thenige

Sir Bobby getting the chop was up there. Likewise the Lisbon result. The Hughton/Pardew saga was embarrassing, likewise when Keegan went (the second time). Pretty much the majority of our managerial appointments, albeit at the time (Souness, Roeder, Kinnear, Hughton, Pardew).

Here's hoping this inspires Ashley to spend a few pennies on a top quality striker. So we'll get Bothroyd then.

He was a massive outlet for us yesterday and took the ball into the Spurs half when others were struggling. This, not to mention he put in at least three top quality crosses. Don't get the hatred here, albeit his final ball isn't always up to scratch the value he adds to the team elsewhere more than makes up for it.

Thought he was very good today. Just read the rating a Newcastle fan gave him in the Observer. A '6' apparently which was near enough the worst rating he gave out. Bloody harsh.

Can the club please hurry up and give this man a new contract? It's scary to think he could leave for nothing in 2012...

Would be delighted with SWP. Fair enough he's looked awful for England any time he's played in the last year or so, likewise he's not had much first team football, but if he's got such a point to prove and is hungry, there's no reason why he can't discover the form which made him such a good player before. Is a bit of a confidence player so would hope the fans wouldn't get on his back if he doesn't deliver straight away.

Totally agree with this. Colo and Taylor just don't seem to look comfortable together in comparison.

Can't believe the amount of grief he gets on these forums.

Means they'll revert back to a 4-5-1 shape with Gyan and Wellbeck the most advanced players. Seems a decent deal all round to me.

Yeah, mentioned this to some people yesterday. He's commentated on a few games for us this year. To be fair to him, the first one I remember him doing was against Everton when Ben Arfa scored that peach, that day I think he was surprised at how good Enrique and Tiote were against 'his' team. Since then he's clearly watched a few of our games and noticed our stand out players. I felt old when I was speaking to my mates about it, and they had no idea who Barry Horne was. Sad times

Christ this thread has made me feel old. Owen and N'Zogbia in some teams ffs

First reaction: "Oh f*** off." After taking a minute and thinking about it. "Oh f*** off you c***s, I'd rather have Bellamy."

By the letter of the law it was a red card, but anyone who knows anything about football knows that was a fair challenge. I'm not one for agreeing with some of the idiotic 'older' pundits who harp on about the good old days, but when quality tackles like that are outlawed it goes to show the wrong people are running the game. Likewise the appeal system is an utter joke. What's the point of having video evidence when it's barely used correctly? This season already we've seen a scandalous tackle from Cahill on Jara down his achilles which went unpunished, a blatant stamp from Huddlestone and a headbutt from Hutton which were all completely overlooked. It's just embarrassing really.

To be fair, there were some coins thrown for our end at the Stevenage player (I spotted one when one of their players went to take a corner). Okay we may not have punched one of their players, but that's pretty shambolic in itself.

Ridicilous how lacking of ideas were are without Jonas and Enrique. I know Jonas is a bit 'Marmite' to some Newcastle fans, but the amount of possession he gives us and forward momentum (even if his final ball is often lacking) really makes a hell of a difference. People have been raving about Barton's performances this season, but in fairness a number of his assists have come from set-pieces and second phases of set-pieces won by Jonas. We all know in the team today there were players carried (Smith, Perch, even Best, Routledge and Lovenkrands) and that's what really worries me. We lose a couple of players and we struggle. Saying that today, tactically, we got it all wrong. All season we've essentially played a high pressure kick and rush tactic. Some teams have dealt with it okay, others (Villa, WHam and to an extent Sunderland) have really struggled against it. For a League Two side it's a bread and butter tactic. Have we really not got the capabilities as side to build from the back? To pass it and work a team? Looking at some of our 'creative' players, such as Nolan, Barton and Routledge, I'd say simply - no, we haven't. Let's be honest, it's a poor result but not the end of the world. But so many things were wrong today. The only positives I can hope for, is that some of the lesser players were found out today, Pardew now knows this, and can shift them on.

If he was a racehorse he'd have been shot by now.

Tavernier looked half-decent pre-season, likewise Edmunsson has always looked okay. Hopefully they will pick up a bit of experience and help Gateshead out at the same time. Good luck to 'em.

Got to be happy with that, first half we were blinding. Jose, Tiote and Colo different class. Howay! :colo:

Was a pretty poor game to be fair and last time I checked football was supposed to be entertaining. Was too much pumping it forward today. We really missed Enrique at the back to bring the ball out and interchange with Jonas down the left. Barton was desperately overdoing it, especially second half. Pardew has already hinted (in an interview the other day I can't be bothered to find) that he's aware of certain limitations but is wary of playing a particularly style some believe is suited to Carroll. In other words, he knows we're fairly clueless going forward in open play and doesn't want to rely on us hoofing it. Actions speak louder than words. Personally if he threw Smith off the Tyne bridge, that'd be a step in the right direction.

Just came to pretty much post that. His defensive line for the second goal was a bit embarrassing to be honest, but then he has missed a lot of football and it's definitely something Pardew can't have missed. Fingers crossed he has a word about that. Feel harsh for Williamson to be dropped, but he had to prove to Taylor he was first choice to get him to stay.

Thomas Hassler, looked one of the best players in the World at Euro92.

To be fair, my Brighton supporting mate can't speak high enough of Kazanga. Obviously there are flaws, but as a potential talent there's definitely something worth investing time in.

Would have been better if he'd say: "he's so much better than Alan Smith it's embarrassing", but his heart is in the right place.

Bit harsh to leave out Charlie Adam as well to be fair.