TRon

I have that feeling as well. Carroll doesn't look like a goal scorer, I think Joe likes him because he's big and strong. Xisco looks less physical but he looks like he might have more quality around the penalty area. Hard to tell from a couple of brief outings, but I'd like to see him in a decent side before i write him off. not just the goals but all round play Agreed. He's no Viduka but he looks a bit more polished than Carroll. I wouldn't have even minded seeing him alongside Carroll for the last 10 mins with the wingers firing a few crosses in.

I have that feeling as well. Carroll doesn't look like a goal scorer, I think Joe likes him because he's big and strong. Xisco looks less physical but he looks like he might have more quality around the penalty area. Hard to tell from a couple of brief outings, but I'd like to see him in a decent side before i write him off.

It's probably true that Ashley isn't going to spend big any time soon. Is it a lack of ambition? The answer's probably yes...but the problem is, there's no one out there with ambition to buy the club and show how it should be done. There is no ambitious alternative for Newcastle United so all we are left with is moaning about our ambitious past.

The problem with Guthrie that I can see is in choosing who to play with him. He's not particularly strong in breaking down play and hes not particularly good at attacking. He's just very neat and tidy, makes few mistakes and works hard. I like him but I wouldnt know whether to play him with a big defensive midfielder or an attacking player. I think Id prefer to use Guthrie as a defensive midfielder alongside an attacking player, but I dont think he excels in that area. Pretty well summed up. I'm glad he had a better game today because he was abysmal against Liverpool. You expect a player to want to prove himself against his former club but he didn't want the ball and strolled around watching the game pass him by. I like him as a player but that performance had me worried about his desire. Guthrie or Owen? Guthrie...in the Liverpool game I was watching opposition players bomb past him while he was stood ball watching.

He must be really shit if he isn't worth a 10 min run out at 0-0 as a late sub. To be fair to the lad, he got as close as any of the other strikers to scoring today, even sitting on the bench. Well played lad

The problem with Guthrie that I can see is in choosing who to play with him. He's not particularly strong in breaking down play and hes not particularly good at attacking. He's just very neat and tidy, makes few mistakes and works hard. I like him but I wouldnt know whether to play him with a big defensive midfielder or an attacking player. I think Id prefer to use Guthrie as a defensive midfielder alongside an attacking player, but I dont think he excels in that area. Pretty well summed up. I'm glad he had a better game today because he was abysmal against Liverpool. You expect a player to want to prove himself against his former club but he didn't want the ball and strolled around watching the game pass him by. I like him as a player but that performance had me worried about his desire.

Exactly how I feel. He's not shit, his legs have just gone imo. In all fairness, his legs were failing when he got released by Man U centuries ago. Fergie's probably built and dismantled two league champion sides since then while we continue to con ourselves that we have a team full of international players when most of them are shells of the players they used to be.

He didn't pull up any trees at a lower level either when he went out on loan. I just don't see him scoring goals.

I was thinking of next season, as I expect Owen to leave and it looks like Given wants away as well. If we are losing our better senior players I don't see much point in holding on to the worse ones. Owen and Given are quality but the likes of Given in particular are held up as examples of great Newcastle pros. If their heart isn't in it any more I feel we should sell them on and try and get younger players in who are eager to prove themselves here.

sadly that's probably not far from the truth.

Of all the players soon to be out of contract you just know Butt will be the one who will sign a new one.

Bullard's probably already been lured by the likes of Spurs.

Turning into an absolute diamond.

He's got no goal instinct from what I've seen, much like Shola. Neither player shoots or heads enough in the penalty area which at the end of the day what they are supposed to be about.

On the plus side, he's a big lad. If he doesn't make it as a footballer he could always take up brick-laying.

At least we're still in the draw.

Jonas is doing everything apart from get on the end of his own crosses here like.

In a nutshell.

Unfortunately we haven't got a forward able to get on the end of anything today.

Has Carroll had a shot on goal yet?

We look like we are ready to cave in. We'll probably hang on for dear life now.

I have the same attitude towards every player who wants to leave, whether it's Shay Given, N'Zogbia or Michael "Captain Courageous" Owen. Please fuck off and don't let the door hit your arse on the way out. But no one should be allowed to leave for less than they are worth so if Arsenal want Zog then either cough up big money or kindly fuck off.

We often hear how important these guys are in the dressing room, Kinnear is constantly bigging up the likes of Butt, Owen and Given. Then there is Duff, Geremi and Beye who you could consider serious pros. Every club needs it's senior players but at what point does their presence become a hindrance not a help? Owen leaves by example, and Shay Given is making noises to the same effect. Duff, and Butt don't have a bad attitude but while they are here they are automatic starters for the most part which isn't good enough. No one can hold it against Owen or Given if they take the opportunity to better their careers if they get the chance, but would we be better off with younger, hungrier players who want to play for Newcastle in any case?

Rather him than Kinnear... Seconded. I hope the £6m transfer kitty is untrue because Mike Ashley isn't going to get the fans back onside if it is.