ponsaelius

One of depression because that would mean we'd been relegated.

And that's not to say he's not falling on some truth with his comments, I just don't think he gives a shit about us as fans and so I can't relate to his comments. He's angry because he didn't get his contract, not because Ashley isn't showing ambition. Talking about ambition when he's joined QPR. The hypocrisy is so blatant that it makes any digs at the board utterly worthless IMO.

I do like him but he's coming across as a bitter child with his comments IMO. His delusions of his own ability level are pathetic too. That comment on Santon is mocking pure and simply, which is funny considering at 20 year old he's achieved more than Barton will in his entire career. I really hope he struggles playing in the middle this season if just to bring him back down to earth. Like somebody has said, would Joey be moaning about lack of ambition if he'd been offered the contract that he wanted? I came to the conclusion a while back that his motives to everything he does are almost entirely selfish ones. People have built him up on a pedistal as some kind of spokesperson against Ashley and martyr for the fans. He's just a half-decent player who didn't get the contract he wanted, he should shut up and get on with his new club.

http://www.thefootballramble.com/blog/entry/a-cause-for-optimism-on-tyneside A bit too optimistic, but an interesting read from what (I think) is an 'outsider'.

Bellamy at Liverpool could be interesting. He seems to fit their current style of play, could Carroll become 4th choice striker?

Personally would like to see us have a real go at both cups. We're going to merely tread water in the league.

Interested to see what happens in terms of strikers though. Am I right in thinking if Saha is out the only striker they have is Stracqualursi? Edit: Never realised how old Saha is, like. Just turned 33.

Everton will be fine, they always are. Solid squad and a good manager.

Similarly you could argue that you can't start to judge any theoretical 'new system' until about 10 games into the season. I reckon this new system involved a non-existant new striker and Hatem Ben Arfa, too. I'm not convinced either way on the man as a person or as a manager, personally.

Yep. Should have at the very least spoke to the supporters first thing this morning.

In terms of coaching/tactician side of things I honestly don't think there's anything between him and the likes of Bruce/McCarthy/McLeish/Pulis etc.

That's what I was thinking. Only a small sample but his first touch, dribbling etc actually looks very accomplished. That ball to create the chance was fantastic too. I remember watching him play wide for the youth and thinking he'd never make it, but seems he's pushed on recently in a Carroll-esque manner.

He's always going to split opinions. He's a wide player who doesn't go wide and whip crosses in on a consistent basis, which rightly or wrongly in this country automatically makes him shit. Like I've said during games I constantly bemoan his faults, but often when I look back after the game and watch highlights I remember his strengths and what he does offer us. It's glaringly obvious how much we miss him when he's out of the team. Nearly all our good results involve Jonas having good games.

FYP

Call me mad, but I've got a feeling he's gonna plunder atleast 5 goals in the league this season. Come on Jonas

Jonas, what a man. There is times where I have called him worse than shit at the game, but I love him really.

Oh aye, got Rob Elliot's autograph yesterday. Missed him myself but my Dad spoke to him for a bit, nice guy, was looking at houses. Says he was starstruck when he bumped into Craig Gordan ffs Edit: Also said he was absolutely caking himself for the nufcTV interview

Surprised a Prem club didn't take Lansbury on loan.

It's better than it was when they kept out Everton, mind. [/hahaneil]

I think the one thing that both NUFC fans and Mike Ashley fall along the same lines in is what a relief it will be to see Smith's contract run out.

I'm with you but it really does depend - you could hoy a 16 year old from the reserves in at left back for the next 10 games and it could completely destroy his confidence if he wasn't 'ready'. I'm happy for the 2 mentioned to be introduced as subs for the next few games and we see where we go from there. There's really no need to be playing Lovenkrands at all at the minute anyway as it should be Ba/Best/Shola battling for 1 or 2 forward positions with the kids providing cover for the time being. Fair enough. I think Sammy should have been coming on instead of Smith at the weekend though. Smith shouldn't be anywhere near our squad. As much as people moan about players like Lovenkrands and Ryan Taylor, Smith cannot do anything whatsoever anymore and it's generally detrimental to have him on the pitch. God knows where Gosling and Guthrie were - if it was down to niggling injuries then we really need to sort it out as they're both streets ahead of Smith. So you won't find me disagreeing, but I think Pardew just wanted to bring another midfielder on and wasn't willing to take Vuckic off for a forward. True enough. You'd like to think both Gosling and Guthrie will be back after international break and Smith will be out of the squad again. I'd have Abeid ahead of him in the pecking order too and he's not played a competitive game for us.

Signing Anton Ferdinand has apparently improved them. That's all you need to know.

We all win, especially Keef.

Although there's nothing to say both wingers have to stay on the same sides all game, really.

I want to keep Jonas on the left because I think him and Santon could be a tasty partnership.