Pardew tries World Cup blackmail with Cabaye

Posted on September 6th, 2013 | 120 Comments |

Alan Pardew.
Pardew: Persisting with phony Cabaye narrative.
In the latest chapter in the Yohan Cabaye saga, Alan Pardew has been speaking further on what he calls “the situation” with the French midfielder.

Despite a constant campaign of innuendo against the French midfielder, and ably assisted by his friends in the local media, he still steadfastly refuses to mention whether the player actually went on strike for the first two games of the season, instead preferring to hide behind vague terms like “the situation.”

Whether Cabaye went on strike or not, the idea, as stated by Pardew himself that he has been “protecting” the player from the savagery of we fans if he reveals the real facts is obviously ludicrous, not to mention an insult to we fans. He knew perfectly well when he said that he was protecting Cabaye from being savaged by primitive fans that most of us would only assume one thing, that Cabaye was refusing to play. If he really wanted to protect him, he would have kept his mouth firmly shut (If that is possible for Pardew?). It was either very stupid or very devious, and I’m pretty sure it wasn’t the former. We are being played again, just as we have been so many times in the past. Meanwhile, being almost certainly bound by a gagging clause in his contract, Cabaye probably can’t speak for himself.

Anyway, continuing this ridiculous phony narrative, Pardew is now grasping at Cabaye’s omission from the French squad for their World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Belarus as an oppotunity to blackmail the midfielder by saying if he doesn’t play ball with this charade, he could miss his chance of representing Les Bleus for next year’s World Cup. Speaking on Cabaye, the France manager Didier Deschamps made it very clear that missing first team action at the beginning of the season was the main reason why he omitted Cabaye, saying:

“Yohan Cabaye has not been playing football recently. He is not playing so I did not pick him.”

You can’t get any clearer than that. Getting back to Pardew though, in a festival of vague cliches about “moving on”, “going forward hand in hand” and so on, he told Sky Sports:

“It was important to get him out there (to play Fulham) on Saturday, it will make it easier to move on although there is a lot of talking to be done between now and Aston Villa. We will speak with Yohan and with his representatives to make sure that we go forward hand-in-hand.”

“The guy has a World Cup at the end of the year and he is a big part of France’s plans. He hasn’t been picked this week and I think that was a bit of a shock to him.

“It was only because of the situation, because I think he’s nailed on in their team. That whole situation will resolve itself.”

Whether Cabaye went on strike for the first two games of the season or not, this beating about the bush has just become pathetic and embarrassing now. He has successfully convinced most fans that Cabaye actually went on strike. It’s about time he had the decency to clarify whether or not Cabaye actually did refuse to play, or whether he was under instructions not to select him lest he become injured and hinder the chances of a potential move once and for all. It will hardly make any difference now.

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120 Responses

  2. I am really sick of the sight of this tosser. I bet all them trips to France was just so him and joe could get a tan. I would take anybody over him at the minute. The ultimate yes/no man, never answers questions just beats about the bush with pointless drivel! As sick as it sounds if he died i wouldn’t actually give 2 shi*s! probably crack a smile

  3. Sadly we’re stuck with Pards as no decent manager would come in and manage us under fatty, lowest wages in Prem, crap transfer budget, JFK as DoF etc etc

    The only thing that will happen if Pards walks is that JFK will become manager

    The Cabaye situation – what a joke, am sure Pards/Fatty etc have told him he can go as soon as we get 15+ million offered in Jan

  4. anyone know where i could get a members only shirt in half black/half white?

    The members shops in town have sold out of all but XL, and they only made 4,000. Some people are selling on ebay for £80+….but not in small size.

    It’s a nice kit, i like it*

    *Even if it has “Wonga” on, and represents a club that i dont even recognise anymore…..

    …Perhaps the black and white, the light and dark, is a metaphor that embodies the very ethos of our wonderful club, now matter how dark things feel now, we’re still sure to have moments of enlightening glory…especially if Ben Arfa’s on the ball.

  5. Pardew will never tell the truth, Because if he ever did, He would indict himself.
    I don’t think for one minute Cabaye refused to play, Or went on strike.
    I think he went along with Ashley, Kinnear, Pardew, And if it had of worked out, He would have got his move to a Champions League side.
    I have no doubt he wanted to leave, I mean who wants to play here, Under the current circumstances?
    We have now become a stepping stone club for Foreign players looking for a way into the Premier league.
    I think this is what Ashley wants, Where the conditions are set up for him to unload his wares, Because of the way he runs the club.
    As soon as these players see their compatriots, And mates from other clubs, Getting good wages, They want out of Ashley’s sweat shop!
    The only players who will never leave here, Are the likes of Amoebi, Jonas, Taylor etc, Because they are never going to rock the boat, Plus they are mediocre, Which suits Ashley.

    As for the Marionette, Pardew, I’m like the posters above, I’m absolutely pig sick of him.
    The bloke just opens his mouth, And lets the wind blow his tongue around.
    You would think after everything that has occurred, He would keep his mouth shut.
    Jose Mourinho is arrogant, And likes to talk, But he’s good enough to back it up.
    Pardew has got nothing to say, But he is saying it too loud, And he wants to watch it, Because no one has any respect for him now!
    If we do have to endure this fool, And p*** poor excuse, Masquerading as a Football Manager,
    Then i wish he would keep his stupid f**king mouth shut!

    I hope this total clown gets the sack soon, As it cannot come quick enough for me!

  7. If pardew got the sack Joe Hawkins? Can you see ash the fat doing that with the compensation he’d have to pay. Sadly were stuck with the three blind mice and the french foreign legion for a long time!

  8. Just what is the mood of the dressing room? A lot of people seem to think that morale is low and that Cabaye is the litmus test of the players mood.

    But a lot of the chat from the players themselves doesn’t appear to be as downbeat as many perceive.

    I don’t do twitter or facebook so is anyone aware of criticism or negativity actually coming from the players themselves.

    Is Pardew looked upon as a bad manager by the players or even a mediocre but acceptable one. Or do they in fact actually like and respect him.

    are we seeing the whole picture.

    Not trying to make excuses or even make people like Pardew, but would like to know a bit more of the inside story of what is happening at our club.

  9. Grumpy Old-Toon says:
    September 7, 2013 at 10:32 am

    “I don’t do twitter or facebook so is anyone aware of criticism or negativity actually coming from the players themselves.”

    Grumpy, there are confidentiality agreements in contracts all over the place now where you can’t do criticism and negativity. I’m not saying there’s criticism and negativity in the dressing room or that everyting is rosy in the garden, just that is there is criticism and negativity in the dressing room, it’s hard to find out about it.

  10. bob the vid says:
    September 7, 2013 at 4:56 am

    “If pardew got the sack Joe Hawkins? Can you see ash the fat doing that with the compensation he’d have to pay.”

    Bob, how much compensation would Ashley have to pay if he did sack Pardew?

    He gave Pardew and the rest their expanded contracts as he thought that other clubs would try to poach them and it would leave him in a better position to get the most compen, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that he would have to pay them a huge amount if he sacked them, possibly only a year, and Pardew’s wages are crap for a Premier League manager anyway.

  11. Worky. Considering I wouldn’t let Pards manage an under 8s team, his salary is astronomical.

  12. A lot of people seem to think Ashley will put Kinnear in charge, If he sacks Pardew.
    I’m not so sure myself, Would Joe be given the okay medically, to involve himself in that stressful environment again!
    I think it would put the tin hat on Ashley’s litany of mistakes, And could well turn out to be the biggest, If he went down that road.

  13. joe hawkins says:
    September 7, 2013 at 1:20 pm

    “I’m not so sure myself, Would Joe be given the okay medically, to involve himself in that stressful environment again!”

    Joe, the way the media and the fans are constantly vilifying him, he’s in a stressful environment as it is. Having written that though, he certainly knows how to throw petrol on to the bonfire when it comes to his interviews!

  14. What is Pardew really on, Wages wise?
    I heard it was 400,000 grand a year, Stroll on!, Collicini earns more in 2 months, Than “Silver Suicide” does all year!
    It’s all wrong in all fairness, Your asking millionaire footballers to take notice of a man, Who in comparison looks like one, Who’s profession is in the “Custodial Arts”, Ie, Caretaker or Janitor!
    Nothing wrong with that career path, But there is a massive gap, And comes across as a classic case, Of the “Have’s & Have not’s”

    It’s something like the character of Bender in, “The Breakfast Club”, When he disparagingly asks, “How Does One Become A Janitor”?
    Do the players have any respect for a man who is pushed around from “Pillar To Post”, On a regular basis.
    It sends out the wrong message imo, Rather than having someone like a Guus Hiddink, Who would exude authority.

  15. Worky, Like you say, It’s bad enough atm, With him just being D.O.F.
    Imagine the gauntlet of hate and pressure cooker, He would find himself in, If he was appointed manager!
    There’s a better than average chance, Of him becoming ill again, Would Ashley be stupid and insensitive enough, To do that to him?
    Answers on a postcard…

  16. joe hawkins says:
    September 7, 2013 at 1:41 pm

    “What is Pardew really on, Wages wise?
    I heard it was 400,000 grand a year, Stroll on!, Collicini earns more in 2 months, Than “Silver Suicide” does all year!”

    Estinates vary between £450,000 and £1.5 million per season, Joe, and there’s also lots of speculation about his wages being highly incentivised and based on results.

    Chris Hughton only got around half the £500,000 despite saving the club from the Championship (which was worth tens of millions for Ashley) and rescuing the club’s scouting department after the departure of Dennis Wise and the other two wise monkeys.

  17. Lots of people have heart attacks and related problems and come back fit and well enough to work even in stressful jobs. I don’t think we should all keep assuming that Joe wouldn’t be physically capable of doing the job if he was actually asked to.

    I can’t see any other reason for Ashley re-employing him as he doesn’t seem to have any other obvious function.

  18. Grumpy Old-Toon says:
    September 7, 2013 at 2:09 pm

    “I can’t see any other reason for Ashley re-employing him”

    Well one piece of gossip is that he was brought in to settle the infighting between Pardew and Carr as Pardew was allegedly blaming Carr’s players (amongst many other things of course) for the club’s failure last season.

  19. Grumpyoldtoon, If he had just one scare, Then you can take that as a warning, And change your lifestyle accordingly.
    Joe has had a couple of scares now, And the first one at Sheff Wed, He went blind for a few days.
    He came back after a long lay off, And the same thing happened again, Within 3 months, Of taking the job.
    Personally i don’t think it is a good idea, If you have existing heart problems.
    I remember seeing Sam Allardyce wired up to that heart rate and blood pressure monitor, When he was standing on the touchline.
    There was about 4 or 5 occasions where he was in danger of an attack.
    So can you imagine Joe standing on the touchline, Getting himself worked up.
    It doesn’t bear thinking about, And i for one, Would not want to see it!

  20. Since we missed out on Wilf Bony, I’ll be following another Eredivisie striker with a 1950s style name (Alf) more closely this season.

    Alf “the Iceman” Finnbogason. He’s from Iceland so even if he does sign for Newcastle, it’ll be like the South of France to him!

    Since he signed for Heerenveen in 2012, he’s been picking up some striking tips from Marco van Basten (and he wasn’t bad) and scoring almost a goal a game (34 in 39). I think he’s knacked at the moment though.

  21. On becoming manager again, Uncle Joe has said:

    “There’s no chance of that ever happening – I’m here to work with Alan Pardew, not against him.

    “If something bad does happen, and Mike Ashley decides on changing (managers), my job would be to go out and find a replacement and be involved in the interview process. But we’re not thinking in those terms”

    “It’s miles too early to talk about that because we’re trying to build a good, solid side here who can compete in the top half of the Premier League.

    “Alan Pardew is a decent guy and a decent coach who has taken this club into Europe once already and it’s my job to help him succeed.

    “If Alan wants a striker, I might suggest one or two names, but I don’t do things behind his back. I’ve never been to a meeting where he hasn’t been present.”

  22. “If something bad does happen, and Mike Ashley decides on changing (managers), my job would be to go out and find a replacement and be involved in the interview process. But we’re not thinking in those terms””

    Dear god i can just imagine a meeting with super joe any manager who wants to succeed Will be out of there in a flash

  24. Has it ever occurred to anyone else that chubs is only hanging on to the toon because he’s come to hate us?

    We certainly have given him a hard time since he landed on us. Obviously, that’s his own fault given the mismanagement, general lack of ambition and the sheer contempt he’s shown for the fans.

    But wouldn’t it be a great way to settle the score for all of the insults? Driving us through all of this cr@p and not losing a penny in the process?

  25. I only mention this now as I’ve just read about this ‘Time For Change’ movement’s plans for protests and I can only imagine MA’s p|ssing himself laughing.

  26. Ah ! we can speculate forever, but unless we are threatened by a financial loss, nothing will be changed.
    But any change made does not necessarily include getting rid of Pardew.
    When we were threatened by the possibility of relegation last season, Ashley spent on players.
    Not a whole lot, we know, never the less, brought in some good players.
    This is not a vote of approval for Ashley, as it’s my opinion, he is personally responsible for the mismanagement of the club in general.
    And it’s his opinion’s and actions that count.
    His is the last word on everything that occurs regarding this club.
    There are certain actions that don’t surprise us, for the most part we understand he is out to maximize profit, regardless of what it takes.
    It’s also obvious he believes he knows better than anyone about how to achieve financial success at NUFC.
    That particular hubris, is in fact his “achilles heel”.
    In fact he may have realized that during the winter window, when he had to deal with the Pardew/Carr?Llambias situation, then brought in Joe Kinnear to get his perspective on things.
    Of course this is the crux of the problem.
    His unwillingness to admit that the operation of a football club is not the retail business and requires expertise that can only be supplied by those with experience and a track record.
    All of his problems can easily be solved by hiring the right people and allowing them to run the club, of course with his oversight as is the case in every club.
    But that’s why all clubs have a board of directors.
    However I cant see this happening, as I doubt if Ashley would be willing to hand over those responsibilities to anyone.
    Too bad really, for the fans, being there’s the possibility of having some limited success with a properly run club, but if the desired result is simply for NUFC to remain as a member of the PL, in order to avail themselves of the big bucks, then i’m afraid it’s more of the same.

  27. Now it may have been said a thousand times before but the only thing that will work will no bums on seats, along with all the other stuff like not buying shirts (Milner ;-)) and so on…

  28. Worky

    Yeah “Alf the iceman” looked good on his video, as do all prospects.
    However playing in a different and less demanding league may not be a good judge of how well, he may perform in a more demanding league like the EPL.

  29. Worky

    Yeah that was included in my first sentence.
    threatened by a financial loss….
    And of course if in fact Newcastle fans were united in any way, they could influence the policies of the club.
    By boycotts and withholding financial support.
    No bums in seats, cancellations of season tickets, refusal to buy either the WONGA sponsored shirt or from Sports Direct or club outlets.
    In fact they could exert a tremendous financial pressure on the club.

    BUT !
    Having heard the recent news that the WONGA logoed shirt sales are going through the roof and reading a recent member of his blogs complaint that he couldn’t find a “members only” shirt anywhere, (whatever that is) which he admittedly stated, also had the WONGA logo.
    Certainly doesn’t give one any hope of an organized resistance to Ashley and the manner in which he runs NUFC.

  30. chuck says:
    September 7, 2013 at 7:28 pm

    “Having heard the recent news that the WONGA logoed shirt sales are going through the roof and reading a recent member of his blogs complaint that”

    Where did you read that Wonga shirts are going through the roof, Chuck? I’d like to read that too and investigate whether it was just another piece of false propaganda shite or not as there don’t seem to be any comparative sales figures anywhere in public hands.

    “he couldn’t find a “members only” shirt anywhere, (whatever that is)”

    It’s a shirt worn by ‘members’, Chuck.

    It was also a reject away, change, third, bank holiday or whatever kit which has been recycled to make a bit of extra Wonga.

  31. chuck says:
    September 7, 2013 at 7:28 pm

    “Certainly doesn’t give one any hope of an organized resistance to Ashley and the manner in which he runs NUFC.”

    Obviously, as fans we’ve turned out to be nothing more than the SHEEP Fat Freddy said we were. Or, collectively, a lazy, cash cow to be milked by anyone with the means to get their grubby hands on the club.

    Freddy’s probably laughing louder than Ashley.

  33. It isn’t an actual breed of cow, worky.

    It’s a metaphor for a business that yields a constantly high revenue stream regardless of market forces.

  34. DarthBroon says:
    September 7, 2013 at 8:27 pm

    “It isn’t an actual breed of cow, worky.”

    Darth, I do actually know what a “cash cow” is. ;-)

  36. Clearly the way forward is further antagonizing Cabaye. I can see being a player in this squad and dragging your feet to make AP look bad. It happens.

    Also really shocking that France’s manager has more than one choice at CM…

  37. tunyc says:
    September 7, 2013 at 8:55 pm

    “Clearly the way forward is further antagonizing Cabaye. I can see being a player in this squad and dragging your feet to make AP look bad. It happens.”

    Hence the World Cup “blackmail” I mentioned in the title, tunyc. They’ve done him up like a Kipper, now they grasped at Deschamp’s comments as a way to re-motivate him by pointing out (in public) that he’ll have to smile for the camera, keep schtum and work hard to keep his place in the squad so he can win his place back in the French squad for the World Cup.

    Don’t you just love how these guys go about their business? It’s just so classy!

  38. On the subject of cash cows, I doubt if there’s a greater example than that Manchester United.
    It appears the Glazers have used the enormous earning power of the club to fund their various financial investments.
    Extracting large amounts through questionable means,(payments to various family members for financial services)
    Listing the club on the US stock market.
    Possibly resulting in the recent lack of spending on players, which could prove to be a detriment to the club, by not being able to compete in the market.
    And could walk at any time apparently, leaving the club holding the (empty) bag.
    And you think we got problems.
    The point is there has been enormous amounts of money invested and generated by football over the last number of years and where there’s that kind of money, loosely regulated, there is temptation and I wouldn’t be surprised to see a major scandal take place at any time.
    Possibly with the introduction of the fair play regulations, their will be an examination of funding and spending, which could bring to light any number of not quite kosher arrangements.

  39. Chuck, I was follwing that in the Financial Times and elsewhere. Those shares were shite shares, they weren’t the same as the Glazer’s shares and a real investor wouldn’t touch them with a barge pole. They were gannin’ to be sold on the Singapore and Hong Kong markets originally but they flopped.

    They were hardly any, if any voting rights and the valuations were comical. They’re no better than souvenir shares of the kind people hang on their walls.

    It’s interesting you should mention Financial Fair Play. As most of us know, that ludicrous, nepotistic £400 million deal with Etihad was Manchester City’s way of driving a coach and horses through it. Well, besides helping with cutting down Glazer’s debt, that awful share issue could also be seen as Manchester United’s approach to the FFP problem.

    This talk of finance has reminded me of something, where’s your mate GS the financial boffin? Have you finally done him in, Chuckles? :-)

  40. Worky man ticket, man – I was taking an international break.

    I should really take a Newcastle United break, because we are shite.

  41. Chuckledoodledoo will never do me in. I think he is pretty funny, apart from the odd time he tells me to f@ck off :)

  43. Worky: finances are really easy to tell if you are good at it – you either make money or lose money. I am not a boffin, but I make money.

  44. Why hasn’t fatman given all the fans flatcaps,cheap jewelry and cigars?I am sure all the players will be driving robin reliants in Custard yellow to training nexy season..in the championship,making loads of money..sorry,Wonga..

  45. sampdiago says:
    September 8, 2013 at 10:17 am

    “Why hasn’t fatman given all the fans flatcaps,cheap jewelry and cigars?I am sure all the players will be driving robin reliants in Custard yellow to training nexy season..in the championship,making loads of money..sorry,Wonga..”

    Sampdiago, many years ago I used to live in Harrogate and I used to see one of those around town. If it wasn’t the real thing it was a perfect, scruffy replica with the “Trotters Independent Traders New York – Paris – Peckham on the back and all that.

    By the way, this might help you out in a Pub Quiz in the future. Del Boy and Rodders never had a Reliant Robin as most believe, they had a Reliant REGAL, which was the predecessor of the Robin. ;-)

  46. GS says:
    September 8, 2013 at 12:57 am

    “Worky: finances are really easy to tell if you are good at it – you either make money or lose money. I am not a boffin, but I make money.”

    What have you done to make money, GS?

  48. joe hawkins says:
    September 8, 2013 at 12:12 pm

    “I always thought a “Cash Cow”, Was asking your lass for a sub, When your skint!”

    I thought it was that payday lender fronted by Kerry Katona.

  49. Worky, That could also apply, When concerning “The Queen Of The Jungle”, The only thing she ever did, In a “Showbiz” sense.
    The silly moo never sung a note on any of “Atomic Kitten’s” songs, “Cash From Chaos”!
    Tell a lie she was on that bore fest, “Loose Women”, God that show will get television done away with!

  50. Joe, most people can sing nowadays thanks to Antares Auto Tune. About the worst I’ve ever heard is that Cheryl Tweedie, she’s completely friggin’ tone deaf! How she has the gall to lecture other people on singing I’ll never know.

    Atomic Kitten made the number one mistake, the thing you never do in music, they sacked the songwriter (Andy, the gadgie from Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark). On the subject of “Cash from Chaos” the Sex Pistols did the same thing and went from Anarchy in the UK and God Save the Queen to Ronnie Biggs singing about coshing the driver and God bless Myra Hyndley and Ian Brady, not to mention Sid Vicious singing “My Way.” Robbie Williams tried it as well. His next album sank like a stone and eventually he had to kiss and make up. Einstein was right, there is no limit to human stupidity when ego gets in the way.

  52. Worky

    Hey ! ang on a minute, Sid’s version of my way, was the best rendition of the lot, during a slow night on telly during the seventies, where artists from Frank Sinatra to the songs author Paul Anka and a bunch of others, did their versions (wasn’t pretty)and if I remember right Sid was on last wearing a red glitzy tux and occasionally spitting on the audience, but got a standing O.

  53. You’re back Chuck? The American Football starts today – you know, 2 minutes of action separated by 10 minutes of advertising. No wonder you watch the Premier League.

  54. GS

    Berkshire Hathaway !
    When you have as much available capital as Warren Buffett it’s not difficult to influence the markets and make money.
    You forgot to add the “Soros Quantum Fund” , which while operating made a rough 20 percent return (now closed) but he continues with “The Soros Fund Management”.
    Though George is not very well thought of in the UK due to his betting against the British Pound in 1992, where he became known as the man who broke the Bank Of England.
    Though i’m sure you know all of that.

  56. GS yeah back in the USSR !
    But no that’s one of the few sports I just can’t get into, though I’m in the local pub’s weekly pool.
    Don’t ask me how it works, I give em $20 a week and on rare occasions they hand me an envelope with a bunch of cash, which entitles me to buy drinks for all hands, sometimes what’s left covers my seasons investment.
    Eh !

  57. No I didn’t forget Soros Chuck: if you cant invest in it then why bother mentioning it? Same as other hedge funds, if you don’t have $10 mil they wont let you in, so why even think about them!

    And yes I do know what you said about Soros. I have read a couple of his books. He has a theory he calls “reflexivity” which seems to work for him. He was a student of Karl Popper.

  58. Worky @55: that doesn’t make any sense – it is like saying that if you are called Paul McCartney you can sing or if you are called Cheryl Tweedie you cant sing.

  59. chuck says:
    September 8, 2013 at 2:55 pm (Edit)

    “and if I remember right Sid was on last wearing a red glitzy tux and occasionally spitting on the audience, but got a standing O.”

    It was a white tuxedo and he didn’t spit at the audience, he shot them with a revolver and flicked two fingers at them as he walked off! :-)

  60. Reading the various comments on football, nowt interesting going on.
    Of course wor Joe seems to be the designated scapegoat and of course everyone has jumped on the bandwagon.
    Ashley is still pulling he strings, but is finding it more difficult to deflect blame.
    There’s lot’s of tough talk about demonstrations, but the same thing happened at M.U. and it gradually petered out.

    Terry McDermott smells an opportunity and is touting Lee Clark for the managers job at Newcastle, could he not have enough manners to wait until Pardew’s been fired.
    He’s presently Clarks no2 at Birmingham and it’s obviously a jobs for the boy’s thing.
    I really don’t want to see either of them at St.James”.

  62. Worky: We all know Pardew is a gobshite, but at least he is not Peter Reid.

    I don’t think we will get relegated as long as we don’t play Shola. Even Pardew has to see that Cisse and Remy are better? And we have the French national team midfield for f@cks sake. Sissoko showed glimpses of what he could be about against Fulham.

  63. Hmmm ! It was a long time ago thirty odd years, couldda sworn it was a red tux.
    So did you check out the tape to prove me wrong, cause you seem to have the details down good and I know your memory is no better than mine ?
    You really can be petty at times, grow up ffs.

  66. Am I the only one who thinks bombing Syria is stupid? There isn’t any upside apart from what John Stewart said which is to get rid of a guy who has trouble growing a teenager’s moustache.

  67. chuck says:
    September 8, 2013 at 4:05 pm

    “Hmmm ! It was a long time ago thirty odd years, couldda sworn it was a red tux.
    So did you check out the tape to prove me wrong, cause you seem to have the details down good and I know your memory is no better than mine ?
    You really can be petty at times, grow up ffs.”

    I’ve seen it many, many times, Chuck. I put it up on here the last time you mentioned it but you obviously don’t remember it.

  68. GS says:
    September 8, 2013 at 4:16 pm

    “Am I the only one who thinks bombing Syria is stupid?”

    It’s beyond stupid, GS, and no, you aren’t the only one, you’re probably in the majority actually.

  69. chuck says:
    September 8, 2013 at 4:11 pm

    “Those who can’t do it, teach it, which creates a dilemma for teachers.”

    Chuck, that old stereotype is one of the biggest pieces of bullshit ever.

    Does that mean Rembrandt and all of the great Artists who had apprentices couldn’t paint? Does that mean that Noam Chomsky can’t do linguistics because he teaches it at MIT? Or that Nietzsche couldn’t do Philsophy or Philology because he taught them? Or that Einstein couldn’t do Physics because he taught it? The list is all but endless.

  70. Hmm ! seeing it’s a boring day on here, lets see how smart you all are.
    How can you throw a ball as hard as you can and have it come back to you ?
    Even if it doesn’t bounce off anything ?
    There is nothing attached to it ?
    Or no one else catches it, or throws it back to you?

    This is a simple question, that everyone should be able to answer, within a less than 30 seconds.

  71. chuck says:
    September 8, 2013 at 4:42 pm

    “How can you throw a ball as hard as you can and have it come back to you ?”

    Through it straight up in the air and wait for it to come back down.

  72. Re read the quote smartass, it states clearly that those who CAN’T do It, teach it.
    You in turn write a list of those who could do it and also teach it.

  75. Worky @68: it doesn’t make any sense. Piss off everybody else in the whole world, for what? It is a civil war, and they happen all of the time. When is a bomb humanitarian aid? They will end up with so much collateral damage (death) that the chemical weapons will seem like a birthday party.

    We all know what it is about. It is a threat to Iran and another case of groupthink.

  76. Chuckles man, you always run away when anybody stands up to you. I mean Worky, not me. It gets comical sometimes, but you are not the worst guy in the world. That would be Kim Jung Un, who murders pop stars for fun. However, that might not be that bad if he came over here and killed Taylor Swift and John Mayer.

  77. chuck says:
    September 8, 2013 at 4:49 pm

    “Re read the quote smartass, it states clearly that those who CAN’T do It, teach it.”

    That’s completely illogical Chuck. How can you teach something you don’t know?

    chuck says:
    September 8, 2013 at 4:50 pm

    “Clever boy !”

    Yes, I am a very clever boy and I’ve been told that on many occaisions, but I’m not a clever boy just because I answered that question! :-)

  79. GS says:
    September 8, 2013 at 4:54 pm

    “Worky @68: it doesn’t make any sense.”

    Apparently, it has passed a “common sense test” according to the White House.

  82. BTW, GS, The US doesn’t really want to attack Syria, the US and Israel wants to hit Iran through it’s Shiite ally, President Assad. That’s what is really going on.

  84. The international break is boring. The only interesting thing about it was Wayne and his gash. What I noticed was that he spent 30 grand on a hair transplant and it didn’t take.

    You would think that if you are as ugly as Wayne Rooney you wouldn’t be that concerned about your hair, you would be more concerned about your face.

  86. GS says:
    September 8, 2013 at 5:34 pm

    “Worky @82: I already said that @75.”

    No you didn’t, you getting as bad as Chuckles! ;-)

    I used to know an Iranian over here in London, he was as hard as nails and did a bit of security for me. He was fighting in the Iran-Iraq war when they were being attacked by chemical weapons. Many of those weapons were made using materials supplied by Ronald Reagan and Bush I. They even sold him Anthrax and Bubonic Plague. Rumsfeld was the envoy as he had a background in the pharmaceutical industry.

  87. Worky @86, yes I did. This is what I said @75:

    “We all know what it is about. It is a threat to Iran”

    I don’t think I can be much clearer than that.

  88. GS says:
    September 8, 2013 at 6:08 pm

    “Worky @86, yes I did. This is what I said @75:”

    Oh aye, you did and I missed it twice, sorry. I must be the one who getting like Chuckles then. I’ll gan and stick me heed in the oven now.

  89. The “Arab Spring” was a load of tosh imo, These countries have been deliberately destabilized to remove all obstacles on the way to attacking Iran.
    Iran has always been the prize, And Syria will be used as the launch pad for the attack.
    Who was the ex soldier who told after 9/11, That they were going to attack seven countries, Ending with the attack on Iran.
    The Iranian’s are no mugs, And there will be no walk over, Like Iraq!

  90. Worky and Joe: it is difficult living the USA, USA, USA. They are all so f@cking patriotic here I couldn’t say anything against the Iraq war or even say the Russians (USSR) had already tried in Afganistan and failed (for a while at least)

    I went on an anti-war march here in Chicago and the police in full military gear – guns, shin pads, helmets, bullet proof vests – outnumbered us by 2 to 1.

    The march was down Michigan Avenue, the main street in Chicago. People were screaming “commie b@stards” at us, like communism has anything to do with Iraq :)

  91. joe hawkins says:
    September 8, 2013 at 10:16 pm

    “The “Arab Spring” was a load of tosh imo, These countries have been deliberately destabilized to remove all obstacles on the way to attacking Iran.”

    Not at all, Joe. Despots such as Ben Ali, Mubarak and the King of Bahrain were / are clients of the US and though they wouldn’t admit it, they wanted them to stay.

    It’s always ‘blowback’ with the Yanks, and we (the UK) were also heavily involved in setting off the train of events which started off the Iranian ‘problem’ in the first place, not just as a poodle tagging along like today either as it was actually over the oil company now known as ‘BP.’

    Iran used to be a modern, peace loving country ruled by a moderate, secular, democratically elected Prime Minister called Mohammad Mosaddegh. However, he was a bit of lefty who wanted to nationalise the oil companies and we didn’t want that so we had him overthrown, installing the bloodthisrsty Shah, Pahlevi, who implemented a reign of terror, backed fully by us lot.

    Pahlevi was an absolute butcher and understandably, the people of Iran rose up against him eventually (after many years of brutality) and after the death of the more moderate, secular leader of the opposition, Ali Shariati, the eventual winner was wily old fox called Ruhollah Khomeini who had previously been in exile in Paris. I’ve missed alot of stuff out but it’s a long story. It’s also a similarly long story involving Yank blowback on an epic scale in Afghanistan too, which led to the situation we see today. There are still humdreds of people being blown up every month in Iraq too, but we’ve forgotten all about that one now.

  92. Time for Change member Graeme Cansdale, who was at Thursday’s meeting, said:

    “We want to put the club in the shop window. This is not just about protesting Ashley.

    “We want to get the message out there that this is a great club. It should be performing a lot better and should be run responsibly.

    “If the people come together on this march, then someone might come forward. You never know.”

    As much as it pains me to write this, if he is truly representative of the people organising this protest, they make the Mackems look like a conference of Astrophysicists.

  93. GS says:
    September 8, 2013 at 10:40 pm

    “Worky and Joe: it is difficult living the USA, USA, USA. They are all so f@cking patriotic here”

    They do tend to labour the point that they think they’re the best country in the world, and everyone else is just so jealous of how wonderful they are. It’s a very young country built on myths and they’re still at that annoying adolescent phase.

  94. Worky: John Wayne said in 1976 or there abouts that America (USA) had done more for the world in its 200 year history than every other country put together.

    I tend not to agree with him :)

    I like America (USA) I just don’t like the gun touting Ted Nugent types.

  95. Worky: I don’t see the point of the march but I also thought a march against the Iraq war was totally futile. I went on it anyway.

  96. GS says:
    September 9, 2013 at 12:18 am

    “Worky: John Wayne said in 1976 or there abouts that America (USA) had done more for the world in its 200 year history than every other country put together.”

    Given that he was such a patriot and staunch supporter of US aggression around the world, it’s kind of ironic that he probably died due to the fallout from US Atom bomb tests.

  97. GS says:
    September 9, 2013 at 12:24 am

    “Worky: I don’t see the point of the march but I also thought a march against the Iraq war was totally futile. I went on it anyway.”

    You have to see things in a wider context, GS. If people never protested, things would be even worse than they are.

    As for the Ashley protest, they’re not protesters. They don’t know what they’re doing and they need to speak to people who do.

  98. The club makes a lot of money for Ashley,it is his cash cow,and he is milking it,until the loan is paid off we have to watch fatman and robin featuring the parrot…

  99. I’m not sure how the club is Ashleys cash cow, paying back debt is what most clubs have to do
    Football clubs aren’t exactly a good return on investment, you would be better off just sticking your 200 million into am investment bond and you would make more money
    Guess the free advertising is worth something but even then only around 3 million a year but that would still leave you 5 million in interest

    People hoping this march is going to force Ashley to leave the club are sadly misguided – there are no potential buyers willing to pay 200 + million for the toon in the hope of getting a bit of free advertising and 3 million a year (at best) profit

  101. If you want a source for US foreign policy, (military intervention)I suggest you read the author Chalmers Johnson, who in fact introduced the term “blowback”.
    Which is the title of one of his books on the subject.

  102. Stevep

    I take it then you don’t consider the tv revenues to be paid to those surviving EPL sides over the next three years, amounting to approximately five billion pounds,
    To be, among other earnings, a good investment ?

  103. chuck says:
    September 9, 2013 at 1:43 pm

    “If you want a source for US foreign policy, (military intervention)I suggest you read the author Chalmers Johnson, who in fact introduced the term “blowback”.
    Which is the title of one of his books on the subject.”

    Aye Chuck, I’ve heard of Chalmers Johnson, ex CIA man, though I’m not a huge expert and I might have another look at his stuff on your recommendation. I thought the term “blowback” was particularly appropriate above as the first record of it was in relation to the example I was blathering about above, Mohammad Mosaddegh in Persia / Iran back in the 50s. That was indeed monumental blowback. As for BP, I know they’re not exactly the most popular company over on that side of the pond nowadays.

    I first heard the term when I was a student many years ago, though it had nothing to do with bad and unintended consequences from intelligence operations, it was when someone stuck the lit end of a spliff in their gob and blew the smoke hard into someone elses gob! I also saw some film of US soldiers doing that in Vietnam back in the sixties.

  104. chuck says:
    September 9, 2013 at 1:52 pm

    “Stevep

    I take it then you don’t consider the tv revenues to be paid to those surviving EPL sides over the next three years, amounting to approximately five billion pounds,
    To be, among other earnings, a good investment ?”

    The thing is though, it could be said that it’s lead to other clubs spending even more money on players, taking away from the other side of the balance sheet.

    Two clubs who seem to be doing a very good job are Norwich and Swansea, and they’re nice clubs who don’t have to lie all the time too.

    In Swansea’s case they have the lowest wages in the Premier League even though they have a respectable squad this season. They also have a respectable wages to turnover ratio too. I know I’ve said this before but we should have signed Bony, as even the tightfisted Ashley would have been happy with paying the wages he’s getting there, and they are certainly a good deal lower than what Gomis was asking for. On Norwich, their turnover is very good for a club of their size and both them and Swansea seem to be debt free, though that isn’t always a good thing in itself.

  105. Joe Hawkins @91#

    Destabilized by whom, Joe ?
    It certainly is not in the interests of the US to have to deal with an unknown quantity, as opposed to a willing dictator.

    Worky @ 91 #
    Sez,
    It’s always “blowback” with the Yanks and we the UK were also heavily involved in setting off the train of events, which started off the Iranian problem in the first place, not just tagging along like to-day…..

    Actually it was the fear of the then elected government of Mossadegh, a left leaning government, would embrace the Russians and threaten British oil interests, mainly The Anglo Iranian Oil Co., subsequently renamed BP and now almost totally in the hands of US investors.
    Both the US & British intelligence organizations,MI6 and the newly formed CIA, worked in tandem to prevent this happening, by arranging a coup, arresting Mossadegh and placing him under house arrest.
    This co-operation between the us and Britain, was in turn, a quid pro quo, for British support for the Korean conflict.
    Unlike to-day, where the UK, suffers from an unreasonable fear of loosing a special (non existent) relationship with the worlds most powerful military presence, the US.
    And is seen by most as a somewhat sycophantic ally, though throughout history the UK has always relied on weighing in as the balance of power, certainly as far as Europe is concerned.

  106. EPL earnings !

    I suppose it depends on who’s pocket those revenues end up, a choice between the players or the owners.
    It appears those negotiating the tv deals on behalf of he clubs are doing a good job in selling a form of entertainment, on a worldwide basis.
    One wonders what in turn are the profit levels of those like Sky, or actually the Murdoch Empire ?
    Of course there are those who are eager to intervene and enforce regulations and other restrictions that could be the end of the goose that lays the golden eggs.
    They cover everything from the restriction of work visas, to attempts to limit the use of (in the UK) non British players, which in turn makes the game the exciting spectacle that it has developed into.
    The fair play restrictions are a typical example, a restrictive ruling , that no one is particularly interested in, but being enforced by a European bureaucracy consisting of those who may be jealous of the EPL’s success.
    And if push comes to shove could cause a revolution within the football world.
    To-days Oligarch owners, don’t want to be told by some petty bureaucrat how to run a successful business.
    And if pushed hard enough could opt out of the system, setting up a European super league based roughly on the old group of eighteen, in other the best sides in Europe.
    Which would have tv networks salivating to get a contract with and in turn other competing leagues being set up.
    Believe it, no one would be sorry to see the end of either Euafa or Fifa, both corrupt to the core, with those running these organizations doing nothing more than living the high life and filling their pockets.
    In which case leave things alone, everything is working out ok as it is.

  107. 105 chuck says:
    September 9, 2013 at 3:00 pm

    Aye Chuckles, I did say alot of that in diferent words, and as I mentioned above, I strongly agree that the US certainly didn’t want their tyrants toppled in places like Egypt and Tunisia (especially Egypt), though of course, they were hardly going to say that in public with all the democracy guff they come out with. I know they won’t have been too impressed about Morsi and the Brothers being elected in Egypt before they were toppled like Mubarak.

    Possibly a good point about Korea.

    Don’t mistake the obsequious guff some of our politicians come out with reality, that “special relationship” stuff makes most of us cringe as we know it’s bollocks and one sided. If we have been the poodle of the US though, then you seem have a similar relationship with little old Israel where you are the poodle.

    It’s usually that goddamned Communism that is the Achilles heel of Uncle Sam, you think everything to the left of Attila the Hun is Communism over there! :-)

  108. This whole Syrian business has me very nervous in much the same way I felt at the time of the Cuban missile crisis. The Russian and Chinese rhetoric, saying they will support the Assad regime should the USA launch strikes on Syria, might just be in fact, rhetoric. Things could easily escalate however and there are still enough nuclear devices on either side to ensure a MAD scenario.

    It would be a really ironic thing to happen as Iran’s new leadership may be trying to rein in the hardliners and try to reach some genuine compromises with Israel and the West.

    I suppose on the bright side we might not have to watch another dismal season with the Toon.

  110. By the way Worky, I saw a rumours linking us with your latest Dutch hot tip Alf whatever his name is. I wonder if that was picked up from your blog or if it is one of Mr Ashley’s watchers reading your blog.

  111. Worky

    Yeah, there is a certain ignorance here in the good old USA, where people are constantly fed this nonsense concerning what’s in their best interest.
    The main outlet’s are the Murdoch tabloids and tv talk shows.
    Which are filled by those paid propagandist’s and it’s obvious why Murdoch gets to do virtually anything he pleases.
    I was recently zapping through the channels and paused at a Murdoch news talk show, where they were questioning the right of a few picketers attempting to organize a Wal Mart store.
    The stuff coming out of the pro Wall Mart people, was unbelievable.
    Things like, we are working on a small margin here and any raise in wages could threaten the companies ability to compete.
    Whereas the Walton family’s wealth makes all other billionaires look like pikers.

    As far as Syria goes, yes they are in general allied to Iran, who don’t seem to be bothering anyone at present, but in turn are the victim of tremendous economic pressures from both The US and European Union.
    Mainly in regard to the possible construction of a nuclear weapon.
    Not that a word was ever mentioned to the state of Israel, who have quite a stockpile, by the way.
    But on seeing how cautious the US and others are in their dealings with North korea, obviously Iran sees the possession of a nuclear weapon as a big bargaining chip, in to-days world.
    Then I don’t see the political advantage of once again being seen as the worlds bully, by attacking a Syria, who’s dictator, they have dealt with over the last few years, in order to facilitate some unknown forces who’s polotics no-one really knows, but appear to be as in the case of the Muslim brotherhood, a basically fundamentalist organization, that is difficult to reason with.
    Then again, what do I know ?
    The Army is cleverly back in control in Egypt and we are back to square one, gotta give em credit, a new Dictator, same old army and even the old dictator is outta jail, pretty clever stuff.

  112. @Worky,The names for the collective change based on how much steam comes out of my ears when I rant,Fatman scoop,FatAsh fatboy mike,Robin,because he is,us,blind of a centre back in Douglas,any striker we went in for,getting players names wrong and giving the worst radio interview since..,Ever..Robin a.k.a, fat Joe,F*@ed Joe,joe-ker,no-hope-joe and that f*@king Muppet,and the sidekick,the 3rd wheel,parrot,parpoo,you get the idea…

  114. Worky, Chuck, I’m not blaming the U.S or Britain exclusively, There is a lot of stuff happening in the World, That seems stage managed imo.
    The Arab Spring for instance, These so called revolts apparently started on Facebook FFS.
    So who the f**k was behind that?, I never used to believe in conspiracy Theories, But the older i get, You keep seeing, Time after time, Events that seem more than coincidences.

    It’s not just that, There are lots of other things going on, That seem downright sinister!
    I’m not going down the David Icke route, And saying it’s Reptilians, Or anything like that.
    It is very earthly conspiracy imo, And i don’t know who is behind it, But it seems like a Totalitarian tiptoe, Towards an Orwellian Nightmare.
    Our elected leaders seem to be taking their orders from Corporate Psychopaths, Who are trying to develop a Global Fiefdom!

    It’s funny that these countries who are being attacked, Are countries who are not under the yoke of the IMF, And were not in any debt.
    I think the things Adam Weishaupt was trying to do, There is now another set of power hungry people, Trying to grab the power.

  115. worky @ 37: I could handle the deviance if it didn’t come so thick & fast, and if it were effective. “Ham-handed” is the term that comes to mind. Deschamps knows that if Cabaye is playing well enough to play for France at the WC finals, he’ll force his way into the squad.

    I’d sell crack before I got into finance, myself. An economy directed by folks who create nothing of value. Can’t be surprised western civ is on the fast track to the crapper.

    worky @ 82: that’s a lot of it; amazing how apparently overlookable the ME Sunni bloc’s role in this is. KSA is extracting their “blood money” as it were for use of their airspace v Iraq. They’re the ones who want the Shiite (and relatively secularist) set of Syria-Iran-Hezbollah taken down a notch. We’re just interested in resources rights and de-stabilizing the region. Israel’s hardliners are hoping Iran is drawn into doing something stupid. Whereas here in our democratic republic polling consistently shows nobody wants anything to do with this but our imperial executive may just be willing to go it alone…well, not alone-there are the military contractors. They’re ALWAYS ready to cash some checks.

  116. In terms of the “poodle” stuff, guys-gotta get past that state-based paradigm (yep, Marx right AGAIN!). The U.S. and Israel’s relationship is based on their elites and our elites having some goals in common. That’s it. Those elites certainly have no huge stake in who’s pitching and who’s catching in that relationship. As long as the military aid flows and the U.S. backs up whatever policy Israel cooks up and the Israel-firsters play nice with their votes in congress, all is well. No bullshit “national interest” need be considered.

    Again, getting away from states-see what grumpy says @ 108? A big part of this for Israel’s hardliners (Likud party and their allies) is that they don’t want regular Israelis ever thinking their could be rapprochement with Iran (or Palestinians, but that’s another story), as it would take a lot of wind out of the ultraconservatives’ sails politically. These are folks who, out of their own interest, actually think things like: let’s attack/provoke Iran now before they become too moderate.

  117. Ive been away for few days has any big breaking news been going on? big joe get a new car? sent cisse on loan to yeovil?

  118. dokky says:
    September 9, 2013 at 6:41 pm

    “Ive been away for few days has any big breaking news been going on?”

    Aye dokky, the fans are revolting!

  120. Grumpy Old-Toon says:
    September 9, 2013 at 4:06 pm

    “It would be a really ironic thing to happen as Iran’s new leadership may be trying to rein in the hardliners and try to reach some genuine compromises with Israel and the West.”

    Grumpy, it’s doubtful that Israel and the West want an Iranian leadership which wants to “reach some genuine compromises with Israel and the West.” Israel don’t, they want a bogeyman who is foaming at the mouth and if they don’t have one they will make him up.

    As tunyc says;

    “A big part of this for Israel’s hardliners (Likud party and their allies) is that they don’t want regular Israelis ever thinking their could be rapprochement with Iran (or Palestinians, but that’s another story), as it would take a lot of wind out of the ultraconservatives’ sails politically. These are folks who, out of their own interest, actually think things like: let’s attack/provoke Iran now before they become too moderate.”