TRon

Another alternative might be 4-5-1, although the time for that might have been against the better teams. The only reason I'm even considering it is when we put out supposedly attacking teams like we did yesterday we are neither creating or scoring goals so we might just have to make sure we can compete in midfield for 90 mins. For most games this season we've done ok for 45 mins then run out of gas in the second half.

Read the sig. Sir Bobby Robson...now there's a bloke who can usually spot a footballer.

The first goal conceded was a shocker for Colo, I would be inclined to take him out of the line up as well after today. I wouldn't be surprised if Shearer tries to stick with him though, in an effort to boost his confidence which looks shot.

I think we'll win this one. We have been outclassed by the top four teams this season, but Stoke are much more in our range. We played them off the park at St James before committing suicide, if we go in positive we should be able to cause them real problems.

Let's cross that bridge when we come to it. Shearer's got plenty on his plate without thinking about next season just yet.

I have seen very few games where Martins and Owen have looked effective as a pair. Something needs to change and quickly.

We'll have to offer him another contract first.

Been saying this from the first day I saw them in our colours (hence the sig). Guthrie is a nothing player, but compared to those two he's like Lionel Messi.

We need the kind of luck that Blackburn got. Makeuno should have been sent off for the foul on Palacios when Spurs were 1-0 up, instead Palacios got sent off afterwards and Spurs end up losing. Jammy bastards.

Finally Ryan Taylor gets moved to right back where he belongs. I wonder if they'll line up 4-3-3?

Will be interesting to see if the wide men actually deliver now that they have been given licence to operate in the danger areas. Not just Jonas, but whoever is on the other side as well.

Fat Sam knows this could mean trouble for his side, he's probably having difficulty controlling his bowel movements since the news broke.

Walking out of Eldon square onto Northumberland Street, there was a Chronicle stand where the bloke selling them was going beserk shouting about it. It felt like we were the best club in the world at that moment.

I see this as a masive opportunity to pick up bonus points as it's the games against other struggling teams I see as the must win matches. If Fulham can beat Man U, and Spurs can beat this lot then so can we with a bit of luck on our side. Chelsea are quality but they don't have special players like ronaldo, fabregas or Rooney who we can't live with. Can we stop Frank lampard? Why the fuck not?

The reason why Shearer feels right as a manager is because of the respect and authority he carries in the game. If he goes and we end up appointing Dowie as a cheap option then all that goes out the window. Tbh, if Shearer keeps us up and then is allowed to leave I will give up altogether on Ashley as a lost cause and just accept we are going to limp along hoping to survive in the Premier.

Actually, late fitness test for him according to a Chelsea website... bugger. Chelsea obviously panicking and rushing him back to cover for Drogba's absence.

Drogba out is the biggest plus, His power would have been a problem for a makeshift centre back pairing. I think Colo and Beye can handle whatever else they have got.

Shearer is the manager and even though I've been less than impressed with Owen this season, if Al backs him to do the business I'm not going to argue. Having said that, Owen has eight games in which he has to justify Shearer's backing with goals. Knowing Al, he'll make sure the service is provided one way or the other.

In a nutshell. I doubt Shearer would put himself through this unless he thought there was a prospect of staying on if we stay up. The fact he's brought Dowie and Ferris onto the staff suggests he isn't in it for the short term, even if he can't say that just yet.

Doesn't the coming of Al-Mahdi usher in the end of the world? Does the coming of Al-Shearer usher in the end of the world (for Wise)?

This is a massive ask, but I swear Shearer had a positive glint in his eye when this fixture was mentioned, like he was actually relishing the battle. We might not win but i already know we are going to give Chelsea the fight of their lives for the points. That is all we can ask.

Great news. This, more than anything about him arriving has been whats made my day. Smiles aplenty reading that. Fucking love the bloke. Amen to that. This sort of man management will be worth it's weight in gold in points come the end of the season.

Very impressive Press conference, not that I expected anything else. The man just exudes authority and focus, I can't see this man failing.

I'm just pleased we'll be able to judge him on what he does rather than other people's opinions what he might do finally.

What difference does it make to the people you are trying to reason with? Just keep them happy and mime along with Dennis Wise is an evil/cock-eyed/cockney midget. For my part I would describe him as a short-arsed Lahndan cunt who hatched plans with with his cockney mates to sink the club. I'll be back later when i think of something more juicy.