The Prophet

Exactly, also imagine having to travel from Bolton as well. Will be a nightmare. The game was called off at about 4pm, they'd probably already started to travel surely? Ah, thought it was called off yesterday. Suppose it saves those not yet in cockney land an extended journey.

Exactly, also imagine having to travel from Bolton as well. Will be a nightmare.

Craig Gardner off to Brimingham apparently.

Milijas anyone?

I've heard that Ignacio Gonzales is canny.

ITK.

Jonny, every fan wants to enjoy their football and win every game but it isn’t as simple as that. You’ve got to take account of your strengths and limitations in order to achieve your goals. A cup run would be great, but it won’t do as much good as promotion, promotion is the priority. Our squad is wafer thin and not particularly fit, any injury or fatigue in general is detrimental to that goal. Teams are capable of having more than one goal, but those teams tend to have larger squads or much less ambitious targets. It pains me to say it but a cup run this year provides little benefit. Realistically we aren’t going to win and it will only contribute to injury and fatigue. On no uncertain terms we must gain promotion. Another season in the Championship would be a disaster. Because this is so important injury and fatigue are risks worth taking, unlike a cup run which bares less significance. We’ve backed ourselves into this scenario by allowing the squad to become so small when we have such a significant ambition. Even teams around and below us have squads capable of competing on multiple fronts due to having more players and less ambitious targets. It’s sad these are my feelings because I love the cup and a run in the cup can be magical.

Part exchange deal with Da Costa who they have now. Certainly an odd bit of buisness. Another director of football doing the buisness.

We try harder when we don't have a squad that will be crippled by a couple of injuries. I'd love us do well in the cup, I would, but it's a cost-benafit thing. The benafit of a could cup run would be massively outweighed by the cost of losing say Taylor and Coloccini for a few weeks. It's alright for teams such as West Brom or Forest who are in similar positions because they have some form of back up whereas we don't. Who would fill in? Kadar and Tozer, the promotion charge would take a serious blow and for what? A good day out for the fans? I know players can get injured at any given point, but the more games you play the more chance you have of getting an injury. Until we add some depth to the squad it isn't a risk worth taking if you ask me. That's why I wouldn't stick a full strength team out.

Why don't we go and play in league 2 where we would never get beat then? How about moving to the SPL? We are Newcastle United, not fuckin Wigan. We should play competitions and attempt to win them. Even if we don't we should give it a good go. Id rather that than just existing like some of the pathetic clubs who's sole aim is to survive in the Prem. *Cringe*

Collison should be a good player, Stanislas has the talent but lacks the strength.

What happened to that Savio lad they payed big money for? Heard he was off to Fiorantina but don't know if it went through.

A cup run is always nice but don't think I'd be sticking a full team out. Promotion is the priority, given the fact we already have a paper thin squad (exposed by Scunthorpe and Forest) risking our better players seems a bit pointless. Playing a weakened line up not only gives the younger lads some experience but protects potential match winners. It's alright saying we shouldn't be wrapping our players in cotton wool but it only takes a couple of injuries and we're up shit creek.

Last season the Mancs could always rely on Rooney, Tevez, Berbatov or Ronaldo to pop up with a goal, they've lost two of them. When they weren't scoring they knew Ferdinanad and Vidic would give nothing away at the back, both, the former in particular has been knackered with injury, its really no suprsie they don't look as threatening. They'll still be up there at the end of the season though.

West Brom away.

Thought he'd done pretty well so far this season.

Let's go for someone with a nice touch who's slow as f*** instead. Viduka still unattached?

Leeds aren't in a position to triple the price though, he can go for nothing in the summer.

Five minutes. Get to fuck.

Been impressed with Ankergren today. He's held on to everything and pushed his defence out when it's been required.

Brown should be off, ref bottles it.

You know, I don't think they've mentioned it but did Leeds used to play in the Premier League?

On his way to Boro for £3m apparently, just too much really, I'd be dissapointed if we handed Leeds £5m for 2 players. If they're good enough why not? I doubt their quality. The step up form League One to the the Championship is hardly massive, if they help the promotion charge and give us some half decent back up for the following season they're worth the money if you ask me.

On his way to Boro for £3m apparently, just too much really, I'd be dissapointed if we handed Leeds £5m for 2 players. If they're good enough why not? Would rather gamble five million on two lads with the potential to step up than an expensive foreigner.

Cracking half that, refreshing to see the ref letting the game flow despite it being quite physical.