Rich

So Milner wasn't selected at first (dropped/rested/whatever) and something has happened within the last fifteen minutes to change it, meaning he now comes in to take Charlies' place. Mental.

Sibierski might be playing central midfield, in the hole or in between Martins/Owen apparently! Butt is injured, Milner is either injured/not selected (don't know which until the bench is named). Now Milner is in for N'Zogbia!! Line-up just been changed!

CONFIRMED LINE-UP/PROBABLE FORMATION (Radio Newcastle): Harper Solano Taylor Bramble Carr Milner Dyer© Emre Sibierski Owen Martins Bench: Srnicek, Onyewu, N'Zogbia, Carroll, Ameobi.

I don't think Ramage should be sold, either! He should just be 4th choice centre-half. Carr's actually been good recently I'd say, especially considering the teams we've played and the position he's played in. He's still a fucking runt like, regardless.

If Everton, Totenham and Bolton finish in the 5th/6th/7th slots in any order (very likely) and we finish above 'Boro and Blackburn then we're in the Intertoto Cup. Mick Lowes in explaining something very well shocker!

Bit old fashioned, innit? Not got washing machines in Paris?

Are people yanking my chain here? Parker's not available to play.

I'm like a kid in a sweetshop, tbh.

He was never leaving anyway, was he? With all of the other signings we apparently will need to be making, finding a secondary right-back does not need to be added to that list. Roeder obviously loves him, as well. I'm not sure if "want" is the right word, I don't think we have any choice in the matter. We don't have a choice in any matter that is club business. Nevertheless I wan't shot of Carr and Baba. If it is beyond Roeder to replace them, or if he has any amount of faith in them helping the club move forward, then that would be pretty disappointing in my eyes. Thank you Captain Obvious The whole point was that I hadn't actually said I "wanted" to keep him, which is what Jon was narking about, I'm just accepting of the fact that there's more likelihood of him staying than quite a few others and he's not the worst option as a second-choice right back. All I'm saying is that Stephen Carr seems to be one of Roeder's favourites and his performances lately have proven that he is capable of playing to an acceptable level, when he pulls his finger out of his arse. He's one of my least favourite players, unsurprisingly, but I can stomach him staying as long as we strengthen other areas and as long as he doesn't get a look-in ahead of Solano. Having him as the "best available" support to BOTH fullback positions is a bit worrying like

Mr. Wrong strikes again

He was never leaving anyway, was he? With all of the other signings we apparently will need to be making, finding a secondary right-back does not need to be added to that list. Roeder obviously loves him, as well. I'm not sure if "want" is the right word, I don't think we have any choice in the matter.

Carr's been better lately. He's not a bad option as back-up to Nobby, if we're being realistic. First-choice left-back next season is a big no-no mind

I hadn't seen a Mackem shirt anywhere until last month, when one of them turned up at my house wearing it. Next season should be tasty, I'm delighted they're back up. Been fucking dour without them/when they were fucking atrocious.

I hope they score at least one each, like: Then we'll get everyone going "OMFG IT'S LIKE BIG AL AND BIG LES ALL OVER AGAIN!!!!!11!!!!1!" Would be a nice change in the mood on here, I suppose, if nothing else. (I do actually hope they do well, obviously.)

Chronicle are saying that Parker misses out, Nicky Butt is doubtful and Milner is still in pain with stitches in his leg but he should play tonight. Apparently Owen will partner Martins up top, with Ameobi on the bench and that's about all. If Butt makes it, I'd expect the same midfield as we saw against Chelsea, along with the same defence, but if he doesn't I suppose we'll see Emre/Dyer in the middle with Milner/N'Zogbia on the flanks. The big news is obviously up front, but it's not 100% nailed-on, Oliver has put his neck on the line if he's not sure like.

Story Owen's back Apr 30 2007 By Alan Oliver, The Evening Chronicle Michael Owen watched in training by Terry McDermott and Charles N'ZogbiaMichael Owen watched in training by Terry McDermott and Charles N'Zogbia Michael Owen WILL start for Newcastle United in tonight's game at Reading. And a fit-again Shola Ameobi will be on the bench. Both the strikers were in the United party which flew down to Heathrow after yesterday's training session to their overnight base just outside Newbury for their first ever Premiership game at the Madejski Stadium. Glenn Roeder does not want to reveal his hand to his Reading counterpart Steve Coppell before he has to, but I believe Owen will be in his starting line-up for the first time since he took over as United manager 14 months ago. Roeder revealed in the Chronicle on Friday that, providing Owen proved himself to be fully fit in the training sessions on Saturday and Sunday, then he would start tonight, and I believe this will be the case. If it is, then Owen will get his first United start since he broke his metatarsal in a clash with his England colleague Paul Robinson at Spurs on New Year's Eve 2005. And while he scored for England in the pre-World Cup drubbing of Jamaica, Owen's last goal for United was his third in his hat-trick at West Ham a fortnight before that ill-fated trip to White Hart Lane. United need just two goals to reach 800 in the Premiership and it would be a great boost if Owen got one of them. However, some of the gloss has been taken off the return of Owen and Ameobi as Roeder will have to check on a couple of unwanted injury problems before he sends his team out tonight. Damien Duff has already been ruled out for the rest of the season, while Scott Parker failed a fitness test on his ankle injury and did not travel. In addition, Nicky Butt picked up a knock in training on Saturday, leaving the in-form midfielder sweating on his fitness for tonight. And as revealed in the Chronicle last Wednesday, James Milner played the second half against Chelsea with stitches in an ankle wound and all United can do is hope that this is not a problem tonight. More problems is the last thing Roeder wants after having to endure what is accepted as the worst season in United's history as far as injuries are concerned. But Roeder has always insisted an injury to one player lets in someone else, and that someone else tonight could be Charles N'Zogbia. Indeed N'Zogbia must be looking at the situation and hoping that he gets his chance in tonight's game which is going out live on Sky Television.

Are you sitting in the Gallowgate, if possible? Or did you decide on another part of the ground?

I'd imagine the opening day is actually a decent one because you'll find quite a few people with holidays at the back end of August, who have season tickets going spare. It's usually the only time I miss home games because of holidays and I suppose there must be a fair few like me. Depends who we get, as well. If it's a big game then things get tricky, or if it's a newly promoted team, but the likes of Blackburn, Fulham and Wigan never bring many fans up with them, meaning the chances go up a great deal. Also, our signings will probably have an impact, so I'd keep some cash back for August and see what the situation is towards the end of pre-season.

It's all a bit cloud cuckoo in this thread, eh? If Roeder did this and Tevez got injured or he didn't perform like the megastar he apparently is he'd be fucking lynched and we'd find ourselves in deep, deep shit - far worse than this season, even. There are at least 6 players on their way out of the club and people are suggesting spending a fortune on Tevez and settling for Sidwell, Distin and a "decent" left-back. What happened to building from the back and creating a squad to challenge the top six with? Never mind the fact of West Ham staying up, or Tevez wanting to touch us with a bargepole, or if we could actually afford it, or if we'd sell Martins/Owen if an offer came in. Fucking bonkers. FM-tastic. Mental, mental, chicken oriental.

Why would the media bloke go on national TV and talk a load of shite if it wasn't true?

"The People" is quite possibly the most unreliable newspaper about, I reckon, and I've heard no other mentions of South Africa anywhere.

They'll probably finish 5th/6th, unfortunately!

Just letting you know what it's like reading your tripe EVERY day. Ironic but anyway... smile its a lovely sunny day No up here it fucking isn't!

All that begging for the England job on national television was a bit of a clue. And all his suggestions that he was happy at Bolton after not getting it were a bit of a clue that he was content. To be fair, he was also strongy tipped to have applied for the Newcastle job twice since Robson as well. Obviously it's not concrete, but it was fairly well sounded-out. I think he's been far from content at Bolton for a good while now and is desperately looking for his next launch-pad to lead him closer to the England job. He's been there an awful long time.

With the FA Cup final the following week (?) and the potential CL final as well, it could well be.