Lenny

Really impressed with Tiote as well.

That was quality, we battered them. I'm proud to say that we are actually an enjoyable team to watch when we get going. Ben Arfa looks class!

I'm sure Hughton said last week sometime that Tiote won't be in the squad this weekend and Ben Arfa will be on the bench.

I agree, the expectation is naturally higher now. It was like us being pissed at finishing 5th in Robson's last season. How times change

As much as he's a massive twat, I wouldn't say he's a cut above Redknapp.

fyp

The first thing I thought of was the Bellamy goal in Feyenoord. I wasn't even watching it, I was listening to it on my girlfriends bed with a massive pair of headphones on. Went mental when that goal went in. In all honesty, when Carroll tucked away his 3rd against Villa it felt pretty fucking good. The whole game had so may potential implications both with regards to Carroll and Newcastle. Haven't been so excited about football for a long time. I couldn't stop thinking about the result for days!

I'd be surprised (and disappointed) if Routledge was dropped against Blackpool. From the extended highlights that I saw he look like he caused all sorts of problems against Wolves.

As if every one of his toe nails would be jet black from football boots That's either photoshopped on or they are painted on, and as it's Ronaldo, it's probably painted on.

It's potentially quite useful having it in HD if only for the fact that they can put more information around the screen, but I couldnt give a shit about the actual broadcast itself being in HD. The screen layout kinda looks like it should be interactive, what with tabbed sections at the bottom etc... maybe that's the next step!

Not a massive fan of Babel, but he'd probably do alright next to Carroll.

I really want Guthrie to be a good player, but I've always been a bit underwhelmed by him. I know he's got a few fans on here but I just don't think he's anything special.

I'd rather we didn't sign anyone than Heskey.

I don't care who is wrong as long as whoever plays off Carroll is either scoring or creating goals for others. Fair enough.

I agree with most of that, I just don't think he'll get many goals in this league, time will tell. Well I hope your wrong.... But if it's because he's not seen much game time due to Ben Arfa deservedly keeping him out and scoring goals, then I'll be happy.

The opposition being weak has a lot to do with his first goal against Villa, it was because the keeper put the ball straight back onto his head, the second was at the other end of the ground but he did well to get it. I'm not saying that he's useless but for a lot of the game he isn't involved and we give up posession because good balls are played in for him and he can't reach them. But on the other side of the coin and for all his faults, he will come up with goals through being in the right place at the right time, which he has done so far this season and all of last season. I'm repeating myself here so I'm gonna stop... Don't get me wrong I think we could do with more pace in our team, but I'd rather have Nolan sticking his chances away than a Utaka type who's fast but can't finish his dinner.

Yep, he's definitely a striker these days.

What do you think is a myth? It can't be his lack of pace because it's true, he's very slow. The only thing he's not slow at is when it comes to giving up a chase. Don't get me wrong, he has a lot of good points, I just think we need somebody who gives the team more over 90 minutes. I don't think we'll play many teams who defend as badly as Villa did against us so I can't see him having too many games like that where he grabs a couple of goals. He got into some good positions yesterday and didn't score because the opposition weren't as weak as Villa were when they played us. What has the opposition not being weak got to do with Nolan not scoring yesterday, there was no one around him for 2 of his chances and he nearly capitalized on errors for the others. Both volleys, one over and the other at the goal keeper were examples of him being better than the opposition at the time.

Rooney scores a penalty yesterday, does that make him in good form? If a player has a shot and it goes in off another players arse, does that make him in good form because he's scored a goal off his arse? But Nolan scored 2 goals, in open play, and has been getting into good positions on other occasions. I actually think he's probably the best finisher at the club. He's also been contributing to our play up top as well, he put a chance on a plate for Carroll yesterday. Whether you like the guy or not, he's in good form in front of goal, and he will score a few goals which could be vital in this league. No one is saying he's the answer long term, but you can surely see why Hughton would be reluctant to drop him.

Seamus Coleman looks busy.

He looks shite.

Completely agree with that. He probably on another day would have scored, but none of his chances yesterday were particularly easy.

Unfortunately, Nolan is getting into good positions and looks capable of scoring, regardless of what else he's doing on the pitch, so he has as much a shout to remain in the team as most of our other players. I think a few have mentioned before, but Nolan is a striker. He's not an attacking mid, and he has a knack for getting into decent positions and scoring at the moment. I can certainly understand Hughtons reluctance to drop him. We'll probably need to be a little patient with bedding both Ben Arfa and Tiote into the team, as the rest of the players are earning their shirts at the moment.

Only other person I can think of that's made such a massive improvement is Bale.

That game was the only time I've seen Carroll play and thought he wasn't going anywhere. Totally different player now.