Rich

Carroll is ineffective most of the time because even when he wins the ball with a header it goes nowhere because we rarely win the second ball. He's a god prospect but have we got the players who can help him and bring him through to realise his potential? At least Keegan is trying to get the team to play the ball on the ground which should benefit Martins and Owen more than Owen and a tallish player. I haven't seen too much evidence of us playing "on the ground" since the first half against Bolton, which Keegan himself admitted wasn't working - probably because our defenders aren't good enough on the ball to start attacks. He went on to say he'd have to change the style - which has appeared to mean back to a direct gameplan. Since then, every goalkick is pumped long, we're seeing a lot of lofted balls from the defence up to Smith and he's not winning too many of them, because he gives about 3 inches up to most PL centre halves. Carroll has a square head, aye, but he's an unknown quantity and has the ability to unsettle people. He was instrumental in our goal yesterday and we seemed to have a bit more of a threat when he came on. I do realise Man Utd took their foot off the pedal somewhat at 3-0 like! People hoping for us to play it attractive/on the deck this season are in for a disappointment, if you ask me. I think KK realises we just have to scrap and get a win here and there. Next season the football will hopefully improve along with it.

Ameobi's the one who should be getting a game imo, until Martins is back at least. Blimey, that's a depressing thought.

If people could drop 1 player and 1 player alone, who would it be out of the starting XI from yesterday? Nicky Butt versus Alan Smith for me, much like in the "who can get most bookings" competition they seem to be having between each other. I'll go for Butt, because I fucking hate the bloke. If I say "dink" about him, do people realise what I'm referring to?

I'm still not over this result. Only a Chelsea victory this afternoon will see my spiritual balance restored.

I think the team is desperate for a hero, we've got no pace and are struggling for goals, Martins can bring both of those if he's given enough chances during a game. He's the only forward we've got who might be able to get behind a defender and cause problems for the opposition keeper. I agree with BooBoo on this, but I hope we're wrong and you're right. Aside from Martins' ability, it's the worry of him getting any service if he is played alongside Owen. They could both just play the "invisible man" role for 90 minutes, meaning we win nowt in the air against defenders and our defence has constant pressure on it. I'd prefer to see Carroll start against Blackburn than Martins or Smith, personally. Chuck Martins on in the second-half, all being well.

Cacapa is twice the player Taylor is or ever will be He struggles as much as Taylor in the Premiership though, which is what matters. Faye hasn't been as brilliant as some on here think, but he at least seems to have all of the "tools" required to be a good Premiership defender. We could do with finding him a proper partner for next season though.

People are desperate for a hero and Martins is the last hope now that Faye/Beye returned and made little to no difference at all.

He was incredibly poor yesterday like. Moreso than Faye, before anyone starts - who I do realise was also fairly gash. Beye looked the only competent defender out of them all, and even he was found out a few times. If someone can list me a Taylor strength other than his commitment, then I'd be interested to see how many others would agree with it. He's poor in the air for a centre-half, he lacks any sort of strength, he's not particularly fast, he doesn't read the game well, he makes mistakes. I want him to do well as much as anyone, but I can't see it happening unless he was put into an already-established defensive unit. Chuck him in with Carragher, Finnan and Arbeloa at Liverpool and he'd probably be alright, but at Newcastle and with nowhere to hide he's getting found out time and time again. You can't just blame one or the other, but the circumstances AND the player are contributing to his performances and he is, as others have said, as much a liability as Rozehnal was/Cacapa is.

Funny people should be talking about this, because yesterday I actually discovered another facet of Terry Mac's role at NUFC. Prior to kick-off he was giving instructions to the head groundsman, who swiftly returned with his trusty sprinkler to water the Gallowgate side of the pitch - to aid Manchester United's fluid counter-attacking game, no doubt. He probably got the message wrong. Add that to the list: instructing the groundsmen to water the pitch.

0-0 with Villa. Barry missed a penalty 10 mins ago.

Naylor set-up the first goal. With what I thought was the better cross of the two. One of my mates is a big Celtic fan, he reckons McGeady is quality. Not that it means much, but the lad was the best player on the park in that friendly we played against them last summer.

The Pink'un Not sure if the initial bit has been mentioned already, but apparently if any Championship sides do want him then they'll move on Friday - which would mean Edgar would be eligible for any potential Playoff Final.

Couple of Liverpool fans I've spoken to today want shot of Rafa now... and the American owners. One even hopes that Inter do them tonight to get shot of Benitez... he's not exactly a "local" fan though...

We're going to turn these bastards over lads, hold onto your hats.

Oh definitely not, but I think the media have shafted us as much as they can this season, and I'm hoping they won't mess us up too much before the end of the season. One win and things change massively. If we beat Manchester United then the place will be bouncing again.

The cheeky gits

I saw that. Fucking pathetic. What was said?

The hardest task is probably going to be the first win. The longer we go without it then the harder it's going to get. If we don't have a serious crack at Man Utd then I'm going to be very, very worried.

You may know my nephew Dean Logan a few years younger than you though. Doesn't ring a bell like. Sciacaluga was no mate of mime, neither was Giaco but he does say hi when I see him Powder Monkey these days. Did he have a wife? was she a teacher as well? I had a Mrs Sciacaluga who taught at my primary school around '97 and I left before she did. Chances are it will be, not exactly a common surname round here. You on Mullen Road like Fug? Or just off it? Used to live at 6 Parkside Terrace as a nipper, mam's on O'Hanlon Crescent now.

Not sure if the terminology is only used in Wallsend but can you can you remember them "itchycoo" things that used to grow on the bushes near the fence of High Farm/St Bernadette's? We used to pelt them at kids of St B. That's exactly what we called them as well. Snow days were the best like, it'd be like a fucking full on war over that shitty little 5-foot fence.

You a Western-er like? Fuck Western an' all... and St. Colomba's... no problems with Redesdale, or Jubilee... never played them at fussball.

This coming from the bloke who believes Kevin Keegan hasn't watched a football match for 3 years. Pull the other one man, NM.

St. Bernadette's all the way man. High Farm Middle was the enemy.