TRon

We don't need to sell Taylor, he's a useful member of the squad. We just need to pick the two best centre backs for each game and he's not necessarily one of them.

It'll be interesting to see what sort of fee we'll get for Zog if he signs for Paris or Bayern. The only thing I know for sure is there won't be any similar interest in Damien Puff no matter how long he keeps getting picked ahead of N'Zogbia.

Butt had one of his better games against Chelsea, but you can't get away from the fact that our midfield has been second best against some pretty mediocre teams this season, Sunderland, Fulham and West Brom to name a few. Geremi has the quality but he's too static, so I would go for Jonas and Zog on the wings like most here. Duff is the safe option, but he's also one of those who gets dominated because of his powder puff attacking threat.

It's been a pleasant change to read positive views about our defence whatever some people on here might think. To hold out against Chelsea with almost the entire game being played in our half takes courage, organsation and no little skill. Some of the better journos lavished praise on Colo, Bassong and Beye in particular and they earned it. Let's give them some credit for a change, it's not often the defence gets much after all.

Enrique doesn't offer enough going forward so that's a problem at home. He's still pretty good defensively though, and that's what we needed today.

Shearer wouldn't do the job under financial restraint though, maybe that's what Kinnear is getting at. The only way Shearer will manage Newcastle is with plenty of money to spend in my view and I wouldn't expect anything else. JK's being asked to do a fairly shitty job and he's getting on with it where a lot of people including Shearer wouldn't touch it with a barge pole in the current circumstances.

I don't really get this attitude towards Kinnear that some fans have. You would think he had been appointed permanently rather than given another month judging by some reactions. He's not the answer but how many temporary managers are? Every time there is a bad result (not today obviously) there's people popping up to throw abuse, despite the fact he's got us some half decent results. Some fans really need to wind their necks in as far as I'm concerned.

I think Kineear will have to sell to buy so I wouldn't hold your breath on that one.

Take some of your own advice. fuck off Would you prefer Chris Hughton for the next month then? I'm sure he'd keep his mouth shut about Americans and transfers.

This might be kneejerk but we actually do look as if we can start playing for a draw, I can't remember feeling we could do that for quite a long time. I made the same point in the match thread, Kinnear can overdo it but he does seem to have got us defending with discipline. As for the back five, I just feel there is a better understanding between Bassong and Colo and I have felt that since I first saw them together against Coventry.

I don't like it either, but the best teams are always able to batten down the hatches when necessary. It's a valuable tool in a circumstances like today, and while we don't want to see it too often, it makes me feel better that we can defend when we have to.

That back four is very impressive defensively when I've seen them start together this season. Mind it was more of a back eight today. Fair play though, well done lads.

Credit to the defenders so far, because all the play is in our half, they have coped admirably.

I know we haven't kicked off yet, but I'm amazed we aren't 1-0 down already. Fair play we are holding them at the moment

Much better to let up and coming Krul go on and become a star for another team, at least we'll have loyal Steve Harper warming the bench with his 33 yr old arse for another season. We cant have any players saying who the club offer contracts too, it is fucking banana's. You use the word loyal next to Steve Harper like it is dig at him being at the club for a long period of time. I think Timmy is getting ahead of himself because I am not sure if he is our 3rd choice keeper. How is it having a dig at Harper when he's in the final year of his contract and could be looking to leave in any case? Both keepers hvae valid reasons for moving on to advance their career, for me I'd prefer to keep the younger prospect but I can understand people favouring local veteran Harper, that's their choice.

it will make no difference what tactics or formation we use today. Chelsea have far better players in every position. We can't even match them for fight with losers like Duff wearing the shirt so let's get it over with and move on.

Much better to let up and coming Krul go on and become a star for another team, at least we'll have loyal Steve Harper warming the bench with his 33 yr old arse for another season.

And he's a good keeper who has been dropped at times when an underperforming Given has returned from injury. I was only really saying that as a joke but I have no problems at all with Harpers lack of ambition. Its his loss and that lack of ambition has meant we haven't had to search for a new keeper every year or put up with dodgy back up. Harper's been a great servant but with the young talent we have coming through in the goalkeeping dept, it's probably best for him and us if he gets a 1st team jersey elsewhere. Unless the rumours that Given wants away are true that is.

Even though I've only seen Krul play once for the 1st team when he had a blinder, from what I saw in that game I'd be willing to bet he goes on to be a pretty good keeper. No doubt there'll be outrage that I'm basing my opinion on one game but you can only go by your own judgement. I'm personally glad that Wise pulled the plug on that move.

Harper's been a good servant but he's getting on in years. It would be better for us long term if Harper moves on and lets the likes of Krul and Forster develop I think.

Normally I'd be pissed off that Joe's alerting other clubs about our targets by blabbing constantly, but seeing as one of them is Riise who cares? Carry on singing like a canary Joe.

I have always been slightly sceptical of Shearer's claims that he wants the Newcastle job, to me it seemed like he was milking the adulation of local fans without ever actually putting himself in the firing line. I wouldn't expect him to take the job under Ashley, but if the club is close to being sold and he's genuinely being lined up by the next owner he'll go up 200% in my estimation if he takes the job.

Is JFK living on a different planet to the rest of us? Planet La La Land I think.

Managers in wanting to work with people they like, trust and know shocker. Jobs for the boys or not, Shearer's neither sentimental or stupid. If he ever took the job on he'd want to be successful, I doubt he'd be bringing in anyone who would be a liability. At the end of the day he'll be judged on results no matter who his pals are.

Precisely. Load of horseshit. I'm sure we'd have no problem fighting off other clubs for the services of £10m-rated loanees. It's f***ing laughable. Ashley is ripping the piss. Fair play to Fred Shep to shut us up he would let a manager spunk dollops of cash on players. Now we talk about bringing "10 MILLION POUND PLAYER'S" on loan for a few months. I guess they have saw the crowd down the road benefit having Sissy on loan, that is the level we are at now competing & getting ideas off SAFC......... THE FUCKING SHAME OF IT :-[ Do you think the fact the club is up for sale makes the loan deals a bit more reasonable?