durhamunigeordie

One nil. Good finish by number 11 - Michael Hopkinson?

She said no titus just got an airing!

We went 12 games unbeaten in spite of Ryan Taylor, not because of any contribution by him. Utter bollocks that like. I'd much prefer him in midfield as he is certainly a liability in defence, but atleast give the lad some credit ffs. We were solid at the back due to an organised and compact defense of which Taylor played a big part, and the QPR game aside he was pretty solid up until Man City. EDIT: Especially stupid considering he picked up the winner in 2 of those games. Yea apologies - I meant defensive contribution. I am aware that he contributed 2 winning goals. He played a part in so far as he was technically on the pitch but that is as far as it goes. He stood out like a sore thumb as the weak link. Downing, who everyone has been slating this year, made him look like a mug in that first half at Anfield, likewise Wright-Phillip and Sturridge. He was massively at fault at Man City and am pretty sure he gave the ball away that led to Hoillet's goal in the Blackburn game as well. EDIT - Sorry just re-read your post and my argument isn't exactly addressing it. The point I was trying to make was the defence was solid, not Ryan Taylor. If more managers had targeted him as a weak link then he would have struggled big time. I cannot think of one occasion this season where I have come away thinking 'Well Raylor had the winger in his pocket'. If he starts in central midfield saturday then I will be bitterly disappointed.

Totally disagree. He was the weak link in that back four when he was at left back and it was the form of Taylor/Krul/Colo that allowed us to make such a good start. We went 12 games unbeaten in spite of Ryan Taylor, not because of any contribution by him. The drop in form of Jonas was also in no small part down to the fact the he had to cover for the man behind him. A 'solid and dependable' full back does not need a winger babysitting him. Simpson is an example of someone who could just about be described as solid and dependable at right back this year.

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/evening-chronicle-news/2012/01/19/nufc-owner-mike-ashley-boasting-new-look-72703-30156405/? What a pointless article! Who on earth is being paid to come up with the estimation that he has lost three stone?!

Maybe he is just my scapegoat, but I don't think he should be a regular starter in a premiership side, unless it is a very poor one - not sure he was even a guaranteed starter when he was at Wigan? He might be good enough to be on the bench, but unless Simpson got injured there isn't anytime I would ever like to see him come on. I take your point regarding Yohan's corners not being great, but I thought in the first half against Blackburn in the FA Cup Hatem whipped in some in-swinging corners that were excellent - would like to see more of those.

Gosling? Yes. I have lost all faith... Not knee jerk at all. Would still rather have him in midfield than Ryan Taylor. Pardew will almost inevitably find a way to shoehorn him into the team, but even with the players we have away he should not be getting in the eleven. I think the best we can hope for is: Krul; Simpson, Williamson, Colo, Santon; Ben Arfa, Cabaye, Guthrie, Jonas; Best, Shola Then if he wants to play that 4-5-1 again Jonas can go into the middle with Best on the left. If we did start like that then Shola should drop out and one of Gosling/Abeid/Obertan come in, but the reality is that Raylor would keep his place so I'd rather we didn't. It is difficult to describe how much I hate Ryan Taylor as a footballer - he is a championship level player. So he strikes the ball well - that should be a given as a professional footballer. He is such a one dimensional footballer; immobile, not a great tackler, doesn't read the game particularly well, does not have the agility or speed to change direction quickly meaning he cannot beat a man nor recover quickly if someone goes past him. I could go on...but I would only wind myself up more! I know he has scored important goals this season, but we have Hatem and Yohan who can step up for free kicks and corners.

Supposed to be working on my thesis, but decided that working on this truly awful chant was a better use of my time - am too excited! To the flinstones theme tune! Papiss - Demba Cisse - he's our number nine from Senegal When he - spoke to Demba - he got on a plane into Newcastle Cabaye, Ben Arfa and Tiote too They will - score at least 5 past you Papiss - Demba Cissee - he's our number nine from Senegal

Then we'll still have the premier leagues 2nd highest goalscorer.

He hasn't left for the ANC yet. He goes out tomorrow. Exactly - once the tournament starts it will be much more difficult for players just to fly back to England to complete deals.

Tickled me

Jordan Rhodes is 10/11 to score anytime for Huddersfield at home to Oldham on Coral for anyone for fancies lumping on.

Also think he was pretty keen to keep Pique anyway, but the player wanted to go back to Barca.

Must be tough being a Spurs fans...all those injuries...such a weak side they've been forced to put out. I suppose that is their version of Simpson and Perch starting at centre half!

Megson said somewhere that we had refused to extend the loan because they were playing him wide right and alluded to the fact that we wanted him to play right back.

Villas Boas not pissing about - http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/16376766.stm

Thought the same - the keeper has set it up terribly.

I reckon there will be plenty who haven't bothered getting tickets for this and were just planning on seeing how they felt on the day. I'd imagine Wednesday's result will ensure that a decent amount of those decided to come.

According to this link Williamson won every 50/50, aerial duel and tackle. Pretty impressive given the general consensus is that the top 4 performers were Colo, Tiote, Cabaye and Ba. http://www.eplindex.com/newcastle-3-man-utd-0-match-stats-analysis/

Part of me agrees with you, but then the other part says surely, surely he cannot leave HBA out of this one? I am not sure if it is my heart or head telling me that though.

About to be on talksport

Saylor has nothing to do with it. If you watch the full BBC interview he actually says that it was the best team that we had available.

Has Tyler ever actually seen Cattermole play?!

Just been watching it with the old man. We both agree it isn't a great tackle, but he thinks it is worse than I do. From the reverse angle I maintain that Cabaye's eyes don't change direction and he is looking down - he probably knows someone is coming but isn't sure exactly where. Dad on the other hand thinks he looks at Spearing just before he gets there.

We must be mate - the one I am referring to can be viewed by searching Yohan Cabaye Challenge on Jay Spearing on youtube.