Pilko

It's a bit harsh to say Keegan and Shearer haven't given him a chance - Xisco was at the club for about 24 hours before Keegan quit, and Shearer is clever enough to know that a player who has hardly played any games in this division and is still adapting is not what he needs in an 8-game relegation crunch period. Although point taken, Kinnear clearly hated him. I think he'll play a role next season no matter what league we're in.

Uncromulent.

Well played, good to see us retain the cup. I wonder if Xisco might get a look in for the first-team bench? Can only assume he lasted just 53 minutes to keep him fresh for Saturday, perhaps? I notice Shola is nowhere to be seen for the stiffs again.

People have been saying this. I'm guessing there's a direct quote somewhere? I think it's more Shearer saying Viduka was pretty much gone when he arrived rather than what Kinnear said. Yes, Shearer hinted that if Hughton or Kinnear was still in charge at the club he would have just been doing training till his contract expired - as in they were sick of his poor fitness and willing to leave him 'to rot' as everyone has said.

Yes.

This. That shot from O'Neil that hit Tuncay would have flown in on another day.

Haha, good effort.

Lovenkrands starts up front or not at all. He's dreadful as a winger.

Embiggens? He's embiggened that role with his cromulent performance.

Southgate has talked a load of cobblers like since the match. Alves was fouled, was he? There was no-one within three yards of him. Also, we were lucky for the second goal because Nolan was offside. Lucky? I think you might say the momentum of a defender kicking the ball out of the goalies grasp and into the back of the net would be 'lucky' you ugly idiot. Btw, how much does Captain Planet look like Southgate http://whatsername7287.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/cpt.jpg

"Fuck me Alan, Butty's just played a pass three yards to a black-and-whiter!"

(with a doff of the cap to VegasToon I think it was) http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h296/jwclark2342/Habib-Beye-Newcastle-United-Midd-1.jpg

ManU only won the title on the last day last year. Their second XI will be trying to play their way into the CL final, plus Fergie will probably want to give the likes of Rooney, Ronaldo 30mins to keep them fresh. As for our game, we outplayed Fulham for vast swathes of the game at the Cottage and whilst they're a decent, well-organised team I can't believe how much respect some people on here are giving them. We should be looking to win this. The thing that makes me a bit less worried is that although Fergie will play his League Cup team (Gibson, Fabio, Foster, Welbeck, Macheda etc starting) is that this team won the League Cup and has won games in the FA Cup (against Fulham, Spurs etc) and also the fact he always names a very strong bench to turn the game around if they go a goal down.

However good he was last night I still find it funny how Merson always says he's better than Berbatov when fully fit

We will not lose this. However, whether we'll win or not is a different story.

Inconsistent.

Ran his heart out and looked class for the full 85 minutes, just hope he can play a similar length in the final two games of the season. You can tell Shearer's told him he's playing for an extended contract

Excellent performance - a better side might have punished our slightly slack defending at times, but who gives a fuck? It's Boro and they're shite. Going a goal down in unlucky circumstances was what won us the game imo. It gave the crowd added impetus, it meant we'd be attacking for the whole game instead of only applying proper pressure in the second half. It also gives the players the belief that they CAN come from a goal down and win a game - the first time in 14 months we've done so (NUFC 2-1 Birmingham I do believe). Harper 6.5 - the two shots that went straight at him he managed to palm away instead of keeping hold, the shot from O'Neil hit Tuncay and on another day could have went in. Was good on crosses and commanded his area at times Beye 6.5 - Very unlucky for the o.g, got forward very well in the second half and supported the attacks. Had a steady game and a few class block tackles got the crowd on side S.Taylor 7.5 - Dominant in the air, calm on the deck and scored the all important equaliser. A threat during set pieces, and hardly gave Alves (and subsequently King) a kick all game Bassong 7 - Emnes got goalside a couple of times and a better striker may have punished him, but Seb was class in the air and did the simple things well, booted it clear when necessary and stood up well Duff 7.5 - Had a cracking game considering he wasn't playing in his natural position. Can only remember him wasting one pass (late on) all game and defended excellently. Seems to have a good understanding with Bassong on the left side of the defence. Didn't perform miracles attacking but he kept possesion well and kept things ticking over Guthrie 7 - Fucking excellent corners (i.e. hit over the first man) one of which was scored from, had a great game and never stopped running, was a great engine and made one tackle in particular that was world class Butt 6.5 - The usual mixed bag of class tackles and dodgy passes. His long balls to the flanks were good today but some of his crosses and balls over the top were shit as usual. Didn't cost us anything though (for once!) so escapes my criticism Nolan 8 - Immense performance, still a very sluggish player but got two assists today. He provided superb support for the forwards and also shored up the left and right channels when required. Massive improvement from Spurs away Jonas 6.5 - Good with the ball at his feet and held it up well, won plenty of freekicks but again, very little tangible end product. Correctly removed by Shearer, whether tactical or to save him for next weekend I'm unsure of Owen 6 - The usual decent touches, movement today was very good and made the correct runs into the channels. However barring one flicked header provided fuck all goal threat and was brought off at the right time Viduka 8.5 - Hold up play is excellent, for an alleged 'fat' lazy player he never stopped running, gave everything for 85 minutes and provided some class link-ups. Is clearly playing for a new deal, man of the match today and rightly so SUBS Lovenkrands 7 - Didn't do much apart from knock the ball into the back of the net, so fair play to the lad. Looked delighted when he scored and was definetley worth it on a free transfer Martins 7 - Scored a beauty of a slicer (who gives a fuck though?) and won key headers at the end of the game to keep the ball in the Boro third. Pace caused the game to become stretched and he worried Boro's patched up backline Carroll 6.5 - Won a few headers and had two sights of goal, one he might have scored from (although Oba delayed the pass a bit long for me). Did nowt wrong, far cry from his similar length cameo against Man City at home SHEARER 8.5 - Started the game with the best possible team and made the subs at the right time. Can't ask for anything more and he (and Dowie) deserve the win as much as anyone.

I don't feel that sick, or nervous tbh. I was more nervous before Sunderland (h) and Spurs (a) than I am now. No doubt it'll kick in as soon as we kick off.

You seem fairly calm.

He is on the bench. And to be fair to Shearer, he gave Shola one start, realised he was shite and then he hasn't been on the pitch since.

LuaLua makes the bench, Guthrie apparently starting wide right. Hopefully Butt or Nolan will depart before the hour, get Guthrie in the centre and LuaLua wide right for half an hour.

That's pushing it a bit like.

you can so tell when he's had a spliff and the walls are dripping, he puts two at the back in some FMtastic formation

I hope thats a midfield three of Guthrie Nolan and Butt with Jonas floating in front of the strikers. That just won't work as a 442.