Football: WORLD CUP 06 and close season/transfer discussion.

[PaulEMoz]

Yeah. Given that that's bleedin' obvious to me, I'm once more disgusted with our fans booing the team off the pitch tonight.

At least the ref showed how a potential red card decision should be handled. Waited, thought about it, discussed it with the linesman, then sent the cheating bastard off.

I wonder if they were booing the team, or just booing generally so that Shepherd would maybe get the message that we need a couple of new players up front? If they're just booing because we got a 0-0 draw then yeah, that's a bit pathetic. Given our lack of strikers (and personnel in general today), I'm actually quite happy with a 0-0 draw, although obviously I'd have preferred a win against a ten-man promoted club.

[Dio]

I think it's mostly Souness. There's a lot of hatred here - he was resoudingly booed in the pub after the match. Still can't see a better alternative myself - a friend was on about Chris Coleman and I'm very not sure about that.

[PaulEMoz]

I think it's mostly Souness. There's a lot of hatred here - he was resoudingly booed in the pub after the match. Still can't see a better alternative myself - a friend was on about Chris Coleman and I'm very not sure about that.

Yeah, and to be fair, a lot of this isn't really his fault. So far, his signings have looked good, and his tactics have seemed OK. He just needs players that can score goals, and that's down to Shepherd.

Don't think I'd be too happy about Coleman either. He's OK, I'm just not sure he's got the "big club" mentality, and you can argue about whether or not we are a "big club" but he'd need that mentality here.

O' Leary's name is being bandied about again. I'm honestly not sure either way. He has done decent jobs at both Leeds and Villa (not really his fault Leeds landed in the shite). He might be worth a punt, but I honestly don't know either way. Maybe it's time to look abroad, but I'm wary of that as well!

[Dio]

I can't think of any option that's definitely better than Souness that we stand the remotest chance of getting. And a lot of the arguments against Souness are ones I'm dubious about, like "If you fall out with him you're out." We've had too many problems with players being arses and I'd rather have a strict disciplinarian - as long as he can keep the squad (that's left) on his side.

For example, Lee Bowyer hasn't had a yellow yet in four games, but he's still playing with real commitment. That's down to him growing up after last year's fiasco combined with good management of a dodgy situation.

The players we have left I think will work well with Souness, so why get rid of him now?

[PaulEMoz]

The players we have left I think will work well with Souness, so why get rid of him now?

Well, that's just it. It does take a while for everyone to gel, including a proper pre-season. We do look like a decent unit now, at last, and we're just short of goals, which Souness is desperately trying to rectify (but who knows whether the chairman is?).

Too many fickle fans unfortunately, but I suppose it's like that at most top-flight clubs.

[Dio]

The average fan didn't like Souness when he came in, and they won't be happy until he goes. I think the average fan wants Keegan back - I'm unsure myself.

[PaulEMoz]

Keegan's finished as a manager. I think he deserves to be able to just put his feet up, play golf and pick and choose which TV jobs he wants to do. He did a great job for us, twice, and I think we should leave it at that.

Souness has never been given a fair shake. I wasn't thrilled when he was appointed either, but he does seem to have straightened out a lot of problems, and given a couple of goalscorers, I really think we could do very well. I just don't know if he's going to get that time or backing.

[Dio]

He's not.

[Zen-Chan]

One of my mates said it was NEVER a red card in the Newcastle game. I'll watch MotD later . . .

In other news, CELTIC - GET IT UP YE'S!!!!!!!!

[PaulEMoz]

One of my mates said it was NEVER a red card in the Newcastle game. I'll watch MotD later . . .

I've heard that. I've also heard that Sunderland's against Liverpool was far, far worse a decision (snigger!), and that Gerrard probably should have been sent off but wasn't.

Sounds like the referees are getting off to a tremendous start this season...

[Dio]

Well, from where I was in the back of the Gallowgate with Jenas charging towards us he was righteously cropped by the last man short of the keeper, and the linesman agreed with the ref.

Who at least had the dignity to ask the linesman. If it wasn't a red card, at least two people got it wrong, which is far better than last week.

[Dio]

Well, give 'im credit, the MOTD replay showed he did take a good chunk of ball along with the man. So maybe the red card was harsh.

[Geenius]

Well, from where I was in the back of the Gallowgate with Jenas charging towards us he was righteously cropped by the last man short of the keeper, and the linesman agreed with the ref.

Who at least had the dignity to ask the linesman. If it wasn't a red card, at least two people got it wrong, which is far better than last week.

Hmmm. So you're not allowed to tackle from behind, even if you take the ball

What's the point of chasing back then? Seems far too harsh to me. He got both feet onto the ball!

[Dio]

No, after seeing the replay, that was nearly as harsh as last week's. But at least two offcials got it wrong this time.

[KevG]

Had an appointment with Stella and Jack Daniels so missed most of the footy yesterday. Caught the news though and was horrified at the amount of booing going on at St James'. Given the bar codes' plight - what with a paucity of strikers etc - 0-0 was an OK result. If it's aimed at Souness then that's poor form: he's doing his best and I'd rather he was a disciplinarian than not. No one complained when Mourinho tore a strip off Carvalho.