Beren

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!

Maybe Partizan, but there was a chance for salvation before Lolo was benched for the second leg against Sporting. Sticks in the throat!

We've been underdogs in the press for most of those matches if it's any consolation! From my recollection, anyway.

Erm, haven't posted a great deal lately, but I would tend to agree with Oldtype in saying we have been underdogs in most of our away games to Spurs over the last few years. With respects to form at least. I would say it's been a rare thing where we've been favourites anywhere away from home [or at home, even] these past few seasons. That said, I think the reason we've been so successful at WHL has been because they have usually been willing to play against us - unlike other teams that frustrate us until our historically slow/uncreative midfield [for the last two or three seasons anyway] run out of ideas, gives away possession, gets out-muscled and invites pressure onto a defence that can't handle it. I suppose knowing that they will always attack us allows for a more open game where we can play like we play against the top sides with a greater chance of success [because they're Spurs, not a top side] - because Martins/Owen/Zog could break down one line of defence [as opposed to three] with a reasonable degree of success. Knowing that, I could understand why people would think we're not underdogs at WHL... but with Newcastle, I would tend to agree with Oldtype despite our recent success at WHL... I wouldn't feel comfortable calling us favourites!

Hopefully he can help old FireFox Spiderman with his shooting too.

Truly the Ric Flair of football.

We've only lost a handful of times at SJP against Arsenal since the Prem started, and though we're hardly at our best, they're not as incisive as they have been in years gone by. Feel optimistic. Individual errors and refereeing will be crucial IMO.

I reckon the club has lost enough of its soul, already. Even when we were crap before [crap is relative, I know], you could always take pride in the fact that we weren't like Arsenal/Manure and that we didn't cheat. Now we have bona fide grade-A scum on our payroll. I used to say I'd prefer to be crap and honest, than successful and dishonest - now we're the worst of both worlds!

Did he really just say "he just couldn't quite wave his magic wand... *dramatic pause*... and bring it under his spell"? Really? He's gonna hear that back later and cry.

Cliche-ridden[/fraudulant] characterisation of the final by ITV news. "Joke": I heard JT didn't collect his CL winner's medal because he got lost. Took the wrong slip road or something.

If one of my family members ever did that to me after we'd lost the biggest match in our history, I'd f***ing maim them. Even if it meant getting a train 300 miles South to do it. That's raw! They've been absolute fucking cunts to me/us over the years though. From ripping the piss dropping the 12 point lead and how "we've never won fuck all". Even under Robson when they couldn't fault us for much else, they turned onto insulting us just because we were from the north. Arguably you'd have to have been in my situation to understand, but they fucking deserve it. Nah, I'm pretty sure I'd do it too. I was just saying... pretty raw.

That's raw!

They've mentioned Kismet about 10 times in 3 seconds after they won it. *sigh*

Good to see some good in this choice of the lesser of two evils

Interesting to see how Le Sulk will be scapegoated and the media darling Terry will be protected because he slipped.

As long as everyone knows Ronaldo's a bottler. IRREFUTABLE!