Elma

I want to see Shearer chip a beach ball into a pool chair from 30 yards and then do the Mitrovic celebration.

We were in the ten year deal and were supposed to tell them by the end of January if we weren't renewing. It was on 2 February 2014 after Cabaye wasn't replaced that we sent in a letter (backdated a few days) cancelling. They never queried it. Personally, I would think it much better to stick the season ticket money in an ISA every year, attend the odd game that you want to by paying on the day (this should be much easier going forward), and then use the savings to buy a ticket from an agent or a tout should we ever get to a final. I'm sure you'd have spare change, paticularly with Ashley's policy in the cups.

Me too I hope, seeing as I'm forty.

If it's based upon them as people (from what I've heard and how they come across in public) rather than ability, then I've a lot of time for Jonas, Ryan Taylor, Ayoze, and Cabella seems a pretty decent bloke. I think that the Dutch group all seem decent too and I feel for De Jong with his injuries this year. I've heard from a few at the club that Cisse can be an arrogant prick, and along with what some others have posted I can believe that due to the senseless bans he's had this season for trying to break someone's jaw and then spitting. The rest I don't really have an opinion on - however, it's difficult to say with any certainty as I've not really met any of them. I'd love to meet Joey Barton. People who worked with him at NUFC said he was one of the nicest people you could meet - extremely polite and also always willing to help out. Plus I always thought Alan Smith got roughly treated a little. From what I understand he was always in for extra training, staying behind to help the kids, and never whinged about not being in the team (although he was always working hard to get back in). People think he was just happy picking up his wages but he really wasn't, and he eventually took a pay cut just to keep playing. Limited ability yes, but it wasn't his fault we paid so much for him and stuck him on £60,000 a week.

I've said I do to some people, but deep down I'll be relieved if we stay up, especially as I think it's between us and the mackems. In saying that, if we do go down (which I think we will) I will care the least I ever have over a relegation. I'll definitely see quite a few silver linings in that cloud....

About six years ago he was the admin guy for the reserves...turning up at Gateshead to make sure all protocol was followed on match days. How come he's risen so quickly? Got to be a 'Yes' man who has smarmed his way into Ashley's confidence.

I guess you could actually argue Carver has a better record as he has faced four away games out of seven, where it is four home games for Pardew.

Of all the names bandied around I like the idea of Lucien Favre. I have to admit to not really knowing the game too well outside of England so I've had to read up on most of the overseas-based coaches, but he seems like he has enough experience, hasn't really failed anywhere, and plays football the right way. I wouldn't be adverse to Bilic either - the one other league I know a little is the Turkish Super Lig and he's not doing too badly at Besiktas, last weekend's result aside. Besiktas also gave both Arsenal and Spurs a tough ride in Europe this year and he did really well with Croatia. We'll never get either though as they are in contract.

Surely if Algeria decide not to take him because he isn't going to be fit for the training camp / first game then that shouldn't preclude him from playing for us later this month, regardless as to whether or not Algeria progress? I would think that any rule whereby you are prevented from playing for your club side if you have declared an injury for the national side, would only apply to a single game?

Unfortunately I think Carver will continue with Pardew's plan, and play Taylor today with Williamson back in for the cup. The cup is seen as less important and they think Taylor can't play two games 48 hours apart, for some reason.

Has this been posted yet? http://www.football365.com/f365-says/9625392/F365-Says

But he doesn't though He's a fair weather Geordie. I want anyone but Bruce or an internal appointment. A few years after he retired Bruce was summarising for Sky when we played Man U at home. There was a fifty fifty just before half time between our keeper and their forward (can't remember exactly who) and Bruce was off his seat in a flash (he had eaten less pasties then) spitting and screaming, "That was a pen, a pen...!". So, despite what he might like to portray, not exactly a NUFC fan.

I'm unfashionably early Sitting in reception if anyone else is around? I like your confidence about Team D....hoping it's not misplaced

Apologies (neesy) - don't think I can make the meal now so count me out to be on the safe side. Will stick around for a drink after the footy if others are, maybe into mid-afternoon if we can find somewhere that has the Leicester match on?

Where are you booking? Turkish place recommended on here. If its the Turkish place and 7.30 then I can do that...count me in.

Yeah, any locals know where we could watch? Shark was the usual but not showing it anymore... Get yourself to the Clock... Will be like home from home Does that still have the games on? Heard it had just re-opened under new management?

I'll make sure I'm there for 9.30am to be on the safe side. Will be driving over from Jarrow through the tunnel in an empty car so if anyone needs a lift from that general area then let me know. Not decided yet whether to go to the match afterwards but would prefer watching it in a pub with everyone if it's on anywhere? Could possibly do the meal afterwards too depending on where and when?

I'm in for the meal too. Still good for the footie too. Am travelling up tomorrow and spending all week next week in Newcastle ahead of the weekend. Going back on the Sunday morning (19th).

I've probably said this on here before, but the saddest thing for me is that my dad packed up going in the summer. He'd been going for 65 years, seen some absolute dross, but last year broke him. He said he just wasn't enjoying it anymore and couldn't justify the cost of renewing his season ticket of 31 years. He's a knowledgeable bloke...he played at a reasonable standard and his son, my brother, represented NUFC at all levels below first team in the late eighties. Yes, he blamed Ashley for a lack of investment, but most of his ire was at Pardew for serving up "turgid, cowardly football" (his words). I get that Pardew hasn't actually said his family are threatened, just that the press he is receiving is affecting them. Well, I tell you what Alan...my family is affected to. It breaks my heart seeing my dad wondering what to do with his Saturday afternoons. It's absolutely killing me and I know for a fact, if you were to go, then he would be back there in a shot with renewed hope. If you are worried about your family, then you can easily stop this and simultaneously lift the burden from thousands of other families across the north-east. Just go.....

Changing formation / tactics and different mix of players would be better than keeping the same set of losers in the same losing formation with the same loser tactics. He hasn't even once tried to play 2 up or attack with width in a 4-3-3. It really is as if he wants to lose every game I heard (I knew a few people behind the scenes) that Pardew was going with two up front at Stoke. That was on the Sunday. The sort of info I get on this is usually 99% bang on. Therefore, my only theory is that he deemed Cisse not fit enough to start or he bottled it. That makes it even more crazy - why could he not have brought Cisse on at 1-0 alongside Riviere to switch to 4-4-2 at half-time, or even, god forbid, dropped one of his blue chip players and played with Ayoze or Armstrong first half? The whole time he has been here he has shoe-horned his favourite 11 into a formation which doesn't work (Cisse/Ba, Sissoko out wide etc) instead of finding a system and slotting players in, even if that means dropping a big name for someone more suited to play the role in the system. The man's an incompetent charlatan.

Am happy stepping in or going on team D (as it looks like they are short of one, possibly more). Don't mind really - just happy to be involved. I'll stick you in team D pal Cheers!

Am happy stepping in or going on team D (as it looks like they are short of one, possibly more). Don't mind really - just happy to be involved.

Yeah - that's me I guess. I'll get onto booking a train.

I had to wait for a few things to fall into place, but I can now make this if there is still space on one of the teams? I would be coming up from London so would need to know pretty soonish to book a train etc. I used to share quite a few PMs with Jon on team news etc. so would really like to be involved if possible?

You can have mine for 249....anyone going to take it to 250?