Ronaldo

Barton and Guthrie presents by far the best functioning midfield to me. Especially at home

Both look bloody woeful to me. It's imperative that we keep the current defence together and bring in reinforcements

How many good games has Barton had in 2 years? About the same amount. Since roughly when Allardyce was sacked, Barton has looked our best player every other time he's been on the pitch. He's an absolute class act on form

Do you honestly think Joey Barton is likely to pick up as many cards as Alan Smith? No chance

Guthrie and Barton for me has the most potential, although tbf to Smith he is making a strong case. Guthrie holding spraying passes with Barton being the driving influence I just still don't trust Barton, both on and off the pitch. I like the holding player to be more like Smith than Guthrie, personal preference though, as both are more than capable. What risk is he on the pitch? Alan Smith is a lot more of a risk than Barton, he could easily have been sent off against both Reading and Sheff Wed

Barton is ten times the player Alan Smith is. People have short memories, 4 good games in 2 years and suddenly Smith is worth the shirt, honestly

If we play Tozer and kadar in the defence, surely we're going to get beat, no?

Smith ahead of Barton? Are you mad?

I remember that, didn't it hit the advertising hoarding behind the goal? How do refs get it so wrong

I'd be tempted to try something different just for the hell of it against this lot Krul Simpson Taylor Coloccini Enrique Guthrie Barton* Lua Lua Vukic Xisco Ranger *Nolan if not fit

absobloodyexactly

This in particular is very encouraging, at least it shows he wants to improve and is willing to change his game

This appeared soon after half time: "BBC saying the Newcastle defense is nowhere near the quality of the Palace back 4" Honestly, just honestly

I've been advocating this for weeks, it's just boring

Is there anybody opposed to locking this? Do it man

get in!

Great to see Guthrie in, it makes us look so much better - on paper at least

"Surprisingly, Newcastle haven't swanned into town like billy big bollocks thinking they own the joint and been deservedly pumped by established CCC teams like Sheff Utd for doing so"

Vince Hilaire's Afro - What on earth is he going on about?

my word

1 goal in his last 20 league games but a great goalscorer, all the same

"There are not enough foreigners in English football" Which red wine supping idiot is responsible for that stupid assertion?

Nolan and Xisco seem to be pretty good pals, apparently