TRon

A lot of members were saying the same thing about Carroll less than a year ago.

Yes basically.

Lovencrap? Classy way to decribe an honest pro who was key to getting us promoted. And people wonder why our "fans" attract derision from elsewhere... Ignore him.... this is the same person that once said that he thinks Alan Shearer wants NUFC to be successful only when he's involved. There was a good article in the Sunday Times about Barton this week where Ron Liddle (usually a wanker) pointed out that on MOTD, because it was Barton no one minded when Henri Camara engaged in 90 mins of physical assaults on our player. Shearer could have put his Newcastle hat on and quietly said it was out of order, but he sat there giggling with the rest. Yeah... that was idiotic and immature by, not just Shearer, but Hansen and Lineker too. we're pretty sure that Barton and Shearer don't get on after Barton's sending off at Anfield..... but this dosen't mean all of the sudden that Shearer wants NUFC to fail! Don't know how you work that one out, tbh. But it does show that Shearer puts his own ego above Newcastle United. He didn't defend OUR player against a leg-breaking thug in order to appease his MOTD audience.

I knew I should have googled it.

Lovencrap? Classy way to decribe an honest pro who was key to getting us promoted. And people wonder why our "fans" attract derision from elsewhere... Ignore him.... this is the same person that once said that he thinks Alan Shearer wants NUFC to be successful only when he's involved. There was a good article in the Sunday Times about Barton this week where Ron Liddle (usually a wanker) pointed out that on MOTD, because it was Barton no one minded when Henri Camara engaged in 90 mins of physical assaults on our player. Shearer could have put his Newcastle hat on and quietly said it was out of order, but he sat there giggling with the rest.

I would much prefer Ranger up front tbh, because he contributes a lot more to the game and brings in other players. He might not score but he might well set up Carroll or Nolan. Lovencrap is only a goal poacher who scores very few goals, but at the moment it's probably better that he starts as I can see Ranger getting stick if he doesn't score goals.

I didn't realise he was playing until I saw the highlights later on MOTD. He was invisible other than the fluffed chance. Carroll looked far too isolated something which has been a problem all season but looked much better since Shola came in as a strike partner in recent game.

We generally dealt with Johnson pretty well but his desire and running put Lovencrap to shame.

Fulham were very well organised, they are a tough team to break down. Add to that they had Andy Johnson back after a year out and I think you'll find they will be getting some good results at other grounds this season. We weren't great, but we badly missed Shola and Barton. Lovenkrands didn't turn up and Guthrie disappeared up his own arse as usual.

I like the idea of that. A season of retribution. It's seemed very much that way so far. The combined axis of Sundervilla has already been well and truly torn to shreds and pissed all over. These are all good points. I hereby change my prediction from a low scoring draw to a thumping 3-1 win to devastate Tubby Custard.

Allardyce's team of big bastards is probably one of those well equipped to deal with our twin tower strike force. Unless someone can produce an exceptional pice of skill I can see this one being a low scoring draw. One of those games where a Ben Arfa off the bench could have been useful.

Nolan's work rate is above criticism, he does get up and down the pitch and always has. My criticism has always been that he does it too slowly at this level. I still feel that it's a weakness but the current set up of the team means that it's not a big problem and it makes the most of his strengths, which are positioning, goal threat and hard work.

For all the talk of him being a midfield hard man, he's actually the one who is making us pass the ball so well. He keeps the ball under pressure then finds space and passes intelligently. The rest are all taking up the cue now.

Tiote would be a steal even at six million iyam. or double it again and even £12m sounds too cheap.

sums him up in one photo. Fancy yourself as a player then Fabregas? Here's a size 12 in yer face then...

Wonder where all the smug pundits are now after writing him off in his first season? One of the best centre backs in the premier now and virtually indestructible as a bonus.

I think we came of age today as a team. No doubt last week was a swashbuckling performance but today we out-passed the best passing team in England. Tiote must already be worth twice what we paid for him so he's paid for Hughton's new contract already IMO. Bring on the rest of the season.

I can understand the club not wanting to look like they have been pressured into handing out a contract by the media - but it's got to the stage now where they will just make themselves look more petty every week if they don't get it sorted. Just do it, we aren't going to get anyone better for the money.

Yeah. Carroll must have held a gun to his head to force him to allow entry. I'm sure Mrs Nolan will swallow that one. Hmmm...maybe I should re-phrase that.

I'm not so sure about that. Sunderland have on the whole defended quite well against some pretty decent teams, the problem they had with us was numbers don't make much difference when you have two twin battering rams like Shola and Carroll coming at you on the ground and in the air. They couldn't cope with it on the day but they won't come up against that every week. Hope I'm wrong like, nothing would make me happier than to see them sink like a stone.

That should go on his gravestone. Except of course he'll be dead then, so living with it might be tricky.

I think we'll have a better idea after the game against Arsenal. They are one of the quickest running midfields in the league and 4-4-2 with Nolan in the middle will be well and truly tested on Sunday. That said, I think we will give them plenty of problems with Shola and Carroll in reply.

I would agree with the OP almost word for word, in fact the reason why I reckon we can aim for a top 10 place is solely down to the chemistry of the current first 11. Obviously any injuries would knock that all into a cocked hat, but as it is, it looks mighty effective with almost every man playing a key role. Barton was the major doubt but he has took what should have been a difficult role and made it into his own.

I would be ok with Ashley staying if he showed a bit more enthusiasm but he still gives the impression he wants out which means there is never likely to be any long term investment or planning for the club.