Wallace

I saw Carroll in KP Tesco car park the other week and the number plate is something like that. It was a Range Rover or 4x4 - sorry not too hot on cars.

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/8400746.Everton_0_Newcastle_1/ While Ben Arfa’s move to Tyneside was a drawn-out, public affair, fellow midfielder Cheik Tiote might as well have slipped through the back door at St James’ Park, such was the unheralded nature of his arrival. Yet on the evidence of Saturday’s success, the Ivory Coast international could be every bit as influential as his more celebrated team-mate. Stationed in front of the back four, Tiote broke up a succession of Everton attacks with some astute positioning, well-timed tackling and diligent tracking back. Signed from FC Twente for around £3m, the 24- year-old, who appeared in this summer’s World Cup finals in South Africa, should add some much-needed zest to the base of the Magpies midfield. “We were first aware of him quite some time ago,” said Hughton. “If anything, he’s been the longest, most drawnout pursuit and the player we really wanted to get. He’s a player I identified quite some time ago and fortunately for us, we were able to keep most of the deal very quiet and let it slip under the radar. “I spoke to (former FC Twente boss) Steve McClaren about him and the reports were positive. It’s important not to forget he’s a full international player who featured in the World Cup. He adds great experience to our team.”

In the warm up, Enrique and Routledge were explaining things to him and he seemed to be speaking back to them. Would have been interesting to listen in on that conversation. A bit later when they were doing their shooting practice, Nolan was trying to get him to join in but he obviously didn't have a clue what he was being asked to do and when the ball came to him, he just hit it to the other side of the pitch instead of passing it for one of the strikers to shoot.

Collymore can be a good pundit. He was good when he used to be on 5 Live but on Talksport, his ego is out of control and he just talks over everyone all the time. He needs to be reined in a lot more and would be better for it.

There was something similar on the radio earlier today where they implied they had watched the game but seemed to be of the opinion that Everton had battered us and we had that bit of good fortune with a fluke goal.

Krul has to be given a chance - he will never improve if he doesn't play. He needs games at his age and wasn't Given our number 1 at the same age? I think it might be quite demoralising for him if they bring someone in to play ahead of him.

Shearer wanted a root and branch reform of the club and journalists who heard of his plans said they were impressed with his ideas. What they were I have no idea. I can imagine that would cost a lot of money to overhaul the club in that way. For whatever reason, Ashley then decided to put the club up for sale - maybe thinking a new owner could deal with those issues but I do think it was wrong not to at least have the courtesy to tell Shearer that they had changed their minds. I know Shearer says he really enjoyed the experience but I sometimes wonders whether he regrets it because his reputation has been damaged as a result. Whether he will be a good manager or not, it is impossible to say based on those 8 games because from my point of view, we were already down and the players had given up but for those few games, he gave the fans at least some hope and improved the atmosphere on the terraces. However, in the wider football world, he seems to be perceived as a failure and the man solely responsible for our relegation and maybe he will find it harder to find a manager's job as a result.

I always thought it was public knowledge that he had discussed what he thought was required and walked away thinking he had the job and never heard from them again. Maybe I heard it at a previous talk-in. Very cowardly of Ashley and Llambias but not surprising. There is nothing wrong in changing your mind but at least have the decency to let Shearer know and the reasons why. They do seem to shy away from direct contact with people.

Have they knocked that on the head all together? What's the reasoning behind that? I always go to the games at SJP and used to go to Kingston Park but Whitley Park is difficult for me to get to. Tonight's attendance shows that a decent number enjoy watching the reserves especially when they play as well as they did tonight so it is a pity when they play in the afternoons or behind closed doors.

About to start on Five Live. Robson family, Shearer and Harper to be interviewed.

Was hoping to get a look at that Josh McEachran but he played for Chelsea last night.

I don't believe for one minute that he would leave in January and it would be crazy for the club to allow that to happen - how on earth could we afford to replace him. I see him as wanting to spend at least a couple of years here improving his game and gaining a reputation as another one of our famous Number 9s but after that who knows - I guess it would depend on how Newcastle were doing. From the Club's point of view, why accept £6m now when if he continues to improve at the rate he is doing, he could be worth in excess of £30m as a young English striker (basing this on the Milner fee). I hate the way 'Arry always wants the latest shiny new toy. He must be so frustrated that Levy is restricting his spending. He'd be in his element as the England manager having all those players at his disposal.

I think the first part of the season is really important as we seem to be playing a lot of our relegation rivals at home and the tougher teams away so if we are struggling badly come the New Year when that is reversed and we play the top teams at home and our relegation rivals away, I would start to worry. That is one of the reasons why the Blackpool result was so disappointing for me as I feel we need to pick up as many points at home as we can. West Brom have also started well and people who have watched them think they will stay up. West Ham look dodgy at the moment but if they changed the manager and got someone like O'Neill in, I would be confident of them staying up. Early days, but it looks like the relegation battle will be pretty competitive this year.

Love the assumption that Carroll would be interested in the move. I think he will content to be here for a while yet.

We just didn't do the things we did so well in the last couple of games where we pressurised the opposition into making mistakes and providing options for the player with the ball. We could have scored a few on another day but we dithered with the ball in the goalmouth when we were in good positions and their defenders threw themselves at everything. Hopefully this serves as a wake up call like the Derby game did last season after the Cardiff.

Barton was doing a lot of the press today.

No goalkeepers on those pics

There is normally one turnstile that is kept open for late arrivals. When I was late once, the late turnstile for the Gallowgate was at the Milburn corner. Just ask a steward and they will direct you.

He is injured and won't be fit to play for a while and would be cheaper in January. If clubs are interested, they would have been daft to sign him in this transfer window. Unless he is all about the money which I really do not believe then City makes no sense. Even if they want him just to make up the numbers, his career would stall completely and he would never play and he only need to look at Given and Bellamy to see what happens. He would just be waiting to be loaned out to another club who could not afford to buy him because of the wages and one chosen as City as a non-rival club.

That Sunderland sub was a big lad!

George Graham had to be in with a shout. I heard an interview with him fairly recently where he said Newcastle was the one job he really wanted.

It is ridiculous because until last week, he didn't rate him. I would hope Carroll will be happy to at least spend the next 2-3 years here before moving on. From the Club's point of view, if he continues to improve at this rate, it would be madness to sell him any time soon as he would be worth loads more in a few years.

By sticking up advertising boards around SJP, will there be increased awareness of sportsdirect.com as a brand? At what point does the advertising reach saturation point because at the moment everywhere you look you see that logo? There must come a point where it is no longer effective because it is so familiar.

Krul will have a good test against Chelsea as they normally play strong teams in all competitions so he is sure to be busy that night.

Sunderland always seem to be able to raise their game against the up clubs but struggle against the poorer ones.