Unbelievable

Have to agree with you on this like, Chris. That's one thing that really does grate on me about the Owen scenario - rather than all this club vs country bollocks. He could have put an end to all of this drivel by coming out and fully commiting to us ages ago. The fact that he chose not to is... interesting, but still not necessarily indicative of a lack of commitment or desire to play for us. So your opinion is that anytime some f**kface writes or speculate something about some NUFC player, he should step out and say that this story is bullshit and that story is bullshit? Erm... Nope, I didn't say that. My opinion is that if he'd came out EARLIER and given a statement one way or the other regarding his commitment to the club, it would have prevented this fan backlash. He DID come out OVER TWO MONTHS AGO ago committing himself to the club. You must have missed it. It's right here: http://www.newcastle-online.com/nufcforum/index.php?topic=42546.0. Should he have held a daily press conference reconfirming his commitment? July 11th was OVER TWO MONTHS AGO? Have I suddenly travelled into the future? Look, my point is simple. I'm not saying I don't trust Owen, nor am I saying that I give a toss either way about whether he stays, goes, commits or doesn't commit. I'm just saying that there's a clear backlash from a large percentage of fans in his direction due to the fact that, for a large portion of the last YEAR, nobody has had a clue where he stood regarding his future. Then - and to clarify, this is just how it may look to some, not how I see it personally - when apparently nobody is interested in him, he finally breaks radio silence, so to speak, and commits. All I'm saying is, that whilst he obviously HAS commited himself to the club, it's pretty obvious - based on fan consensus - that he could have done it either sooner or more clearly, and that would have prevented much of the backlash towards him. That's all I'm saying. So to clarify, you are annoyed with Michael Owen because a large portion of our fans have not taken notice or understood his very clear pledge to the club made quite early in the transfer window..? In my opinion it is the fans and the media looking for a problem when there is none there. PS. You hadn't read that article before, had you?

Have to agree with you on this like, Chris. That's one thing that really does grate on me about the Owen scenario - rather than all this club vs country bollocks. He could have put an end to all of this drivel by coming out and fully commiting to us ages ago. The fact that he chose not to is... interesting, but still not necessarily indicative of a lack of commitment or desire to play for us. So your opinion is that anytime some f**kface writes or speculate something about some NUFC player, he should step out and say that this story is bullshit and that story is bullshit? Erm... Nope, I didn't say that. My opinion is that if he'd came out EARLIER and given a statement one way or the other regarding his commitment to the club, it would have prevented this fan backlash. He DID come out OVER TWO MONTHS AGO ago committing himself to the club. You must have missed it. It's right here: http://www.newcastle-online.com/nufcforum/index.php?topic=42546.0. Should he have held a daily press conference reconfirming his commitment?

No second season syndrome for Reading then it seems.. If they can get 4 points out of Man U, Chelsea and Everton that would constitue a very respectable return..

Well, I have to admit that although Mike Ashley is not into talking much, his actions certainly speak loudly at the moment and it looks like my initial sceptisism may have been unwarranted. Also, Chris Mort is coming out with information a lot more lately, which has been reassuring. Hope they keep it up and Allardyce produces the results on the pitch to keep the optimism going!

Ajax - Slavia Prague 0-1 with 10 mins to go..

That's a bit harsh too. It was a good last second tackle on the ball..

Ramage coming on..

Neither.. We are in complete control.

Bloddy hell. Ameobi seems even slower than before!

16 minutes

didn't resalise he was playing 2nd half Had a good second half Oba, good control off the ball and looked threatening from deep..

No, Nobby will come on, for Martins..

Might be time to replace him with Ameobi for the last 20 minutes..

Helguson booked..

Seems like we are back in control..

27 mins left

What was wrong with that Milner challenge against Faye..? We could have broken out there..

Interesting to see if we defend our lead or try to score another one..

3-1 Anelka..

Yep, an excellent save needed from Harper..

Yes we are, other than the Martins goal.. the other two were flukes. So lets not get carried away. Good point.. And they could have had a penalty too.. The scorelinbe flatters us a bit..

It's completely empty at the Riverside

Enrique do? Nah, mentioned him already. We could do with another versatile defender..

3-0 up after 40 mins, and we are still without Given, Owen, Barton, Emre, Enrique, (Dyer), Cacapa and *new defender we will hopefully get*.. Things are looking good!

Anelka temporarily off for injury treatment..