Pilko

Given 6 Enrique 6 Bassong 7 Coloccini 6 Taylor 6 Duff 5 Guthrie 7 Butt 3 N'Zogbia 5 Owen 5 Carroll 5 Jonas 8

If they have changed their minds then it's an utter disgrace.

I'm tempted to listen to the build-up on the radio, and then avoid the football forum, turn off my phone and sign out of MSN and just sit on my palms for four and a half hours so I can watch this as if it's live.

Not much to reveal we only have about 11 fit senior players. I can't understand this. Out are Smith, Gonzalez, Barton, Cacapa, Martins, Beye and Viduka. Doubts are Ameobi, Butt and Enrique. Even without the doubts we still have: Given, Harper Coloccini, Taylor, Bassong, Edgar, (Kadar) Geremi, Guthrie, Duff, Jonas, N'Zogbia (LuaLua) Owen, Xisco, Carroll, (Ranger) that's fourteen players NOT including the ones in the brackets that I would deem on the bench at best (maybe LuaLua starts, unlikely though). Unless there are more injuries he's not letting on about?

Naughton and Quinn would be two excellent signings. Naughton is an exciting young right back with a big future (apparently) and Quinn was one of Sheffield United's stand-out players when they were in the Premier League (him and Jagielka), he's better than the other ginger player we have in the squad, and most importantly, he hits a great free kick.

I agree with Jawesome. In fact, my list of things that will make me pleased about this game read in exactly this order. 1) We play well. 2) Given starts. 3) Some young lads such as Ranger, LuaLua, Kadar and Carroll given pitch time. 4) Result.

Because Roeder tried to make him into an attacking midfielder, and failed. Miserably. About two or three goals in a season where you are virtually ever-present does not say "attacking" midfielder to me. I'm sure even Cacapa got 2 goals last season despite being shite, a centre back and also playing in about a quarter of our games.

We could so so much better, but at the same time we could do so much worse.

Richard Kingson booked for being so shit at goalkeeping.

of course, only a knacker would refuse to constantly reply to perfectly justifiable comments as often as you do. I asked you for your position on it. Why don't you tell us ? We just know that you're only waiting to apply your masterful hindsight judgement again, but I'll save you the bother if you like and tell you now that we will not match the top clubs under Ashley and his current "plan" WHAT THE FLYING FUCK DOES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH SHAY GIVEN?

HTT has never had fun in his entire life, I can assure everyone that.

enter kingdawson, stage left...

You have achieved absolutely nothing so far Joe and if you're proud of your poor-to-average record as manager of Newcastle United thus far it is no wonder Shay Given, a player with exceptionally high standards, appears to be wanting out if this is how you define success. He's come into a very unstable club, and steadied the ship in many respects. Yes the performances haven't been great and plenty of mistakes have been made but he could easily have done worse. It feels awkward saying this after the Liverpool game but he does deserve some credit and it's a shame you won't give him that. I agree with that.

Ranger might get 20 minutes from what I've read in the paper today. Kinnear saying you can't throw young lads in aged 17, but you can dip them in and back out again with the odd cameo here and there. Hopefully Kazenga will get at least half an hour.

Just saw Kinnear talking on North East Tonight, and he said Shay would start tomorrow 100%.

Is anything going on post-match? And fingers crossed someone can video at least a bit of it, or get some really epic photos. I know Mick's a dab hand at photography from just glancing in the photos thread anyway.

To be fair to him, he had to say something today, silence would have told it's own story. I guess. I'm not really sure what to make about this whole business regarding Shay. That personal website of his said he was happy, and his brother helps run that. His solicitor may have been drunk? It's simply a wait and see, really.

Kinnear seems to be out of control when he gets going, I'm not sure that he could go on a rant without dropping himself in the s***, we'll see. I think he has the idea from somewhere that by giving us (the fans) information, it will make us like him.

i might be able to give you a lift mate, if you help me collect money from this rabble once we get there aye, i'll do that no problem. i'll probably tip you a bit as well. my emails in profile.

http://www.readytogo.net/smb/showthread.php?t=377928

Be prepared for every journo in the fucking kingdom to say "...before the transfer window slams shut on February 2nd..."

Oh, so that's why he's hardly played. He's a great player tbf. Could be worth the risk.

He's too busy being a cunt.

Should get one of them voice-activated deelys for his iPod. Not as if he can't afford one. Luke McCormack MKII tbh. RIP.

He's better than some people think. For £3m it would be excellent business.