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Newcastle 2005
Stu Montagu asking the questions...
Certain professional associations and the law of the land will tell you that you need specific qualifications before you can go probing around in some-ones brain, and they are correct, as I found to my cost when they found me in the hospital that time.
But, that's all in the past now and it would seem that an equally effective way to find out the things you need to know is to ask lots of questions. So I do.
This time round it's Dave Surname-withheld-for-own-protection from the Tyne-Talk.co.uk website who is in the firing line.
So Dave, what's the sum of your ambitions for the remainder of the season then?
I think if we are being realistic, our ambitions are the cups, it would seem easier to win the European one, but Shearer lifting the FA in what could be his last season is tempting. CL is beyond us and I am a bit doubtful about Europe through league position if I am honest.
Probably correct. Which Newcastle players are you looking towards to cause us the most trouble?
Dyer has been surprising of late and could cause a bit of bother, Kluivert is making his comeback, yet again and is usually good for at least a decent chance, but Mr Shearer as usual will give you a headache.
And who are the weak links that we can get at to beat you?
Our defence has been much better of late, but still remains our Achilles heel, Bramble, can be superb one game and terrible the next, maybe not so much of a guaranteed weakness as an imponderable.
Yep, Bramble was the first to come to mind for me. Who are the Liverpool players that you think will trouble you most?
Gerrard as I think he will want to make up for last Sunday and is for my money one of the best, if not the best midfielder in the country.
And the players don't you rate at all?
Funny one this, but Milan Baros, I think he is a superb player and will be a legend in Spain or Italy but does not convince me at all in the premiership.
I'd have to disagree but you have to play him in the right system. Do you want to talk us through how you saw the problems between Souness and Craig "Rat-boy" Bellamy?
This is a question that has split the Newcastle fans more than any other in my lifetime. To be honest there is a hard core, who feel that Souness should never have been manager, and we lost our greatest attacking threat when Bellamy left. But after his live interview on sky, what choice did we have. Personally I am sorry to see him go but its time to move on.
Patrick Kluivert; great addition or waste of space?
Great addition, a run of games and he will prove what a good move he was, we have seen in patches already what he is capable of, it just remains for him to get fully fit and play week in week out, he has the potential to be a legend here.
How has Freddie Sheppard managed to stay at the club after the comments he made in the past, and also, how do you feel about his constant laughable statements to the press on various issues.
Sheppard for all his bad press, and my personal feelings on him aside, has spent money and continues to do so, but really what is the alternative? There aren't many billionaires ala Chelsea around. Fat Fred is not perfect but we have had a lot worse.
That surprises me, I thought there'd be more hatred. Who are the fans that you have most disliked this season and why?
Its hasn't been that sort of season, there has been no reel bother to speak of at least concerning myself. Chelsea were probably the most hypocritical filling their end for the first time that I can remember.
Any supporters in particular impress you with their wit, enthusiasm and clever songs?
Not especially this season, last time I was really impressed with fans was Breda, they were beat 5-0, yet never stopped singing, including a couple of choruses of we hate Sunderland. But this season has been fairly bland.
Have you got any decent chants that will impress us when we meet?
I think it will be the usual anti-Liverpool ones, to be honest, Boom Boom Boom - everyone say Boumsong, is a new one, and Oh Shola Ameobi (to the tune of the oakey dokey) I quite like.
I like them, I bet the Boumsong one will get a bit tired though. As a neutral looking in from outside, what is your view of the perpetual story that is the "Gerrard to Chelsea" debacle?
I think personally Gerrard would be a lot happier were he to stay at Liverpool, but with Chelsea's money, they are probably going to be more successful than Liverpool in the short term anyway, and that can turn his head, I think he will end up at Chelsea to be honest.
When we were considering signing Bowyer I made it clear I'd rather see the club relegated than see him in Red. Does the fact that he is a violent, racist thug not concern you?
He was found NOT guilty, what ever happened to accepting a courts decision. But no even if he had been found guilty I would have accepted him with open arms.
He did in 1996 and was convicted of affray. I think you'd need to ask the Pakistani lad who served him at a Mcdonalds he visited if he were a violent racist thug, there's not a lot of doubt for me. We have the might of Jamie Carragher, do you have a club legend that all the fans love for their attitude?
Alan Shearer. No explanation needed.
Do you have any Cheyrou-esque parasites on the books that need to be gotten rid of sharpish?
Not really, although at times Robert can certainly feel like one.
Do you have any youngsters that might make it big in the future?
Stephen Taylor, this lad will be one of England's best in a few years.
How did you feel about the appointment of Souness and has your opinion of him changed over the time he's been there?
I was shocked, I personally would have kept Bobby, but I am willing to give him a chance, it's maybe a bit early to be making decisions, perhaps the end of next season.
What is your opinion of Rafa Benitez?
I think he has done an adequate, rather than startling job at Liverpool, but again like Souness it's too early to judge him properly.
There are currently wristbands being made to support and publicise the Hillsborough Justice Campaign, do you think there would be much support from the wider football world for them?
I would imagine so, regardless of affiliations we are all football fans, and for people to lose lives just to see a game is shocking.
Mourinho; Needs burning in the street or needs a city named after him?
I am in the middle to be honest, firmly on the fence, I think he is the new Brian Clough and the game needs characters, but I hate the way Chelsea are buying the league.
Give us your best player and young player of the season in the premiership up to this point?
Young player is easy, Taylor, player of the season is not so straight forward. Shearer has been injured a lot this time out, and players have had patches of being great followed by shocking performances. Take last month it could have been anyone from Bramble, Shearer, Dyer, Carr, Bowyer the month before I would probably have given you a different five.
And finally, who is going to be walking away with which trophies at the end of the season?
I really fancy Newcastle for a cup, I can't see Liverpool getting anything this year, I thought the carling cup was your one shout; I even put a tenner on you.
You must have been insane man!
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