midds

If you're going to sack your popular manager and hire a spiv a month before the window opens at least fucking back them with a bit of cash. Jesus... We're thin on the ground. Smith's out for the season, Routledge is out of the door, Ben Arfa is a couple of months away, Carroll is a few weeks away, Gosling has had a setback, Tiote is still out and 2 bookings away from another 2 match ban...We need bodies in.

Honestly can't see us winning without our key men. Take Tiote, Carroll and Ben Arfa out of the team and we're ordinary at best.

Exactly. He should only be back when he's 100% fit. Too often some of our managers have rushed players back only to lose them for longer. Short-term it's shit having to make do but long-term we'll benefit. If it takes another month then so be it.

Whilst I wouldn't have wished this injury to happen it's going to mean he can't (attempt to) play for us for the rest of the season. This is a good thing. Someone else will step in and I'm 99.9% sure they'll be better than Smith. Personally I'd like us do an insurance job on him and recoup something for him because no-one else is going to touch the useless cripple now.

Should be chiselled into his headstone.

Roma 2-1.

It's my game. Reminds me.... I'll send it tomorrow. Cheers mate. http://totalfootballmadness.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/richard-dunne-1.jpg

Rip the pitch up and make it a venue for concerts instead of ruining the park at Wembley.

It's my game. Reminds me.... I'll send it tomorrow.

Charlton.

I like Routledge and can't fault his attitude this season as he's generally had a good go. Unfortunately, he hasn't delivered consistently and looks far too lightweight in this league. If he goes then fair enough IF he's replaced by someone who can contribute and chip in with a few assists and goals. Barton's making the position his own at the minute though and he's not going to get a look in unless he's out or suspended as Pardew's XI for the derby proved. If he couldn't get in at the expense of Smith he's not going to. He's essentially served his purpose by rubber-stamping our promotion when he arrived. It was money well spent in that respect but it may be time to give him a painting of a Spitfire and let him go. Slaps on the back and handshakes all round, cheers for everything Wayne, best of luck and see you next year.

Due back shortly though. They may decide to keep their powder dry instead of replacing him and having a push for Europe this season. They're out of the cup and have small cushion in the league with 15 games to go. With only 2 strikers? They'll have to sure as hell hope neither gets injured. I can't see them sticking with just 2 in their squad; they'd be shooting themselves in the foot. They could easily switch to one up front if either Gyan or Wellbeck got injured imo. They may feel they'll get better value for money in the summer. I'm not saying they will or they should but they might just cross their fingers for a couple of months.

Due back shortly though. They may decide to keep their powder dry instead of replacing him and having a push for Europe this season. They're out of the cup and have small cushion in the league with 15 games to go.

Has Dalglish had the same haircut for 50 years?

Cost =/= Value. His value to us is immeasurable.

Thing is it's not exactly an isolated incident. Had it just been the first time then I suppose you could put it down to fan exuberance but it happens every fucking time we play down there. Regular as clockwork some mongs will run on. The FA need to get hold of this and do something concrete to stop it. Fine them £200k for every fan that sets foot over the barriers, £500k for getting onto the pitch itself and a match without home fans for every idiot who goes anywhere near a Newcastle player.

The internet is serious business.

He's got you on ignore. I'm sure he's not the only one.

He's got you on ignore.

Just like Blackburn sold Bentley and Duff, like Sunderland will sell Henderson, Everton Pinnear, Man U and Ronaldo etc. etc. It doesn't make it right, but he'll be doing what every other football chairman has done and continues to do. I know. I'd rather we kept him and built a team around him but I know that's not happening either. We've got the nucleus of a good first XI and I want to see that developed with a bit of investment in players but I know Carroll is a diamond and will go on to bigger and better things.

The only reason Ashley would knock £30m back this summer is if he thought he could get £40m for him the following summer. He'll be sold eventually and we all know it.

Although it'll feel like it, losing tomorrow won't be the end of the world if it happens. We're mid-table with 28 points in the middle of January and a few wins away from securing survival and, I for one, would have accepted that in August. The bigger picture is still ok should we lose. Compare that with Villa who would be well and truly in the shit if they lose at Brum tomorrow. 6 points in the last 2 games have eased the pressure and we should go there and give it a go.

That's the key. Carroll can say what he wants but if the club accept a bid for him then he'll have very little choice in the matter. Still think he'll be hawked around this summer.

Pretty galling to think that even when we know they're light in the middle of the park Pardew is STILL seriously considering playing Smith in there. Can't for the life of me understand why he can't just move Barton inside one and put a pacey (if a little limited) winger on the right. Hoping Pardew gets it right but if Smith plays then we're up against it.

Mackem brother-in-law reckons Malbranque might get a start on the wing with Richardson and Henderson in the middle.