Nicky

I am starting to really fucking hate the media in all this. They are desperate for friction between us and Owen it seems. "is arrival as a sub was greeted with a chorus of boos" I must have fucking missed that. Didn't hear a single boo as Owen came on. Some kind of supporters group leader type person should be making this clear to the press....if we have one. Anyone who's going to the Spurs game better give an almighty cheer as Owens name is announced to send some kind of message to the press, if not Owen. The more they report it, you start to worry that people will believe it.

What the fuck have the Sun got with wanting to create a rift with us and Owen? Its been backpage stuff for about 4 days now. Really starting to piss me off now.

Yeah, he'll go and do a hamstring in the Russia game. That'd top it all off to be honest.

Heard that Owen interview. He did sound pissed off, and you can't blame him. He's said and done absolutely nothing wrong, and because of a few vocal minority, chances are now we'll see our best player leave. Brilliant, just brilliant. Reckon the sensible fans should try and cheer as loud as possible when his names read out for the Spurs game. Try and send a message that not all of us feel the same.

I'm not gonna bash Owen at all, because playing for your country is obviously a big deal, and I really think he's done absolutely nothing wrong since he's joined. Its just nice to see Bartons commitment.

Joey Barton today revealed he is happy to put his country second in order to help Newcastle United end their long wait for silverware. The midfielder got 65 minutes under his belt last night and scored in Newcastle Reserves' 3-1 over Wigan at Kingston Park. And he will take another step nearer to fitness in a behind-closed-doors friendly tomorrow as he looks to be selected in United's next game against Tottenham Hotspur. But with the Geordie nation still haunted by Michael Owen's knee horror in the 2006 World Cup, the once-capped Barton assured fans that winning silverware was at the top of his wish list. He told the Echo today in a candid interview: "England is on the back-burner for me, without a shadow of a doubt. "I haven't been bought to play for England - I am here to play for Newcastle United. "People get carried away about playing for their country. "It is always nice to be selected, and it is always a privilege and an honour. "But the thing I have to do first and foremost is to do what I have been bought to do, and that is play good football for Newcastle. "If England comes then so be it, but I have played for them once now and that'll do for me. I am more interested in winning domestic honours. "This is my bread and butter, and at the minute, hand on heart, I would much rather be successful for Newcastle United than I would for England." http://www.sunderlandecho.com/nufc/Barton-puts-Newcastle-before-England.3360754.jp Really fucking good quotes there from Barton. He's seemed like such a brilliant professional so far since we've signed him. Highly impressed. I do wonder how those comments are going to go down with Owen!

Tommorows Sun are majorly stirring an Owen vs Sam rift... Not good. Backpage headline is "Shut it, Sam!" & Owen: Don't tell me when to play. http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/ Arseholes.

Class that we're leading, hopefully theres not enough time to conceed a quick reply, like we usually do.

He was Capacha a little while ago... Wonder who he'll bring on, Taylor or Roz?

OOF, almost. Bloody commentator :mad:

Frankenstein's monster tbh. And Shay is 6 foot if he's lucky. He reminds me of Sylar from Heroes for some reason. His powers could be pretty usefull.

Owen named in England squad. Hardly surprising. BBC; "McClaren has spoken to Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce and has given the England striker the green light for the double header, where six points would see England virtually into next summer's finals." Perhaps he will play some part on sunday then.

I reckon Enrique will play, Zoggy 2nd half against West Ham was lovely, and I imagine has always been Sams target. Badly need Viduka fit, mind. I've got a feeling he will be, it was only a knock rather then his hamstring.

Barton was looking really sharp at half time yesterday, to be fair. He was smacking them at the goal, and didn't seem to be holding back at all. Even went in goal himself for a couple of minutes. I honestly wouldn't be surprised to see him on the bench on saturday.

Absolutely no chance he'll wait till christmas If he does, i'll eat my own shit and post a video.

Yep, give him it ASAP. Get him back by december, and hopefully up to full fitness by the time Martins goes off to the ANC. With Enrique and Barton coming into the team, it frees up Smith to play up front if need be, so the timing of Owen having surgery now is probably the best timing we could have asked for. Badly need Viduka to stay fit for the forseeable future, mind.

I honestly think Enrique being fit is probably more use for us on sunday, then the likes of Owen/Viduka. If we can get him in at left-back, then Zoggy going into left midfield, and having Milner on the right instead of Smith would be fantastic. Zoggys been very good so far this season, and he's played every game at left-back. Getting forward more, without having to worry about the defensive side of his game as much, should do him wonders. If that happens, I fully expect Sam to go 4-4-2 this weekend. 2 decent wingers, 2 of geremi/butt/smith/emre in the middle, and Owen/Viduka up front. Perhaps if Viduka misses out, he's more likely to go 4-3-3, as he seems determined not to play Martins and Owen together in a 4-4-2. Given Beye Cacapa Taylor Enrique Milner Geremi Smith N'Zogbia Viduka Owen If Viduka misses out, I assume he'll give Ameobi a miss after the Derby shitfest, and go 4-3-3; Given Beye Cacapa Taylor Enrique Geremi Butt Zoggy Milner Smith Owen Perhaps? Then again, if Enrique misses out too, Zoggy at LB, Smith back into midfield, and maybe Martins on the right of Owen, with Milner on the left. I have no fucking clue really.

Just got back from watching Stevenage play against Farsley Celtic, and was pretty shocked to see Serrant playing at left-back for Farsley. Its got me wondering now, what the hell happened to him? Didn't he retire from football entirely a while back? Seemed a good prospect at the time, remember him getting called up to the England B squad.

Got a feeling Given might be back for sunday. Harper didn't do a lot wrong yesterday, but perhaps caught out of position for the goal, and I recall him spilling one too.

Enrique fit would be a good one too, push Charlie further forward.

Fucking crap. We were abysmal tonight. Can't remember their keeper making a single save.

great plan Sam just specifically mentioned it. tbf though, he also said he's happy Owen got the winner against Newcastle Just heard that. 3 times in a week he's done that. See his big grin at the end of the interview too? He's going mad, I tell ya.

I am starting to worry about Allardyces sanity. 3 times in the last couple of days, he's said Owen has scored against Newcastle, and he's only corrected himself once.

Viduka. Hamstring strain not recovered. No other team news given yet.

The Mails online section just reproduced it.