sadoldgit

Read that at work on the Echo page and it brought a tear to my eye. So sad that he was unable to see the job through and buy more watches!

Since relegation from the Premiership we have gone through more players than I have had arguements on here with Alps! We have gotten very used to a spinning door mentality (and with managers). At some point it will stop but I agree with most that we are probably at least 2 short of the squad needed to challenge all season long.

Those were happy days indeed!!!!

Le Tiss by a country mile. And how many England caps did they get respectively? Criminal.

Coppell/Keegan - both could do a job for us but you never how long they are going to stay!

Apparently has was phoned beforehand and told. I guess he felt that Capello should have flown to the States, booked an appointment with Beckham's PA and told him personally? Bobby Moore was a better player, not a bad looking dude and actually lifted the Word Cup but did he generate such a media circus? No. And his legacy is all the greater for that.

Wouldn't have minded him playing for us but he would still not have got in the midfield of Williams, Ball and Armstrong. Agreed - Paine's delivery was better and more consistant (Ron Davies would testify to that). I agree that Capello is on borrowed time, but if his replacement brings Beckham back in any capacity I shall not be a happy bunny. The word "great" should be used for Bobby Moore, Pele, Banks, Maradona, Pele, Cruyf, Eusebio and their ilk. David Beckham does not live in that company.

I know that many people think he was some kind of wonder player and should play for England until he drops. He could certainly deliver a cross and was exellent in dead ball situations (apart from penalities) but he would not have made my England's greatest team let alone World's greatest, even at his best. Personally I think his England career should have ended a while back - a triumph of syle (and hype) over substance. He can now concentate on what he does best, pose for the cameras.

As you say Steve, the financial problems as they were are now behind us so we are in a better position to go forward. I just hope that the person/people who take us forward can supply the same vison and energy to our cause.

I am with you really. He wasn't here long enough to make the same impact as a Ted Bates or Lawrie McMenemy. Didn't really have a clue what he was like as a man. You'd like to think otherwise, but if Cortese has been acting under his orders then perhaps he was not the sweet old guy we would like to think he was! It was fantastic that he bought the club but I don't think for one minute that we would not have survived if he hadn't. He did a lot for us in a short time frame, but his legacy will never match that of Ted Bates and if the stadium were to be named after anyone, it should be him. RIP Markus. Your arrival brought us new hope. I just pray that those who follow you share your vision for our club and that the new era will continue and not end with your sad and untimely passing.

I read Dan's post after writing my own. Now I am more worried. If Cortese thinks last year's investment was the one to get us promoted I can see why he was p*ssed off when it didn't happen. And if the plan is to get us to the Premiership in 5 years and sell, what happens to us if we don't get there? If I were Pardew I would be looking out for a new job - there will be even less margin for error now and if we are looking to bring in freebies that will limit our options. Markus's sad and untimely passing has just made a tough season even tougher.

Hard to say. Still in shock as it was all so sudden. Didn't really get a handle on him as a man in the sort time he was here. He was obviously very happy to be here and his beaming smile at Wembley will be a lasting memory of that day and of what the club meant to him. As for the future, very worried. His family will not have his vision and passion for us I doubt and although they are saying the right things the foot will definately come off the pedal to some extent. He is also left us with the legacy of Nicola Cortese. Whether this guy has been acting with the owners blessing to date we will not know, but if Markus was putting the brakes on to some extent, who knows what is in store for us now. Very sad news for his friends and family, dreadful news for SFC.

I'd have to rob a bank!

Pardew is quoted as saying the fans need to get rid of the negativity. Maybe the best way to honour him is to support the team 100% no matter what happens on the pitch and stop this carping, booing etc.

For all of our differences in the past, I could not agree with you more on this.

Sorry Alpine, I don't get what you are saying? Name me one club that has gone under. Of course someone would have bought us. But today of all days why bicker?

Agreed.

With all due respect to him, he was hardly in Ted's league. Who knows what might have happened under his ownership but he was only the owner for a season. It is also not true to say without him we would not be here. Someone would have bought us. A memorial by all means and he will be sadly missed, but more for what might have been than what was. RIP

Puts all of the other stuff into context. Very sad news.

Apart from the footy H R Giger is the man. The artwork to Brain Salad Surgery is awesome, as was his work on Alien. Sorry, where were we?

I just knew that there was a sense of humour hiding in there somewhere Alps!

We are all sitting here on computers making comments about a game we cannot see - so why the grief? Everyone out!

After the slow start I don't think that Pardew did too much wrong last season. Without the minus 10 we would have been very strong contenders in the play offs. I assume the 5 year plan originally included two years in Div 1 so I don't get why Cortese should get the hump. Pardew had a big job turning this club round and he is making progress. If he does go and someone else comes in and does no better - what then? We should have been out of sight against Plymouth at half time and that without Lambert and Lallana. He said give him 10 games before you judge and I think that is fair enough. As for tonight, how many people were saying lets forget the cups and go for the league - how many will be after him if we lose tonight?

Thanks guys, still none the wiser as I am defo not hairdresser material!!!