Football Focus

[SeanMacGabhann]

I see not much has changed since we spoke about the Keegan Situation back in

January

[Ladygooner]

I wonder what his pay off will be? Will Dennis Wise take over now do you think?

[Jah Lush]

I should think the odds have shortened considerably on Dennis Wise taking over. They were 4-1 this morning though.

[Keef]

Don't blame Keegan this time if he walks. He was promised the club would buy and show ambition, they haven't and Owen will be leaving soon too.

[SimonM]

That's Newcastle struggling to stay out the bottom 3 this season then....anyone care to specualte as to how far from the top 4 Man City will finish? :))

[citizenED]

Man City 10th - like to hedge my bets.

Keegan is tapped. Shame that so many Geordies think him the Messiah. More likely he's just a very naughty boy.

[Keef]

Keegan has a huge ego, but still feel he has a right to be a bit miffed at Newcastle this time round.

Man City - Yet to be seen, but I really like the look of this Jo, and with Robinho joining him up front I think they will be very dangerous. With the likes of Spurs and Villa not looking that amazing, I think City will be in 5th, and may even nick 4th... Or they may just have a mare!

If this take over all goes through smoothly, then I expect them to buy in January, and buy a mega squad in the summer and really compete next year. I don't like teams buying success, but at the same time, I'd love to see them beat United just for giggles! >:D<

[Ted Max]

Is Robinho, and I shall attempt to put this delicately, thought to be a bit of a flake?

[Ted Max]

Probably not, then.

[Keef]

*whispers* what does a bit of a flake mean?

[Keef]

Actually ignore that, I think I've just worked it out for myself...

Might be, he did chose sky blue over a darker blue after all.

[SeanMacGabhann]

This - althought I'm not sure I'm quite as supportive after his handling of Barton

It could also be argued that he needed to bring some of his methods up to date - although if it turned out that the person doing my scouting for me was Dennis f@@@ing Wise I might reconsider that as well....

[Ted Max]

Yes, I was implying he was a bit, as you say, tapped.

But I don't know, I think I'd plump for Hughes' mighty femurs over Hackman's busted schnozzle any day. And, of course, he's got this fellow Portuguese speaker to look forward to playing with next year.

[Keef]

I was disapointed to see that Voronin has only gone out on loan, I thought we were rid of the waste of space for good!

I mean good luck to him and all that, but like Baros for us before him, he can't seem to finish for toffee!

[Ladygooner]

Now Curbishly has gone - perhaps him and Kev could do a swop?

[Rhinestone Cowboy]

If we end up with Sam Allardyce then I will start supporting Palace from now on. Shame about Curbs as I actually liked him but if they keep selling players and paying off underwear models then I guess he had no choice.

[Jah Lush]

I feel a bit sorry for Curbishley and Keegan. Both were managers with their hands tied behind their backs when it came to spending and when it comes football chairman most of them know f**k all about football. They are there to make money for themselves and the shareholders, so unless you have a rich benefactor these days who wants to use your club as he plaything you're pretty much f**ked.

[Keef]

Exactly right Jah! Mike Ashley tried to be the fan that bought the club, but unlike the Blackburn fella in the 90s (Walker? Memory not working), you just can't do it in this day and age! Alan Sugar wouldn't be able to compete financially in this game now, not at the top of the prem anyway.

Feel very sorry for Curbishly.

[Annasfield]

Jah Lush Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I feel a bit sorry for Curbishley and Keegan. Both

> were managers with their hands tied behind their

> backs when it came to spending and when it comes

> football chairman most of them know f**k all about

> football. They are there to make money for

> themselves and the shareholders, so unless you

> have a rich benefactor these days who wants to use

> your club as he plaything you're pretty much

> f**ked.

Sadly you're right. Quite surprised that the Muppets that own Liverpool didn't cash in on Torres on Monday night. Wouldn't surprise me if this happened in Feb. :(:(:(

[Annasfield]

Well Kev Keegan has gone. Anyone make any cash in the sack race?

[????]

Nope - mine was on Hughes and to think it was Curbs wot won it.....never bet with me :'(

[Annasfield]

I don't imagine it'll be much longer before he's gone ????. Particularly as the owners have issued a statement saying that they back him. :-S

[Keef]

I think he'll be there for the season then they'll bring in a more glam name and lots of players next summer.

[Jah Lush]

Exactly! The new owners will want their own man in. I can see the same thing happening to Mark Hughes as what happened to Keegan and Curbishley. They'll bring in players they don't want and get rid of players the manager does want. Hughes will probably have little say in the transfer market and he'll be on his bike whether they sack him or not. I can imagine he had little say in the transfer of Robinho, for instance. You've got to let the manager manage otherwise it's just chaos.

[Keef]

I see it being more like Ranieri at Chelsea. However ever well he'd done that season, his days were numbered. Think it'll be the same here.