Don't Do It Harry

This morning sees the unusual event of me sticking my nose in business that doesn't concern me, but hey, everyone is allowed to deviate from their agenda from time to time.

As most of you will have noticed, this week the back pages have been full with news, facts and speculation regarding the currently manager-less Newcastle United.

The Barcodes, rather humorously, relieved themselves of that odious slack jawed thug-monger, big fat Sam Allardyce, in a manner that can only be described as 'poetic', and now, big club that they are, are scouring the globe for a new gaffer.

The image of Newcastle United is a false one. Painted as a big club, the only big thing about them was the previous manager's waistband. Big clubs are as such because of their ability to win trophies, and if Tottenham Hotspur have won more silverware than you in the last 50 years then you've gotta start questioning your status.

So I found myself feeling quite disappointed this morning as I read that Portsmouth's Harry Redknapp is listed as the favorite to take over at St James' Park.

What Redknapp has achieved at Fratton Park is nothing short of astounding, indeed his shrewdness in the transfer market and willingness to play football is almost a mirror image of Arsene Wenger (well not really but you understand the sentiment) hell, the have enough former members of the Arsenal down there that I follow their results with great interest, wishing all former Gooners well.

In a time where money rules all in football, any move for Harry to the North East would only suggest to me that a large wedge of green has been flashed in his direction. I can't believe that Redknapp would move there for the history and tradition of a once great football club as, quite frankly, there is none. A club that Stuart Peace once described as 'sterile' couldn't possibly offer him the same intimate feeling he gets at Portsmouth. Indeed, even the clapped out Fratton Park provides more character than that massive hunk of metal and concrete the Geordies call home.

Portmouth even offer Redknapp a better chance of playing European club football next season with his boys sitting pretty in a position to battle for a UEFA cup place despite not having scored at home for the past 35 years. Hell, they're only 5 points outside the much sought after Champions League spots.

So come on Harry, don't ruin your career by signing for a club who have had at least ten managers since Arsene Wenger arrived in England (see there are Arsenal connections to this story), and stay at Portsmouth and finish what you started.

You know it makes sense.

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