Andy Kay is back casting his eye across recent goings on in football.
Newcastle United
Keeping up with the Newcastle United story after their dismantling at Old Trafford, it was interesting to compare and contrast a couple of websites. The club’s official site contained the following gem from caretaker manager Nigel Pearson!..”We were beaten by a better side.” No. Surely not. Conceding 6 goals in 41 minutes, playing like a bunch of strangers with defending from the Charlie Caroli Academy. Thanks Nige, I’d never have guessed. NUFC.com, the unofficial fans site, had a more, shall we say, robust approach. Their headline was “Amateurs” which they followed up by printing the telephone number of The Samaritans.
On the managerial front, it must be of some concern to owner Mike Ashley and Chairman Chris Mort that their main target, Harry Redknapp, took on board a lot of opinion from the football world before turning down their offer. Additionally, Mort said in a statement at the weekend, that the club had approached a number of candidates of which Redknapp was one. If that’s the case, anyone who gets the gig will know they are second choice at best. Which probably explains why Steve McClaren’s name is now one of those being linked with the post.
The name being sung by the fans though is Shearer, Alan of course. But should it be? There is another Shearer out there who could be just perfect as the Magpies new head honcho. Below, the credentials of Alan and Harry Shearer. Who’s best? Well as its Newcastle United we are talking about, it’s a close run thing.
Alan Shearer
Born locally and Freeman of the City of Newcastle
Scored over 200 goals for the club in his 10 years at SJP
30 goals in an 8 year England career
Captained his Country 34 times
Appointed an OBE in 2001
Doing his UEFA Pro Licence
A hero on Tyneside
Harry Shearer
Used to dealing with big stars as was a former child actor who’s been on screen with Richard Burton, Jean Simmons and Victor Mature.
American, but can do an English accent as he proved playing Derek Smalls in ‘This is Spinal Tap’
Does the voices of Mr Burns, Ned Flanders & Kent Brockman on ‘The Simpsons’ so press conferences could be fun.
Was in the film ‘Godzilla’ where a prehistoric throwback went on a night time City rampage. Joey Barton take note.
Knows sod all about football (or soccer as he calls it) so will have lots in common with the NUFC Board.
Nicolas Anelka
He may have garnered a reputation as difficult in his early career, but Nicolas Anelka could just be the best buy of the January transfer window. He scored eleven goals for struggling Bolton before moving to Chelsea – the next best behind him were Kevin Nolan and El-Hadji Diouf on four a piece. And he has another thing going in his favour at the former Champions, as Avram Grant always looks as miserable as sin so the title of Stamford Bridge Sulk is already taken.
Al Bangura
Smiling though is Watford’s Al Bangura who’s been granted a work permit and allowed to stay in Britain. The Home Office was threatening to send him back to Sierra Leone where the 19 year feared his life would be in danger. But such was the level of support for the youngster from all around the game, not just Watford, that Minister Liam Byrne reversed the decision. Football gets its fair share of stick for all the unsavoury stuff it throws up so it’s nice to be able to comment on something positive for a change.
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