Varadi

The 2 teams are on opposite trajectories now - they've had their spell as the self-appointed NETD and this was the last derby in a while they'll be in with a decent shout of beating us. O'Neill's actions are an embarrassment, but as others have said he clearly knows his audience as calling a press conference specifically to slate Newcastle will be lapped up by the SMBs - will probably become a weekly event!

The clamour for him to be reinstated to the team should then reach it's peak just in time for the trip to Stamford Bridge.

Possession 57% - 43% Shots 24 - 7 Corners 19 -4 Pretty decent stats.

Anyone who doubted the mackem slayer hang your head in shame! Can't believe he didn't take the penalty. Shola should always take penalties.

Kidology from Pards - he's been baiting MON into risking 4-4-2 all week. Just hope it pays off!

Video of mackem players arriving: http://www.twitvid.com/VC6EA Doesn't sound anywhere near the vitriol they faced last season....

Just over 15 minutes until team news....

Optional 5th year as predicted: http://www.sundaysun.co.uk/sport/newcastle-united/nufc-news/2012/03/04/new-colo-deal-could-extend-to-fifth-year-79310-30454192/?

Nearly put my right sock on first this morning by mistake, could've been a disaster.

pmsl. Letter of the law if not the spirit right there.

Been calm all week but first few nerves fluttering now - just hope the lads give us a performance.

This last couple of hours is going to be torture - I've even resorted to reading the pre-derby "banter" on twitter to try and kill the time.

Quiet on here this morning - is everyone down the pub already??

Shola loves Derby Day - he'll have been up all night eating raw steak and watching videos of mackems torturing baby animals. Bring him off the bench late on, just so he can do this again: http://resources0.news.com.au/images/2012/03/02/1226287/420692-shola-ameobi.jpg

gotta love this thread. Ben Arfa winner with another of his trademark thunderbastards would be just lovely today.

Morning everyone - lets have these bastards!

The dead can talk, clever. Surprisingly relaxed still. We've already beaten them this season, are 10 points ahead of them, we're at home and they're mackems.

ooh interesting - could he confound us all and chuck him on from the start?? (maybe wide left if they have a makeshift full back...)

Some really good results for us today - don't mess this up lads!

Only if we win 15-0

mackems down to 12th as it stands, we can put them down to 14th on GD if we beat them 8-0.....

1-0 Stoke, lovely goal Etherington

Larsson has a cold and Sessegnon was late back from his international