By Nick Raynor
June 17 2005

I’ve noticed over the last few days, that Graeme Souness has silenced many people who are constantly criticising his management.

I’ve noticed, on TyneTalk’s message board at least, that the numerous numpties saying that Souness is not the man for the job, have become distant and quiet.

 

OK, we didn’t have a good season last year. But Souness didn’t totally under-perform. I’ve said that a lot of our misfortunes were not down to him. People can argue that it was his training schedule that caused players to be injured, but that is really nit-picking.  Injuries can happen to anybody, anytime, and mostly, it was down to bad luck.

 

Don’t forget, we only managed to take 15 players to Norwich. Hardly Souness’ fault.

 

There were moral damagers such as Bowyer and Dyer fighting, Robert complaining which Souness cannot be blamed for. He wasn’t to blame for the people who just seemed to lose interest, like Kluivert and Babayaro.

 

We have had people saying this:

 

Re: robert to toulouse

Author: Lawly Boi Date:   30-05-05 14:57 Hopefully Robert stays, he is definitely worthwhile. I want Souness 2 b sacked and fings 2 b bak 2 normal. NE1 Agree? Plz w.b Souey 4 The Sack

 

Numptie – An example of what, although a small minority, a handful of deluded Toon fans think. Or should I say thought…

 

Because now Souness has got moving. He has cleared out the crap - Lazy Kluivert is gone. Lazy, loud-mouthed Robert is gone. Useless (but hardworking) O’Brien has moved to the other end of the country. Reserve players like McClen and Brennan have finally being released, and even Aaron Hughes was sold.

 

I personally wasn’t happy about the Aaron Hughes sale, but if he isn’t in Souness’ plans, there’s no point in having him hang around. He was a good squad player and good cover for all defensive positions. But let’s be honest, if we are going to be going for Champions League football, we need a higher standard of defender.

 

Souness is clearly trying to sell Bowyer and Bellamy too, who have ruined harmony at the club, and maybe Ameobi aswell who has numerous chances to impress, and hasn’t really cut it. He’s taken out the trash and he is just waiting for the bin men to come and collect it.

 

The critics finally fell silent, when the news came in, ‘Newcastle United Sign Scott Parker’. Fact – Souness signed Scott Parker, and seems to be taking the club forward, with other quality players such as Emre and Van Buyten strongly linked with us.

 

I admit, when Souness was appointed back in 2004, I was incredibly sceptical. But I decided to give him a chance, because he was here and he was Newcastle’s manager. And those of you yet to be converted to supporting a clubs manager should get behind him aswell.

 

Here is one of our message board regulars to some it up perfectly:

 

One of the reasons Parker signed

Author: Herman the Jermin Date:   15-06-05 18:31 Souness. Can we give the bloke a f*****g break now? And shut the f**k up with the he's gonna sign Dickov s***e / he's gonna relegate us s***e / he'll buy s***e he always has. Like the sensible said from the moment he signed, the past does not predict the future. He's no longer shopping at Netto, despite the best efforts of NUFC to get themselves there. Onwards and upwards, even you miserable w*****s

 

And the response to that?

 

Re: One of the reasons Parker signed

Author: Nick Date:   15-06-05 18:32 I agree, always have done.

 

Re: One of the reasons Parker signed

Author: groundhogdaze Date:   15-06-05 18:33 The same argument's over and over again, I must be talking to.................

 

Re: One of the reasons Parker signed

Author: akin Date:   15-06-05 18:35 one of the MAJOR reasons he signed

 

Re: One of the reasons Parker signed

Author: forrest Date:   15-06-05 18:37 aye, hats off to him. he's made a good signing there, and with parker himself saying souness was a major reason. hopefully souness can teach him a thing or two.

 

The critics have fallen silent and the supporters have piped up. But let’s hope we have a good start to the season, because I really don’t want the people who see the glass as half empty, to come back anytime soon.

 

Onwards and upwards.