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No abuse, thanks for your work last season but it's time to move on Glenn.

Those were the days.

Bobby Robson got sacked after 4 games because Douggie and Freddie were convinced we were going down - we are a damn sight worse off now than then.

Were we in a more precarious situation in the Gullit days? I'd argue not as at least we could score goals then.

I seriously think we are going down now. No doubts.

Well said - if he's dropped on Saturday Roeder's just cutting his nose off to spite his face. Rossi and Luque may have the makings of a decent short-term partnership, especially with Luque in a more familiar position of second striker.

Rossi and Luque must play up front against the Blades on Saturday. Surely he won't get dropped after tonight.

Best result in Europe for a long time. Well done lads - it's really made my day.

United are under-strength, but at the same time everyone in the starting line-up apart from Peter Ramage has represented their country at some level. It would not surprise me if United lined up as following: Krul, Taylor, Moore, Bramble, Ramage, Solano, Butt, N'Zogbia, Milner, Sibierski or Emre, and Luque. Uncle Alan's guess for tonight.

Luq who's back for Toon Nov 1 2006 By Alan Oliver, The Evening Chronicle Albert Luque will be given his third start of the season when Newcastle United go in against Palermo in tomorrow night's UEFA Cup tie in Sicily. And with Glenn Roeder having to decide whether Steve Harper, who continues to struggle with a groin injury, can play two games in three days, 19-year-old rookie keeper Tim Krul has again gone on standby. And the youngster has a very good chance in making his United debut in what will be a hostile atmosphere in the picturesque Italian island. Roeder has several other injures to sort out, as joining Michael Owen, Kieron Dyer, Shola Ameobi, Oba Martins and Shay Given will be skipper Scott Parker, who picked up a knock on his knee against Charlton Athletic on Saturday. And as a result, when United jetted out of Newcastle airport for their 114th European tie, youngsters Paul Huntington, Aussie striker James Troisi and Andy Carroll, who scored the goal in Monday night's reserve victory over Blackburn Rovers at Kingston Park, were in the squad - and they all have a chance of being of being on the bench tomorrow night. Parker, Damien Duff, Stephen Carr and Celestine Babayaro didn't fly out with the squad this morning, as they rested knocks ahead of United's busy schedule. Roeder has been forced to turn to the 28-year-old Luque because Owen, Ameobi and Martins are all injured and Sir Alex Ferguson has stopped his Manchester United striker Seppe Rossi from being cup-tied in Europe before he returns to Old Trafford at the end of next month. Luque actually played and scored in United's first game of the season against Lillestrom in the InterToto Cup, and also in the goalless draw with Ventspils in the UEFA Cup, both at St James' Park. He has yet to start a Premiership match after being substitute in the opener with Wigan Athletic and then at Aston Villa, and Roeder has challenged him to put himself in the frame for Saturday's crucial game with Sheffield United at St James' Park. Before boarding United's private jet for Palermo, Roeder told me today: "Albert Luque will start tomorrow night and it is a big opportunity for him - the ball is very much in his court. "This is the opportunity for him to show what he can do on a fairly big European stage and the chance to prove that he really wants to play for Newcastle United." In addition to Luque, both Emre and Antoine Sibierski were back in the squad after their respective back and foot injuries and both are expected to play some part tomorrow night. On Parker's absence Roeder said: "Everybody saw Scott pick up a bad bang on his knee against Charlton and, while tomorrow will come too early for him, we are anticipating that he will be OK to play against Sheffield United on Saturday." When United arrive in Palermo they will find it's a public holiday in Italy and are hoping this does not affect their plans to train in the Renzo Barbera Stadium, the scene of tomorrow night's tie.

3 of the 5 keepers and Rossi will be dropping out so one of the young lads will probably get excluded from the 18. On second thoughts it will probably be Luque!

For those who watch the stiffs how are the likes of Troisi and Carroll? Would they be ready if needed?

Pattison named in SA squad South Africa have handed Newcastle United midfielder Matty Pattison a first call-up for next month's friendly against Egypt in London. The 2010 World Cup hosts take on the African champions at Brentford's Griffin Park on Wednesday 15 November. Pattison, who was born in Johannesburg but left for Britain at the age of 11, made his first Newcastle appearance against Everton in February. The news comes as a belated birthday present for Pattison, who turned 20 on Friday. The Belgian-based pair of Jeffrey Ntuka and Elrio van Heerden have also been recalled to the squad, as have former captain Sibusiso Zuma and France-based striker Katlego Mphela. Squad: Goalkeepers: Rowen Fernandez (Kaizer Chiefs), Calvin Marlin (Mamelodi Sundowns) Defenders: Ricardo Katza (SuperSport United), Siphiwe Mkhonza (Kaizer Chiefs), Aaron Mokoena (Blackburn Rovers, England), Nasief Morris (Panathinaikos, Greece), Jeffrey Ntuka (Westerlo, Belgium), Lucas Thwala (Orlando Pirates) Midfielders: Mlungisi Gumbi (Lamontville Golden Arrows), Matty Pattison (Newcastle United, England), Steven Pienaar (Borussia Dortmund, Germany), Gert Schalkwyk (Kaizer Chiefs), Macbeth Sibaya (Rubin Kazan, Russia), Siphiwe Tshabalala (Free State Stars), Elrio van Heerden (Club Bruges, Belgium) Strikers: Siyabonga Nomvete (Aalborg, Denmark), Katlego Mphela (Racing Strasbourg, France), Sibusiso Zuma (Arminia Bielefeld, Germany).

Quiet summer haunts Roeder By Jason Mellor Newcastle United 0 Charlton Athletic 0 SADLY FOR GLENN ROEDER, THE benevolence Alan Shearer exhibited last week in donating £1.6 million from his testimonial to charity does not appear to stretch to him coming out of retirement. The Newcastle United manager does not like the term “bare bones”, but that increasingly sums up his attacking options. How he would love to make Shearer an offer he cannot refuse before Thursday’s Uefa Cup tie against Palermo in Sicily. “I almost thought you were going to ask me if I was considering playing myself,” Roeder said. What is that about many a thing said in jest? Giuseppe Rossi is ineligible, the injured Obafemi Martins will not travel and Shola Ameobi has finally admitted defeat, albeit six months too late, to a hip problem. “It’s deteriorating,” Roeder said. “He knows he has to have an operation sooner rather than later.” Scott Parker, the Newcastle captain, agreed. “There’s no hiding we’re a bit light in the striking department,” he said. “It’s showing, but that’s the hand we’ve been dealt.” Roeder is having to deal with the fallout from Newcastle’s failure to recruit sufficiently in the summer. “I don’t know if exposed is the right word. We’re short on numbers and are being tested to the limit,” he said. Rossi struck the bar in Saturday evening’s dour encounter with Charlton Athletic and Damien Duff, pressed into service up front, wasted another good chance after the break as Newcastle failed to capitalise on an opportunity that Freddy Shepherd, the chairman, had said that they must take to climb the table, with a sixth winless league game. It means they are without a home win in the league since the season’s opening day. It might have been worse. Darren Bent, a forward Roeder attempted to sign in the summer, found only the Gallowgate End with a rushed finish as he failed to capitalise on a second-half error by Titus Bramble. “Watching him in training, he hits those volleys like no one else,” Iain Dowie, the Charlton manager, said. “We were relieved to get to the interval still level, but in the end we probably created the best two chances,” he added as a third consecutive clean sheet sealed a first away point of the season. Palermo marks the first of eight matches in November that will shape Newcastle’s future. “It’s going to be a telling time,” Parker said. “We’re near the bottom and it’s not looking good on paper. If we’re sitting there after the game knowing we’ve not done ourselves justice it’d be different. We’d be worried if we couldn’t see the result coming, but it’s going to turn.”

More rubbish probably. Toon eyeing Baggies midfielder? Newcastle United are thought to have targeted West Bromwich Albion star Zoltan Gera as a possible January recruit. Hungarian international Gera has made it clear he wants to return to the Premiership as soon as possible, and has openly courted attention from top-flight clubs. New Magpies assistant boss Nigel Pearson was recently the number two at The Hawthorns, and has recommended Gera to Toon boss Glenn Roeder. Newcastle are desperate for an attacking spark, having scored just seven goals in ten Premiership matches, and Pearson believes Gera's thrust from midfield would make him a valuable addition. Baggies boss Tony Mowbray is unlikely to wish to part with Gera, but he may sacrifice him in order to further strengthen his squad.

We'd be lucky to get more than 3million for Luque and Butt combined. We still might get 4m for Milner though.

Who knows there may be some truth in this as all 5 have contracts that run out within the next 18 months or less so we'd theoretically (no doubt we'd get fleeced like we usually do, especially from Bagpuss) be able to get them on the cheap.

we get beat off home by mid-table sides, and only manage draws with the team at the foot of the table. sounds like relegation fodder to me. Agree.

Booed off again - every home game this season bar Wigan? Getting majorly sick of this - it's no good being good in the cups (no doubt getting knocked out when it matters) then getting relegated which, as it stands looks like we may be heading.

Maybe Curbishley I would imagine.

http://boards.rivals.net/default.asp?sid=892&p=16&style=2&forumId=6548&action=1&replytoid=530864433 DoF?

Wants to come back! FIGHTING TALK GLENN Roeder today likened the freak injury which robbed him of Kieron Dyer to "being hit by a thunderbolt". But Roeder has vowed Newcastle United will "come out fighting" against Charlton Athletic tonight, as they look to turn their league campaign around. Dyer – who made a midweek comeback against Portsmouth – had been set for his first Premiership appearance in more than six months after overcoming his long-term hamstring problems. But Dyer's eye was caught by a pole while he was doing a shuttle run yesterday morning, and he now faces a frustrating few weeks on the sidelines. Roeder said: "Everyone at the training ground yesterday was absolutely gutted at what happened to Kieron. "It was like being hit with a thunderbolt, but it's no good being down about it. "If the players see myself and the rest of the coaches being affected by something like this, then it has an adverse effect on them. "There are two things you can do in situations like this. You can curl up and die or come out punching and fighting. "When the going gets tough, the tough get going and that's what everyone from the chairman down to the tea lady will be doing." Roeder revealed Dyer will have to sit out training for the next two weeks, ruling him out of some crucial games, including next week's UEFA Cup tie away to Palermo. He added: "Kieron took a knock to his left eye in what can only be described as a freak accident. "We immediately took him to see a specialist and his advice was that he needs to rest and not to take part in any contact training for at least two weeks." Meanwhile, controversial winger Laurent Robert has told of his desire to return to Newcastle. Robert left the club last year after falling out with Graeme Souness, and is currently playing for La Liga side Levante. But he has not given up hope of a return to Tyneside. He said: "When I think of my time at Newcastle, I can think of only one word – fantastic. "I really loved my time there as I enjoyed English football and I'd love to come back if Mr Shepherd would have me. "There was only one reason why I left Newcastle and that was Graeme Souness." Robert would be available in January, but he will not get his wish of an emotional return.

Now crock Dyer is KO'd by pole By MARTIN BLACKBURN October 28, 2006 KIERON DYER’S hopes of making his first start in six months today have been pole-axed. The injury-jinxed Newcastle midfielder suffered a freak eye injury when he collided with a pole while doing shuttle runs in training yesterday morning. He will now miss at least four matches. And boss Glenn Roeder said: “Kieron took a knock to his left eye in what can only be described as a freak accident. “We immediately took him to see a specialist and the advice was he needs to rest and not take part in any contact training for at least two weeks. “Kieron didn’t deserve such wretched luck little more than a day after getting out on the pitch against Portsmouth. “It’s cruel luck to be robbed of his services but we’ve got to stand up and be counted and move forward in a positive way.” The England ace played the final 30 minutes of Wednesday’s Carling Cup win against Portsmouth. Dyer, 27, was likely to start in the home clash with Charlton today — ending six months out of the first team with groin and hamstring problems. Toon have cup matches against Palermo and Watford along with a league clash with Sheffield United in the next two weeks. Newcastle had more bad news yesterday as they recorded a yearly loss of £12million. The signings of £16m Michael Owen and £9.5m Albert Luque, plus a lack of European football were the major reasons behind the fall. The figures, for the 12 months ending June 30 2006, were in stark contrast to the £620,000 profit Toon made in the previous year. But chairman Freddy Shepherd insisted: “This year has been a period of transition for the club. “The board believe the investment it has made will deliver long-term benefits.”

Staggering! Freak Eye Injury Setback For Star KIERON Dyer has suffered a freak training ground eye injury that will see the Newcastle United ace back on the sidelines for a short while. The fleet-footed Magpies star made his long-awaited comeback as a substitute in Wednesday's 3-0 Carling Cup win over Portsmouth at St. James' Park, and was looking forward to another Gallowgate run-out in Saturday's visit of Charlton Athletic. But the England man's hopes were cruelly dashed by an unfortunate accident while training on Friday morning. Manager Glenn Roeder told nufc.co.uk: "Kieron took a knock to his left eye on Friday morning in what can only be described as a freak accident. "We immediately took him to see a specialist and his advice was that he needs to rest and not to take part in any contact training for at least two weeks. "Kieron doesn't deserve such wretched luck to happen little more than a day after getting back out on the pitch against Portsmouth, when for 30 minutes he showed the kind of electric pace and ability that we know he's capable of. "It's such cruel luck to be robbed of his services, but we've just got to stand up and be counted and move forward in a positive way, starting with Charlton on Saturday." http://www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10278~918948,00.html

Solano confirms Peru return By Patricio Figueroa - Created on 27 Oct 2006 Peru midfielder Nolberto Solano has confirmed he will return from the international wilderness against Jamaica next month. The Newcastle winger has not featured for his country since falling out with former Peru coach Freddy Ternero, but he has had a change of heart following talks with new manager Franco Navarro. "I feel good about returning for the national team in the friendly with Jamaica and I would also like to play in the Copa America next year in Venezuela," said Solano. "I have spoken with the coach Franco Navarro and we have reached an agreement for my return to the national team." Such a move will come as a blow to Newcastle, as Solano will be jetting across the Atlantic to represent his country. It is likely that Solano will not feature in all Peru's games, as he added: "We only have to agree with Newcastle which games I will play. "I want to play against Jamaica and besides the problems that I had in other times I want to wear the national shirt again." Solano is hopeful that Navarro has ironed out the problems of previous regimes. "When I took the decision to not play for Peru it was because there wasn't any kind of plan and the players like me that travelled from Europe received all the criticism when the problem was that Peruvian football did not have any kind of organisation," he added.