Rich

Wallsend until I was 7, North Shields until I was 10, then split between Wallsend and North Shields until the present day. In sunny Hull for university at the moment though, not planning on getting back home until Christmas week, it's going to be difficult.

How depressing is that. I know what you mean, but once Jonas is fully fit and Barton returns from suspension that should no longer be the case.

Looking at it again I wouldn't be too upset if that was the team. Geremi deserves to keep his place on merit I think, as he's been our most creative midfielder for a good while now. The major worry is N'Zogbia at left-back against SWP, if it were to happen, as I'd like to see Bassong given a run-out there. He seems athletic enough to deal with SWP's pace and he's far better defensively anyway. However, because we're at home and because Kinnear may see Zog as more of an "attacking option" there, I could see him getting the nod. Especially after he's just been playing LB for France U21's last night. I think Butt and Guthrie pick themselves in the centre at the minute, although I do see the numerous faults with the combination, and I cannot see Duff getting dropped after his goal against Everton. With Owen out, they may push Martins to start (Kinnear reckons he's the closest to starting out of him, Beye and Gutierrez even though Beye looks fit enough too) alongside Shola, with Xisco appearing later if Ameobi is shite again. By the sound of it, Jonas isn't going to be fit enough to start and he may be kept to a bench role with one eye on the Mackems. If Oba isn't fit enough, then I suppose it'll be Duff/Shola up front, with N'Zogbia pushing up and Bassong/Enrique slotting in at LB. Was just saying to my Dad last night that I was optimistic about our chances with some of our better players coming back from injury... then joked that Owen was due to get crocked and that it would probably happen to compensate for our good fortune, fucking gutted that he could be crocked again. It's typical.

Given Beye Taylor Coloccini N'Zogbia Geremi Butt Guthrie Duff Ameobi Martins BENCH: Harper, Edgar, Cacapa, Bassong, Enrique, Gutierrez, Xisco. That's what I reckon looks most likely after watching Kinnear's interview on NUFC.co.uk (done yesterday). Robinho struggling with an injury too, apparently.

In the latest interview on NUFC.co.uk, Kinnear reckons Martins is the closest to match fitness out of all the injured players and that Beye will probably play too, Gutierrez is touch and go (so maybe bench?) so if Owen doesn't play then Oba will hopefully start. Ameobi/Xisco, Xisco/Duff or Ameobi/Duff would be pretty abysmal combinations.

Kinnear has said today that Carr won't be coming back hasn't he? Or did I misread his quotes?

Keegan said that he looked like a player who would improve us in an interview on the official site during his trial. Methinks Kev wasn't to blame here...

Wasn't a great pass, really. But then, not many of them were tonight. Taylor was mainly to blame, but Colo was wank as well.

Fucking hope this isn't true. Horrendous times.

Excruciating stuff.

Was gonna mention the casino and all that like to those that said we were leaking money with no sign of recovery. Of course that could have been a disaster as well.

What an original idea.

Given, Taylor, Cacapa, Colocinni, Bassong, Geremi, Butt, Guthrie, N'Zogbia, Owen, Ameobi.

Points 2 and 3 go for Gonzo too, even though he only played an hour. Basically, that lineup is pie in the sky!

Are Duff and Geremi fit?? Is Colo okay to play after 90 mins last night?? Will Xisco be chucked in without a single training session at NUFC under his belt?

Back at the top of the table... http://www.physioroom.com/news/english_premier_league/epl_injury_table.php?SKEY=33176b75a89d0da6c18040f4b3df5c2e The PhysioRoom.com injury table that is, which isn't even taking into account Habib Beye who said in a recent interview that he wouldn't play against Hull City because the doctor has advised him to rest his achilles. It looks like he might not have a choice, though, unless we want a back four of Taylor - Cacapa - Coloccini - Bassong. Or worse still, Edgar in for Colo if he's not fit enough after last night. Bad times. We're down to the bare bones for Hull, like. Fully expecting to see Ameobi involved as it stands. Team could be horrendous.

I cannot predict what the atmosphere is going to be like for this at all. I'd like to think the team are going to get immense, unequivocal backing come rain or shine but I fear that if Hull come and ruffle our feathers a bit then it won't take long for people to start ignoring the football and targeting those they hold responsible for last week. It could get very, very nasty and it's not hard to see our lot struggling after all that's gone on. Don't often sympathise for the players, but I do at the minute. Fair play to them if they can play their knackers off and get a good result, but I'll be amazed if they can do it. Howay the lads indeed.

Sounds more like a Brazilian Keegan to me. Am I the only one who enjoys a simple, exciting, cavalier approach? Kev had obviously toned it down a bit this time round, for a number of reasons, but give me a manager with some style and charisma over a tactical robot any day.

He'll probably deny ever saying anything of the sort tomorrow.

If Fat Mike plans on riding it out, then that's surely the only option going. The world has to keep on turning in some form. I still can't see why he'll want to stay if he's not able to watch the games with the fans/wear the shirt, though. If he genuinely wanted to buy the club to have some fun, then surely those days are done with as some will never forgive or forget. I think those days are gone. Using the opinion of the people of Birmingham that I talk to at work, as outsiders, they see those antics very strange and think he is an utter joke. This is the image people have of him and it reflects on the club. The novelty has worn off now, its time for him to just enjoy the football and be sensible. Will he want to do that, though? He has said himself that his intention in buying us was to have a challenge and have some fun and that his favourite part has been the away trips and celebrating in the city after big wins. He can't do that now so it just becomes another business for him - one which probably won't make him any money. What is the point?

If Fat Mike plans on riding it out, then that's surely the only option going. The world has to keep on turning in some form. I still can't see why he'll want to stay if he's not able to watch the games with the fans/wear the shirt, though. If he genuinely wanted to buy the club to have some fun, then surely those days are done with as some will never forgive or forget. Even if he does look to sell he still has to get on with things until he finds a buyer. If that's the case, then Zico would certainly make sense in that respect. Football is incredibly fucked up these days, eh?

If Fat Mike plans on riding it out, then that's surely the only option going. The world has to keep on turning in some form. I still can't see why he'll want to stay if he's not able to watch the games with the fans/wear the shirt, though. If he genuinely wanted to buy the club to have some fun, then surely those days are done with as some will never forgive or forget.

Fuck that.

There certainly isn't a British manager realistically available who I'd be happy to see in the job here - or a manager currently managing in Britain, even.