unfortunately the club will not hold the manager responsible for the performance of the team they are too fickle to do that and afraid to upset him they will be dragged down eventually. Afraid to make bold decisions. I cannot see the point of signing countless players at the start of a season only not to play them or find they arent good enough. The manager should know the quality of the players he signs. If he doesnt he's not doing his job. No club can EXPECT to win the league but even challenging near the top is something Shields cant do and its not down to money in every instance. Every season is the same, playing catch up because of the lack of a settled team and getting eliminated in national cup competitions in the early rounds, it shows a manager who is reactionary rather than proactive and is propped up by a committee afraid to take a tough decision, this must be very obvious to people over time. Stephenson has signed for a better club and no doubt he has quickly realised he made a mistake at Shields, there seems to be little development of players, rather taking pot luck and hoping for the best. They brought in Morpeths manager and that has done zilch for improvement, just jobs for the boys. Gaffney not sure about but would guess the victim of more poor management

"Time for a change" was the topic headline.................................so lets just change the record

only kidding shieldsman, everyone can see that they have got worse opposed to improving and building on last seasons success, Something has got to give soon in fairness.

Whatever be Shieldsman's opinions about South Shields FC, they are coloured and influenced by his own personal disagreement with the manager Gary Steadman, a situation he saw fit to create two years ago by placing in print certain comments about the man's private business employment that were not related in any way with football and SSFC in particular. To the present time the opinions of him concerning the club have continued to appear regularly on NLZ, suffice to state that his comments are dismissed by all who know him at SSFC, be it management, committee and supporters who can be even bothered to mention his name. No credit for the management, team and club would ever in these circumstances be remotely expected to be given by him, and a last season pre Christmas league table position of third top, and the later winning of the league cup in May, with a semi final defeat of Whitley Bay in the process, or the defeat of Spennymoor Town at the Brewery Field in the Cleator Cup pre season is not worth his mention. Further comment is quite superfluous and readers will no doubt form their own opinions about where Shieldman is coming from and why. If he chooses to spend his time posting his comments - which influence, interest or even concern anyone at the club whatsoever and are never likely to, and also as is noticed and admitted occasionally have his posts deleted, he is one sad individual ....

well it is a public forum

So Shieldsman............wot would be ur best starting X1 for south shields? And any1 else if ya wana chip in?

Bert Garrow, BillyThompson Albert Storey, Bobby Elwell, Ronne Rutherford, Tommy Pigford, Gerry Donaghue, Tommy Pigford, Len Smith Don Robson, Malcolm Leaske Subs Eric Johnstone, Dave Hilly, Jimmy Potter, Paul Thompson, Bobby Owen, Norman Cardew, Gerry Coyne, Kenny Parker, Jimmy Compton, Simon Dolman, Lee Paul Scroggins The rest not named would have left for the Conference Premiere because they were too good for the Northern League not to get a game!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! or be left out as sub.

Oh and the managers would be Charlie Thomas and Alf McMichael.......... neither were sent from the dugout or warned by the referee throughout their illustrious and successful careers..............Steadman wouldn't even get a job as the tea boy, maybe sweeping the west stand

So we couldnt get a serious answer from u, is this becoz (a) u dont know any of the players other than scroggs (b) coz u dont go to the games so u dont know wots wot or (c) a AND b?? Answers on a postcard plz

its because in those days we got 3-4000 crowds could name every player over the decade and were worth watching, the current lot arent even wearside league standard from the 80's=90's dead simple and Knobody has heard of any of the players 69-70 FA CUP 3rd round v QPR prior to that scuntorpe, 2500 Oldham, 3500Bradfo rd PA, 4000 Notts County.8,000..........they cant even beat Chester Le St in the Durham Cup hence nobody goes

flippin heck bestest

_________________
davd john hall

gerry donahue vey poorly unfort

_________________
davd john hall

sorry to hear knew him well years ago was real class

I didnt mention stats etc, all i asked was wot u and every1 else thgt was shields best X1

Good point, with so many players who should go who should stay, are there any players who can turn the season around and im talking about current players. As to Shieldsman some time he has a valid point but has to spoil him self by comming in with some strange remark. After watching last nights game at chester its a fact that things need to change as soon as.

so lets have some detail on the changes that should be made then...........?????? not the usual yellow livered response of "keep behind the team" go on say it..............."sack the managers"................... course you wont ,,,,,,,,,,,,,, I said 18 months ago the club would be on a downward spiral with the current management and it is happening now, the supporters are being sold down the river "pay yur money but dont tell us how to run things especially the question of the manager" they are one of the most extreme non-communicating committees around for their own reason ....take note:

so its wrong to have signed a good crop of players (yes not all will be up to required standard at first maybe)?? No if you recall many of the poorer spells last couple of years were caused at least in part by lack of available players.. so selection was almost impossible when a few injuries or suspensions occurred at the same time... Not saying 32 is right (a few less now??) but at least 22 -25 is sensible, and once used to the size of squad improve bit by bit to get more strength and quality in depth, isnt that what makes for success - at least 2 teams capable of being 'the first team' and competing - in the absence of a proper reserve and youth teams which I am sure wil be on the agenda when possible. Communication - well I have always wanted more info and dialogue from club, when on the committe we tried to be as open as poss and I worked with then managers on fundraising and so on. I suppose the fact is that those who go to matches and talk to the committee etc will be better informed; I can't get as I am 300 miles away but you are a bit closer Dave/
No comment on today's result?

_________________
Patience is a Virtue