Off-topic - Souness at the Toon

deadpan · Post by **deadpan** » 06 Sep 2004, 10:04

Well that was unexpected. Imagine the betting odds.

Should be extremely entertaining, given his somewhat combative nature, coupled with his penchant for slating wayward players in the press.

At Newcastle he's got a slew of the buggers - Bowyer, Bramble, Dyer, Bellamy, Robert, Kluivert et al.

Expect him to use the phrase 'playboy mentality' at his first press conference.

DavidPayne · Post by **DavidPayne** » 06 Sep 2004, 10:17

I dont rate him as a person, as a player (he was filthy) or as a tactician of any great note and Ifeel his buying record is patchy too.

And if he's wary of playboys why did he go out of his way to sign Dwight Yorke, Cole and Amaruso.

I'll be astonished if Paul Jewell doesn't get the job at Blackburn. But I suppose Hoddle/Strachan/Venables - the usual suspects will all get a mention.

deadpan · Post by **deadpan** » 06 Sep 2004, 10:20

They should give Brian Kidd another go.

Actually they'd probably be better off with Eddie Kidd.

DavidPayne · Post by **DavidPayne** » 06 Sep 2004, 10:24

They;d be better off with Jodie Kidd.

Matchfixer · Post by **Matchfixer** » 06 Sep 2004, 10:33

What a ridiculous decision. Souness' level is at low to mid table clubs like Southampton, Blackburn etc

He his way out of his depth here. Expectation will be too high for his capabilities.

Sacking Robson and replacing him with Souness is like a Ricky Hatton fight in 2004.

adamiw · Post by **adamiw** » 06 Sep 2004, 11:00

yeah a surprise. His success has been patchy, he did some good stuff in europe, and up until before last season he was doing a good job at Blackburn...but it's only a matter of time until players have had enough of his intense style. With the Newcastle dressing room not in the best state...is it a good idea to bring in a manager who has a record of training ground bust ups, and has held grudges on frequent occaisions against some of his own players? i'm not sure.

But he's a decent manager if the players have full respect for him. Hopefully he'll be able to discipline Bellamy, Dyer etc... they got away with too much under Bobby.

Phoenix · Post by **Phoenix** » 06 Sep 2004, 12:07

I expect the reasoning here is Shepherd felt Robson was too soft, old or just didn't have control of a dressing room of super highly paid, wannabe porn stars. So he brings in a disciplinarian to stamp a bit of authority and give a few people a kick up the arse. I'd love to see Kieron Dyer tell Souness where to go like he did to Robson, he'd be nursing a 'burst mooth' right about now.

Razor · Post by **Razor** » 07 Sep 2004, 19:50

Terry Venables was the perfect candidate, as i live near Newcastle and am a big fan that's what all of us wanted, he wont last long, he was boo'd by us, and no one is willing to give him a chance...

Down with Souness! :x

Matchfixer · Post by **Matchfixer** » 11 Sep 2004, 07:39

Had to post as I've just heard Alan Shearer on Football Focus talking about Graeme Souness.

Words to the effect of... "It's important we've got a manager who has won trophies and someone that the players know is manager. Hopefully this man is."

What a complete twat. Robson has probably achieved more than any manager in the game with success in numerous countries. The idea that players didn't respect Robson annoys me; he's one of the most decent guys in the game. I'm rapidly going off Shearer.