80

You know what this means - lump on for the title next season, lads!

They don't have to lose to go out, though. That said, I'm strangely confident that we have an excellent chance of going out there and putting that record to bed.

Generally speaking, I'm a supporter of Emre's (in the context of our central-midfield squad) as I feel his presence can be the difference between us breaking down a defence and hitting our head against two brick walls on the wings. That said (and bearing in mind I wasn't at last night's match and had to make do with the telly), I thought what Parker can do well did us good last night. AZ were physically intimidated, bullied, by us over most of the pitch, and Parker's tackling and harrying appeared to play a part in that. I generally think Parker lacks the wit and overall brains to make good use of his tackling, getting drawn all over the pitch by a confident display of slick-passing by an intelligent continental team, but I think he may have a role against some of the physically (and perhaps mentally) weaker opponents we may come up against. Regarding Emre, he may not be perfect, but I think he's the best we've got just now at doing something critical to our wider success. Thinking of talk about him helping our left wing, though, the best thing we can do on that front is to get ourselves a good attacking Left-Back. Unlike many people, I miss Babayaro when he's not around. Not because I especially like him as a player, but because he's vaguely useful at feeding, supporting and providing a passing option to Emre and our Left-Winger. As you can imagine, though, I'd rather get some of genuine quality this Summer.

I disagree. In fact in many ways, I think it can be easier as the home side perceive the onus as being them to open up and attack, allowing a side with the likes of Martins and Dyer in it to hit them on the break. In contrast, we always find it harder to break down a team that compacts itself at SJP. If IIIII were the manager... I'd alter the focus of these ties and see the away leg as an opportunity to upset the opposition's applecart and score a few goals. And yes, I agree broadly with the OP. I also disagree with the criticism of penalties - I've always been a supporter (and fan) of them.

I can't agree with some of the depictions of him in this thread. Maybe there are a few issues with him, inconsistency and such, but this idea that he has an awful first touch, that he's a poor passer and has the brain of an idiot (along with all the rest) is just wrong, as far as I'm concerned. Often times, ideas he has don't come off because the players around him are too slow to cooperate, in fact, whilst his first touch and passing (and first touch passing) frequently wreck a defensive formation. That second goal of his was a first touch shot, for good measure.

I don't place too much blame upon him, but Butt should really have been covering the guy who scored. He made the wrong decision in following the ball wide and lost him. It wasn't an easy situation to cope with, though.

Good thinking

Aye, found that myself, mate Was just wondering whether anyone on here had anything to add, as he seems to be a bloke you notice.

Have I missed something? http://www.newcastle-online.com/nufcforum/index.php?action=arcade;sa=highscore;game=723 He's not only beaten it, he's annihilated it, the utter utter bastard.

Have I missed something?

Anyone remember him? Apparently he worked with Jack Charlton up here, as well as elsewhere. Fitness was his thing. I have to say I've never heard of him, but I'll be coming into contact with him for a while, so I just wondered if anyone else knew (of) him.

Bit off-topic, but that was at the request of the Champions, as much as anything. A lack of competitive matches serves to harm future campaigns.

Aye the horseshoe effect looks the best, and is actually planning permission viable. Could put some kind of poncy architectual arch in between or something. Or have it spanned by a huge statue of Shearer, legs akimbo. A Colossus, I like it

He didn't want what little neck he had covered up. In all seriousness

McDermott and Bellamy quotes - http://icnewcastle.icnetwork.co.uk/newcastleunited/news/tm_headline=game-not-all-about-craig%26method=full%26objectid=18599426%26siteid=50081-name_page.html Whilst Carver has a considerable say, as well - http://icnewcastle.icnetwork.co.uk/newcastleunited/news/tm_headline=bellers-was-worth-grief-come-matchdays%26method=full%26objectid=18599459%26siteid=50081-name_page.html http://icnewcastle.icnetwork.co.uk/newcastleunited/news/tm_headline=craig-did-so-much-for-toon%26method=full%26objectid=18599460%26siteid=50081-name_page.html http://icnewcastle.icnetwork.co.uk/newcastleunited/news/tm_headline=we-could-have-won-title-if-he-stayed-fit%26method=full%26objectid=18599461%26siteid=50081-name_page.html

Ah, but that's all coming back in, now. They could be considered trend-setters. Stand still long enough the world will catch up with you. I'm already planning to make a fortune on a job lot of t-shirts with emoticons on them.

Ah, but that's all coming back in, now. They could be considered trend-setters.

Nah, Parker's.

always makes himself available for a pass too, and does the little things like shifting the ball to areas where we have more players, or away from the opposition, rather than putting his foot on the ball, looking up, feigning to pass, spinning round, spinning round again, spinning round one more time, spinning round yet again, pass back to the keeper.

Well Ive noticed a remarkable thing. You english lads only make riots in other countries. In you own country you can walk along with the opponent ( most of the time), In Holland the hooligans demolish there own cities. And when abroad were the most friendly country in the world. Like Feyenoord fans in France recently and consequently getting thrown out the UEFA Cup? The French don't count. Who wants to be friendly with them?

Butt and Emre. Yes, I think he's quite a big loss. That's not to say he's undroppable, I wouldn't be averse to selling him if I thought our manager could go out and find a suitable replacement, but he's got the greatest amount of attacking intelligence of all our central midfielders and we miss him at this time. Putting aside today's showing, Butt has been fine this season but he's not there to play through-balls. I'm in the anti-Parker camp and don't think he's adequate in any area of the game. Dyer, meanwhile, has been far more productive when played further up the pitch since his return. Emre, therefore, is the man who should be joining both halves of our game together (along with Nobby at right-back and our brilliant new left-back, whoever he may be, but those are other matters...).

Same here. We really should've taken Spurs up on that offer if it was as good as I heard. He's a drag on the whole team.

Good to have a player who looks like he can handle himself...

All in here, lads.

I've posted the bloody article. Check every news channel just in case you think i've sat down and made a whole article up. Fourth guideline - http://www.newcastle-online.com/nufcforum/index.php?topic=19169.0 Don't make me post that link again