KaKa

Basson gis so classy.

Great, as if he isn't bad enough with two feet, now we get a one footed Nicky Butt. Brilliant.

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Smith is a weirdo. What a goofy challenge.

I actually can't believe how well Viduka is playing. Pretty impressive. Just need him to link up with Martins now they are alongside each other this half. I think we'll get a goal at least.

So where are the defensive midfielders to close down all the Liverpool midfielders with so much room on the edge of the box??? Nicky Butt lets us down in every way. He has no legs.

I concur, actually. We just need to score for our goal difference regardless of whether we lose or not.

One assist and one goal. Nice one pal

Another longball to no one by Butt.

The pass by Barton was just not something we have seen from Newcastle ever this season. It was great. Lovens pace was very useful to get on the ball also. Good chance.

How do you not close down Gerrard? Come on people.

This more traditional 4-3-3 setup with tw wide front men is one Owen just cannot play in to be fair. Just doesn't have the skills to slot in anywhere in this setup.

Like the commentator just said the shape has looked great so far.

So great having Barton back. He's been out so long opposition fans have forgotten to boo him every time he gets the ball.

That was ridiculously random by Viduka just then.

Optimism creeping in ... must supress ...

We'll actually have 11 people on the pitch today without the invisible man out there. I like the lineup so far. Loven and Oba should really stretch them with pace.

Martins is always a threat no matter what anyone says. Lovely play just then.

Butt is freakin mental did you just see that punt out?

Derbyshire has been banging them in Greece. Couldn't believe he was sent away so quickly. The guy is a decent goalscorer.

So Samba is now a full time striker? Sam Allardyce is a despicable human being. Anything to have a big limp upfront to lob the ball onto. If I was a striker on the on that team being kept on the bench by Samba I'd be insulted.

Uh Viduka = tall and strong Carroll = tall and strong Martins = pacey off the ball Owen = runs through the defence requiring accurate passing Now work out which one might struggle in a side that plays long balls & inaccurate passing. Regardless, Martins doesnt touch the ball barely any more than Owen he just holds it for longer when he drops deep. What is particularly alarming is how physically weak Owen is when challenged for the ball shoulder to shoulder. He loses it every single time in this instances. It's why most of the time he passes it before any of the opposition get anywhere near him. It seems his legs are well and truly shot as he just doesn't have the ability to put himself between the ball and the defender and get low with a wide strong base and just hold them off when under pressure. It's all about balance and leverage and not size. We see the likes of Tevez and Defoe do it all the time and as a little guy you just have to be able to do this to some degree. Owen just seems completely gone physically. He doesn't do anything that looks remotely sudden or explosive or powerful. We all know pace goes eventually, but he is no longer able to jostle with anyone or shoot with power or anything ... It's just a sad sight really. Tevez has a big frame, defoe doesnt do it anymore than owen. Owen did exactly what you're claiming hes no longer capable of in the game against portsmouth whilst being "useless" and setting up guthrie for a chance on the edge of the area. He did it once on one occassion when the defender wasn't as tight to him ... fantastic. Please don't even go there about Defoe because that is crazy talk. Tevez has a big frame? Yeah okay. Robbie Keane, Andy Johnson, Agbonlahor etc etc etc they all do not instantly wilt as soon as they come into contact with a shoulder like Owen does. It's pathetis. Seeing your captain go down so feebly cannot be the most inspiring sight can it.

Uh Viduka = tall and strong Carroll = tall and strong Martins = pacey off the ball Owen = weak and feeble Now work out which one might struggle in a side that plays long balls & inaccurate passing. Regardless, Martins doesnt touch the ball barely any more than Owen he just holds it for longer when he drops deep. FYP by the way.

Uh Viduka = tall and strong Carroll = tall and strong Martins = pacey off the ball Owen = runs through the defence requiring accurate passing Now work out which one might struggle in a side that plays long balls & inaccurate passing. Regardless, Martins doesnt touch the ball barely any more than Owen he just holds it for longer when he drops deep. What is particularly alarming is how physically weak Owen is when challenged for the ball shoulder to shoulder. He loses it every single time in this instances. It's why most of the time he passes it before any of the opposition get anywhere near him. It seems his legs are well and truly shot as he just doesn't have the ability to put himself between the ball and the defender and get low with a wide strong base and just hold them off when under pressure. It's all about balance and leverage and not size. We see the likes of Tevez and Defoe do it all the time and as a little guy you just have to be able to do this to some degree. Owen just seems completely gone physically. He doesn't do anything that looks remotely sudden or explosive or powerful. We all know pace goes eventually, but he is no longer able to jostle with anyone or shoot with power or anything ... It's just a sad sight really.

Sounds like he'll be dropped for this game and we will be playing a more typical 4-3-3 with one up top to try and stifle Liverpool and try to hit them on the counter occasionally. Even if we do lose it will be a priority to keep that goal difference healthy. We have to be really careful come Sunday.