Huge thumbs up to our travelling support today. Outsinging the pin drop Kop for the majority of the game and you could only hear chants of Gabby, Carew and MON at 5-0. Well done boys!

Pele Claims Ronaldo And Robinho Took Drugs
In statements that will surely rock Brazilian football, the country's greatest ever player has accused two modern-day samba stars of substance abuse...

22 Mar 2009 00:50:01

Brazilian legend Pele has made comments that are sure to generate massive controversy in the footballing world, after he indicated that Ronaldo and Robinho took drugs at a private event in Sao Paulo with businessmen in the tourist sector.

Pele is currently appearing in court in relation to a case involving his son Edinho, who has confessed to being addicted to cocaine. According to the radio station Jovem Pan, Pele told the court, "It is unfair to talk about drugs in football because of just one or two cases, like Ronaldo and Robinho, who have that problem."

Pele also criticised his old foe Diego Maradona, presently the coach of Argentina, for being a "negative example".

"He was an excellent player but unfortunately everyone can see what he has done with his life," the Santos icon said.

He then cited Kaka, Michel Platini and Franz Beckenbauer as ideal role models to follow, stressing that these types of figures in world football more than make up for the less savoury side of the sport.

"Kaka is an example of a great role model, and beside him there are others like Platini, Beckenbauer and many others," Pele said. "There are a lot of good people and it is unfair to focus on an isolated case."

Well done!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/king.gif) Of course the 'fool fans will still tell everyone how great they are!

Yeah, it's Goal.com, but it's a true "WTF?" moment nonetheless.

TOON FEAR A NINE POINT TYNE-BOMB

HOPE: Ashley is hoping that Kinnear will be well enough to return to the club before the end of the

Sunday March 29,2009
By John Richardson


THE value of Newcastle United will be slashed by half – from around £200million to £100million – if the club is relegated to the Championship.

Now there are fears among the Toon army that desperate owner Mike Ashley, who is also having a torrid time with his sports retail business, could stun the football world by taking the famous North East club into administration.

When he decided to sell up, amid the furore of Kevin Keegan’s abrupt departure in September, it was believed that the sportswear magnate was hoping for a huge profit on his £230m investment.

There was talk that the multi-millionaire was looking for a figure in excess of £400m. Now, with the credit crunch having undermined the world’s economy, financial experts have placed a value of around £200m on a club fighting for its Premier League life.

A drop into the Championship would wipe another £100m off the asking price leaving Ashley in a financial hole. He announced at the end of December that he had taken the club off the market but it is believed that privately he is very much open to offers.

They have not been forthcoming and that has led to informed chatter in the financial world that Ashley has not ruled out the stark threat of administration. It would only be implemented as a last resort and not until Newcastle’s Premier League destiny is decided.

To call in the Receiver now would mean a likely nine-point deduction and almost certain relegation, something Ashley would not welcome through his desire to sell.

The threat, however, will hang over the Geordies during the summer months that they could start next season minus nine points unless Ashley can attract a buyer.

A worried insider admitted: “We are looking at a Leeds United scenario. I don’t think people realise how serious things are at St James’ Park. Relegation would make it a complete disaster.”

Neil Mitchell of the Newcastle United Supporters’ Club added: “NUSC have been made aware of the growing rumours of this catastrophic possibility over the last week and it’s now causing grave concern.

"These really are becoming dark and grave times for all fans of Newcastle United.”

To make matters worse it appears that Ashley has ignored advice from within the club to appoint a temporary boss, to help coaches Chris Hughton and Colin Calderwood, who increasingly appear out of their depth.

Terry Venables and the Alan Curbishley have been mentioned but Ashley is clinging to the hope that Joe Kinnear, despite undergoing a triple heart-bypass operation, will be back by the end of next month.

That could be too late if Newcastle lose games against Chelsea and Stoke. It is not certain either that Kinnear will be given the all-clear by his specialist that would mean him being back before the end of the season.

Ashley was last week accused by business rival and Wigan chairman Dave Whelan of stripping Newcastle of their dignity.

The threat in the coming months is that Newcastle could be stripped of points.

Pele is a prick. I have never rated him as a footballer or a person. He has no idea what's going on in the World of football anymore, probably because his head is so far up his ***.

I don't like it when the EPL takes youth players from Italy... Macheda used to play for Lazio.