Mistle17

St.James' needs to be a cauldron of noise for all of our home games.

Where was Smith today, lads?

If we beat the likes of Blackpool, West Brom, Wigan etc at home and take what we can at their places then I think we'll do it.

Your probably right, but it doesn't look like Hughtons changed his mind about playing Nolan behind a lone striker, and I for one would much rather Ben Arfa play there instead of Nolan.

Aye, there's definitely some cause for positivity. We look like we're going to try and keep the ball and play it on the deck a bit more, and with a midfield of Routledge, Jonas, Guthrie and Barton I'd be confident we could play some good stuff at times. Up front is a really big concern though. We looked positively toothless in the final third until late in the game, Nolan and Carroll as a pairing up there was painful to watch. We need another striker to be brought in or we're going to really struggle to stay up, simple as that for me. Carroll is good enough to lead the line up there, and Shola is passable as a back-up for him. But we so badly need someone with a bit of pace and movement to play off Carroll, unless we get that then it won't matter how well we keep the ball or pass it around. As it stands Lovenkrands is one of the first names on the team sheet for me, he's the only one who even comes close to fitting that description. But I'm not sure he's really good enough, we need someone else to compete with him for the place starting alongside Carroll. Agree with all of that. The problem with getting a decent striker is that is the one postion where they are overpriced. They're priced so highly because they're imperative to winning games though. You'd have hoped that the people in charge would realise this, but with the season only a week away and nobody signed it doesn't look promising. A real shame, because with some actual real quality up top beside Carroll I think we'd be a half decent side. Nolan could become a real problem for us, I fear. Play him in CM and your chances of playing good football are more or less f***ed, play him up top and you'll have no movement at all in the final third. I actually reckon he'd be useful to have as a sub you can throw on late in games when you're desperate for a goal, no doubt he has a knack for getting on the end of chances. But in terms of developing ourselves into a good team he's a real hindrance, IMO. Spot on about Nolan...

We played well enough today, but I'm just dreading the thought of seeing us line up with Nolan playing behind Carroll on Monday week. It's depressing to think about.

Carroll's playing for the England under 21's in a couple of days time, that's why he was taken off early.

A shame to lose, but its best get it out of our system before the serious stuff starts. If we signed a player in the Ben-Arfa mould and/or a quick strike partner for Carroll then we'll be looking in good shape for the season ahead. Otherwise, we could struggle. James Perch is looking like a poor signing. If we need another LB then we either bring someone else in or play Kadar there. Perch's positional sense was shocking when he moved to LB, continuously going AWOL. Not good. Barton looked good when he demanded the ball, Guthrie at times as well. Routledge is looking good, imo. Bags of speed but we don't have anyone that can put a decent ball in consistently- and with a striker like Carroll we need someone to do that.

He had one game for us where, imo, he was outstanding- a 1-1 draw at home to Arsenal when Allardyce was in charge. Although he didn't score that night his work rate and hold up play/flick ons etc up front were fantastic and the Arsenal CB's couldn't cope. Shame he was never able to reproduce... But as Doctor Zaius said, the lad's knackered. He was out with quite a serious injury and combining that with the horrendous one he suffered whilst at Man Utd, it ultimately finished him off. His best days are long behind him.

Yeah I got it this morning... Your verdict?

Agreed. We we're completely overran that way against Championship teams, not worth thinking about against a decent PL side....

There's a lot of people in Germany with this viewpoint, funnily enough. So I've heard. Far from the fairytale club that the media make them out to be...

That Raylor one.... :lol:

i'm crying!! i cant believe it this is the best thing ever!!!! :frantic: :celb:

WTF?

I would rather we win this shoot-out than stay up, tbh. We have to win this.

fuck my life

Lads are starting to tire now...

"That would have done his confidence no good at all...."- Following Taverniers well timed tackle... Who the fuck is this guy?

An man that bled black and white blood for this club, this city and its people. Bobby was a man that viewed football as the beautiful game, and he helped make it just that. I couldn't be prouder to have Sir Bobby associated with Newcastle United Football Club. A true great, RIP.

Colo, for me. Although I'll be disappointed if Williamson doesn't get a look in- I thought he was very impressive last season, despite it being in the Championship. The only thing about our backline (bar Jose and maybe Simpson) is that there is a distinct lack of pace there whoever plays.

Is that a Derby County shirt? Yep.

Cover for Enrique. Aye, I was thinking, but its a shame that he wont get a proper run in his natural position- a knack we seem to have with the younger lads. I'm glad we've signed Sol, but its a shame to see Kadar shunned...

Better than Ryan Taylor, mate.

Thinking about it, where does this put Kadar?