James

I can't say I particularly recall any concrete links to Barnes this window - certainly no inclination that Derby wanted to sell, or that we were keen to buy him as an immediate first team player. According to semi reliable ITKs, we were a lot closer to signing him on 31st January 2007, when having spent the day at Newcastle, Barnes was sent home by Freddy Shepherd.

I think Barnes has a better physique than our central midfielders, but while he remains at Derby, we can't tell whether his end product would have been good enough to get us out of this mess. If we did get relegated, it is not because Keegan didn't sign anyone, as realistically he didn't have enough time or opportunity to sign anyone. It will be the fault of Allardyce for replacing Dyer and Solano with Smith.

I'm sorry but you really do live on a different planet to everyone else. Much like me I suppose. Foreign Leagues such as the Premier League are more popular on US television than MLS.

We should get him until the end of the season. A new body may help confidence, plus it will stop one of our rivals from getting him.

However, in his pre-match World Interview, Keegan described the type of game we have just had as the worst case scenario given the player's confidence.

I hope that will happen.

Surely Fulham are too far back?

The worst thing about today was that it showed how shatterred we are for confidence. We had 60% possession, 16 shots, 15 corners. They rarely troubled us but nicked the game. Things just aren't going right for us and the opportunity to take some points are dissappearing game by game.

Newcastle 28 Mackems 27 Birmingham 26 Wigan 26 Bolton 25 ------------------ Reading 25 Fulham 19 Derby 9 Only Fulham and Derby are worse than us in terms of GD.

Fucking hell.

We've played very well.

Yellow each.

Good chance? Difficult half chance.

Owen got a hat-trick in another dimension.

Looks like Butt might have to come off...

Horrendous mess up by Taylor.

who will take our pen if we ever get one? Owen? Barton? Owen is our allocated taker.

It would be good for us if we managed to win the game in the second half, as it would make us more confident I reckon than if we got a good lead in the first half and then have to hang on for something in the second.

Kisivillivillihilibillivillii wide.

Corner.

Handballs by both Butt and Enrique yet we got away with it.

Blackburn should have had a penalty.

Owen's left foot - he doesn't normally have a left foot. I'd say we will have more chances in this game if we keep this up.

Owen's busting a gut for the cause according to Radio Newcastle. Plus it was his assist for our best chance.

Good play by Owen though.