Beren

In fairness, some of the mindless vendettas against certain players hold no weight as 'criticism' or even 'opinion' anymore, they're just mindless vendettas.

Honestly, I thought we performed very well in parts of that game. Things going against us, various sucker punches [missing the pen, their goal, minor ref decisions] really riled us though. We stopped playing possession football, and all of a sudden everyone was trying Stevie Gerrard Hollywood balls from all over the pitch. We lost our patience, and they kept the ball, and we invited pressure on ourselves. Customarily, we all know what happens when we invite pressure on ourselves... we get battered. I thought our defence was quite decent though. Onyewu did poorly, mind you. He showed his lack of experience on a big[ger] stage. He didn't play intelligently, and the Wigan players knew that the ref would discriminate against his huge frame if he was even mildly reckless [which he was] - awarding freekicks and such. He has much to learn. The midfield was poor too, and though Duff started brightly, his fitness is still unacceptable. Disappointing, but I hope there's a silver lining, and Roeder[/players] have learnt from this.

Bramble/Taylor. Gooch will get a shot to establish his place/stake his claim someday too. Read my signature.

I blame the wingers' lack of vision. Well, mainly. Duff - Cannot beat anyone. Ever. Is horrendously one-footed and can do nothing useful from out wide. Milner - Has good and bad days. On a good day, he will try different things - yesterday, he was like an automated take-the-ball-down-the-wing-and-fire-a-low-outswinging-corner-to-the-edge-of-the-6-yard-box machine. He hasn't got the best pace, but he has the skill and agility to come inside, once he's at the byline. On some days he knows this, others he doesn't. Solano - Is unfortunately at RB most of the time. Zoggy - Last season was excellent - this season, inconsistent before injury.

We saw Good Titus tonight, but I'd rather have Ramage in the team against a half-decent side, because the likelihood is that Bad Bramble will turn up. Ramage is pretty much always bad for me, at least Bramble can put in very good performances and has the attributes to make up for his fuck ups which Ramage doesn't. | | Signature \/

Harper - Nothing to do Duff - The Stephen Carr of midfield - instead of hacking [to compensate for zero mobility] he dives and tugs at opposition shirt - he has aged so very quickly. Taylor - Made things hard for himself, but rose to his own challenges. Poor on set plays though. Bramble - Did everything but score(!) Outstanding again. Solano - Wish he could have played further up the pitch - the team misses his vision. Did well from where he was, mind you. Milner - Very one-dimensional at times. Has much to learn - much can be learnt from Nobby. Had virtually no guile, but wasn't a liability or anything. Luque - Showed a few decent touches here and there, glimpses of tact... but nothing near substantial. Dyer - Drifted in and out of the game. Butt - Solid enough, if not somewhat profligate with his passing. Baba - Good half, especially considering Duff was in front of him. Martins - Much better second half using the flanks, made us less predictable. Cool finish. Hunt - Decent. Pattison - Didn't do too bad. Carroll - Fairly anonymous!

CSKA one-down to Haifa. Were never gonna retain it, tbh.

Woo! Turkey!

Well done

Please don't ban him.

Quadruple.

Speaking of Spurs, if we beat AZ/Fener, can we face them?

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 All players would forever be in his shadow.

On reflection, AZ are the better side. They have the quality and technique to not dominate a game, but to continue rattling goals past the opposition, all the same - seemingly from nowhere(!) Fener would present a lesser challenge, football-wise, but going to Turkey would be mildly intimidating, I would imagine. AZ would definitely be a tougher test, so personally, I want AZ. We'll need a difficult test to prepare us for Werder Bremen/Sevilla, should we progress.

A bit of compliment tennis going on, but not unwarranted, in all fairness. People do forget what Souness left old Roeder with. It was very much a case of stabilzing the club.

Glancing further down, they've added the Intertoto to our list of honours \o/

"Some notable Newcastle United fans include Prime Minister Tony Blair, TV 'comedy' duo Ant and Dec, the Emmerdale and former Byker Grove actress Charlie Hardwick, AC/DC singer Brian Johnson, television presenter Gabby Logan, "Auf Wiedersehen Pet" stars Tim Healy and Jimmy Nail, singer Sting, actor Robson Green, Jack Ryder, who played Jamie Mitchell in EastEnders, the late Peter Taylor, author of the Taylor Report into the safety of football stadia, England fast bowler Steve Harmison, actress Honor Blackman, comedian Ross Noble, former "Blue Peter" presenter Katy Hill, sports commentators Brendan Foster (athletics), Iron Maiden gutiarist Jannick Gers, Sid Waddell (darts), John McCririck (horse racing) and the late Basil Cardinal Hume, Archbishop of Westminster from 1976 until his death in 1999." ~ Lifted off wiki

Would anyone lump a vast quantity of money on Newcastle progressing to the next round?

I have to say, I disagree. People were delighted at his signing - even if were concerned about N'Zogbia's future. It provided strength in depth. He had the full support of the crowd, and the onus was on him to perform. If and when he starts performing, people will lay off him. It's a tough deal, but it's a tough profession! I'm not talking about general assessments. I mean I really can't recall anyone on here during a match/post-match thread or anything like that saying anything positive about his play. I'm talking single passes, decent runs etc. Not a single thing. Ah! Well, let me be the first He made a great run into the box ... but then he disgraced the club by diving. Following that he made another jinking run out wide and whipped in a decent ball. In being fair, I must say that his improved second half performance was not coincidental. Everyone was tired, and fitness was no longer an issue. His technique therefore allowed him to fare much better. He hasn't had much match practice, but if he does get into shape, he has a good shot of establishing himself as a decent member of the squad.

I have to say, I disagree. People were delighted at his signing - even if were concerned about N'Zogbia's future. It provided strength in depth. He had the full support of the crowd, and the onus was on him to perform. If and when he starts performing, people will lay off him. It's a tough deal, but it's a tough profession!

I thought Duff was disgusting. Not only did he dive for the penalty, but he just doesn't look like a professional athlete. He irrefutably has technique and skill, but Ian Harte could beat him for pace at the minute. He was never tremendously speedy, and I wonder if he will ever be quick enough to beat people and still have time to put in a ball/shoot. Looking forward to getting N'Zogbia back. Disappointed in Sibierski too, despite his goal. He was just a beanpole for the whole match. That said, there were many bright spots from the game - notably the performances of Bramble, Nobby and Dyer. I hate it that we've dived for two penalties in as many games. Very un-Newcastle.

I'd rather AZ win, personally. And Bayer, naturally.

The last time we had a chance to win it we didn't bottle it. The shithead manager threw it away to feed his ego. I agree. That night I felt horrible. Souness' dismantling of such a good squad still was not enough to stop us getting as far as we did - but then his selection policy interfered, and he greeted Robert's Sheareresque rally cry with contempt!! 4 injuries during the game meant that fans saw Newcastle saw their best chance of winning anything disappear for a long, long time.

He's a determined bruiser, and no more.