retired_ron

Hope you crash and burn fellas :thdn:

retired_hollieo

Go easy Sam eh, they're just looking a game.

retired_espeon

Unless Steve beats me to it, I'll be sorting out some nice logos for us to use once I get my pc back .

Yes, I know that it seems to be permanently broken lol :p.

retired_kimberlysmith

When'd ya get it back?

retired_espeon

This week sometime hopefully .

retired_kimberlysmith

The first meet of the season is this Sunday (28th) and hopefully we'll decide on the leagues to include and get us all in the game.

The sooner we're all there and happy with things - we'll get going!

Lock up the GPG, throw away that shoddy list of players from last year and let's get going!

retired_espeon

We've got our limit of 10 managers already so please don't post asking to join, there are simply no places left to take .

Thanks for clearing up the stupid posts, Rashidi :thup:.

retired_cycleman8

Good to see you boys around, have always tried to keep upto date with this clan.

Good Luck all

retired_espeon

Portsmouth have today signed the managerial greatness of Ben Jackson to take control of their club and take them to new heights with entertaining flowing football :thup:.

Goalkeepers

With the experienced veteran David James and a competent backup in Jamie Ashdown, the goalkeeping is looking reasonably good but will look to eventually replace James and bring in an experienced backup to take over from Ashdown.

Defence

The defence is probably the strongest part of the squad with Taylor, Lauren, Distin and Campbell making a very solid backline but the depth is a bit worrying if injuries start kicking in with only Johnson who'll eventually take over from Lauren being Premiership quality. I'll look to sell onTraore, Paramot, Hreidarsson and Cranie straight away then bring in some quality to give us decent options.

Midfield

The midfield has a good mixture of hard workers and flair players. The definite starters are Kranjcar, Muntari, Diop and Mendes but a right midfielder/winger is desperately needed plus some backup in case of injuries. Definitely a area to look at.

Attack

With the experienced Kanu along with Utaka, it has the making of a very decent partnership but i'm not sure Kanu can last more than a season. The attack definitely needs looking at with a strike partner for Utaka needed and I don't think Benjani is the answer so he'll be straight out the door. One plus is Nugent who'll be very decent backup and might even be the
answer to the partner for Utaka.

With a good amount to spend on transfers and wages and the board expecting mid-table at least, I can see us pushing for a top six finish .

EPL is back so sit back in your seat, strap on your seatbelt and hold on for the ride as we're back!!! :p.

retired_eddyloin

In a shock move, Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley has today sacked Sam Allardyce as manager of the club. It is rumoured that Allardyce has been AWOL for over a week now, with speculation mounting that Fat Sam has grown to such a size that he cannot leave his own house.

Anyway, rookie manager Steve Diprose was today appointed as Allardyce’s successor. Newcastle fans are said to be angry with the appointment, confounded as to why this nobody is now in charge of their club. When asked, Diprose brushed this unease off: “I applied for the job, I had a really good interview, and I gave a good enough account of myself to convince the owner that I had something extra that the other applicants didn’t. No sexual favours or anything.”

So here I am.


Season Expectations

The board aren’t being too demanding of me in both their and my first season at Newcastle, and have let me set my own aims for a top half finish in the league. This I feel should be very achievable, if I am able undo the damage done by my predecessor in the transfer market.


Squad

Keepers
I am pretty happy with the last line of defence here at St. James Park. We have a world class keeper in the form of Shay Given and a very capable backup in Steve Harper. However, as Given is currently injured and not due back for some time, I may look to bring in a backup keeper.

Defence
The defence here is rather a mixed bag. Jose Enrique and Steven Taylor on one hand are undoubtedly excellent, but on the other, signings such as Cacapa and Rozenahl are not. We will be in the market for at least one centre back, as well as possibly some cover.

Midfield
The midfield is quite good, but not good enough for my liking. Geremi is an experienced and dependable player, whilst Milner and N’Zogbia are young and exciting talents. There will, however, more than likely be some serious changes here.

Strikers
Owen and Martins are two outstanding strikers, and will hopefully form a lethal strikeforce up top. However, we need something different available when things need mixing up, and I don’t think that Viduka offers this. If there is enough money available, there will be another change to the squad up top.

I don’t see a place in the team for Alan Smith, Emre, Celestine Babayaro, Steven Carr, Nicky Butt or Joey Barton, and I will be looking to offload these players as quickly as I can, for as large a total as I can, so as to provide enough funds to rebuild.


My assessment of the squad is undoubtedly harsh, but I feel that is a realistic one. I hope to bring in flair and excitement, and ultimately enough quality to win us matches and to help us push for Europe.