 15 million. i think even that young theo walcott was 17 million or something mental like that. lets not make out that arsne gets all his shit for free. besides, ashely’s true blueprint if truth be told is get em in for nothing, bring them on and sell them for as much as possible. he wont honour his blueprint and already hasn’t.. all you have to do is look at milner and 12 million later the man is history.. .even though he fitted exactly what ashely says he is after. 12 million now seems very cheap for milner considering his talent and future as full england first teamer. ashley was a greedy twat, is a greedy twat and will always be agreedy twat.

  174. eastend toon says:
    March 25, 2010 at 10:03 am
    and you’ve stuck with a picture of your boyfriend eh batty
    <<<< not into incest like u ya dirty b@stard keep ya fukin nose oot it was a joke between me and 2 mates and no we dont take it up the arse like u

  175. Craig – the only concern I have is that CH appears to favour experience / power and strength above all.

    I am not sure he is aligned to the clubs long term goal of signing and developing youth. But time will tell.

  176. I must admit I find some people’s attitude to CH baffling. You often hear and read fans saying that a player needs at least a full season to prove their worth, CH was never afforded time that in the premier league and on the basis of his time as caretaker in the premier league many widely denounced him as being not good enough while at the same time critising the lack of continuity and structure to the club, the disinterested playing squad and the oaf of an owner. Under those circumstances no one could thrive.

    Well it seems he is good enough, maybe not for the premier league, but certainly for the championship.

    Lets just remember that when/if we do get promoted. Let’s give him a realistic chance in his first season as a manager in the premier league before getting on his back. If nothing else he and his team deserves our thanks, patience and support for getting us back to the premier league.

  178. Stardust

    I know what you mean there about using the kids or at least developing them. We need somebody like your mate Geln R back in the club in some role. He was great with them. Not saing he should be the man in charge, dut if we were going th have a DoF setup again, he would be the man. I think if he was there, Joe Cole would have been interested. Mind you, the wages would never have been there for him, but it would have been the kind of setup that would have encouraged young up and coming stars into the club

  180. Thought that might be your reaction Stardust. It may have been through no choice of his, but he did do well with the kids.

    But no way would I want him taking over from Chris. I changed my view as the season went on. I think he has found his plan B and knows how to motovate the lads. He would be out of order not to give mim another chance in the Premier League now.

  181. I’m just glad we’ve got one of the few decent men left in football as a manager.

    Quite how he works with some of the other people at the club is beyond me; I can only assume that, a bit like our squad, some of the departures over the past year have improved the ‘ethical culture’. (Or, “with that twat Wise and his hangers-on gone, perhaps Ashley and Owl Heed are trying to up their act”)

    And yes, I’m an optimist.

  182. Whumpie,
    totally agree with your first line about CH being a thoroughly decent bloke, one of very few in football.

  183. I think when we see the reviews of the whole season, it’ll become clear just how well CH has worked with the board and pulled off miracles while working within some tight constraints.

    Look at our squad now, in the context of his main aim – promotion, and it’s just incredible:

    1. Bad eggs out. Check. (Extra points for arranging for Michael Owing to be crocked out of the world cup: check)
    2. Remaining squad inspired and bonded. Check.
    3. Lots of strengthening in all positions without paying over the odds or hiring old players. Check.

    Then add in his decency and control, his (sometimes baffling but effective) strategies and tactics, the way he’s dealt with injuries and other issues, and little things like 3 manager-of-the-month awards and being at the top of the league pretty much all season.

    Blimey. This guy is brilliant.

  185. CH will be there for the start of next season – there can’t be any doubt about that.

    He’s earned it, and people (most of us I think) would be quick to point that out to the current regime, even if they should come up with one of the big names who’s suddenly become available for work.

    CH will be allowed to give it a shot, is what I’m saying.

    And I hope that, IF he doesn’t finish next season in charge, it’s because he’s made a right mess of things (!) rather than because he’s been denied the backing he needs to make a fight of it.

  187. Bang on Darth.
    He’s definitely earned the right to make his ‘own’ mess, at least.

    So, give him a few quid to strengthen & let’s see what gives.

  188. The bit about tactics or the bit about Owen?

    Actually, I suppose that on average, Hughton makes far more sensible-looking tactical changes than any manager we’ve had for years. He doesn’t seem to feel the need to “be clever” with it all and do things that nobody else would have thought of. He just does what obviously needs doing. Sometimes we don’t find an explanation for things until later, but it’s always something behind the scenes.

    You know, I’m really having trouble thinking of anything I DON’T like about CH.

  189. Now CH has seen the light but his long association with spuds will always give him a slightly bad mark in my books.

  190. Whumpie,
    you just answered your self on the tactics thing mate.
    & on Owen, i don’t care about england or owen, so there’s me answer there.
    So it’s not like i was actually even disagreeing man.
    Just having a bit craic mate.

  191. Whumpie,
    it is hard to find owt to not like about the guy.
    Nice try from spartan there though.
    But i’m almost forgiving that, if he won us a top trophy, i’d definitely forgive him being a ex-spud.
    :)

  193. Aye,
    i read that Darth,
    the ‘whatever’ year rule musta run out on that one.
    :)
    Very interesting though.

  195. Toonsy & Big Dave

    Hey ! you really know how to hurt a guy, control freaks and negativo`s have feelings too.

  196. CH has a year left on his contract so he will certainly be the manager next year and rightfully so- he has earned it. Though we can question his tactics at times, there is no denying where we are in the standings and, recent event excluded, a harmonious squad. Plus, assuming he has final say on transfers, we really can’t complain about Williamson, Simpson or Routledge now can we? (Best, not good so far but I for one will give him more time). They all seem like solid blue collar players who love wearing the shirt.

    After next season, surely the club will re-evaluate CH and again rightfullly so.

  197. eastend toon says:
    March 25, 2010 at 1:29 pm
    put ya hand bag away batty you silly felcher
    <<<<< u might like sucking spunk oot of peoples but it dusent meen other peopl do prick

  199. Batty swivel you fuk dog it could have been worse it could have been a pic of ur ex big Klondyke ;)

    Chuckie I take it back mate but I have already posted it there is nowt I can do, but you could ask Worky nicely to remove the link he could say NO ;)

  200. That’s the thing Ross. I don’t think eastend knows that batty’s pic is actually his son who is in Afghan fighting for the country at the minute!!

    And yeah, batts, how is he doing?

  205. Toonsy & Big Dave
    Just banter, a bit of give and a bit of take.
    Now lets get back to “fitba”

  206. toonsy, for the record, yes i do know (batty has blessed us all with telling us several times, i’m a forces kid myself (RAF) so dont for one minute misguide yourself into thinking my heart is in a different place than batty’s). still no excuse for numb nuts’ over reaction and immaturity… anyone would think its a picture of his dad out in the sand and batty was just out of knee highs tappin away on here and i’d insulted his pa for being a fat necked numb assed grunt sniffing out rifle rounds… but i didnt, so take it like two fingers of makers mark and grow the hell up

  210. sorry? but how did i bite to your remark toonsy? i only confirmed that i knew his lad was in the hellmouth… its not like you made a comment that demanded a retort now was it?

    what is this… friggin playschool? go away for a few weeks and you’ll playing conkers

  215. jesus cries, you’re as dumb as you come across aint ya

    i said i was a forces kid, which means i grew up in the forces, my father flew tornadoes out of RAF Gibraltar and RAF bruggen in Germany, 9th squadron, came back to the UK when bruggen was de-commissioned early 1990’s from nuclear payloads to be based briefly in RAF finningly near doncaster, left the RAF in 94′

    anything else you’d like to know “c0ck sucker”?

  217. Well, he does keep going on about sucking penis’s and ‘felching’ :lol:

    eastend, I’m not the one flinging insults. Does swearing make you clever?

    Lighten up man, I was only having a giggle ;)

  219. anyway, i odnt want to get into this i can recount my whole child hood if you like? the first time we as a family moved abroad? it was actually my 6th birthday, i was devastated, i got no presents!), my point to you was, i understand what it means to be involved, however remotely, with our armed forces, and so i have the utmost respect for your son and wish him well, godspeed.

    you however, are still as your namesake suggests… not to mention an irritant with a strange fascination with homosexuals… were you “traumatized” when you were young?

  220. clearly batty, the only pride you have lies on your sons shoulders

    believe what you like… i lived it, i know whats true

    perhaps your living it through the balls your son has.. because you never had any

    hell man, my great grandfather was fishing sailors out of the north sea during WWII in his fishing boat outta grimsby… you dont know sh1t

  222. worky,this blog has hit the skids mate,it,s getting too much like ed,s blog i,m afraid.
    too many bigots,racists,internet hardmen,blog bullies etc.

  223. Last time I was on here this was a football fan web blog, incidentally the best one for NUFC, so what’s all this personal bollocks. Childish and boring!!!

  224. TROJAN 69 can you name mames please as i’m new on here and would like to avoid such people.

    Thank You.

  225. eastend toon says:
    March 25, 2010 at 4:08 pm
    clearly batty, the only pride you have lies on your sons shoulders

    believe what you like… i lived it, i know whats true

    perhaps your living it through the balls your son has.. because you never had any

    hell man, my great grandfather was fishing sailors out of the north sea during WWII in his fishing boat outta grimsby… you dont know sh1t
    <<<<<< do u make it up as u go along and as for the queer stuff yes i cant stand you and your stange ways and its ok for you too act big behind a computer u started this but if i ever met u i would cave your skull in you peice off shit so fuk off , ps its not my fault your dad messed with ya as a kid go and have it oot with him if it bothers ya that much

  226. worky i wont be coming on agen as i dont want too spoil it for u so thanx for the blog and just remember i didnt start this that c@nt eastend did thanx agen works

  227. TROJAN 69 says:
    March 25, 2010 at 4:26 pm
    worky,this blog has hit the skids mate,it,s getting too much like ed,s blog i,m afraid.
    too many bigots,racists,internet hardmen,blog bullies etc.
    <<<< hve u never been wound up ?

  228. batty , i’ve just checked prev comments and your right it was pretty boy that started it ! so why should you leave the blog ? , dont be silly he’s not worth it.

  229. batty says:
    March 25, 2010 at 4:35 pm

    “worky i wont be coming on agen as i dont want too spoil it for u”

    You’re not spoiling things, batty, it’s just one or two other people who won’t be on here for very long if they carry on with their stupidity. Divven’t gan anywhere you daft radgie!

  230. richard people can slag me my wife my parents it dusent bother me but wen ya get some queer slaggin me kids because he hasent and wont hyave any like i sed i could cave his scull in and dont think a dont know who u are rich lol

  231. Richard Head says:
    March 25, 2010 at 4:31 pm

    “TROJAN 69 can you name mames please as i’m new on here and would like to avoid such people.”

    No you’re not, Cropper.

  232. batty,no mate not wound up myself by anything,just watching from afar lately and seen some of the comments.
    it ,s getting a bit childish like ed,s went.

  234. workyticket says:
    March 25, 2010 at 4:49 pm
    Richard Head says:
    March 25, 2010 at 4:31 pm

    “TROJAN 69 can you name mames please as i’m new on here and would like to avoid such people.”

    No you’re not, Cropper.
    <<< lol hit the nail on the head

  235. TROJAN 69 says:
    March 25, 2010 at 4:51 pm
    batty,no mate not wound up myself by anything,just watching from afar lately and seen some of the comments.
    it ,s getting a bit childish like ed,s went.
    <<< aye thats why a divent want too spoil it trojan but cant help meself sometimes m8

  236. Shame these blogs get wummed out of existence by purile idiots. Not sure what the solution is short of minute-by-minute mediation, closing accounts on people as soon as they cross a line.
    Unfortunately, some people can’t seem to type anything without the need to get their metaphorical todgers out.

    Ahhhhnyway…

    Nearly time for the off. 1st day back at work after 5 days of liver abuse and snowboarding, and it’s hurting a bit.
    1st day on hols: arrived, sat in bar in Austrian mountain village with good mate and fit barmaid, no kid or wife within 2,000 miles. And what comes on the telly as I sit down?
    Toon versus Brizzle.
    It gets no better. :)

  238. batty says:
    March 25, 2010 at 4:54 pm

    “aye thats why a divent want too spoil it trojan but cant help meself sometimes m8”

    batty, give ower! you will spoil this ‘blog more by not being here.

  239. haha yes Worky, well in! Nice one Roy! This site may be full of ‘plastic Geordies’ but at least we’re not changing user names and asking bloggers to ‘name names’! Good work…

  240. Whumpie mate that sounds ideal! Hope it was a good hol, bet it’s bleak being back in the muff now though eh?

  242. Worky – divvn’t start that man, I’ll write a batty appreciation blog up in a minute! :lol:

    devon – Never got this ‘plastic’ thing. Surely a plastic would go support someone else, or at least choose to follow a team that won stuff in the first place. Did plastic fans feel less hurt when we were relegated? No, i can pretty much gurantee we all felt the same, wherever we are from.