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It seems that every year there are more and more novice Ironmen taking up the challenge of this great event.

I believe the biggest draw of the Ironman is that its within reach of anyone who is willing to put in the required effort to reach the finish line.

As a result it draws people from all walks of life as well a broad range of athletic ability.

I certainly would never want to deter anyone from striving for their Ironman goal, but it seems that little is ever written about the ever present hazards in an endurance event of this degree of difficulty. Make no mistake, the Ironman will test you to the limit of your physical, mental and emotional capabilities. Its finding out what we are truly made of that makes Ironman success such a triumph of the human spirit.

Unfortunate incidents do occur and its important that everyone who plans to take up the Ironman challenge be aware of and prepared for any contingency that might arise in training for, and racing in, their first Ironman.

The very first step, especially if you are not in great condition to start with is to talk with your doctor and let him know what you have in mind. I would do this before you even start a training program. It can be extremely hazardous to stress yourself physically too much too soon.

Once you are into your training be sure to learn all you can about the equipment you will be using. This includes all aspects of your bike, helmet, swim goggles, wetsuit, clothing and anything else that comes into play during Ironman training and racing.

Learn about riding in near proximity to many other bikes, swimming in the open water with upwards of 2000 other people and how improper nutrition and hydration can be a recipe for disaster.

Here are just a few things I’ve witnessed over my 25 years as an endurance athlete.

–In one marathon, a runner in front of me collapsed at about the 22 mile mark. I had noticed that he had slowed considerably over the previous mile. It was an extremely hot day. It turns out he had heat stroke and was rushed to the hospital and they had to get his core temperature down. He made several mistakes that day as it turns out.

He wore no hat. He didn’t drink enough. He went out way to fast for the conditions that day and he wasn’t properly trained for the distance.

–At one Ironman Canada bike check-in( back when bike checks were mandatory), the bike mechanic checking a first time ironmans bike told him he had no rear brakes.( I mean, there were NO rear brakes) The answer he got was…”well, I still have the front ones.”

?????

Here is an Ironman course with probably some of the fastest downhills of any race. I can just imagine him having to stop in a hurry at 80 kph with only front brakes.

–I once watched two bikes wipe out on the course because a cyclists water bottle was too loose in the cage and came flying out right under someone’s wheel.

–I was in one race where an athlete was given 5 units of intravenous in the medical tent because of dehydration. I’m still not sure if that’s the record. Maybe its six. Remember, if ambulance attendants give you an I.V. out on the course, your race is over. Be sure to drink enough. Don’t let this happen to you.

The ironman can be such a great experience. Don’t let foolish mistakes mar your special day.

Here are some things to remember:

–have a thorough medical check-up before you even begin Ironman training. This is especially important if your fitness level is poor to start with. Many novice ironmen are runners or swimmers etc. and are fit to start with and will not be quite as much at risk.

–If you’re new to cycling, be sure and have a professional size the bike to fit you. Learn all you can about the mechanics and proper maintenance of your bike. Be sure to learn proper bike handling skills from an experienced cyclist. Be sure your helmet fits snugly and don’t ever train without one.

–On hot days, get used to wearing a cap of some sort and be sure to take in more fluids. A cap is great during those hot races. You can put water or ice in them at the aid stations.

If you begin to feel dizzy at all during a training run in the heat, slow down or stop and find some shade and take in fluids.

Many Ironman athletes have problems during the marathon because they don’t take proper precautions during extreme heat. Even pros will slow down. They know better than to over-exert themselves in adverse conditions.

–Take advantage of the transition areas. Spending a few extra minutes to gather yourself between the bike and the run can pay dividends later in the day. Its not always the best idea to run straight from the bike to the marathon course.

–The Ironman swim can be a harrowing experience for the novice Ironman. It need not be. Go in with a plan. Seed yourself properly or better yet, swim on the edges of the main pack and stay out of traffic trouble. Be sure you have trained sufficiently to easily manage the distance.

The Ironman might just be the most amazing thing you will ever experience. There are just so many positives that come out of this event.

Just some good old common sense and proper preparation will help ensure you make the most of your day and ensure a safe, exciting race.

My name is Ray. I have over 25 years of endurance sports experience including 14 ironman races.

I have created a site for novice Ironman athletes and have many training and racing tips that may be helpful in reaching your ironman goals.

The name of my site is “Ironstruck”

The address it….

http://triathlon-ironman-myfirstironman-ironstruck.com

Looking for help in funding a university education may be difficult and will need time. These scholarships differ from a regular student loan because these are a grant for your education, so it doesn’t have to be paid back. While researching ways to finance your university degree, remember that funds are available in very unusual spots, for instance funding for left handed scholars. Lefty Scholarships

A left-handed grant may initially seem out of the norm, but do consider this: Benjamin Franklin was a left-hander, as is Barack Obama. Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Paul McCartney not to mention J.F. Kennedy were also left-handed. Current statistics propose eleven percent of the world’s population are lefties. Frequently thought to be more talented artistically and more intelligent, left-handers have frequently suffered from discrimination. Today, lefties are no longer discriminated against or thought of as odd, and may even have many things associated with the famous individuals mentioned above. There are many grants accessible for lefty scholars if you look around. The Frederick and Mary F. Beckley Scholarship for up to a thousand dollars is presently available at Juniata College in Huntington, Pennsylvania. For students of Juniata College and set up in the 1970’s, this unique school fund has assisted over forty left-handed pupils in their pursuit for advanced education.

To learn more, you are advised to surf to this brilliant resource for writing a scholarship application essay info.

Whilst you are searching for school scholarships, do be aware that some scholarships may have requirements and limitations. In some cases particular grades can be involved or particular monetary requirements have to be met. Multiple program applications will step-up your prospects of financing a university education with as small a school debt upon graduation as possible. Clubs, groups affiliated with hobbies and even local organizations may be a source of scholarships. Lefthanded grants are not the only case; funds are likewise accessible if you are the child of a member of the services or suffer from a disability, to provide some examples. You may need to invest quite a bit of time searching for grants, of course the advantages can potentially be huge. Employed along with standard lending, they are efficient at cutting the student debt that a college degree generates. Ensure you enquire into every last suitable grant. These funding is not the only option — and do be creative! If you guess you might be suitable, then go for it, keeping any costs minimal, also you will most probably be able to expect a more positive financial future when you leave college.

Horseback Riding is one of the oldest and most popular sports ever. Of course it wasn’t really a sport when it first got started; probably six or eight millennia ago. Then it was a practical necessity for survival like hunting and fishing. Still today people keep and ride horses for practical reasons, but today they are mostly kept for sport. Cowboys, gauchos and Mongolian herders use them as tools, but they have become more like pets in most places.

I find it fascinating that so many of the sports or hobbies which we love today like horseback riding, hunting, gardening and fishing should have derived from the need to survive. Do you suppose that this was partly a matter of evolution and that those who liked those things the most tended to be the best at them? How many generations does it take to change these evolved characteristics? Probably it is a very long time. If our pronghorn antelope developed their tremendous speed to avoid the cheetah, extinct for 10,000 years or so in North America, then it could take a very long time indeed.

I think that man’s affinity with horses has not lasted long enough to be the main factor in achieving this happy relationship. I believe it is because of the synergy created between the too. American Plains Indians took to the horse in less than a generation and it caused an unprecedented flowering in the culture and empowerment; albeit for a comparatively short period in the history of the world. Not only did the horse enable the mounted warrior to hunt their main source of food far more effectively, but it also made it possible for the tribes to follow the buffalo migrations with their teepees and equipment.

Today horses are used mainly for recreation. Many people ride for fun at home although it is becoming difficult in many part of the world to keep rights of way open for riding because of paved roads, fences, housing developments and factories. Thus riders have turned more to ring work like dressage. Horseback riding vacations in less spoiled areas have also become very popular.

Renowned Golf Instructor Art Khano says before you spend money on that expensive new driver consider the five important measurements for distance and straightness.

If you are like me you are in your twilight years. Those days of whipping everyone from the blue tees and scoring a 67 are long gone. No longer do I brag about beating my son who hits it 300 yards against the wind. Because quite frankly I don’t hit it far anymore and haven’t for years. In fact, every year seems like I hit it shorter and shorter. Or it’s just harder to get the same distance. When I try to crank it up, the ball goes in directions I’ve never seen from my classic smooth golf swing.

For the better part of the last 15 years, my long ball son and I have worked on my golf swing to get more distance. I am a golf instructor and poured what I knew into him. I’ve created a monster. He hits an eight iron 200 yards. He still doesn’t score that well. His work schedule doesn’t allow him to put in the time it takes to get down in the 70’s. We have opposite games, he hits it far and doesn’t score that well, I hit short and score in the mid seventies consistently. You see where I’m going with this.

For the last seven years, I have taught the golf swing. I’m a PGTCA certified golf instructor. I’ve literally taught hundreds of people during the years. The number one request from most of my clients over 50 years old. How do I get more distance without giving up straightness? They lament, “I bought this $600 dollar driver only to see my distance go down over the years.”

After studying the game for the last 45 years, I’ve studied under some of the greatest golf teachers. I get a kick out, when an amateur golfer thinks pros hit it well because of the clubs. If you are an experienced golfer you know that if you give a touring pro the oldest beat up, out-of-date golf club and an amateur the best club with the newest technology, the touring pro will hit smoother, straighter and farther. So it’s not entirely the club.

Below you will find some measurements and simple solutions to apply to help determine what exactly is happening to your swing. They will help you understand WHAT you need to DO in order to get more distance without sacrificing straightness. Then you could go buy that expensive new club with these measurements in mind.

Before you spend money on a new driver: 5 measurements you must consider.

1. Clubhead speed

This is one of the more important measurements you can take on your own golf swing. The only thing about it. You can’t just go one time to a store to have them measure it. You need to take ongoing measurements to track your progress. There are affordable options out there my favorite is the “Speed Stik” which helps improve your clubhead speed and measure it. It measures clubhead speed and helps you hear when you are swinging faster. Practice it over and over at the increased speed. A more expensive option is the “SwingMate” just for measuring the speed. Both are available at Golfsmith. In order to build the strength you can also use a weighted club or weight donuts. Swing it five minutes before you use the Speed Stik. Then try it again.

2. Center of the clubface

Clubhead speed without hitting in the center will impact your distance and of course straightness. A simple solution, impact tape. This goes on your clubface and you see the mark it leaves. Do this a few times at the range or even at home with plastic golf balls. (Don’t go breaking the windows or hit the ceiling now).

3. Correct swing path not for distance but straightness

The swing path is tricky to diagnose but through training you can get an eye for it. Simply observe the immediate path of the ball after impact. If the ball shoots to the left immediately after impact you are hitting it from outside in. If the ball jets to the right immediately after impact, you have an inside out swing path. Another way is take a flattened cardboard box place it one or two inches parallel outside the golf ball. The goal being to avoid hitting the box altogether. But if you hit the ball then the box you have an inside out swing. If you the box then the ball you have an outside in swing path.

4. Angle of approach.

The angle of approach can be observed through a trained eye also. The trajectory of the ball immediately after impact will give you a clue as to your angle of approach. If you are using a driver and your ball seems to jet up very high right away, you need to make a more sweeping motion to correct the sharp axing motion giving it rise. Increasing the axe motion down the club range to the sand wedge. The driver is more of a sweeping motion. The fairway wood is more descending and so on.

5. Square to the clubface, different than the center.

Many astute golfers get the center of the clubface and square to the clubface confused. You could hit it center but not be squared to the ball. As the ball is in mid path you will see a slice or pull. This tells you that the hit was center (see #2) and swing path was correct but not squared.

Okay, now after several days of measurements. Make some adjustments and track your progress. Start with number one. Clubhead speed. Then take more measurements from two through five. We want to ensure that with the increased clubhead speed you aren’t straying from the other important measurements.

Now you successfully increased your clubhead speed with the other proper measurements. Go buy the best club you could buy.

Art Khano improves golf swings and teaches golf in the Chicago area.

773-569-6226 or email mailto:art@nationalhomeclub.com

As both sides were eager to increase the count of the cautions in the match, no surprise the referee found himself in a quagmire and try to get out of it by banishing players to dressing room. So in the end we had was a 9 on 9 rather than an 11 vs 11 contest.

Two days and four matches after that madhouse we can surely believe that it would have been so much better if FIFA wouldn’t had interfered with common sense referring with its dictum. Punish the cheats, control time wasting tactics and punish career threatening tackles had not only made the referees more sensitive to their boss’s request but also seemed an easy way for referees to be in FIFA’s good books so that they can run matches in the later stage of the tournament.

What should we do to avoid Portugal vs Netherlands debacle in future

First and foremost is the change in the system of cards, today we have two levels of offenses Yellow cards and Red cards. Red for committing a career threatening tackle or committing mistakes being the last defender and Yellow card for all the other offences in the game. Some of the people may like to differ with me but if one sees closely the Portugal and Netherlands match was full of players who ended up with yellow cards for minor offences because FIFA labeled few of the minor offenses as a Yellow card offence. For example the second yellow card of Deco, he was just in way and when the referee blowed his whistle he instinctively pick up the ball. Next thing was a flashing second yellow and way to the dressing room.

What should FIFA do with it?

To avoid offenses in a match fouls should be categorized into various classifications and level, for example a time killing penalty is equivalent to harsh tackle – a yellow card. But does this solve the problem.

Absolutely not, we have to understand the intention of the player. A time killing infringement should be dealt with a time based penalty and a tackling infringement should be dealt with an injury based penalty.

Diving, time killing, cheating should be reprimanded then and there. As soon as the referee spot a diving or time killing exercise, a new card say Orange should be flashed to send the player out of game for ten minutes.

How will it better than the present system

Presently the players who dive, kill time or try to cheat are the one who are not on caution so they believe even if they have a yellow card the objective will be achieved. Goalkeepers today so often waste time by taking too much time in kicking goal kicks and one yellow doesn’t influence their overall role in the tournament. So if the goal keeper is out for ten minutes the other team will have massive advantage to attack and change the game.

Believe you me once this is in on, no goalkeeper on earth will be wasting time. The moment one dive he is out for ten minutes, this will be a great hindrance as it will decrease the risk reward equation for the striker. At one moment he is trying to achieve a non existent penalty and next moment the opposition will have a ten minute numerical advantage to gain upper hand.

This will also reduce the pressure from the referees as their decision will have a shorter influence in term of single decision influencing a whole match but more control over the split situation. As we earlier described in the Deco example the over all influence of a minor mistake is that the team ended up playing 20 odd minutes with 9 players or in the match of Germany vs Sweden where Lucic committed a technical foul with no malaise but end up sitting more than a 50 minutes in dressing room. 10 minutes advantage to Germany of a man over would have been appropriate for such a haphazard foul with no ill intent.

The next article in this series will be ‘Referees need help to avoid a Portugal vs Netherlands kind debacle’. In that article we will throw some light how and where technology can be used to decide the critical decisions.

Computer accessible betting webpages are now governed through three organizations. These are the OSGA (the Offshore Gaming Association), the IGC (Interactive Gaming Council) and the Fidelity Trust Gaming Association FTGA.

The Offshore Gaming Association are an autonomous agency which currently supervises the modern offshore gambling business, they want to present the paying public the facility to locate respectable internet enterprises to play betting games on, without anguish. It labors to watch over the rights of gaming lovers, additionally they do not levy any joining or annual fees. The OSGA are a proficient and nonpartisan third party organisation who formulate impartial conclusions, advised by your assessments, objective studies, phone chats, industry insider tips not to mention delivers inside communication.

The Interactive Gaming Council are a nonprofit agency. The agency has been established to allow a forum for concerned parties to address concerns also to advance shared concerns in the global online gambling business, in an effort to establish upright and also accountable professional guidelines and methods which aim to improve consumer faith in net based gambling merchandise and utilities, and also to be of assistance as the trade’s inclusive practise spokesperson and the council also provides a data base.

The Interactive Gaming Council has made a regard for promoting honor, stability and in addition solidity by reason of the scrupulous industry ethics it demonstrates, and its appeal for business organizations of conscientious practise. The IGC regularises overseas sports betting by utilising a specific ten step set of precepts and in addition bills sports betting business enterprises fees for featuring the council’s logo. Unsatisfied bettors can moreover state their disputes to the Interactive Gaming Council.

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The Fidelity Trust Gaming Association was founded in order to generate a benchmark which will upgrade the policies of internet betting websites. The agency understand that by associating with honorable companies, they are able to shape a membership of the fairest and most proficient overseas gaming companies world-wide. There are councils which work to guide the dealings of online sports gaming and which should with luck aid to ease any concerns because of apprehension experienced by doubters. On-line sports gambling websites are altogether secure, since private details aren’t demanded and the recompense and the odds are exactly as equal and sportsmanlike as your usual Vegas-type sports wager. These web sites eliminate travel costs, but nonetheless maintain the character of a Vegas style gambling site, however nowadays you are able to wager in the comfort of home.

Planning on renovating your home or buying new furniture? Before you spend thousands of dollars, try your luck at “home” sweepstakes. Home sweepstakes give you the opportunity to win complete home renovations, rooms of furniture, artwork worth millions and a host of other accessories and products for your home. In simple words you have the opportunity to win what you desire to make your home look beautiful.

One sweepstakes in the US and Canada asks participants to describe their “most uncomfortable” home in 200 words, and why it needs a makeover. Along with the essay, participants must submit photographs best depicting their “”uncomfortable”" home. The prize was a whooping $60,000, complete home makeover – a new look for your home absolutely free.

There are also sweepstakes that call for your favorite recipes, favorite “boyfriends” stories, and any other contribution that involves your creative participation. Once you get involved with something actively, you have pscyhologically committed a part of yourself to it. The ads that the websites post as banners or pop-ups will now be mor elikely to be visited by you, which is how the sweeps get their funding in the first place. But there may be no obligation at all, so give ‘er a whilrl. You enter by fulfilling the theme in writing and wait to see if you are the lucky winner. Again, prizes will be identified as products for your home, so watch for “home” sweepstakes when you’re looking to play. What better way then free to fix up your home?

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You may believe that you don’t have to do anything after you consultant interviews is over…

You’ve suffered the job interview and you can now emit a sigh of relief!

Loosen up! Get a little exercise!

you have done your bit, now wait for the interview panel to their bit!

Recall – irrespective of how it went; there are no failures only results.

Learn from each interview – you will get better if you reflect and refine your performances.

Resolve the following inquiries:

1. What aspects went better from the job interview?

• Was your body language good?
• Did you introduce yourself distinctly.
• How did the first 15 seconds go?
• Did your answers have structure and were they presented well?

2. What could I do differently if I could do it again?

• Do you think you concluded your answers properly?
• Could you’ve smiled more?
• Did you reveal your passion for the post?

3. Did I do enough preparation?

• Did you know the answers for the questions?
• Did you have enough background knowledge about the post?
• Should you have practiced more?
• Might you’ve gone on a course?

4. What questions did I struggle on?

• Which ones made you struggle?

5. What questions did I answer well?

• Which were the gems for you and why?

6. Did I sell my benefits?

• Did you sell yourself at all?

Think about these issues and learn from them so that you will be better prepared the next time

Reading could be promoted to the Premiership within days despite being held to a 1-1 draw against play-off chasing Wolves. Bobby Convey gave Reading the lead after 23 minutes but draw specialists Wolves equalised through Kenny Miller on 64 to earn shrewd punters a winning 13/5 bet.

Stuttering Sheffield United remain second in the table even though Norwich condemned them to a third defeat in four games at Carrow Road. Chris Armstrong gave the 8/5 Blades the lead after 17 minutes but Leon McKenzie equalised on 33 and Robert Earnshaw’s goal just before the break ensured a 6/4 home win.

Automatic promotion chasing Leeds could only draw 1-1 draw at resurgent Coventry. Gary McSheffrey gave the Sky Blues a 26th minute lead but David Healy struck a penalty two minutes from time to seal a 9/4 draw.

Ten-man Ipswich earned a battling point against play-off hopefuls Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Aki Riihilahti gave the 8/11 Eagles the lead after 10 minutes but a Tom Soares own goal on 30 put Ipswich back in the game. Clinton Morrison restored Palace’s lead eight minutes into the second half but Riccardo Fuller secured a 12/5 draw on 67.

Preston North End’s 2-0 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday meant none of the top six sides in the Championship won this weekend. Deon Burton’s opener after 38 minutes and Burton O’Brien’s first goal for the club six minutes after the break boosted the 2/1 Owl’s chances of avoiding relegation.

Cardiff kept their play-off chances alive with a narrow win at Plymouth. Steven Thompson struck the winner nine minutes before the break for the 19/10 Bluebirds who won at Home Park for the first time in six attempts.

Hull kept Crewe at the foot of the Championship with a 1-0 win at the Kingston Communications Stadium. Despite their own precarious position, the Tigers were as short as 4/5 on the day but Stuart Green’s goal after 16 minutes proved to be the winner.

Millwall are now five points adrift from safety after losing 1-0 at home to Leicester. Stephen Hughes struck the decisive goal after 31 minutes for the 17/10 Foxes and although Millwall dominated the second half, they couldn’t follow up their superiority with a goal.

Second-from-bottom Brighton & Hove Albion earned an unlikely draw at QPR. Gareth Ainsworth gave the 8/11 Hoops the lead after 13 minutes but a Marcus Bignot own goal 10 minutes before the end gave Brighton a point.

David Walker runs free bets and UK poker websites. A free email course: “Seven Days to Better Betting” is available at both of these websites.

Being a Newcastle fan you learn to live more in hope than expectation, yet the one thing we do demand is to be entertained. Graeme Souness was on the verge of the sack from Blackburn Rovers in August 2004 and yet Newcastle United’s walking public relations disaster and part-time chairman, Freddie Shepherd, in his infinite wisdom decided to PAY the Lancashire club for the man’s services! £1.65m later and with several lucrative contracts sorted for Souey’s entourage of a clueless old timer, a few well wishers and his ‘yes’ man Dean Saunders, Newcastle United proudly presented Souness to the media. The new manager spoke in glowing terms about the club and how proud he was that his son would grow up with a Geordie accent. In reality he was probably just amazed that someone had once again been daft enough to employ him.

With one of Souness’ best friends being camp crimper Dale Winton, there is no doubt that the fiery Scot could have got a gig on Supermarket sweep or something equally as testing of his remarkable ‘talents’. That is if he didn’t get angry with Dale hogging the spotlight and as a result launch into a two footed tackle on a shopping trolley. The one time I asked Dale Winton for a favour he didn’t come through for me, damn.

There wasn’t the same fanfare from the Tyneside crowd that was usually afforded to a new manager as Souness made his first appearance at SJP. Keegan and Robson had been hailed as saviours, Dalglish was warmly received and everyone got the wigs out for Ruud Gullit. Not this time though, although the Mags hammered Souness’ previous club 3-0 (Souness was officially on ‘gardening leave’). Blackburn Rovers were a shambles that day and many onlookers questioned how badly they must have been managed to get into such a state. Our new leader just sat in the stands beaming a wide smile next to his son who wore a full Newcastle kit, perhaps hoping that it would speed up the transition of his boy’s soon to be Geordie accent. Fans knew even then what the chairman apparently didn’t until the last few weeks of the Souness tenure – this was an accident waiting to happen.

In my mind there is no doubt that Sir Bobby Robson had passed his sell by date long before he was kicked out of his job as gaffer. Not because he was a 71-year old man who forgot people’s names, he was doing that in his 50’s as England manager (Once calling Bryan Robson ‘Bobby’ to which his captain replied “No gaffer, you’re Bobby, I’m Bryan!”), but because he was making no sense in his tactical decisions and had given his all but looked worn out. With that in mind Robson should have been told that his time was up at the end of the 2003-2004 campaign and could have gracefully moved on. Instead he was sacked just four games into a season, the third consecutive Toon manager to be ousted after a handful of early season games.

Despite all of the concerns over the new man, Souness started well and the club went ten games undefeated under his guidance. A number of fans were ready to accept him and yet there remained an overall feeling of scepticism in the North Eastern air. Mark Hughes was installed at Blackburn and immediately commented on how unfit his players were and that he was appalled with the stories he had heard about the training sessions before he arrived. Most people took his remarks with a pinch of salt at the time, only later did they seem apt.

It was only a matter of time before somebody upset Souness and that man was the volatile Craig Bellamy, the club’s most in-form player and also the most outspoken. Bellamy boasted to players that he would feign injury and refuse to play as he felt he was being wasted on the wings rather than his preferred role up front, Souness reacted by leaving him out of the match at Highbury against Arsenal. Souey claims he was willing to forgive and forget until the player did an interview with Sky Sports saying that his manager: “Went behind my back, right in front of my face.” Of course this showed two things – 1. Craig Bellamy is about as intelligent as a monkey with Alzheimer’s disease and 2. Souness’ man management skills are appalling.

So Bellers was packed off to Celtic on loan and in many ways this was the beginning of the end. The team now lacked creativity and pace. When Kieron Dyer’s old Hamstring/foot/liver/eyebrow injury inevitably recurred the team suddenly looked short of ideas and this is when Souness realised that a creative genius was needed and not content with just one, he managed to find three. Jean Alain Boumsong, to whom defending is such a complicated art, was the first. If £8.5m is what he’s worth then my Mum is the pope’s wife. Then came the great Amady Faye – to this day one of the most under rated players ever…. That is if he is rated as the equivalent of a bag of treacle being eaten by a diabetic man with no taste buds and false teeth. The third of these gems was Celestine Babayaro from Chelsea who is talented but gives about as much effort as Michael Barrymore trying to fish dead bodies out of swimming pools.

Out went talented players such as Olivier Bernard and of course Bellamy who ironically eventually ended up at Blackburn. The team slumped to 14th in the league, injuries mounted up (As they had at Blackburn under Souness) and the only potential saving graces were the cups. The FA cup always looked a long shot; we were in the semi-final but faced an in-form Manchester United. The UEFA cup was more likely to bring us our first major trophy in 50 years, hopes that were soon extinguished. The 2nd of April, 2005, was one of the darkest days in Newcastle United’s 113 year history. Aston Villa came to St James’ park to face a Newcastle side that was unbeaten in nine games; they left with a 3-0 win over the EIGHT players that remained in black and white shirts. Firstly Steven Taylor was sent off for handball (Despite a great impression of a dying swan) and then any hope we still had of salvaging our season evaporated into the overcast sky. Lee Bowyer walked towards Kieron Dyer and started to throw punches at his colleague. Both players were red carded and thereafter criticised heavily in the media, but make no mistake, this was Bowyer’s fault and fans were quick to see that. Be that as it may, it was Souness who was the fall guy as his team went out of both cups with a brace of 4-1 defeats to Sporting Lisbon and Manchester United in the same week. Now nothing was left to disguise the shortcomings of the manager in a miserable inaugural season on Tyneside.

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An article by Dominic Kureen who writes articles for Focus on football – Football news and articles from the fans.