Minhosa

Alot of this has do with the fact he's not got a water carrier in midfield to knock it on to. If he had a Mascherano/Makelele-eqsue holding player who wants every ball both him and, to a lesser extent Enrique, wouldn't have to take as many chances. Would majorly benefit Simpson too who costs us possession more than anyone because his only option is almost always Routledge, who is inevitably closely marked. That's what I'm suggesting, I don't see why he can't be our Makelele/Mascherano. I don't think he's got the pace or the vision mate AND I think we need him in his best position - a few bad games at DM and the press would rinse the fella killing his confidence. I think he's going to look like a different player to the one who left the premier league a year ago with a strong water carrier in front of him though. Deserves a lot of credit for the way he set his stall out with us this year instead of doing a Bassong.

Alot of this has do with the fact he's not got a water carrier in midfield to knock it on to. If he had a Mascherano/Makelele-eqsue holding player who wants every ball both him and, to a lesser extent Enrique, wouldn't have to take as many chances. Would majorly benefit Simpson too who costs us possession more than anyone because his only option is almost always Routledge, who is inevitably closely marked.

Did at the start of the season, less so last couple of months.

I'm in total agreement regarding the need for this type of player but couldn't disagree more that he's worth in excess of £9m. He's 30 in three weeks. If Ashely was to sign him for £9m and give him a 3.5 year contract at say £45k per week (which is probably a reserved guesstimate) he's cost us over £15m and would have no resale value. I'd say that we need the next Benayoun, not the current one.

They went ahead of them both on Saturday mate. Last game of the season Millwall Vs Swindon will be a cracker.

I saw the same thing mate - the lad got let back in with about 5 minutes to go.................as you say he wasn't at fault, just got pushed out onto the pitch under the momentum.

Agree with all of that Blef. Pretty much echoes my post of the last page - great atmosphere there today. Agree with that - thought the coppers/stewards were way over the top frogmarching people out for doing nothing more than celebrating a goal, it looked like they were trying to pull people out of the crowd, filming it all as well, wouldnt happen anywhere else apart from a football match- fucking disgrace Yeah - they filmed the whole second half mate. Though I only saw them throw one young lad out after our equaliser and they let him back in with his mates with 5 minutes to go. The Stewards were pretty good craic down where we were but they did have their hands full. We were chatting to one after the full time whistle waiting for the crowds to get out and he was saying he's never heard an away following like it.

Agree with all of that Blef. Pretty much echoes my post of the last page - great atmosphere there today.

It may have sounded like a joke, but they should all be looking like Enrique, no excuse not to unless you can run faster and for longer than Jose. Even the legend that is Jose looked a bit sluggish in the first half mate. Like I said earlier, I think the pitch probably had a lot to do with it.

That'll change, he's on a diet. Nil by mouth for a while I should think.

He looked fat as fuck on the pictures SSN showed at full time. Eating tips from Nolan? Haven't seen the pics mate but he looked tubby from behind after he chucked his top in. Seriously, he is absolutely nowhere near full fitness. Leon Best also looks like he's carrying timber. The pitch really didn't help but fuck me so many of our lot looked to be struggling today fitness wise.

Yeah - I wasn't appreciating the twat at the back of the terrace who started that little rumour off. I've permantly scarred my vocals cords thanks to that cunt.

Just back from the match - fantastic atmosphere in the away end but a very dodgy performance, 20 second half minutes aside. The players were half asleep for the first 40 minutes but brought to life second half. A few notable things for me; Barton was blowing out of his arse after 20 minutes, and his set pieces were shite, that free kick apart. Enrique needs to be given a shot at the corners when Guthrie doesn't play. Routledge got absolutely no change out of Griffiths, their left back, when he came on, but the pitch didn't lend itself to players running at pace as it was muddy as fuck with the ball bobbling all over. Pancrate is god awful. Smith barely had a look in. Even Shola seemed surprised his goal went in. Most memorable moment of the day - after the warm up, a young newcastle lad/mascot (about 11 years old) was played in by his old man before kick off, smashed the ball into an open net and then proceeded to celebrate like he scored the winner at the world cup in front of the away end, pulling out a Spiderman mask and milking the applause for a good 5 minutes - the Fans went absolutely mental for the craic. Great stuff. Edit - Leon (or now the newly christened 'Georgie' by our sarcastic away following!) Best won't get a better chance to break his duck than he did in the second half, facing the Newcastle Fans, willing the ball into the net for him but he shat his pants. Fucking Garbage.

My post clearly stated i am not replying to his attempts to fight and i refuse to acknowledge anyone who resorts to calling other fans cunts for an honest view of what he said. Theres no place on a fans forum for that imo Who's crying now Keyboard warrier? If you want to meet for a beer at the match on Saturday I'll buy you one - as already stated. If you try to patronise people then you're going to get a reaction.

Couldn't cover wages? Eh? I said in the original post somebody like Irelands wages would be covered by the sale or release of Butt, Smith, Nolan etc. Also, as mentioned, lets meet for a pint at Peterborough to chat it through - what's threatening about that?

More the principle than the name, but why not splash out on one star with the other signings being made up of potential players and proven plodders? Bellamy has played for s**** sides don't forget (Blackburn, Cov, Celtic etc), may feel he has unfinished business and will spit his dummy at some point soon. He signed for Man City for £14m and obscene wages. I will let you realise where your logic falls apart. The principle that we should splash out on 1 player is also madness, we have been there before and one injury would ruin the whole budget. Clever strategy...... Here's the thing Rog. SWP signed for Chelsea for mega money, as did Duff, as did Scott Parker, as did Wayne Bridge - they all left on the cheap relatively speaking. There are a million other examples of this. Who would have predicted Robbie Keane getting the hump and joining Celtic on loan? When a player (at a club with more money than sense) gets the hump they just want them out. Do you think Bellamy will be happy next season when he's sat on the bench? Neither do I. As for logic falling apart - thanks for patronising too - my logic of one big name is supported by a number of proven prem players (Diamante etc) and the signing of players with potential (Perch, Addison etc) together with a team good enough to gain promotion at the first time of asking. If you can't see the logic in needing a huge step up in quality in the final 2/3rds of our first team which will require investment/risk taking in at least one 'top' player then perhaps it's you who needs the reality check.

More the principle than the name, but why not splash out on one star with the other signings being made up of potential players and proven plodders? Bellamy has played for shite sides don't forget (Blackburn, Cov, Celtic etc), may feel he has unfinished business and will spit his dummy at some point soon.

I'd go all out for Stephen Ireland who will be getting increasingly pissed off at Citeh and is bound to be on the bench for most of next season. Him along with a forward, right back and a couple of squad players would be enough to guarantee us safety. Harper Perch (Simpson) Williamson (Taylor) Colo (Addison/Kadar) Enrique (?) Routledge Ireland (Guthrie) O'Hara (Nolan if he's not sold) Jonas (Diamante) Carroll Lovenkrands Sell/Release - Barton, Smith, Butt, Nolan, Raylor, Best, Xisco, Pancrate, Shola, Loan - Ranger, Lua Lua (when fit), Vuckic. Buy - Ireland, Addison, Perch, Diamante, a nippy forward with excellent movement on the cheap. Not asking too much is it? Bringing in 5, shipping out 9 (6 really when you consider Xisco's not been in the squad this season, Pancrate is shite and Butt is no loss) reducing the wage bill (only Ireland would be on big money but that would be comfortably offset with the sales of Barton, Butt and Nolan) We'd probably need a few squad fillers looking at that, but the principle of buying a star/talisman/fulcrum this summer, offset by losing some of the high earners, shouldn't be overlooked imo. Whether we could attract an Ireland type player remains to be seen but it wouldn't surprise me to see some of the better Citeh players spit their dummies towards the middle of next season in the same way many did at Chelsea. Bellamy, anyone?

I actually thought Guthrie had a very efficient game - he kept things ticking over really nicely.

Said he wanted to pass on his congrats to the players, coaching staff and fans at NUFC for their efforts this season and that we were worthy winners. Fair Play.

These fucking commentators have done us no favours tonight like;- - Enrique should be interesting top four clubs. - James Perch is amazing and - we're holding £15m to spaff in the summer - even though it's bollocks everyone else will be upping their prices. Aye, thanks lads. Pair of fucknuts.

I'll plump for a cheeky 4-3 to us.

Not sure how realistic this one is (probably not very) but Flamini's rumoured to be on his way out of Milan. He would be a terrific signing for our midfield. What am I saying? We've got no hope have we? Anyhow, nice thought.

How long?

Routledge crossed the ball, Carroll went to punch it, the ball cannoned off his foot and went in. Thanks Fella.