Beren

The only real gripe two of my friends [a Yeovil fan and a Hammer, respectively] have with Newcastle is that we subjected Shay Given to our team for so long. They just bleat on about his super performance against Liverpool, and how he still conceded 5 that day... ...other than that, we're just good for laughs to them. Very little serious animosity in my experience.

Having watched that, would you rather Newcastle play Barca at Camp Nou or Liverpool at Anfield, if we needed 3 points? Hmmm..

"the Butt haters." Jesus. We basically ensure relegation, and someone is on here defending Nicky fucking Butt. Jesus. Yup, sounds about the right time for everyone on here to turn on each other! In all seriousness though NJS, I think that's a thin argument. I think the last 10 minutes had more to do with fatigue, lack of fresh ideas and nothing to link defence and attack. Oh, and Duff vs Pennant/Johnson.

Martins didn't look fit and I think the reason Owen panicked and snatched at his chance was because he hadn't had time on the ball or been involved in the match up until that point.

Apart from that bizarrely apathetic last 10 minutes, we fought hard. A lot of players didn't look entirely fit - which may explain the last 10 minutes. Ultimately though, we simply don't have the talent in midfield to score goals, irrespective of tactics, heart, desire, luck. Still a glimmer of fading hope.

Great link-up.

The HT Positive Fact!: NUFC have only failed to score in 2 home PL games this season.

Again! His best work, he didn't touch the ball!

The best thing Butt has done this game is leaving the ball, that one time.

Keeper had it IMO.

Crowd doing great.

He isn't half chewing that gum!

It's like a cup final out there!!

That midfield and strike force is the equivalent of putting blanks in a mini gun.

Fairly well put Duff11!

I'm sure a small minority would complain no matter what, but I think the reason so many people complain is because many of the serious problems Newcastle face are so easily remedied, yet are repeated every match. That will wear down patience pretty quick!

I predict 8-1 to us. Let's face facts, it's a crazy goal-mad season/month. our three main strikers should start and we scored 8 against Sheffield when we were scrapping with them inside the relegation zone not so long ago, so why not!

Sad news, made all the more worse by the polemic journalism of the Sun. Haven't seen a thread/mention of it anywhere else, but came across this: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8017816.stm Another example of the media and the personal lives of footballers getting tangled. Not Frank Lampard's biggest fan, but...

He can't create for himself anymore, but he's still one of the best[/only?] finishers we have on our books. I'd keep him in the side, if only so we're playing three strikers instead of two [and therefore, attacking!]. Viduka, Martins, Owen.

Okay, so Newcastle avoid relegation - the full-time manager has cash to splash in the summer - what's the priority position for you? Also, realistically speaking [yes, realism has a place in this thread ], of those who can be sold, who do you get rid of first?

Incredible moustache, that.

At a certain point you just have to laugh.

HT. Only 1-0, thank god.

Duff's going to get exposed on that left.

Four "strikers" on the bench!