Lenny

It's not to "appease the big clubs" at all. All it's doing is coming in line with what other leagues around Europe and the world have, as well as match the requirements for European competition. Just because other countries have done the same thing doesn't mean that's not the reason why. I cant imagine there is one defining reason as to why its been done tbf, and just because it may benefit bigger clubs more than smaller clubs doesnt mean it doesnt offer them advantages. Most clubs in the league are getting bigger and bigger squads these days so its a good way of keeping players happy if anything. It also offers the opportunity to cover every position on the field.

a player should be selected regardless of whether club trained or not. If he's good enough, he's in the squad Thats quite true but if you're attempting to bed through young talent, the afformentioned scenario is an ideal opportuntity to give youngsters a taste of the atmosphere etc. I personally think you should be able to pick who you want on the bench and not have to pick based on rules such as the above, but it is a very good argument in its favour imo.

Voted Beye, just did it again on another PC and shunted him up from 39% to 40% He has to win this!

Thats a bit harsh, decent squad player who although doesnt have as much ability as most of our players has performed better than for the best part of 2 seasons. I dont see any point in selling a young winger that can play both left wing and right wing if you can keep them as a squad player. I cant imagine he's on the highest of wages either.

All good on FM. You didnt highlight Kompany, probably the best out of the lot of them in FM (Van Der Vaart always plays shite).

The feeling at half time when we was 1-0 down to Birmingham. I actually thought we was going to go down at that point, I just couldnt see a performance good enough in any of the players to turn us around.

It would me seeing as he left Inter because he didnt want to be on the bench often.

Leonosa Not bad!

Is Milner available? If so I think I'd revert to a 4-4-2 since its the last game: Harper Beye Taylor Faye Enrique Milner Geremi Butt N'Zogbia Owen Martins Wouldnt be suprised if Duff and N'Zogbia comes in at Enrique's expense.

Seems a bit odd that a manager would state a players price so openly.

quality!

Derby - Barnes + Smith

I thought Taylor had a very solid game today, I didnt particularly notice him today but I think that is a good thing because he just played it simple and got on with his job. As is the case with most of our players, he's been a lot better recently.

I must be watching a different game to you, Geremi has played well IMO, fantastic ball for Owens first goal. I must admit eveyones passing has been sloppy compared to of late.

Makes Carr look trim, those long shorts arent helping!

enjoyable match to watch, I wasnt particularly confident of Owen scoring the Pen seeing as his record taking them isnt great. Good to see him proving people wrong even more though!

This is probably my favourite Away/3rd Newcastle shirt of the lot, and I've f*****g lost mine!

For the next game, if Taylor is fit I'd play him, Edgar has stepped in adequately for him, but now Taylor's back.

I felt better with what I saw from him by the end, than what I was expecting from him at the begining, nerves aside, I thought he did alright. Absolutely, he had a decent game. Wouldn't be against seeing him in the side again. I wouldnt either but Id still put Taylor straight back in when back.

Erm, going back to an earlier post, there is no right back in the league that "totally outclasses" Beye, he is a very very good full back, very good defensive ability, and recently has shown that he is good going forward as well. With regards to Sagna, didnt he have an absolute mare against Milner when we played Arsenal?

To an extent I agree with you, but this is the first time (possibly since he's been here) that he's had a consistent runs of games and he's looking much better for it.

Food poisoning according to commentators.

I not sure who the POTS will be but we have let too many goals in for any defender to win it. Probably true but in terms of individual performance he should win it. And its not as if we've played particularly blinding (until recently) going forward either.

What is on that blokes finger in your sig? Shit, he is dirty sanchezing her I thought a dirty sanchez involved other fluids as well?

Player of the season for us by a considerable margin, I honestly cant think of us having a better right back in the time I've been watching Newcastle.