TRon

I would have been happy with staying up before yesterday but I think we can challenge for a top 10 place. Yes we will get beat a few times but I think a lot of sides will have problems playing against Carroll and Shola, and we finally seem to have got a functional midfield behind them.

What a fucking prick. Fair play to Dowd, he's not backing off despite Twattermole's minging breath.

I didn't think Mondays could get any better but that did the job.

I don't think Nolan has lost weight or is any fitter. Just that the make up of the team since we changed to 4-4-2 has suited his game a lot more. Having Tiote in the middle has given both him and Barton a massive boost, and we shouldn't under-estimate Shola's impact up alongside Carroll. Both of them have been holding the ball up brilliantly allowing Nolan to get into the box at will.

I think the Tiote signing will more than cover any pay rise.

Someone should post that on RTG. The place would go into meltdown. Although it pretty much already has tbf.

That's the thing though, we didn't just outplay them - comprehensively - we absolutely kicked seven colours of shit out of them all over the park.

What I love about this is that he'll never be forgiven by the Mackem faithful, which means he'll more than likely play shite for them in every game from this day onwards.

There was a bit of that before the West Ham game where he looked to be back to his best. Today I don't think there was many crosses he could have come for that he failed to. He's done fine as a stand-in. You only have to look at England's goalkeepers to appreciate that it's not easy for a young lad to be flawless every game, the main thing is he is getting good experience and will hopefully gain confidence.

Barton really isn't quick enough to be playing so well out wide. The fact he is is a testament to his football intelligence, he is absolutely making 100% best use of his ability to dominate a game in what is an unnatural position for him.

Never missed a competitive penalty. Two of those against the Scumderland which takes real balls. No one should ever doubt him again. Ever.

Yeah I've given him as much flak as anyone but I will hold my hands up and say he's justified Hughton's faith. Not pretty football but with Carroll and Shola up front he's mighty dangerous coming in on the blind side.

I still think his crossing is weak, but it's not that important with Barton on the right to wing them in.

That reminds me, I really will have to tune in to the Three Legends tomorrow. I don't think I've listened to it for a year but should be a right laugh after this.

IF... there's any truth in that... The club are already on record saying they will only appoint from within. Maybe they aren't holding rigidly to that line but it was a daft thing to say in that case. I remember them talking in general terms about appointing from within. I don't remember them saying they would ONLY do that. The actual statement was 'The Board will concentrate on Newcastle United's stability by promoting from within where possible.'. Ok that's clearer, my bad. I actually think it's perfectly reasonable to wait until the new year and then re-negotiate, it might prove a problem to hiring a no 2 though if Hughton's future is still in doubt.

Aye they got fucking battered. It could have been 12-1 in all honesty.

IF... there's any truth in that... The club are already on record saying they will only appoint from within. Maybe they aren't holding rigidly to that line but it was a daft thing to say in that case.

He's given us back our dignity. The club feels like it's in good hands again, and I wish Ashley would acknowledge it by letting him have the right hand man he wants instead of sticking short-sightedly to this policy of hiring only from within.

He's not bad in the air either. Won a fair few in front of the back four.

think they only had 1 defeat in 8, or even unbeaten in 8 or something, before this match. they're not a bad side which simply makes this achievement even better. What I liked best other than the scoreline was that we played as a team and look dangerous now with the two big lads up front and Barton delivering some great crosses. We might not beat the best but for the first time this season I really feel confident going into games with this 11.

Prophetic words. Worth repeating that the key to his performance was that he didn't sulk at being played out of position like Danny Gutless, but turned in yet another 100% committed performance. Outstanding.

There's some priceless quotes on there tbh

Very classy interview after the game. Really pleased for him. I hope he gets what he needs to stay.