NSG

Really think you need to read the bit in bold fella.

Yes to Droggers and Terry. No to Fat Frank. Ridiculous statement.

Beeb: Michael Owen admits he does not expect to be fit for England's double-header of Euro 2008 qualifiers in October. Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce has suggested the striker could be back for next weekend's clash with Everton after recovering from a stomach injury. But Owen, 27, told the News of the World he remains more cautious. He said: "Medical advice will decide how quickly I'll be back but I'd rather remain cautious than set unrealistic targets. I don't want to tempt fate." Owen has undergone successful surgery in Germany for the problem which could have caused a hernia and is recovering from a torn abductor muscle in his groin. It was in the same clinic of renowned German surgeon Ulrike Muschaweck, who has previously performed surgery on the likes of Alan Shearer, Steve Harper and Stephen Carr. But he admits he is facing up to missing out on England's clashes with Estonia, on 13 October and Russia four days later. "In in the back of my mind, before I had the surgery, I had focused on Newcastle's 22 October Premier League game against Tottenham - the first after the international break - for a possible return," Owen said. "Anything before that, including England's two Euro qualifiers against Estonia and Russia, would be a bonus. "I shall cling to the hope I can play for England but people must accept that Newcastle have to come first at the moment. "They pay my wages and I have missed far too many games since joining them to put them at the back of the queue as far as priorities go. "I know it is going to be the subject of national debate as to whether I will be fit to help England qualify for next year's European Championship finals but let's adopt a little bit of caution and see how the next 10 days unfold." Owen, who spent most of last season on the sidelines after damaging knee ligaments in the World Cup, netted three times in September's qualifying wins over Israel and Russia. But he limped out of Newcastle's 3-1 win over West Ham and was also substituted during the previous game, a 1-0 defeat at Derby. England boss Steve McClaren is already without Emile Heskey, Owen's strike partner in the games against Israel and Russia, for the two matches. The Wigan striker suffered a broken metatarsal on 15 September, but Wayne Rooney and Peter Crouch are available again after injury and suspension respectively. Good lad

This.

That's a totally stupid thing to say. Sam that is, not you. Phew

N.O.H.

He is match fit. Sam said that N'Zogbia was keeping him out of the team. Can't be arsed to find the article.

When our midfield lacks as much creativity as ours it is imperitive we get Zog into that Left Wing position to help us out. I'd prefer to play him at LB mate. We looked mint at Arsenal with Shola on the left.

Sam did actually say the other week that Enrique might not get in the team because of Zog.

Was superb today.

Yawntastic.

I think we did. Early in the 2nd half Emre and Enrique should have come on for the (yet again) anonymous Smith and the poor Butt. Switch to 4-4-2, push Zoggy to left wing, Emre as attacking midfielder and actually have a go at them. Unforunately it seems as though Smith, Geremi and Butt are untouchable. It's crazy that 99% of this forum can see that yet the man that counts can't. Aye, lets replace them with that injured duo Emre and Barton... We have to play those three because that's all we really have. Or replace them with the fuly fit Enrique and Emre.

2 in a minute for Blackburn at the sos

I wouldn't have given Smith or Beye more than 3 or 4. Thought they were both poor. Beye, I can just bout accept as e was up against a class act and is settling into the league. Smiths performance was unacceptble.

I think we did. Early in the 2nd half Emre and Enrique should have come on for the (yet again) anonymous Smith and the poor Butt. Switch to 4-4-2, push Zoggy to left wing, Emre as attacking midfielder and actually have a go at them. Unforunately it seems as though Smith, Geremi and Butt are untouchable. It's crazy that 99% of this forum can see that yet the man that counts can't.

Emre could have come on. Jose Enrique could have come on to allow Zog to move up the pitch. Two options that should have been used a good 30 mins earlier, if not from the start.

Youtube City tbh

The reason why we don't look any better is because we don't play to our strengths. Simple as. Zog is mint going forward - so we hoy him at LB and leave our new 6mill LB on the bench. Viduka needs crosses - so we play 3 in CM. When we need to attack - we bring on a DM...

Shitloads of inexperience there.

Joe Hart in nets for City.

I find that very hard to believe. Cacapa's not even in the squad. Sam said in the Journal this morning that he had an outside chance of playing.

Gutted the Bull isn't starting.

Beeb: 1136: Fatboyjohnmulhern predicts a 0-0 draw, but since Newcastle have failed to keep a clean sheet in their 16 games since last playing City is that really realistic? City have scored in every home game this season. In fact, all their home games have ended 1-0. Consistent City. Who would have thought it? The clean sheets against Villa, Barnsley and Wigan must have been a dream then...