Big Geordie

Simpson at LB, Ryan Taylor at RB. Guthrie wide left, Pancrate wide right according to Radio Newcastle.

Howay!

Nobby could throw in a bit of Geordie now and then though. Julio Geordieo eat your heart out.

Worried about the who's playing wide, issue. Assume Guthrie will be down the right and Pancrate left? Why Hughton won't play Guthrie in the middle is beyond me. Expect plenty of hoofing it forwards today.

Yup - that sounds about right if memory serves.

Are these Shearer haters the ones that were content and too eager to stick the knife into Keegan before the truth came out as well? To blame Shearer for our relegation last year is unfair and madness. You cannot flog a dead horse, which is what he was having to do. As for Bolton - it may be a good opportunity for him, but I'm not sure he'd want to become embroiled in another relegation scrap so soon.

Just watched the match - wish I hadn't bothered. Seemed to be an air of complacency amongst some of our lot. Some again seemed to be running on half steam. And once again, our lack of a Plan B was there for all to see. No-one in the midfield who could offer something a bit different and with our most creative player (Guthrie) sitting on the bench, Derby defended well (Addison looks like he could be a player) and were worthy of their point. Our lot need to seriously need to buck their ideas up because this league is far from won. Desperately need a quality playmaker sourcing in January.

Looks cold outside (but fine) and the rain that we've had overnight has probably frozen on top of the snow/ice that was already there. Hopefully the council have had the gritters out!

Greg - I'd take Viana back in a heartbeat at the moment. He's the sort of player we are crying out for. And as for Barton - he's a lost cause and cannot be relied upon.

So why has it not been addressed then Greg? The last creative MC we had was Emre, and he never played enough. Time to splash the cash, methinks - but that won't happen of course.

With regards to the midfield (particularly the centre) - we just don't have the caliber of players that can take control of a game from the start and see it through. Ball retention, particularly away from home is dreadful. It invites un-needed pressure onto the back 4. Surely a creative midfielder must be a priority for the window, nevermind a new centre back or striker?

Bloody hell!

Poor performance from us, but am happy with the point. Keeps on happening that we don't have enough in the middle of the park to take control of a game and see it off, at present. Thought Wednesday deserved their point and if their lads can lift their game like that every week, they should be OK. As for us - need to improve for Derby at home on Monday. Kind of got the impression that some players (Jonas especially) were holding something back, with one eye on the next game.

Sunderland do have a fair historical support in Ashington - think it's to do with many mackems shifting up here to work in the pits, at the turn of the 20th century. Sunderland do enjoy good support but in terms of numbers on a consistent basis, they do lag behind us.

How many of you's actually are old enough to know what this is all about, without using google or Wiki? It's a shite thing to do and there's no excuse.

Some Boro fans on another board complaining about chants from our lot linked to the Cleveland sex abuse scandal from the 80's. Why the hell is this still going on in this day and age? Not on at all.

RIP Jack.

Poor game, but one that we never had to get out of 2nd gear for. We've got into a good habit of winning playing averagely. Boro had huffed and puffed, but offered very little. Coloccini deserved MoM and Guthrie did well down the right (two assists) though he does keep on drifting inside. Due to Nolan going missing in midfield, we do conceed a lot of possession and that will be something that needs addressing next summer. We'll be punished by vastly better sides if we have Smith/Nolan in the middle of the park.

More snow expected here, but not until tea-time/this evening.

Sky reckoned he was there.

I nearly got stuck in the car on Lanercost Drive (Fenham) at about 530pm. Headed up the bank, struggled to get 3/4 of the way up and had to turn around and come back. It was mad. Council knew snow was on the way, so why the hell do the wait until if falls before gritting the roads? Madness. Should have had it done ready. If the game is called off tomorrow, then someone at the CC wants shot.

Was the Charlton game back in 2006, if memory serves? I'd actually made it to the Trent to meet my mate as per, and word spread that the game had been cancelled. Had to get wor lass to come and pick me up.

Cheers for the link - have joined.

Normal service resumed for the mackems then I see..... only a matter of time before they turn on Bruce.

Didn't listen in, but am happy enough with a point against an in-form side away from home. Bring on Boro next Sunday. What happened with Radio Newcastle after the match, lads? (for those who didn't listen in like me)