TRon

What a pass from Oba. Glad we didn't attack with these useless buggers second half, we could easily have thrown it away. nowt about the movement from the bloke who received the passes ? Owen's never been my favourite player at Newcastle, mainly because I think it's only daft money which is keeping him here, but the movement for his two goals, especially the second, was top class. The finish for the first was sublime as well.

The goal posts have been moved since then. He was only supposed to have been here for 6 weeks at the time and now he's got the job until the end of the season which is a different kettle of fish. What annoys me so much about today is that we had the right team to start the match for the first time in ages and now because we didn't win it'll be back to Duff and Butt all because the substitutions were cocked up royally, not because the players didn't perform when they were given the chance.

I don't think there's anything we can do to make Owen sign a new contract other than offer him so much money he just can't turn it down. Even then I think he'll wait till the summer to see if anyone else comes in.

Well done, Joe. You can put two wingers and two strikers on the field, and make them play as two wingers and two strikers against the mighty Stoke. Bravo. Kinnear had so many better options to replace Guthrie. He could have shifted Colo there or moved Zog into the centre as he's played there before. Putting Beye into midfield was a disastrous decision at the end of the day.

Kinnear's teams are regularly coming under pressure as soon as we take the lead. He is doing an Allardyce and it's absolutely spot on that Keegan would never have allowed a team like Stoke to come to our ground and dominate us for the second half like they did. It's happening too often to be put down to one injury to Guthrie as well.

That's the first sensible post I've read in the last few pages, aside from the last sentance, as I'll reserve judgement on the substitutions until I've heard Kinnear's explanations. I don't know how many of you were there, but we were as good in the first half as we were bad in the second. Bottom line, imo, is that we wouldn't have lost that match if Guthrie hadn't been injured. ps Beye and Jonas were just sublime in the fist half. It's a shame the second half is going to overshadow the first because for the first time we had players moving and passing at pace, and for me the make up of the midfield had a lot to do with that. We should have had a midfielder on the bench though, even if it was Lua Lua. The concern for me is that we are letting sides dominate us for such long periods once we have taken a lead. It was all Stoke in the second half and JK didn't make the best use of his subs for me.

I can honestly say I am not that concerned about any of those players leaving, though I would feel sad about Harper. I am keeping my fingers crossed that Butt won't be offered a contract because I don't think we can move forward while he is still here.

Constructive dismissal isn't bollocks in the real world, it prevents people from being walked all over by an employer. I'm sure there are loads of employers ready to employ Keegan. That must be why he's so intent on screwing his first love Newcastle Utd for compensation.

It's been a fair amount of time since Owen's missed a month through a little injury. he was out for the man city, mackems, west brom and villa games We got 7 pts from those four games and if you include the Wigan game where Owen didn't start, we scored 8 goals in 5. Since he's come back into the starting line up we've failed to score in both games. It reminds me of last season how we struggled to get goals when Owen played up front. He was a lot more effective when he played in a withdrawn role with Viduka and Martins up top. Harsh considering those two games were Chelsea away where he barely got a touch and was practically centre-midfield, and Boro away. Usually in away matches there is a lot more space for strikers to work on the break. If Owen was playing midfield it's just confirmation that he's no longer considered a threat up front in away matches due to his lack of pace.

The comment came across that he doesnt want Keegan to win, regardless of whether he is right or wrong; that was why I asked if I was interpreting right. To say the club is more important than Keegan = I "hope" the club win. How is that different to hoping Keegan wins. Its equally as short sighted without, as you say, knowing what happened. Ultimately, every level headed person/fan should be hoping that the person who wins is the person who has been wronged. Yes that's how every level headed/neutral/Keeganite should think. On the other hand, I am a Newcastle United fan and I want what is best for NUFC and our fans so I hope Newcastle United win this case. I see no benefit for NUFC or our fans in Keegan winning it as I can't see him coming back here. Take your point but it's about right and wrong too isn't it? If the club has broken it's contract then Keegan deserves whatever comes his way. He's entitled to it. It's a big 'if' mind obviously. No he doesn't deserve it if you want an honest answer. He isn't going to get that sort of job or contract from any other club. He shouldn't have taken the job unless he was going to see it through. All this talk of constructive dismissal is bollocks in the real world. If the club has fucked him over he deserves recompense. Contracts work both ways. Agreed. It's a shame that the only club he'll ever be able to screw for recompense is Newcastle Utd.

there isn't a debate. you have on the one side those who think keegan couldn't ever do any wrong and on the other those who think it's just better if nufc kept any money regardless of the rights and wrongs. one or two are enlightened through their unenlightenment enough to say....i'll decide after the evidence comes out. ironically the world divides itself along similar lines. those who want evidence and proof get swamped by those too emotional to see past their blind,closed minded petty views. There are also those who just have the interests of Newcastle United as a football club at heart. If it can be shown to me how Keegan winning this case will benefit the club I am willing to listen.

The comment came across that he doesnt want Keegan to win, regardless of whether he is right or wrong; that was why I asked if I was interpreting right. To say the club is more important than Keegan = I "hope" the club win. How is that different to hoping Keegan wins. Its equally as short sighted without, as you say, knowing what happened. Ultimately, every level headed person/fan should be hoping that the person who wins is the person who has been wronged. Yes that's how every level headed/neutral/Keeganite should think. On the other hand, I am a Newcastle United fan and I want what is best for NUFC and our fans so I hope Newcastle United win this case. I see no benefit for NUFC or our fans in Keegan winning it as I can't see him coming back here. Take your point but it's about right and wrong too isn't it? If the club has broken it's contract then Keegan deserves whatever comes his way. He's entitled to it. It's a big 'if' mind obviously. No he doesn't deserve it if you want an honest answer. He isn't going to get that sort of job or contract from any other club. He shouldn't have taken the job unless he was going to see it through. All this talk of constructive dismissal is bollocks in the real world.

After the fuss made last year I'd be amazed if anyone was unaware that it get dredged up again if the bomb chants were repeated. That's why I don't accept it was innocent banter, at best it was downright stupid everything considered, which is why I don't see the need to bend over backwards defending such daft actions. Have a long hard look at the people who caused the 'fuss'. Wwheeessss keeeeeyyyyyssss Louise from the guardian? Correct both times. Certain people with agendas as well as the usually 'outraged about something, life isn't fair' smoggies. Nothing happened then, nothing will happen now, because people know that it is a storm in a teacup. Even Southgate has said as much. Even if that's the case, the fact is it has been reported broadly by the press and not just one agenda driven journalist. Wether anything comes of it or not, it hardly reflects well on us as a club to be associated with this stuff two seasons running. That's the reason I can't understand all this defensive excuse making for a few plebs who should know better. Give over Tron. In a few days it'll become yesterdays news. Give in to them and you're giving in to the plebs like Taylor and the PC brainwashed morons. Its terrace chanting and its designed to piss them off, its always happened and always will. The smoggies used to sing at Mick Quinn "you're just a fat Geordie Bastard", even though he's a scouser. Was he bothered ? Don't be daft. Back then football wasn't a global game. I'm sure if we were a small townclub like Sunderland I wouldn't have any concern about the image we send out as no one south of Chester le Street would be watching. We are though, as you would say, an ambitious club with a bigger following worldwide. That's why this crap being in the spotlight for the second year running is pissing me off.

The comment came across that he doesnt want Keegan to win, regardless of whether he is right or wrong; that was why I asked if I was interpreting right. To say the club is more important than Keegan = I "hope" the club win. How is that different to hoping Keegan wins. Its equally as short sighted without, as you say, knowing what happened. Ultimately, every level headed person/fan should be hoping that the person who wins is the person who has been wronged. Yes that's how every level headed/neutral/Keeganite should think. On the other hand, I am a Newcastle United fan and I want what is best for NUFC and our fans so I hope Newcastle United win this case. I see no benefit for NUFC or our fans in Keegan winning it as I can't see him coming back here.

JFK keeping things close to his chest again I see.

What difference does that make? If the club wins the case the money stays with Newcastle United. If Keegan wins it ends up in Glasgow to be spent on god knows what. A new set of clown outfits maybe. Howay TRon man. What value do those last two sentences have. I would have thought it's obvious enough. I don't blame Keegan for going for the money, he might even be entitled to it, but that's his concern not mine. I am only bothered about what's best for the club and me as a supporter, and I would rather we had £8m to invest in the club rather than Keegan having £8m to prop up his soccer circus in Glasgow. I know this isn't the 'correct' or neutral view but that's because I'm biased in favour of the club.

Why? Because he's black? WEll that helps obviously...

What difference does that make? If the club wins the case the money stays with Newcastle United. If Keegan wins it ends up in Glasgow to be spent on god knows what. A new set of clown outfits maybe.

I'll pass judgement on whether it was a good decision to sell him after tomorrow. If Bassong and Colo can handle everything thrown at them against Stoke then it can be said we won't have missed Faye, but my feeling is that we still don't have a really dominant centre back, and I include Taylor in that. Maybe Bassong will step up to become that missing cog, we'll see.

That should help us land an arab buyer...but hey it was just a bit of harmless fun! (again).

When you've followed Stoke for as many years that i have, and seen some players that have graced the red and white stripes......Beleive me Faye is Emmense. While Bassong looks better in a lot of aspects, ironically this match is exactly the sort of game where Faye would have been invaluable. You would expect Bassong and Coloccini to be tested thoroughly in the air against Stoke, especially from set pieces. That is the one area Faye was literally head and shoulders above any of our central defenders.

this, its Keegan vs Ashley, i know whos side i'm on,. Ashley won't pay out of his pocket, the money will be paid by the club. I like Keegan but if it's the club v Keegan it's Newcastle all the way for me. BTW, there is no comparison with SBR getting money he was due from the club when he was sacked by Freddie Fantastic. Bobby Robson never quit a club in his life, the only way you'd get him to leave the place would be by sacking him or in an ambulance.

It's been a fair amount of time since Owen's missed a month through a little injury. he was out for the man city, mackems, west brom and villa games We got 7 pts from those four games and if you include the Wigan game where Owen didn't start, we scored 8 goals in 5. Since he's come back into the starting line up we've failed to score in both games. It reminds me of last season how we struggled to get goals when Owen played up front. He was a lot more effective when he played in a withdrawn role with Viduka and Martins up top.

No one knows for sure why Faye was allowed to leave, there was talk that he was homesick, and also there was rumour of a massive bust up between Keegan and Faye in the Everton dressing room. I am convinced that is the reason Faye left, because KK came out and said he was very happy with Taylor as his main centre back soon after, plus I know when Keegan falls out with someone he tends to hold grudges for a very long time. In any case, you got a very solid stopper and if you were on this board when he was sold you would have seen that not many of us fans were very happy that he was sold. Anyway worst of luck on Saturday

Exactly. They are fucking plebs who have put the club in the spotlight for the wrong reason again. There's no way I'm going to wring my hands on their behalf.