Wow, venemous stuff. Lets put something straight here though - nobody in the modern game has any hope of winning anything ever again unless bankrolled by a Russian oligarch of dubious repute or american tycoons intent on fleecing as much moolah out of our game as is humanly possible. Not even a clean cut young middlesborough millionaire with a dodgy perm. At risk of sounding a tad nihilistic, none of it really matters anymore. What does matter I guess, is having pride in who you are and where you are from. Something every geordie has in abundance and which most people from Middlesborough I've met, havent.

Richard Oliver, Manchester,

What an odd item. Having sat through some miserable years at Newcastle, the notion that the fans had "bawled" either Keegan or Robson out is lost on me. Does this simply qualify as poetic license or lazy journalism. Sadly inaccurate but more importantly, disingenuous in the extreme. How did you manage to watch a Fairs Cup game that wasn't shown live in England? Liddle out. Liddle out.

Terry Brock, N/S, NE

Most of the facts in this so-called piece of "reporting" are pure rubbish.
I think this story was meant for the Sunday Sport.
Or was it a fortnight too late for April Fools Day?
Give a chimp a typewriter and it might not come up with the complete works of Shakespeare, but it could surely cobble together a more factual and interesting piece of journalism than this.
Rod Liddle - you should be ashamed.

Pete Bell, Whitley Bay,

It was 'Sack the baord', not 'Robson out'. Get your facts right mate.

Matthew, Newastle,

what a sad sad man, "Middlesbrough — the little club that recently won the League Cup, got to the final of the Uefa Cup" yes they got to the final but got hammered 4-1 hahahahahaha.

you should stop writting rubbish and be come a comedian

PJ, newcastle,

What is the purpose of this article other than to seemingly ridicule nufc and all those associated with the club. I am a season ticket holder and although there is a general split amongst fans regarding whether Roeder is the man, there has never been any chants of Roeder out! anywhere in the stadium that I or any of my friends (dotted all round St James park) have heard and I certainly do not recall ever hearing Keegan out. That is just an outright lie. When Keegan left most fans were in shock and despair.
I ask again, what is the point of this article?

derek Bird, South Shields, Tyne & Wear

You must have either very good or very bad hearing to hear Roeder out chants because you are in a minority of one. Nobody else has heard anything remotely approaching this and as for Keegan out this is a malicious representation of the regard in which we hold him. A scurrilous article that not even the Sun would countenance

Colin, Houghton-le-Spring, Tyne and Wear

Who is Rod Little? I’ve never heard of you before, just like you have never been to St. James Park and heard: “Souness out! Roeder in!” or “Harvey out!” or “Keegan out!”. Yes we wanted Souness out, damn sure, you need only to look at his signings and see why. As for the other 2 statements, did they come to you in a dream or are you just bitter and malicious. It would appear to me, that you have a hidden agenda in this article, one unrelated to sport or journalism but towards envy and malevolence. Shame on the Times, for allowing your warped agenda to gain a platform.

Ian , Newcastle, Tyne & Wear

I must say, I have never heard anyone chant 'Roeder out' or 'Keegan out' for that matter. The only chant I have ever heard is 'Souness out'. I believe that Mr Liddle has been misinformed about this issue, or he is maybe just hearing things? Please Mr Liddle, in the future research things much further before trying to write a truthful and informed article about them.

Michael, newcastle,

Has Mr Liddle ever been to St James' Park, or is all this pure invention. This 'article' is riddled with what can be at best descirbed as inaccuracy, at worst malicious nonesense. The crys of Roeder out, Roeder in and Robson out I have never heard in my 50+ years of following NUFC home and away. Souness out - yes but that was understandable, Keegan out - when he resigned it was a shock to every fan - not just the geordies. To describe Bob Moncur a man who spent most of his career at one club as a journeyman is ridiculous and a slur on a great captain. If he can remember geodies calling for the head of Joe Harvey I think he should search his memory again and think about the public mourning on the sad death of Mr Harvey. Next time you are at St James' Park Mr Liddle I would like to speak to you in person to see just what kind of 'man' you are because NUFc and Geordies do not deserve this kind of rubbish. Stay in London and leave to get on in our own way.

Jim , Bury, Lancs

It's a strange article this one from a supposed informed reporter. Along with my 2 adult sons, I travel-more in hope than expectation-to all of Newcastle United's home and away games. Not once have I heard our fans calling "Roeder Out!" and that is no inverse exaggeration..I have genuinely not heard one such chant. I have heard & joined in some justifiable, if impractical, calls for Shepherd's head & have heard some debates centred on the suitability of Glen to continue as manager. So this is yet another scurrilous attack on the greatest fans in the world. Just imagine over 50,000 people continuing to turn up at Anfield, Old Trafford et al had their team won nothing for 10 years, let alone 38...no, me neither. For "Toon Army "read " Fish in a barrel". It's just a nasty, mean-minded article, which libels a group of fans, who respect Glen Roeder as a man and an ex-Toon captain, but have reservations as to whether he can make us great.

Paul Donnelly, Leeds, West Yorkshire

Such a poor article I'm afraid. Almost all of it based purely on one man's opinion. This isn't the quality of writing I'm sure the Times are looking for especially in that it's not factually correct at times - how many Newcastle fans remember shouting "Roeder in"? And Roeder the best manager since Keegan - Sir Bobby Robson anyone?

This article smacks of someone who has had an initial idea, i.e. Sven for Newcastle and has had no further information to bolster the arguement so has let his typing finger run along without reign.

You never know, Sven may end up as Manager of Newcastle but you shouldn't gain satisfaction that this was predicted by any intelligent means.

Martin, Rugby,

Your honestly trying to say you watched the '69 fairs cup final on TV, cheering Newcastle on?

Must of been the only one then, broadcast direct to your house was it?

Not the sort of shoddy journalism expected in a supposed quality newspaper. Thankfully the considered and thoughtful response has shown Liddle up for what he is

K Stephenson, Newcastle,

I got as far as the Geordie faithful shouting for Keegan Out and realised he's completely out of touch. This is a complete invention by an obvious Boro fan. I remember thinking the dynasty under Keegan was about to begin to rival that at Liverpool or Arsenal. We were all devastated when he left. Realistically his departure and Robson's failure in the Chapions League qualifier set us back ten years.
Roeder is a lovely honest man but he is claerly not tactically or arrogance wise the man who can lift this best supported Club in the world back to where it belongs - challenging for everything.
The fans are this Club and successive poor managers and an inept Board cannot change that.

pn, newcastle, uk

If NUFC are hilarious and win no trophies, then why write about them Mr. Liddle? Is it your Teesside chip on shoulder coming to the fore perhaps? Come on Middlesbrough supporters, if you're cheering evertime Newcastle United come a cropper then you really are sad individuals. You've only won the egg cup once and that was achieved by beating Arsenal reserves in the semis. I'm afraid Southgate will leave with his P45, you just KNOW IT!

Gav, Wallsend,

Anomalous achivements in cup competitions is hardly a basis for branding a team like Middelsborough succesful; any team can string some lucky results in a knockout scenario. I think maybe Rod should focus on his own club's (Millwall's) shortcomings and forget about a team which is clearly in a transitionaly period.
Newcastle have been a steady side in terms of results and also to an extent, a very exciting team to watch. They have a very loyal and firm fan-base and their business is run very efficiently. I can't see them challenging the top 4 places in the near future without some more outside investment - but a few key buys in the defence could and should definitely see them fighting for 5th and 6th - and no amount of unbiased, pig-headed journalism will affect their chances.

Joe, London,

God, your writing for the Times you should be for the Sun. That is such a poor and pointless article for the standards of such a quality paper.

kavel , hounslow ,

Rod Liddle out Rod Liddleout
Your seriously misinformed my friend, im a newcastle season ticket holder and have never heard chants of keegan or roeder out!!!

i think you need to get rid of that black and white tv so you can see a bit better whats going on

curry, newcastle,

Rod Liddle what planet are you on?! I follow the team home and away and yes some fans feel Roeder is not up to the job but we have NEVER chanted for him to leave. The only manager to my recolection who was subject to such chants way Souness and let me tell you Roeder has a long way to go before he is as bad as Souness

Ian, Newcastle, England

Actually Rod Liddle is correct, Newcastle do have a history of replacing talented performers with substandard versions. Robson for Souness, Woodgate for Bramble, Gerrard for Liddle - oops sorry that last one was the Sunday Times wasnt it?

J Brown, Newcastle,

Yet another example of the exploitation of a fanbase that devours anything to do with their club. 'Nothing much to write about this week, is there Rod?' 'Don't worry about it mate, I will just cobble together some hearsay, half-truths and no-truths and flesh it out with some nonsense about supporting the Toon in a match years back. That'll shift a few papers.' The reason Newcastle haven't won anything for so long despite a consistently large following is a topic that has done the rounds season after season. It is an easy story to write. Until recently (i.e. the last 15 years or so) we had chairmen who were unable/unwilling to actually invest in the club to any real degree. In the last 15 years we have twice finished league runners up, reached two FA cup finals, UEFA cup quarter and semi-finals and have usually qualified for Europe. But for a bit of luck (Schmeichel v Man Utd, late goals v Liverpool, Blackburn, Forest) we could have had a cabinet full of the shiny stuff.

Steven, Washington,

Roddy Roddy Roddy, oh you poor thing, it seems that absolutely nobody on this page agrees with you. Then again, I suppose that people disagreeing with you is what you base your career on. Controversy brought on by the most ridiculous load of cobblers since, well, you last wrote an article. It's alright though, I forgive you. We all have to make our way, and if this is how you decide to make your way then so be it.
However, I'll just leave you this radical idea, you know, just for fun: stick to the facts, not the rhetoric. "My God" you say, "this man is mad". Calm yourself, have a drink, and then think about. You never know, you could get one or two people agreeing with you next time round.

Andrew Barton, Boston Spa,

What a boring and pointless article.......
This really is an awful piece of journalism.
Poor effort Rod

Kieran , Newcastle Upon Tyne , United Kingdom

I could write something off the top of my head, be it intelligent or not and call my self and journolist. But you get paid to do it. Well done

level7fan, Newcastle upon Tyne,

And god looked down on the choosen and said yes you will be Newcastle fans.
You will inherit the earth and all thats good in it.
You will not be sad bitter and twisted and you shall worship at the temple that is St James Park

Bill Shannon, Washington, tyne and wear

Never heard chants of 'Roeder out', 'Robson out' or 'Keegan out'...maybe I have hearing problems??

Biased, not researched properly and basically a pile of tripe. I'd say stick to what you're able to report fairly but even I'm stuck then...

Ian, Preston/Ashington,

Keep taking the tablets, Rod...

Ed Hannigan, Hexham,

Unless Mr Liddle had been instructed to invent a completely ridiculous, un-researched pile of inaccuracies then I am afraid that Mr Liddle should be severely reprimanded, at least. If I was asked to make a presentation at work and presented something so factually incorrect and loaded with vitriol and bias I would be sacked! To think that someone like this with such an obvious agenda is permitted to write and be published is incredible.

Well done on your league cup success and UEFA cup final hiding Mr Liddle, I would have thought that would have been enough for a few years but obviously no matter what success Boro achieve it will never be enough to wipe away the jealousy and bitterness towards Newcastle Utd, I think your ‘article’ spells out that message very well.

Yours sincerely

Chris Rowley, Whitley Bay, UK

Well Rod, if you read this which I very much doubt, you will probably be sitting back in smug self-satisfaction that your dashed-off article could cause such consternation to those simple Geordie folk. Don't we realise that quoting us as having chanted Roeder out, Robson out and Keegan out wasn't meant to be taken literally, that this was just your short hand way of illustrating our stupidity for believing that our support should ever be rewarded by success.

Your career as a football journo has always struck me as a bit like the big name player who didn't quite pull it off at the top club, so ends up feet-up, going through the motions with a second rate outfit like....Milwall or possibly Middlesbrough.

Sean Mallen, Newcastle,

I am interested in where Mr Liddle has been watching Newcastle United and if his hearing aid has been turned fully on.

I've been a Newcastle United fan for over 35 years and my hearing is almost perfect. I cannot recall many of the chants that he has been referring to. Newcastle are major underachievers I will admit, but stating that due to one or two seasons performances from Middlesbrough as being proof that they have legitimate claim to being a better team is almost laughable.

I suppose we should be used to such vitriol from Teesside, but I expected better from a so-called Journalist writing for The Times.

Peter Jared, Edinburgh, UK

A poor piece of journalism. I believe you are paid to do some research? Of course it's easier just to churn out the same old observations. You are hardly saying anything new here, or providing any analysis or insight. Maybe that's not your job in this column, but you could at least bother to get facts right, as pointed out by previous correspondents.

Fred D, Leeds,

Lazy journalism rules again! Do you just open your mouth and let your belly rumble and have someone scribble it all down? How is it possible that professional journalists can get away with brazenly inventing and assuming the events of the past without lifting a finger to research what they're talking about? I remember Rod Liddle bellowing "Gibson out! Gibson out!".

dan, newcastle, UK

I'm surprised they let you publish such a biased piece of nonsense.

marie, Gateshead,

Keegan was NEVER shouted out by TOON fans (basic research could have told you that) your comments regarding Sven are obvious although yet again - for the want of basic research - you'd discover that Newcastle and us Geordies do have a fair bit in common with our Scandanavian visitors.

Maybe in a future article you could turn your attention and "writing skills" to look at how a town the size of Middleborough and its surrounding area can never fill it's ground? and exactly how long can Steve Gibson continue to bank roll such apathetic support? the cracks could start to show as early as next season, lets hope it warrants an entry on here.

Toon Army

PS Thanks to the Mackem above who told it like it is ; )

Shaun Allan, Newcastle, Tyne & Wear

Bobby Moncur a journeyman?
Not according to a 2003 article found on TimesOnLine, written by your colleague Greg Struthers!
"Newcastle needed a strong defender who could read the game well and marshal the defence and in Moncur they found one. The Newcastle and Scotland captain played 296 games for the club in a distinguished career before moving to rivals Sunderland and finishing his career at Carlisle, whom he managed."

C Taylor, Newcastle upon Tyne, England

A more unaccurate,biased,blinkered pile of you-know-what I dont think I`ll ever read.
The line where you admit the being a two-headed,six-fingered smog monster gave you away.pal.
There was NEVER a chant of Keegan Out,Robson Out or Roeder Out for that matter but why let facts get in the way of a good story,and I mean story.
I thought Jackanory had been taken off air long ago.
The only part of the article that makes any sense is the part about Steve Gibson - the best chairman in the league bar none - its a pity the team your man supports hasnt got a decent set of supporters to match him.
Have you noticed how even Mr.Gibson has lost the will to spend big? Not sprprising given the poor backing of the 3rd biggest team in the North East.
Plum!

Tom Pitt, Ashington, Northumberland

I was at the Norwich home game before Bobby Robson got sacked. We drew 2-2. Was Rod Liddle at the game? I bet not because I never witnessed any chants of 'Robson out'.

Stick to the south and report on your beloved Chelsea or which ever glory seeking side you follow because you certinly know nothing about us Geordies and Newcastle United.

Kris, gateshead,

This guy is so blinkered, Keegan walked away from the club he was not pushed by the supporters...we never heard they cries of "Keegan Out" - Fool, he is clearly a m'boro supporter who is trying to big up his much beloved team! Yes Mboro probably does have the best chairman in football in the North East, but concentrate on your own teams plight and leave Newcastle United and their loyal fans to look forward to next season with Owen fit.

John Martin, Gateshead,

"Roeder out!”, the best manager they’ve had since Keegan???

I would have to say Robson actually did a little better than Roeder & over a longer period of time! I can't remember playing in the Champions League under Roeder, but please correct me if i'm wrong!

Robson also guided us from the bottom of the premiership, but went on to build a decent team, so I think you should do some further research prior to writing a load of garbage!

Richard, Newcastle,

Very poor journalism.

It would be very amusing to hear a chorus of
Liddle Out! Liddle Out! Liddle Out!

at the Chelski match ;o)

Andy, Braintree, UK

I seem to remember being at Keegan's last game at home as manager in January of '97 and don't recall hearing the supposed chants Mr Liddle writes about. But thats probably because we stuffed Spurs 7-1. Just a thought....

Nick, Alnwick, Northumberland

Just absolutely clueless. Incredible that someone gets paid for writing this. Try leaving your newsroom once in a while and actually find out what's happening in the world.

Or is it just easier to make it up?

Go back to your embarrassingly crap daytime telly

Oh and Roeder is a better appointment than Andrew Gilligan.

There's only one David Kelly.

ourman, Newcastle, UK

Never did I hear the chant of "Keagan out" And the differance etween Newcastle fans and you suthern fans is even if we don't win anything we still support our club. Who will it be for you next year Mun U or Chelski, Guess we will find out by the end of May

Kevin, Consett, Durham

ROD
It is a well known fact from within extremly large catchment area that those who support Newcastle united come from, that we do not care what Middlesboro or Sunderland achieve,we are concerned with Newcastle United only!!!

you people simply do not understand what supporting Newcastle united is about (different from Man U,Chelsea or Arsenal)

And your comments"nobody is good enough for them. “Keegan out! Keegan out!” they bellowed at the best manager they’ve had since Harvey", WHEN? WHERE? WERE THESE CHANTS MADE??

Your article is really a pathetic attempt to fill in some time when there is nothing else to write,after all 99% of it is not exactly breaking news,except for the remaing 1% Keegan out! Keegan out! if true that would have indeed been a storey.

Your knowledge of basic facts pertaining to the support of NUFC are disappointing

benutcci, Doha, Qatar

Could you please tell me when Newcastle fans have ever asked for Roeder to go, and I certainly do not ever remember people asking for the head of Keegan all those years ago. Maybe there was a small minority, but certainly not the great amount of toon fans your article suggests. Your article is something I would have expected to read in The Sun or The Star but not The Times.

Benjamin Maddison, Newcastle, England

Another piece of tripe from what I thought was a respectable media institution. Where did this guy get his sources? A school playground?

This club has suffered enough criticism over the years, and its about time we were left alone to rebuild. Roeder is doing as well as can be expected, we have a youth system to rival the best, a fair transfer policy, a re-structured coaching set-up and a board who have ambitions for the future; in a few years we will have a few thousand more seats, not to mention world class hotel and conference facilities. The future is bright for Newcastle.

Unfortunately, we have inherited a squad of overpaid, happy to underachieve players, who are in desperate need of a reality check. That is the bottom line, and something that will change this summer. If we need to judge Roeder then lets do it this time next year.

As for the "little club" down the road, if mid-table obscurity, flat-pack stadium and a luke warm home support is your cup of tea, then so be it!

M Turner, Melbourne, Australia

Rod!
I bet your a star reader?
And from the south?
Ever been north of luton?
Where have you found your research?
At least the wizard of smog has the right idea.....SACK THE BOARD!
Lets start with freddy, couldn't pull in a brothel, could only get filmed...slating the very people and area that are the foundations of this great club...should never have been allowed to wriggle back in after the whole affair...
Doug Hall...... enough said on that one.
cant be bothered now...
get rid of the board, lower season ticket prices, and pie prices..
after all......
WE ARE THE LOYALIST..FOOTBALL SUPPORTERS..
THE WORLD HAS EVER HAD!!

Season Ticket 10779, Newcastle, England

Sir Bobby Robson might have something to say about your point that Roeder is Newcastle's best manager since Keegan. I assume it was a slow day for news when you wrote this article.

Luke, Newcastle,

so rod, when was the last time anyone won Serie A *without* spending 'tens of millions'? the mid-80s, at earliest? thought so. what do you want him to do, tell the Lazio board "no, i'll only spend a couple of million, i want my achievements to stand up better in the face of English revisionists who never watched italian football in 1999-2000

Geraint, dundee,

Take a story with no substance, add some dross and hey presto. "Keegan out" chants, never heard one? I think you'll find "Souness out" was the thought of most fans before he even took over.

Mark , Boston, USA

lol! Ragging the skunks is shooting fish in a barrel for a writer of your calibre but anyway, well funny, cheers.


SACK THE BOARD, SACK THE BOARD, SACK THE BOARD!
SACK THE BOARD, SACK THE BOARD, SACK THE BOA-OARD!

The Wizard of Smog, Middlesbrough, UK

Another lazy article in the press about NUFC? What a surprise. Even if it is written by a boro man, why print so much rubbish. Totally inaccurate, i thought sub editors were supposed to check facts? No one ever sang Keegan or Robson out and no one has done so this season to Roeder. Yawn!

JJ, Jarrow,

Horrendous load of nonsense to be honest. Another jumped-up smoggie wishing that his club could even hope to aspire to Newcastle United's size, and taking sly digs at us while villifying our better managers and glorifying trash like Roeder. He's so desperate for recognition from us that he believes we live our lives in constant fear that some nobodies from a nobody town will finish higher in the league than we will.

Middlesbrough needs to find themselves someone else to whom they can devote their lives - we're taken already.

T Hussein, New York,

I'm actually a Sunderland fan and have plenty of time for laughing at Newcastle.

But this article is patronising, witless, factually incorrect and boring.... and lazy.

Jim, Berwick,

Valid point about Sven - nobody wants him. Been to St James' all my life and never heard a Keegan or Robson out chant. The fans agreed with the appointments of Dalglish and Gullit so we don't blame the Board for them either. The Souness appointment was the worst ever but nobody ever chanted for Roeder. After the caretaker games, it should have been 'thanks very much, anything is better than Souness and back to your job in the Academy'. Last summer saw O'Neill, Hitzfeld, Hiddink and others without jobs - another golden opportunity missed. A lot of truth in what Redknapp said about Roeder this weekend - a lot of rubbish in your article.

Bill Dixon, Newcastle, England

I fear you are correct, I wish we didn't have so many fickle supporters who only get appeased with holywood signings, who nearly always big club cast-offs or sicknotes.

Lotp, Manchester, England

So Newcastle are the only club to sack managers?
It is crystal clear you are jealous of Newcastle as all Middlesborough fans seem to be. Just look at our recent record in Europe, participation in the Champions League etc, cup final appearances in domestic competitions, high league placings etc all too numerous to mention. It is not suprising that you can name every success in Middlesborough's history as they are so few. Why not dissect Middlesborough terrible season instead of letting your jealousy get the better of you.

M Grieves, Jarrow,

So again, the relative failure at Newcastle is the fault of the fans. What a poorly written article, why let the facts get in the way of such a shoddy piece of journalism. I must have been going to a different St James Park all these years, as I never heard any cries of Keegan out, or of Roeder in for that matter. As for Roeder being the best manager Newcastle have had since Keegan, I think you will find that was Bobby Robson. Roeder is out of his depth, as was Souness before him. Dont blame the fans Mr Liddle, blame the boardroom

Mike Batey, newcastle,

Another bitter and envious smoggy making a story out of a non-story and peppering the article with untruths, there has been no Roeder-out chants and there were certainly no Keegan-out chants - for christ sake there weren't even any Gullit-out chants prior to 'that' game, even though we were rooted to the bottom of the league from the beginning of that season. At the very least Newcastle fans are ambitious and don't think that a creditable season is finishing above Middlesborough.

M Gatens, Gateshead,

“Keegan out! Keegan out!” they bellowed??

I've never ever heard that at St James Park in the KK era!
Get your facts right before you go jumping on the NUFC hate campaign,southern journalist work at it's best,try jumping in car and travelling north of Watford..we are up here mate.

Jimmy, Newcastle Upon Tyne,

Another case of an inept, lazy journalist who knows nothing about life outside the M25 inventing "facts" to back his headline. If he had been in North East during the ninties, instead of on the planet Zarg, he would have been more likely to hear chants of "Come back Kev." As for the "Roeder out" chants, wash your lugs out, cloth ears, what you're actually hearing is "sack the board," a more than justified call in my opinion.

Rob Reed, London, England

Large parts of this article are completely untrue and hence it should never have been published.

Chris, Sheffield,

i don't remember anyone shouting "keegan out", i think i was as surprised as any when he left under his own free will.
nor do i remember any more than a few people calling for robsons head.
As for souness nobody wanted him in the first place and roeder will be fairly judged after his summer signings.

This is the media just twisting the knife on "poor geordies" again

steve, newcastle, england

What aload of rubbish from someone who obviously has not being to SJP recently. Under achieving yes - but bellowing for the manager out - 'no'!'. Most Newcastle supporters now accept that it is not the manager that needs a change at present -its the chairman. How many other chairman in a plc would get away wih making the number of management changes Shepherd has made in the past without actually taking any accountability (dont say but he provides the money - the guy only takes money out of the club!).

Even those of us who travel from around the country now accept the club will not move forward until the hierarchy moves on

Gary Watts, Wrexham,

A lot of truth in this, (although I can't recall anyone calling for Keegan to be sacked). And I am a Geordie fan. Let's face it, the club underachieves continuously and squanders money to the point of being an international laughing stock. Too many bad decisions at board level.

Darren, Benton, UK

Looks like Rod is giving Boris Johnson a run for his money. Or he's taking a Millwall chant literally!

DH, Newcastle, England

"...as if they had suddenly became aware this was yet another season where they weren’t going to win anything at all..."

If you checked your facts you would know we won a nice little intertoto trophy.

Jackson Tate, Perth, Australia

This article again demonstrates the ignorance of the "southern" media which views fans in Newcastle as scum, and the club as an utter joke. Its not just Ron – much of the media has this “who do they think they are” attitude towards Newcastle United. In many ways this is reminiscent of the way a famous Catalan club was sneered at by the Madrid-centric Spanish media. Like Barcelona, Newcastle is a true football city, where the beautiful game transcends the terraces and has seeped through every facet of the city and its people. This should be celebrated and revered - not be held up to sneer at on “slow news” days.

Steve Mulligan, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire

biggest load of crap from someone who has probably never been any where near newcastle

stephen, newcastle,

well you can tell just by the way he writes that he knows nothing about NUFC or football for that matter, i have never heard anyone shouting roeder out...typical journalism though...just make up some drossand hope it catches on to another newspaper reporter...i think this article should and will be laughed upon nationwide by any proper supporter who knows about football. 'liddel out, liddel out!!

David Hayles, Blaydon, England

As a season ticket holder of 15 years, i am fed up with years of under acheiving like all fans, and yes mistakes have been made by chairman down through managers, coaching staff, players and fans.

But this article is the most poorly researched piece i've read for years, fans are fed up, but never have any roeder out chants echoed around our stadium, and to even suggest the fans wanted Keegan out is unbelievable.

You're entilted to your opinion Rod but get your facts right!!!!

john armstrong, newcastle, UK

God preserve us. A mock Millwall "fan" from Nunthorpe giving us his views on Newcastle. Isn't it time you resigned again?

Alex Yarr, Monkton, Tyne and Wear

Don't let facts get in the way of a story eh Rod?
What complete rubbish you have written. As a Newcastle supporter for nearly 30 years, I've read some tripe regarding the club, but I'm struggling to remember an article as poor as this. What was the point exactly?
You have embarrased yourself, and the paper.
PS Smb.

Jason Fairless, Sudbury, Suffolk,

What a load of crap! I am a steward who works at SJP and have NEVER hear Keegan Out, Robson Out or Roeder Out and my work puts me in the firing line along with other employees of NUFC. Obviously this bloke had nowt better to write about so he put this piece together. There are problems at the club, but, the fans chanting for Roeder Out is not one of them just yet - it is almost like a sense of understanding to the situation has settled over SJP and for the 1sttime since Keegan left a little patience is noticable.

David Money, Gateshead, UK

Are you by any chance bad mouthing the same Steve McClaren who won the only trophy Middlesborough have ever won, and the same man about who the small club's fans were chanting "McClaren out!, McClaren out", the season after.
By the way, i agree, God does have his favourites, have you ever been to, (or maybe looked at a picture of) Newcastle, next to one of Boro.

John Wright, West Allotment, Newcastle

Am lost for words...what a totally inept piece of journalism.

Ian Harrison, Alnwick,

Another piece of dross from a clueless London-based reporter about what's happening north of the M25. I'm a Newcastle season ticket holder and not once has any fan chanted "Roeder Out!" this season.
So that fact (do you know what these are, Liddle?) kind of rips the heart out of his piece.
There is some discontent and worry about whether Roeder is the right man for the job but to accuse us of knee-jerk chanting is just wrong. Liddle obviously wanted to write a piece about Sven coming to Newcastle but that didn't really have impact if he didn't have fans chanting for the head of the current manager. Ah well, just make it up then.
It's clear why Liddle's no longer at Radio 4's Today programme - too many facts for him to deal with.

Andy Gales, Twickenham,

What a load of utter garbage Mr Rod Liddle! Newcastle fans are the most loyal and patient fans I know. I think your comment about Keegan and Robson is utter nonsense! Why is the North East so bad? You just ask any person who has visited the likes of Northumberland and Kielder, what you got in London? Nothing. I for one would ask fellow Geordies to get in touch with your editor and ask him to sack you as you know nothing about football and a certain Newcastle United! Proud to be a Geordie and to be from the North East.

Anthony Lewins, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear

What a shoddy piece of writing published in a once great newspaper. Nobody objects to strong opinion but surely not when it is riddled with one inaccuracy after another.

I write as a person who since August 2001 has attended around 90% of Newcastle's league matches home and away and the crowd have never chanted "Roeder Out, Roeder Out", "Souness Out, Roeder In" or "Robson Out, Robson Out".

This piece is written by someone who clearly hasn't the faintest idea of what is happening at Newcastle United and does a great disservice to the newspaper.

Darren Stevens, Sutton, London

'Keegan out'? When and why would anyone have been chanting that? We had just come second in the league, beaten Man U 5-0 and in one of his last games we beat Tottenham 7-1. Things were great and Keegan leaving was a massive shock and no one expected him to leave, never mind actually calling for him to do it! Utter drivel.

Either this writer really is an ignorant southener or he is just trying to wind us up. If it is the latter I'm going to stop ranting now and not give him the satisfaction. The article has no news and no intelligent analysis, best to just ignore it.

Andy, Ashington,

What utter drivel. It's a shame that some broadsheet 'journalists' still display the familiar arrogance when commenting on Newcastle. This article contains very few facts, rather the misguided and plain false comments of someone who has probably been to St James' a handful of times. Firstly: at no point did any Newcastle fan ever sing Souness out, Roeder in. Roeder was no more in the frame at that point than I was. Even less than that, was the possibility of any supporter chanting Keegan out! His departure was regretted by every toon fan, bar none - although I'm not sure how many would want him back. Yes, there's a a section of fickle fans at the club, like at any club, but Newcastle fans have had more that their fair share of misery... and still they turn up. That, to me, says more about their character than any two-bit hack could ever sum up.

Andrew Nagy, Durham, England

Why let facts get in the way when you have 1,000 words to write and nothing much to say?

Michael Hudson, Jarrow, Tyne & Wear

I have never read such utter rubbish in my life. Where exactly does Rod Little sit when he goes to St James' Park. Can anyone remember a Roeder Out! chant. Indeed, I dont recall hearing a Robson Out! chant either. Perhaps he watches every Newcastle match in The Colliery Tavern at Monkwearmouth!!!!! Silly man

BV, East Boldon, Tyne & Wear

another anti-newcastle piece of journalism filled with lies. maybe rod is a sunderland supporter?

Rebecca, Sunderland,

Have you actually been to St James' park?

There where never any chants of "Robson out", certainly no chants of (King) "Keegan out" and my god I must be loosing my hearing because I haven't heard these suppossed "Roeder Out" chants.

Very poor article - I have a fifteen year old nephew who is an aspiring sports journalist and he could create a better researched, more informed, clearer picture on the mood of Tyneside than this - and he is a Sunderland fan (god forbid I know).

"Rod Liddle Out"

P.S - Nice to read a Sunderland fan (Mark) getting on the Quinn band-wagon, believing all the nonsense of what a great club Sunderland can be. Where all very scared for next season Mark...

Craig, Washington, England

From my blinkered perspective of a season ticket holder of 18 years I cannot remember any chanting of "Robson/Keegan Out" - the majority of fans were disappointed to see them both go. OK Souness was a different matter (lets not go to that dark place!)

Mr Liddle is way off the mark in his article - a clear case of journalism based on personal bias rather than fact.

Ian Charlton, Bangkok, Thailand

Ian Hall, Were you not in the ground when season tkts were thrown around like confetti? I was there at the age of 16 in the East stand when Harvey out chants were heard! Maybe time has clouded your memory! Look who we ended up with, Richard Dinnis and player power!!!

Steve Barrass, North Shields, Geordieland

I agree with most people here, in that there have been no chants of roeder out, and the article seems to just state what the writer wants to think Newcastle fans are like, without actually looking in to it.

I also wonder why he bet on a side, who he states with Owen and without other injuries would be a top 6 side at least, to get relegated? Unless he somehow knew about all the injuries the team would get, he seems to be saying the difference between top 6 and relegation is Owen?

James, Bristol,

Sadly, that's journalism these days!

Ed Hannigan, Hexham,

What was the point of this poorly researched, uninformative vitriolic rant?
Appart from allegedly watching Newcastle's 1969 Fairs Cup on TV, Has the reporter ever seen a Newcastle United Match.
I Was actually at the Fairs Cup final and have stood on the Leazes, the Gallowgate and now sit in the stands. For many years we chanted "sack The Board" and "Westwood is a pirate" but there were no chants for Harvey to be dismissed. There were no chants for Keegan to leave. There have been no chants for Roeder to go.
It appears the reporter is a southerner with no understanding of Geordies and a little bit of a Smoggie chip on his shoulder - a sad little specimen.

Ian Hall, Whitley Bay, UK

have you actually heard any chants at st' james park? not once has any one chanted roeder out, no one ever chanted robson out, and no one certainly chanted keegan out! i'd like to know where you got your information from because its obvious that you havent been at st'james park during the reigns of keegan, robson, or roeder!

i think the next time you right an article you should do some research!

carl bennett, newcastle upon tyne, england

I, for one, can't comment on the "chants" simply because I'm not living in Newcastle, or England for that matter. However, I feel you sarcastic article is harsh. The Newcastle supporters are known for their patient and sympathy with their team for years and years, and they have always been there to support no matter what.

Although sarcastic, you point out some things which Newcastle need to improve greatly in order to get more consistent. But you have to understand that you're not the first person to realize this, and I'm confident that Newcastle will do whatever is necessary to turn things around.

|maze|, Oslo, Norway

As I recall, this regional "hatred" is a fairly modern thing, and I'm sure back in the late sixties Middlesbro supporters would have just been pleased to see a British team do well in a European competition.

Anyway, Middleebro didn't get electricity until 1985 if I recall correctly - or perhaps this is just lazy journalism on my part ;-P

GroovyFunster, Stoke on Trent via Toon,

aren't journalists meant to report on facts? this article is an embarrasment to the times newspaper

Chris, newcastle, england

lazy journalism.

Robson out chants - keegan out chants. Did not happen; please try harder Rod.

steve, newcastle, uk

Other than Souness out chants ..there hasn't been any other hounding out of managers barring maybe Gullit ....maybe of some players ie. Robert (laziness) and any of our defense (mainly on messageboards though - fullbacks in particular.)

Your sarcasm is way off though. Whatever the main management has done ..lots of money has always been available...

Just the defense has not been fixed! Although this year, we have a pemiership record breaking glut oflongterm injuries... and midtable miedocrity is likely to be the award!

Awais Salahuddin, London, UK

Usual Rod Liddle. Facts all wrong.
Rod, the fans definitely sang 'Souness Out' but definitely did not add 'Roeder In' that was a decision taken by FF alone.
Also, only the foolish ever sang 'Robson Out'.

Kieran McGhee, London,

A very whitty and clever article which made me laugh, aswell as gettin your portrait of newcastle spot on.

This season has been so inconsistant, there has been no decent streak of wins, although some wins against Portsmouth, Reading, Blackburn , Watford, Tottenham, all came round the same time, they was 2 defeats against chelsea in between them games, and then 2 away defeats to Bolton and Everton. Those 5 wins i mentioned are probably the reason we are not fighting a relegation battle.

As a black n white through n through, I have to say i do not fear matches like I did during the Souness Era. Roeder has been terribly unlucky with our ridiculous injury crisis, which only subsided well after the turn of the year, but by now the damage has already been done. Our squad was not big/good enough to deal with this. The players comin in are simply not good enough: Ramage, Huntingdon, Pattison, etc..

Some quality is needed ASAP: C Davies, L Baines, L Young, J Woodgate, S Sidwell,

Craig, Stanley,

Is this an article to provoke tensions amongst Newcastle fans, or to perhaps inspire some for of backlash against the club & its directors ? If this is the case, you have failed miserably. As a season ticket holder, I can honestly say I have yet to hear chants of Roeder out, Robson out, Keegan out. Souness was the only manager since Charlton that I can recall having suffered chants against him. This is not to say that there isn't a section of supporters who would gladly see the back of Roeder but he still has the respect of the fans, ifnot the faith. We as a club, do not want anyones sympathy for our injury situation, we do not want it to be used as an excuse. Newctle has, over the years, thrown millions of our money at players who are unfit to wear our shirt. Perhaps we do need to pay top wages to attract certain players to Newcastle, perhaps we do pay over the odds sometimes for a player because of our financial wealth but what the fans want is VALUE FOR MONEY & we haven't had that.

Lee, Newcastle Upon Tyne, England

A great piece, made more so by the comments underneath it. Of COURSE they didn't shout for Roeder's head (said the man from Bangkok) and can you not remember that bloke to took them to 3rd,4th,5th place finishes in the league, the second group stage of the Champions League and a UEFA Cup semi final, said another, failing to mention the bit where they then screamed for his head, too. North East football has a habit of swings and roundabouts when it comes to success (or doing better than the other NE clubs, anyway). One club will have it good, while the others struggle, then it's all change. Perhaps Newcastle have had their chance in the limelight for too long now. Come in NUFC - your time is (well and truly) up. There's a couple of Irish blokes wearing red and white who well and truly have come for a crack at it...

Mark, Sunderland, England

Rod I normally enjoy reading your columns, whether they are sports based or not. But what you have written for the most part in this piece is complete rubbish. You are right when you talk about lady luck not being on Newcastle's side. But the way you describe the fans' impatience over the years with 'Keegan out' and now 'Roeder out' shows that you have written this with very little thought. At no time during the Keegan era did I ever here these chants and I'm told from family and friends that not once has there been a Roeder out chant. Newcastle fans are probably the most patient in the country. Tell me another club who would get 50,000 plus having not won a domestic trophy for 52 years. Over 30 other clubs have won something since we have. I suggest you get back to your nice little ground in Deptford and start off some 'Donachie Out' chants,

Nick, Bangkok, Thailand

you havent in your life even visited newcastle,or at least a football match there

the keegan part shows this

as for souness imho not one person thought he would do well but we gave him his chance,unlike yourselves

kevin harris, chester-le -street, england

At which game exactly have the Newcastle fans chanted "Roeder out"? And at which game exactly did they chant "Robson out"? A simple question, can you supply a simple answer? We are waiting.

John Clare, Newcastle,

'Keegan out' I don't remember that, his last home game was a 7-1 victory against Tottenham and there were certainly no anti Keegan noises. 'Robson out' I don't remember this either, oh that is because you are making things up again, yes a few people made a few noises that he may be losing the dressing room but not many were calling for his head.

Glenn Roeder our best manager since Keegan? Again are you stupid? Can you not remember that bloke you had already refered to earlier in your article, Sir Bobby Robson, who took us to 3rd,4th,5th place finishes in the league, the second group stage of the Champions League and a UEFA Cup semi final.

Rod Liddle, you don't know what you are talking about and are a disgrace to football.

Greg, Newcastle,

you havent in your life even visited newcastle,or at least a football match there

the keegan part shows this

as for souness imho not one person thought he would do well but we gave him his chance,unlike yourselves

kevin, durham, england