North-East Football Debate 09/10 - Week One

Paul Fraser: Good afternoon, welcome to The Northern Echo's live debate. Today, along with my good self, I would like to introduce today's debutant ... Mr Will Scott. Thoughts from the weekend Mr Scott ?

Comment From Arniemar Were Boro that good against Swansea or were their opponents just poor? They've lost Martinez and Jason Scotland and I understand a number of midfielders were out injured.

Boro on the other hand look strong to me and have a great chance of bouncing straight back.

Will Scott: A reasonable weekend for the North-East's Clubs. Obviously there was disappointment for Pools and Darlo fans but the N-E's big three can be satisfied with their weekend

Paul Fraser: At this stage think we should give credit to Boro for going to Swansea and turning in a display that warranted such a comprehensive win. What I would say, though, is that Swansea, by all acoounts, were really poor, so it might not be the time to get too excited on Teesside just yet.

Comment From Super Johnny Hendrie Deano Windass was loved on Teesside, but after seeing his pathetic penalty on Saturday, do you think it's a season too far on the pitch for him?

Comment From LorikCanasGirlfriend I don't understand the Swansea hype from last season anyway - they played nice football but it didn't bring any real success. Though it was odd to see Wigan playing 'football' at the weekend

Will Scott: Obviously it was a poor penalty and the big man admitted sas much after the game. But the best players in the world have missed from 12 yards so he shouldn't be hard on himself. I think Windass will do OK this term, he just needs some of the young lads to do his running

Comment From Arniemar Question for Will..is it true Sol Campbell is signing for Newcastle and who else is likely to leave the club before the transfer deadline?

Paul Fraser: I must admit I did tune into the Swansea thing last season. I thought they had a good base to do well - until Martinez departed. The atmosphere down there is normally something special, but Boro showed Swansea up. On Saturday's display I could see Swansea going down.

Comment From LorikCanasGirlfriend Can Darlo carry Windass though?

Paul Fraser: I must admit that in Windass have a player who will not be able to play every game this season. The problem, though, is that they don't have many options up there. Lee Thorpe, David Dowson and Curtis Main. They need another striker.

Will Scott: Well Sol Campbell was sat in the directors box watching Newcastle at the weekend. he was happily sigining autographs and said he was hoping to get something sorted out this week as he's a free agent. Given wages is a big problem at the club, now they have been relegated, it will be interesting to know what he will be earning should he sign. It's no secret the club are trying to get out Colocccini and Gutierrez off the wage bill but at the moment there's no takers. As for Steven Taylor, he'll not be earning what the likes of Alan Smith and Joey Barton wll be on, so it seems his imminent departure is down to commanding a big transfer.

Comment From NeilS Are you glad to see the back of Duff? Another Newcastle flop. What do you think happens to players once they sign for Newcastle? Rarely do they show the quality they show for other clubs.

Comment From Supa Sunland Lads, after Sunderland properly battered Bolton on Saturday, for the first half at least, and some of our new lads looked thorough class, how do you rate our chances for this season?

VOTE
Will Windass do well in League Two?
Yes ( 68% )
No ( 32% )

Paul Fraser: Looking at Sunderland this season, I'm confident they will have a decent season under Steve Bruce. I was up there today talking to Bruce and he seems as excited as everyone else on Wearside. In Darren Bent and Lee Cattermole, Bruce has brought in two players who have the potential to become regulars in the England squad. If they can keep Kenwyne Jones happy, and his partnership with Bent continues to blossom, then a top ten place is a certainty.

Comment From LorikCanasGirlfriend How will Sunderland line up tomorrow evening, with the news that Steed Malbranque and Kieran Richardson are both going to miss the visit of Chelsea? Who will be Sunderland's creative spark in the middle of the park?

Will Scott: It's just never worked out for Duff for one reason or another. On his day he is a quality player. But he had three injury plagued years which wouldn't have helped. Another factor in his poor form is that he didn't have the quality of player at Newcastle he did at Chelsea. There were times when he'd create an opening but no United players could read what he was doing. At the end of the day though, £4m is a good price for a 30-year-old.

Paul Fraser: It looks as if Steed will be missing tomorrow, but I'm not convinced Kieran will be just yet. There's still a chance that Kieran will play, according to Bruce. What I would say, though, is that if the pair of them miss out, Sunderland have the option of playing Lee Cattermole further forward. He plays in that role regulary for the Under-21s.

Comment From Guest its early days yet for Darlo we have 44 games left

Comment From Arniemar Agreed Will. Do you and Paul think the doom and gloom about Newcastle and Boro's prospects in the Championship is mis-placed? Personally I think there are a lot of average teams in there.

Comment From Supa Sunland Do you think Shola will secure his dream move to the Stadium of Light (thankfully the one in Benfica, and not our Stadium of Delight) on the back of his shock hat-trick??!

Paul Fraser: Can we claim that as an exclusive Supa Sunderland?

Shola impressed in Portugal a few years ago for the Under-21s, but I'd be surprised if he ended up heading for Benfica. They have just signed three new strikers, meaning they now have six!

Comment From Pooliefan Forget all this championship talk.....what I want to know is should Chris Turner still be given the opportunity to take Hartlepool United forward???? In my opinion Chris shows very little tactical awareness in games and sets his team out to play predictable football that teams find easy to play against.......Lets knock the ball long into the corners and try and play from there......EASY TO COMBAT for opposition managers.....DISCUSS!!

Paul Fraser: An interesting point Poolie fan? Sounds like you are not much of a Chris Turner fan! Personally, having been given permissision to bring in nine new players this summer, Turner must be given time. If you get rid of him now, after one defeat in three, a new manager would come in and find it difficult because he would not be able to bring in any new players.

Will Scott: Boro and Newcastle's prospects misplaced? Agreed there are a lot of average teams in the second tier but I'm not so sure both sides can bounce back quickly. Out of the two teams I think Boro will be best equipped given there is stabilty at the club behind the scenes. At Newcastle, Ashley is having a fire sale and that can't help the club to concentrate of purely football matters. I wouldn't be surprised to see club furniture at my local car boot sale. Should Southgate add another striker and a creative midfield player and get Tuncay and Alves out they have a real chance. Whereas Newcastle's best chance of escape is if they can find a new owner in the next week of so.

Comment From mwells162 If Ashley is serious about taking the club off the market, and it will happen (Barry Moat's his mate and i just dont believe he has serious clout to buy the club, I think its another Ashley Jackanory story to divert flack while he assit strips the club) he carn't sell Taylor it would show total lack of football knowladge and show that as Keegan was told EVERY BODY IS FOR SALE

Comment From Jimmy Willis Poolie Fan is right to doubt Chris Turner - he failed spectacularly at Sheff Wed and Stockport.

As a Darlo fan, I'm delighted Poorly gave him the job

Comment From LorikCanasGirlfriend I'm trying to keep my feet on the ground, but after Chelsea we have four winnable fixtures which, if all goes to plan, we could have 18 points on the board before we go to Old Trafford in October. I'd imagine that would represent our best-ever start in the Premier League

VOTE
Is Chris Turner the right man for Hartlepool?
Yes ( 41% )
No ( 59% )

Comment From LorikCanasGirlfriend I'm really surprised Steven Taylor hasn't been found out yet. I imagine it's because he has been surrounded by so much worse in his time at Newcastle...Bramble...Sideshow Bob....Cacrapa...

Will Scott: It's hard to make out what Ashley is up to as he's a mass of contradictions. He wants to sell the club one minute, he wants to take it forward the day after, then says installing Shearer as boss was the best decision he ever made! I don't know why he didn't just give him a month to month until the club was sold. But on the other hand I don't think it will get sold for the money he wants. And I don't think Barry Moat has the finances to buy the club. The Magpies will have to endure another season of heartache I'm afraid and, a possible return of JFK.

Comment From Jimmy Willis Steve Taylor, the Geordie Lionheart? The man is true class

Paul Fraser: I do have my doubts about Taylor, but I do think that he will turn into one of the best English defenders in the Premier League. He has been a young defender at a club that has been going backwards for years. If he gets a chance at one of the top six teams, like Liverpool, Everton or Villa, it might bring the best out of him.

Comment From Super Johnny Hendrie I hear young Nathan Porritt might be making a loan move to Darlington. Is there any truth in the rumour? How well do you think he might do?

Comment From Markodarlo Is there anymore news regarding Nathan Porrit having a loan spell at Darlo?

Will Scott: I think Taylor thinks he is better than he is.

Paul Fraser: Porritt is a player with undoubted potential.

Personally I had expected him to progress quicker than he has. If he does come to Darlington - and there's every chance he will - he will provide tricks and pace on the left flank. What that will mean for Jeff Smith I'm not sure, but competition is always good.

Comment From Pooliefan I agree with managers should be given time but in this case i feel that Turner has taken the team backwards since he has taken over....His record towards the end of last season was poor and i feel that with him in charge we are going to continue to go backwards....How much boring football can the fans watch???? From watching the opening games i think that the players he has brought in look like they can play a bit......however what is the use of having good technical footballers when the management team continue to adopt such a direct style of play????

Comment From mwells162 Taylor found out ? do you Know anything about the Game (lorikcanas girlfriend) he is the future if the club has one.And PLEASE PLEASE Joe Kinnear Dont .Stay south of Watford Gap the future of our club is at stake.

Paul Fraser: What I do think about the Turner situation, mind, is that regardless of the type of football he tries to get the club playing, he needs to sort out his title. He is manager in every sense of the word, so I can't quite understand why he is continuing with the title of Director of Sport. Surely that is not helping anyone. Even the players must be thinking that he might step aside one day - and appoint a new boss.

VOTE
Do you rate Steven Taylor?
Yes ( 46% )
No ( 54% )

Comment From Jimmy Willis Jeff Smith has played three games for Darlo and is yet to cross the ball - needs to get his arse in gear quickly

Comment From Markodarlo Are there any other strikers being linked with Darlo that you have heard about?

Will Scott: Steven Taylor got found out just about every weekend in the Premier League. He was often caught in no man's land. His concentration levels were not good and found some of the basic elements of defending, such as tracking back, beyond him. And his play acting was truly disgusting. There's no place for it in football.

Comment From LorikCanasGirlfriend mwells162 - do YOU know anything about the game? Joe Kinnear was your best manager last season and could be the man to provide a bit of stability. But you want Shearer - your Geordie hero who pocketed 1m quid for getting you relegated.

Aye, it's ME who knows nothing...

Paul Fraser: I must admit, I haven't heard any rumours about Darlington targeting more strikers. They have four, arguably five, at the moment and I think Todd's hands are tied in terms of how many he can bring in. Todd will be looking to bolster his squad and I reckon he will have to weigh up just how much he needs players in certain positions. Porritt and Franks are capable of playing up there, but we will have to wait and see what Southgate thinks.

Comment From Pooliefan I think you've avoided the question Paul!!! Do you think a direct style of play suits a team that have technically good players that clearly have the ability to play????

Oh and bearing in mind were not the biggest strongest team in the league???

Paul Fraser: I was wearing blinkers Poolie boy! There is an argument to play direct football in the lower leagues, but I think that if you have good footballers - who are good on the ball - then you should play to their strengths. Pools have got good footballers and I think Turner should tune into that more. If Brown and Boyd are paired together up front, I think football is the only way forward.

Comment From mwells162 Kinnear our best manager ? do you know how you made yourself look now!lol You do know NOWT and i dont want shearer i want a manager who can and has done it at this level a Warnock or a Dave Jones

Will Scott: JFK is an anachronism in football. His crass outbursts were embarrassing to the club and it's supporters. Winning five, drew 11 and lost ten games techincally makes him the most successful but he had 26 matches in charge. Keegan won two, drew one and lost one in his four games in charge so as a percentage KK was surely more successful.

Comment From Jimmy Willis Can't believe the Geordie Lionheart is being questioned - this man is immense, already a true legend of the game. I'd argue his talents make him a better player than John Terry and Rio Ferdinand combined. He will captain England a the World Cup next year - FACT.

Paul Fraser: Captain England at the World Cup ... mmm.

Will Scott: Graeme Souness said something similar about Jean Alain Boumsong three years back and he promised to buy me dinner if he wasn't a success at the World Cup! I'm still waiting.

Comment From mwells162 taylor has spent the last 4 seasons cleaning up every defensive partners mess he will develop in to a class international in time

Will Scott: Steven Taylor will never be a top international defender - please believe me.

Comment From mwells162 And for Kinnear i would rather piggyback souness back to st.james park and that just about says it all

Paul Fraser: I must admit, I'd be inclined to agree with Shola Ameobi today. If Ashley decides not to appoint Shearer - and there's every chance - then I can't see any point in bringing in another manager. After all, who ever comes in is just keeping the seat warm for Big Al. Chris Hughton it is ....

Comment From Pooliefan Thankfully someone that agrees with me Paul......I now feel that its down to the likes of yourself to start the campaign "PASS AND MOVE ITS THE HARTLEPOOL GROOVE" :)

Comment From cat darlo fan just logged on. was at the game saturday, not pretty viewing! Looks like being a sub 2000 crowd tomorrow. Any word on these potenial new signings??

Comment From LorikCanasGirlfriend Is Colin Calderwood still at St James'?

Will Scott: Yes, Calderwood is still at SJP

Comment From Super Johnny Hendrie Don't worry Will, I'll buy some lunch if my good mate, Stuart McCall doesn't make a good manager.

Will Scott: Thanks Super, so it looks as if i'll be waiting a whle then?

Paul Fraser: Cat, good performance for Sunderland on Saturday, well done! As for Darlo, Todd has asked Boro for three players and he is getting answer later today. Franks, Porritt and a defender, probably Joe Bennett. We shall see. Where you annoyed with the crowd turn out on Saturday?

Comment From mwells162 I Agree with Paul Fraser if ashley stays we should keep with Hughton he has galvanised the players that are left and got a good response so far this season

Paul Fraser: I was genuinely surprised by Newcastle on Saturday night. Hughton deserves praise for that. The squad is threadbare and in need of new recruits, yet he has still managed to oversee a win - even if Reading were relegation material.

Will Scott:
I think the players have taken on the responsibility more than Hughton, which is refreshing. To coin an Oscar Wilde saying Hughton "never stops talking but doesn't actually say anything".

Paul Fraser: Never stops talking, Will? Come on, he is actually the only one up at St James' prepared to say anything!

Comment From cat Not really that surprised Paul. We never got decent crowds when we doing well last 2 years under Penney.

I really hope Southgate does a favour especially with Porritt. We are crying out for some width! Can't see us getting Franks but by all accounts this Porritt lad is some player. I hope Joe Bennett is a left back he has to better than Mark Bower!

Will Scott: But he never actually gives you any news

Paul Fraser: do you blame him? if he did give any news he might get the sack.

Comment From LorikCanasGirlfriend Steve Bruce is the third manager of Niall Quinn's chairmanship. What are your impressions of him as opposed to Keane and Sbragia?

Will Scott: That's true, but it doesn't help shed light on the goings for those long-suffering supporters, who have a right to know.

Paul Fraser: Roy Keane was always fantastic in his interviews but always kept himself to himself. You always got the impression he was right regardless, which cost him his relationship with many of his players. Ricky Sbragia was Mr Nice Guy, who was well liked. I think Steve Bruce is in the middle.

He will get the respect but he will also make tough decisions. Think it's a top appointment by Quinn.

Comment From mwells162 Hughton should be awarded manager of the year and am not talking about results talk about working with your hands tied Ashleys even sold his shoes and socks

Will Scott: I'd just like to say a big thank you for taking part in this afternoon's proceedings and sign off with a goodbye from the Northern Echo sports desk. Hope to speak to you all soon on the next webchat. Regards, Will

Paul Fraser: It's every Monday, same time, same place, so see you then.