Talk is cheap in land of confusion

Jul 12 2009 by Neil Farrington, Sunday Sun

NOBODY should be surprised that Newcastle supporters became the Cartoon Army – by falling for a load of Hong Kong Phooey – in midweek.

For that, blame the idiots who have left Tyneside so thirsty for information that it laps up any internet or text rumour. Not the punters.

The fact that certain Press charlies also swallowed the Gianluca Vialli ruse, three weeks after falling for Rick Parkinson, says much about my industry, not to mention its thrall to the power of new media.

But there wouldn’t be much of a market for wind-up merchants – be they Mag or Mackem – if the men in charge of Newcastle United didn’t leave the club’s future open to doubt and derision.

Never mind singing from the same hymnsheet, they aren’t even quoting the same joke book.

Of course, the ramblings of Derek Llambias, whether delivered in situ or absentia, have long lacked credibility.

That’s Llambias, the managing director who manages to direct from London much of the time.

But what of Keith Harris, who is yet to strike a deal for United at the second time of asking . . . and at a knock-down price?

For have his pronouncements, perceived as kernels of wisdom by some observers, not also sowed the seeds of the speculation grown wild in the North East?

Fans living hand-to-mouth on the rationed information coming out of St James’s Park may be short on perspective when it comes to the club’s continuity of message.

So a study of some of the spiel issued by Llambias and Harris should provide food for thought.

Take this soundbite from Llambias, on the subject of appointing Alan Shearer as manager.

“Talks are still ongoing. We hope to have something resolved by the end of the week.”

That was over six weeks ago. After Mike Ashley put Newcastle back up for sale.

Shearer remains in limbo.

A week later, Llambias denied the Profitable Group were eyeing United, saying: “We had some dealings with them last summer . . . but we have had absolutely no contact with them since then.”