Wullie

Such a shame now that shirts have to follow designs so they all look the same but with different colours.

Like people have said where was the alternative to Modric? Also if Milner was only sold because the offer was too good to refuse then why wasn't that money re-invested in players? We were willing to spend £40 million net but we just keep failing and ending up basically breaking even? I gave them the benefit of that doubt at first, three windows later I don't believe it anymore! We bid £22.5m for Rooney in Aug 2004, we didn't sign his "alternative" until 12 months later (Owen). Bizarre.

NOTW: http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/115918/SICK-SHAY-HAS-GIVEN-UP-Keepers-off-after-years-of-Toon-torment.html Nowt new really.

Yes he would be great if we could get the ball falling in the right place on the spot without any defenders in the way I agree. Funny that because he was generally superb when playing deeper as an attacking midfielder/link up player under KK - an area of the pitch that demands being able to get into the game which you're claiming he is either unable to or can't and that as a result everything has to fall into place for him. Bull s***. His runs and movement are what opens up space and opportunities for those behind him to have options. It seems that both worked well together at times this afternoon but Owen couldn't finish any off. Strikers sometimes do miss the target you know, thankfully Owen hits it more often than not hence his quite amazing record. Read the above reply. You shared the same opinion at one time before Keegangate. I did, until KK's vision showed me another side to Owen, a far better footballer than I had giving him credit for or first thought. He and Shay are undoubtedly the only genuine class we have at the club and its extremely nit picking to use a few missed shots against Owen. If he had signed a new deal, you wouldn't even be saying what you are, you're only saying it because its gonna happen anyway, him leaving, so better to make a case for getting rid now while we can get some money for him which is what this is all about with you and not his ability or prowess in front of goal nor his importance to the cause which quite frankly, isn't in doubt and you'd have to be an idiot to think that way. Are you an idiot? He doesn't do enough in a 4-4-2 though.

Shame they don't play too differently on a more regular basis. is that 4 clean sheets out of 5 away from home since Bassong and Coloccini were paired together at Chelsea? Aye. Only a free kick given away by Jonas and obviously Bassong giving away a penalty which never was have denied them 5/5. Not sure how anyone can say they've not looked a good partnership, especially on the road. It is HTT I suppose.

this, every time Sunderland & Fulham away must have been figments of my imagination then because he was awful in both of those games when Owen was out. 2 games is all you can come up with? Those were the ones that come to mind, yes. he was shite agreed. But he's also excelled alongside Shola fucking Ameobi. Whereas Owen just doesn't seem to influence the game whatsoever without Oba That's because Oba sets a lot of his goals up and that's all Owen can really do now up top in a 4-4-2 is be in the right place (which he's obviously one of the best at). I'd be genuinely interested to know how many goals Owen has set up while he's been at NUFC. If it's more than 2-3, I'd be very surprised. I can't think of any off the top of my head, though I'm sure there have been.

Kinnear's actually only seen the one game with Xisco. I'm not having anyone tell me that he was significantly worse (never mind to the point of "he's never playing again") than anyone else during the atrocious performance against Blackburn featuring a side shorn of Enrique, Beye, Guthrie, Martins and Jonas, who all make a difference to our attacking play. I know, I know, he sees him in training. He sees Bassong and Cacapa as well but still picked the latter when Taylor first crocked himself. If Xisco's shit fair enough but I don't like not being able to make up my own mind given the alternatives.

Unless they quite clearly can't play football at all, I think anyone who believes they can suitably judge a player in three appearances (especially under the circumstances) has a rather over-inflated opinion of themselves.

As opposed to the current contenders for the England jersey?

Just to put your stats into perspective btw, in the league Shay played against the top four six times to Harper's two, including two absolute maulings off Man Utd to the tune of 11 goals.

Which is a fair point but Shay has been really good this year back to something near his best, which for me puts him way ahead of Harps. I've always said that Harper is a very good goalkeeper. He's not as good as Shay though imo, not to mention that selling our best players at their peak sends out a very clear message. To me as a Newcastle fan, Given is a lot more than just someone who picks up a payslip from the club in the same way that Shearer was and one of the last people that I would want to see leave.

The real facts Shay Given 11 years - No 1 Steve Harper 11 years - No 2 That should tell you all you need to know about the two. Also Shay is willing to uproot as he has high standards and ambitions, Harper is happy to play 100 games or so in over 10 years as second fiddle. I know who I prefer, both as a player and as a professional. A noble sentiment indeed - what a great guy. Spot the difference between that and the popular view of Owen keeping his options open. Given may or may not leave and I for one am not that bothered either way as he's a good keeper but hardly irreplaceable. If he left for, lets say Man City, it would prove it has nothing to do with ambition but solely the money. Just like Distin did (spot the difference). I very much doubt Man City's ambition starts and ends with their current state of play. Does ours, or Tottenhams, or anyone else's for that matter ? Except Hull of course. Ours is to stay in the Premiership and be as frugal as possible, so yes.

I like how you've added the two goals that Harper conceded at Villa after Shay went off injured onto Given's tally. How scientific.

The real facts Shay Given 11 years - No 1 Steve Harper 11 years - No 2 That should tell you all you need to know about the two. Also Shay is willing to uproot as he has high standards and ambitions, Harper is happy to play 100 games or so in over 10 years as second fiddle. I know who I prefer, both as a player and as a professional. A noble sentiment indeed - what a great guy. Spot the difference between that and the popular view of Owen keeping his options open. Given may or may not leave and I for one am not that bothered either way as he's a good keeper but hardly irreplaceable. If he left for, lets say Man City, it would prove it has nothing to do with ambition but solely the money. Just like Distin did (spot the difference). I very much doubt Man City's ambition starts and ends with their current state of play.

Replay is on Wednesday 14th January.

I desperately hope he can keep this up.

That is incredibly unfair imo and I was (am) at the game. I give credit to Kinnear for a positice selection, and for his tactics, and to the team for attacking whenever they could. Bassong, Given and Jonas superb, Guthrie too until he faded. Butt now so slow as to be a real liability. Defence looks a zilion times better with Bassong part of it. Ref wasn't perfect and Owen looked like he was denied a stonewall penalty but generally ref stood up to horrible, wingeing, fouling Hull. i couldn't watch them every week and without Geovvani, they would be f....d. I now also understand why Guthrie lost his temper with Fagan at SJP. Pretty impressive performance all in all imo. I think we could have made a much better fist of winning the game with Kazenga, Xisco or Geremi thrown in during the latter stages.

It really wasnt that bad. And i'm not shy slagging performances and players when they dont produce. Was a good entertaining game. In the league, I'd have been happy with the result, but as a cup tie, I felt Kinnear has missed a great chance to try and win it.

Started well enough but there's no excuse for not hauling him off after an hour or so. When he's playing, we should be hoying crosses in left, right and centre too but we don't.

Fucking hell, that was so frustrating. Did Kinnear realise it was a cup tie or what, fuck's sake man. Game was there to be won and he just refused to change things - now we've got to play another game. Great.

Fuck me, this is infuriating, not least cos it'll cost me to watch the replay.

Superb from Jonas again.

Butt FOR FUCK'S SAKE. Jesus Christ, he is shite. Unlucky from Jonas.

How's that not a free kick ffs?

3-0 Forest at Eastlands. mackems.gif