Alan Pardew - The new man in charge.Well the decision that was expected has been made and Alan Pardew is our new manager for what could potentially be the next five-and-a-half years.
My own personal view is that this is a sideways step compared to a forwards one, but it’s done now, and at least it puts a rather swift ending to the vast amount of speculation regarding who would be taking over from Chris Hughton.
Is Pardew the peoples choice? Evidently not, but like or not, he is the man that is charged with taking this club forward. Whether he can do that or not remains to be seen, but he needs a chance to to prove to the fans just what he can do for us. This is why I suggest that we get behind the team and the manager.
Now in no way should this take away from the feelings that I have towards the board at the moment. Quite honestly I am livid with the decision to sack Chris Hughton, and with the way that it was done, but nothing is going to change it now. (more…)
Freddy and his pearls of wisdom.Former Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd has backed the decision to sack Chris Hughton just 16 games into the Premier League season.
Shepherd claims that the writing was on the wall for Hughton, and had been for some time, so the decision shouldn’t have come as a shock to people. He even claims he would have done the same himself had he still been in control of the corridors of power at St James’ Park.
That doesn’t surprise me to be honest as Shepherd did have a bit of a penchant for sacking managers in his time, usually having to fork out millions of pounds in compensation in the process. The departure of Hughton will have not warranted a large sum of compensation, but it still came as a shock to a lot of people who had thought that Hughton was doing reasonably well.
Shepherd said: “I may be the last guy to tell anyone how to run as football club but no-one should be surprised. The signs were there, no contract, no transfer funds and no replacement for assistant Colin Calderwood. I’m surprised anyone is surprised. The writing was on the wall.”(more…)
Hughton - A class act, and a tough one to follow.A lot of people are still trying to come to terms with the unexpected sacking of Chris Hughton on Monday.
It’s a move that has left many Newcastle fans, neutral fans and media-types scratching their heads, but it’s been done now and can’t be reversed.
Naturally all of the speculation at the moment is regarding just who will be the successor to Hughton.
Names are being thrown about left, right and centre but nobody really knows anything. A lot of the rumours are being pushed by eager journalists who are dying to be the first one to get it right. Whatever, listen to them if you wish, but nothing is certain as yet.
One thing that is certain however is that whoever is charged with building on all the good work that Hughton has done will have a bloody hard act to follow, in more ways than one. (more…)
Alan Pardew - The likely candidate?I have been unable to post many articles as of late as I’m finding myself at work an awful lot (to which I’m sure Toonsy and Jay Jay will have lots of cinema manager jokes). For that I apologise ladies and gentlemen.
First and foremost I don’t think I have anything to say about Chris Hughton’s unjust sacking that hasn’t already been voiced by you guys.
Like a lot of Newcastle fans, I loved Chris. I could sit here and praise him all day long. Top coach, top man, and I have no doubt Chris will be back in work soon. What I will say though is that I’m really proud of all the people that texted and e-mailed into Sky Sports News with messages of support and thanks for Chris and the disgust at the treatment he has recieved from the goons that run our beloved club.
Once again we find ourselves in need of a new manager. Something we seem to be used to. I read Hugh de Payen’s article about Martin Jol and other potential candidates for the vacant hotseat at St James’ Park. What I want to know is who you guys want for the position? (more…)
There's only one Martin Jol?Having ludicrously dismissed Chris Hughton, Newcastle United now begin the search for a new manager, but who are the likely candidates?
Is there a manager anywhere that can live up to the standards required of the top job at the Toon?
Chris Hughton had done nothing short of an amazing job, gaining promotion from the Championship at the first attempt – and breaking a few records along the way – and settling the club into a mid-table position in the Premier League with almost half the season gone.
And in doing that Hughton had to contend with the uncertainty around the sale of the club, a relatively small budget for players and few backroom staff to help him.
Yet it seems he’s not good enough and the club wants someone with ‘more experience’ to manage them. (more…)
