The Prophet

Smith gets credit because of his effort more than anything. Most know he has limited ability, hence being poor before our relegation, but the fact he puts himself about and looks like he gives a shit means people warm to him more than likes of Butt despite having minimal talent.

There's a rumour doing the rounds that the nappy slappers are chasing him.

In fairness he's hardly going to rip him a new one, especially if we're trying to sign him up.

True, Hughton seems to have some form of complex when it comes to the midfield.

Some player ratings: Harper 6 - Very unfortunate with the Bedner effort, could of gone anywhere. Generally did well but need to tell the defence to push out at times, we were far too deep especially from the second ball. Simpson 4 - Probably his worst performance playing righ back in a Newcastle shirt. Struggled all night with the pace and directness of Thomas. Coloccini 5 - Bullied by Bednar on occassion, seems he still struggles against physical opposition. Didn't cover himself in glory for the second. Taylor 6 - Steady away. Dealt with the threat of Bednar better than Colo. Enrique 6 - Good defensively, going forward he was hampered by incosistant distriubtion. Guthrie 7 - Thought he was our best player. He drifts inside exposing Simpson but that's what you get playing a centre-mid out wide. Whiped some fantastic balls into the box and frequently looked like he could create something productive, get him in the middle Chris. Nolan 5 - When he's playing in a 4-4-2 he might as well not bother. Completely over run in the middle. Smith 5.5 - Tried to put himself about but like Nolan overran at times. The pair of them were clearly lacking in technical ability compared to the West Brom midfield. Jonas 6 - Yeah his distriubtion is crap but he provided a good outlet and worried the West Brom defence. Linked up well with Enrique as usual. Shola 5 - Nothing special, fell over a lot. Lovenkrands 6 - Good header for the goal (although the keeper should of sone better), glad the lad scored. Needs a player like Carrol next to him who will hold things up and flick the high balls on, not a big pudding like Shola.

He's alright, nothing spectacular. Still better than what we have though.

I think some people are overreacting a bit. The game was more must not lose than must win. The gap between ourselves and West Brom is still six points, both face tricky away ties with their game in hand. Who's position would you rather be in? I know what a West Brom fan would say. Forest have made things a bit nervy but again, we're still in a superior position. That is why it was important to build up a lead, we were always going to have a little bit of a blip at some stage, yet we're still clear. Regarding the game itself we were outplayed in parts, but hasn't the been the theme for the season? We don't have a midfield capable of playing good football, we've been relying heavily on the defence but now they are starting to make mistakes we are starting to drop points. It's no secret we need reinforcements but as long as that tit is in charge we aren't going to get many.

We probably wouldn't be in this division for a start.

It's been evident all season.

Class match. End to end stuff, ref had too much to say second half. A draw isn't the end of the world but Palace is an absolute must win. The neutral and Forest are the winners from this one though.

Fair enough, thought it worked the other way round. How strange. Good decision linesman.

Yes please.

So? It (Saha penalty) continued into the box, therefore, penalty. Doesn't work like that.

Hughton and Calderwood are going to have to come out of retirement the way these mizing bastards are going.

You could see it coming a mile off when Hughton started rolling out the: 'Oh we've already got a fantastic squad, anything we add is a bonus' comments.

You can imagine the bargaining process: Leeds: 'We want £2.5 million.' Us: 'How about a million?' Leeds: 'No, we've made our position clear.' Us: '£1.5 million?' Leeds: 'Erm...' Us: '1.5 million and a further million if we are promoted?' Leeds: ' How are not getting this?' Us: 'OK, erm, 1.5 million?'

Could of done a job but at the same time he's no great loss.

Just looking there West Brom have a really average record against sides in the top half of the table winning only four from eleven. Obviously it means nothing on the day but still makes for interesting reading.

I'm pretty confident for a change. West Brom will come looking for three points which should lead to a nice open game of football which helps us out. Our defence generally looks pretty solid while if their performance against Forest is anything to go by there's is anything but. Obviosuly they will be a threat going forward with Dorrans in particular in good goal scoring form but I think we will have enough to see them off. Forest are getting a bit close for comfort now due to our crap performances over Christmas, this combined with our improvement on Wednesday will give us a kick up the backside. A draw would be by no means a diaster but it would certianly add a lot of pressure to the Reading fixture. Naturally the neutrals will want a West Brom win to make things interesting but a win for us puts us nine points clear of them and five ahead of Forest with a game in hand.

'If I decide to leave...' Who's he trying to kid?

Everton fan I know (unreliable source) seems to think they've agreed a deal to sign Kilgallon in the summer.

Liverpool FC End of Season Dinner. Menu is as follows: Starter - Sour Grapes. Main course - Plaice (probably seventh possibly sixth) Pudding - Selection from Kuyt, N'Gog, Lucas, Dossena or Degan. Drinks - Available but strichtly no doubles, trebles and no Carling Premier. There will laso be a selection of wines served by some fat spanish bloke with a dodgy beard. Please note that dress code is strictly 'late 80's' to celebrate the last league title. All drinks will be served in plastic glasses as cups are not on the agenda again this season. For entertianment Rafa Benitez will be doing his party trick of making £200 million disappear into thin air with f*** all to show for it!

Tempted by Barnsley, Blackpool, Doncaster, Leeds, Huddersfiled and Swindon. Sheffield United are a good price too. Looking at outsiders Leyton Orient are 11-8. They host Bristol Rovers who've lost their last five away games.

Bah Rochdale match is off, looked good at 1-2.

Harper Colo Taylor Enrique Jonas Guthrie Lovenkrands