Another week ticks slowly by as we all wish for the season's end. I can't remember a season closing with such a mix of anger, apathy and frustration amongst the ranks. What is even more infuriating is that despite the usual noises and pre-renewal hype we just can't see any long-term direction, other than down, if we keep going like this!

The week's early reportage raked over the coals of a defeat at Man U where at least we salvaged some pride. (Article) Funny how suddenly the London press who were full of how lucky we were just a few weeks ago are now talking about how we have none. (Article) Praise was due for a gutsy performance at Old Trafford (Article) but still with no result our lowest position and points total loomed large. Certain players were, as suggested by Miles Starforth at The Evening Chronicle, playing for their futures. (Article) One player to emerge with credit was Robbie Elliott (Article) who was then duly rewarded with a new contract. (Article) He may not be everyone's cup of tea but he always gives his all and will play wherever he is asked, unlike some we could mention. You know after all the shenanigans over the years we've had in finding a settled full back pairing, I sometimes wonder what would have happened if we'd just stuck with Elliott and Steve Watson. A pairing we had together under Ardiles ffs!

As seems to have been the way for most of this ill-fated campaign, there was hardly time to draw breath until another match arrived. This time against The Beasts. A derby, apparently. (Article) Even Luke Edwards agrees, unsurprisingly. (Article) The big book of Newcastle excuses had an early run out with the old injury chestnut. (Article)

I'm getting tired of hearing excuses and whilst, yes we do have a long injury list, it seems we pick up more than our fair share and our lot take forever to recover compared to other clubs. For some time now I have been wondering what goes on behind the scenes medically and this does not improve my opinion.

Meanwhile, Kieron Dyer was being lauded as the key addition to the squad that could make the difference to the game. (Article) Of course where someone leads, The Journal must follow when it comes to their favourite little man (Article).

And then, of course, the week wouldn't be complete without a player outburst. Or two perhaps. Opening this week's double-header was Lauren Robert. (Article) and (Article) However, the main attraction was the Glamorgan Gob. Or should that now be the Taff Texter? (Article) and (Article) This has to be the best yet really. If he did send them (yes I really do believe you "lost" your phone) what a hard man he must be. I've always suspected he was all gob but now I'm sure of it. Odious cretin. I wonder if Shearer really did threaten to "knk ur blk off" or was it worse? If he really impressed Bayern Munich, they certainly won't be if he continues to remain in the news for the wrong reasons. (Article)

And so to the game with The beasts. Dull. John Gibson is obviously still taking the tablets as he got it spot on yet again for me with his post-match reaction. (Article) Luke Edwards desperately tried to look for positives. (Article) Please don't condescend. When I write the odds and ends I do I am always trying to come from a positive slant, but even when I'm on the loopy juice I'm never THAT positive. The game was just bloody awful you and feel the world weariness in George Caulkin's (Article), Michael Walker's (Article) and Jason Mellor's (Article) match reports. I know a good source of Prozac if you need some lads!

Despite missing an open goal in the last minute of the game, Charles N'Zogbia is another player to have emerged for the last few weeks with some very due praise. On the back of a good interview with The Journal (Article) he received further plaudits from compatriot Jean Alain Boumsong, who again comes across as a measured intelligent man when he speaks, a rarity amongst the current squad! (Article) At the same time the pre-renewal hype continues with the promise of new faces (Article) and yet more promises, promises, promises. (Article) Talk is cheap.

And then Palace. Hardly inspiring, and not the lift John Gibson was after. (Article) 5 hours without a Premiership goal at St James' as The Observer's John Wardle reminds us. (Article) As if we needed reminding. No wonder the game's highlight involved origami and pepperami. Now there's a sentence I've never used before. (Article) and (Article) The post match comments brought more interest though. Boumsong yet again impresses with his considered thoughts. (Article) However it was the fact that Alan Murray was left to do the press conference that set tongues wagging. (Article) and (Article) Firstly just where was Souness? Was he off to talk to Galatasary as suggested in The People? (Article) Stranger things have happened, and whilst I know that would please some of our still divided support I don't see it myself. Secondly there was an all too brief mention of the departure of assistant and friend of Souness, Phil Boersama. This hadn't been a terribly public separation. At first glance it would seem to make sense, making room after adding Shearer to the already seemingly top heavy coaching staff. However only one Sunday ran the story, The Sunday Express. (no link, they're too tight!) They report that his contract was terminated by mutual consent after an "incident" before the FA Cup semi-final in Cardiff. Now that's more like it! I get the feeling there'll be more to hear of this in the coming days, either that or we've finally managed to shut the infamous "club insider" up. I doubt that mind you. That's what we need, "proper" people to coach "proper" players as how to behave at a "proper" football club.

I'll leave you for this week with a few thoughts. Firstly, when you heard that a player had been arrested after the PFA awards this week did you also breathe a sigh of relief when you found out it wasn't one of ours this time? (Article) I bet you did! Secondly we are top of league at one thing, throwing games away. I know you probably knew that already, but here's the table that proves it. (Article) Depressing. Finally, Silvio Maric. Remember him? Well apparently according to Ruud Gullit he wasn't shite after all, it was all Shearer's fault. (Article) As ever it's the same old excuses, from the same old faces time and time again. Whether it was Gullit, SBR or many many others who preceded them, certain things, it seems, will ever be at St James Park.
 

NM