TRon

It's about getting the balance right. Experienced players are fine in the right areas like centre midfield where Smith has been outstanding for me. It's pretty clear at this level you don't need the pace throughout the side which is required in the premier.

All this talk about signings coming in...I wonder if Ashley has finally found his level dealing in cheap bargain basement players to reflect his crappy sports merchandise outfit?

Just watched it, the bloke is a cock. Aye, he was like that before the match as well, you could tell he was pissed at NEwcastle or something, the interviewer was pushing him to say this will be tougher than most games but he basically made it sound like it would be a fairly easy game for them. Yeah I saw that. What a fucking bell end. Don't know what he was sour about after the game, we were pissing on them in the second half.

He's got the players respect and they are very motivated at the moment, something that was lacking under Shearer's term it could be argued. The question still remains whether this is just feelgood "let's make the caretaker boss" stuff that usually happens during a honeymoon period when players want their favourite installed. That's the worry.

Makes the Xisco loan a lot more palatable. Excellent signing and I think he'll be a key player for us this season, his pace will bring us a few extra options.

Spot on. He was absolutely dreadful tonight. How some people on here rate him our best player is just staggering. was tonight's performance typical of Barton? Clearly not I'd say it was tbh. He strolls through most games looking half a yard behind the pace. It was bad enough in the Premier but I didn't expect it at this level. He needs to pull his finger out.

Also a bit like the Predator which might prove prophetic in years to come.

I'd much rather keep him than bring some knacker like Kinnear in, but I still think a proper manager and a couple of additions would have us walking this league. Would you count Shearer in the bracket, out of interest? Pointless speculating as no proper manager worth his salt will even be considered by Ashley, with their pesky demands for funds and some form of backing.

Luckily our 5'9 midget centre half, Danny Simpson is just the man to keep the nippy striker in check

It was like watching a more skilful version of Adebayor. Tremendous game.

I almost feel reluctant to give Hughton any praise because I know Ashley's reasons for giving him the job are all wrong, but he has to take a lot of credit for setting the side out so well. We have been very organised so far this season and when you consider the amount of changes we have had to field that is credit to him.

He was fantastic in the air as well. I don't know how anybody can slag that performance, it was inspirational at this level.

I think Coloccini's absence will be the nail in the coffin tonight.

Riddle: If you punched Ashley on the jaw once, how many chins would wobble?

Ashley showing his eye for deadline day signings once again!

If Butt is doubtful that's a boost for our chances. I'm going for a 2-1 win. Ranger on the scoresheet tonight!

You think that after all this time trying to sell, being top after a couple of weeks of the season is going to change his mind? What time trying to sell? Asking for a price at which nobody's interested isn't a serious attempt at selling in my book. Of course this B.S. group from America might not turn out to be a flying pig, we'll see. if you're selling a house, do you drastically cut the asking price if you haven't sold it after 2 months? If you've spent nothing on maintenance, chances are it won't get past the surveyors.

You think that after all this time trying to sell, being top after a couple of weeks of the season is going to change his mind? What time trying to sell? Asking for a price at which nobody's interested isn't a serious attempt at selling in my book. Of course this B.S. group from America might not turn out to be a flying pig, we'll see.

Lovenkrands is on his way? Brilliant, in that case panic over.

I think we should be considering putting smith upfront in the same way we'd imagine doing that with Butt. Smiths looks a very different player now. Thing is, I always thought Smith was a decent option in the holding role, even last season, whereas I don't think he's a natural striker any more. Although I would definitely play him there tonight ahead of Nolan, I think Nile will need some support. As a rule though, I don't think Smith has any goal scorer instinct these days.

If you were in disguise you'd be wearing a burkha so fair plays...

We have Shola, Carroll, Ranger and Nolan who can play up top man, loads!! Stick them all in the side tonight then...oops!

Xisco might turn out to be shite like everyone at Newcastle has always suspected, or he might turn out to be another Michael Chopra who will do the business if given a decent crack of the whip. Good luck to the lad, I can only hope this means Lovenkrands is coming in, although with this fiasco of a board I wouldn't count on it.

He has his flaws but we didn't look too clever without him against Huddersfield. Without him we look pretty slow and ponderous. Today should be a pretty good indicator whether we can play effectively without wingers. Very soon we'll find out if we can play without players. Ashley will be sending out a team of healthy bank statements. A receipt for £4m on the left wing, one for £9m up front. Result!