Altamullan

That Shola volley...sweet.

Townsend played on the right last time I watched you lot, and he played on the right for Spurs and England. If he starts on the left I'll be happier. Anyway, I'm a little more nervous today than I have been. It's off to the pub at 12 for a good session as I'm off work tomorrow . I'll be back on here Monday or Tuesday win, lose or draw. I'd like to say may the best team win, but I wouldn't mean it. I don't care if we play the worst football the Premier League has ever seen and get a scabbie, fluke of a goal for a 1-0 Hopefully it all goes off without the usual numpties having their 15 minutes of infamy, especially after what we seen at Old Trafford midweek. Fair play to you dude. Hope you enjoy it... Ok not ENJOY, but may the best team win. I agree re risk of serious disturbance; even if we can't keep our heads, here's hoping all get home safe.

See that fanny rat Defoe is starting.

Opted to watch at home, on Now TV. Bottle of 'Desperados' seemed appropriate starting tipple. Nerves gone, just excited now. How are you watching/ taking in the game?

I've been reading RTG, always a laugh--though some of the comments about the lass who fell down the stairs at Leicester were shameful. Anyhoo, putting aside visceral desires to break every bone in people's faces, someone posted a link to this article: http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2016/mar/19/newcastle-united-sunderland-economics-talent-drain-derby which is worth a read. We really do have more in common than which separates us; go 40 miles down the A1 and people can't even differentiate the (multiple' to be fair) accents. That said, in the spirit of 'friendly banter' the thread it was posted in is entitled: 'A long but thought provoking article....': 21 succinct Guardian paragraphs, evidently a stretch for some of our feline-fond cousins.

Preferred media partner Tee hee

Today is a day for a young buck to etch his name in our hearts forever. HOWAY Alek, find your zone. I'm hoping for a Keith Houchen style diving header (kin hell, life at the moment holds the possibility of this happening...) though will still be delighted with a ricochet off his arse.

What was Leicester's position this time last season? Were they better or worse off than us?

Good point Wullie. We need another way... can you make out any patina on yer bucket which looks like the face of God? (Keegan that is...) "It's a sign, it's a sign!"

Aw man; me too. But I do it to myself every time. Last couple I've ended up paying silly money for tickets at the last minute (nearly did it last night), driving 'home' to the North East and, well... you know how misplaced the optimism was. This does feel different though (... I sound like some kind of addict!). Listening to Steve Cram ("He's a skinny Makem man") yesterday and seeing the quick change from joy to horror and back flit across his eyes whilst talking about winning, then doubting, then winning (recur until kick-off...) made me laugh, we're all at it; all the same. Hope the feeling in our black & white bones proves accurate, though. C'mon Newcastle... HOWAY the lads!!

Thanks for the link. What a contrast to the bright-eyed smiley Gini who arrived. Here's hoping he is bristling with confidence again this afternoon. Townsend, Wihnaldum, and Janmaat shirts hanging in the background; an omen for our three goal scorers?

Do it fella. Consider it a pilgrimage.

Despite the lack of goals, I've enjoyed in the main watching Mitro. Looks like the kind of striker who needs a nippy little fella/'fox in the box' playing off him. But I've admired his control (mainly) and aggression. Hope he learns and develops with us. Mainly, though I hope he gets a bit of luck, first goal 2moz will be a perfect start.

If, make that IF, it ended up being Sunderland and Palace. Would that make up for the ball-ache of a season we've endured (again). You know what, I think it just might. Let us follow Leicester's lead from last season. Actually, while I'm on, let's follow their lead next season too!

:lol:

With below premiership-average individual defenders, pretty solid defensive performance against the probable champions. New manager bounce. The atmosphere will be electric (judicious use of paedophile chants please and thank you very much). You know what? We might just turn-up, turn it on, and win this. Gini to do a Norwich. Mitro to get the rub of the green. Sissoko to remember the world is watching. Townsend to find his flow. Perez to find the space their defence often leaves their opponents. Our own dearly beloved ex-macnamara ninja, to be infused with the derby spirit of Shola, Makem slayer extraordinaire, and mimic his sushing goal celebration for them (tosspot). John McCririck to stop scripting my posts... Any of the above please. Let us respectfully, but thoroughly, do them and their hippo-heeded would-be saviour. Rather have FSA in a relegation fight? Let's see.

He doesn't get the s*** he deserves, he set us back massively by trying to build his own team because he didn't want Keegan to get any credit if we'd won something. Totally agree, he dismantled a great f***ing side so he could give his bindipper buddies one last payday. His only redeeming thing was the 35m he spent on Carroll. We went from being the entertainers to dads f***ing army in a matter of months because of this guy. Never forgive, never forget. I'll never forget the SJP Barcelona game (...though to be fair, it was even sweeter given how low expectations were, based on how we'd been playing) and Nobby Solano (possibly my favourite ever player). I'll never forgive the dad's army jobs for the "boys" plus Des Hamilton, or Guivarc'h.

All scoring to be confirmed by Magpie. Week 30: The first five-match week of the season produced decent scores: an average of the 9.5 and 11 players scoring over 10. I make the highest score 15, well done jdckelly, who picked-up a dubious 6 points for the Leicester 5 Newcastle 0 nomination (on reflection, shame on you…). There were another 7 six pointers notched, 6 of which were for Villa v Spurs. There were nine correct score predictions, one of which was doubled-up by Pilko, Villa game again¬—which also had 5 of the five pointers. I reckon BeloEmre will still be at the top, by 6 points to Magpie, and then Nev, Jill, joeyt, and Pilko. The highest scoring players of the last five weeks are: Jill 97, Pilko 92, ben-nufc 86, BeloEmre 86, and Nev 83. Jill, jdckelly, and Nev have had the best form over the last three weeks (60, 59, 57 points). Former Westmoor wandering ShoTime is leading the way for the players who have missed one or more weeks, averaging 16.90 pts per week played; 8th highest. Only 15 of the 26 starting players have played every week. Lawro, 12 points, had a decent week. As did his guest Carl Frampton, who would have scored 11. I reckon Lawro would retain fourth place in our league, but with Jill breathing down his neck, only five points behind. Above may need a slight tweaking once Magpie submits the correct weekly scores. "Equitable" edit... POOT only one to correctly predict Foxes 1-0 Magpies; and to head this huffy get off at the pass Altamullan only one to predict Stoke 1-2 Southampton, and Bournemouth 3-2 Swansea (crystal ball of the week, me thinks...;

Whilst not found of s*** or bust thinking/statements, can't help thinking tomorrow is a s*** or bust game. The way they've played the last two games, well I just can't see them winning. Regardless of points available, regardless of what they may possibly be capable of, their confidence looks shot to f***. Change needed to snap them out of it; Stupid Management Cunt--do one thing positive for once, in fact just do one... Much more confident of us winning the games, that seem most winnable. 14 points...will it be enough?

Everton 2-2 Arsenal Chelsea 1-1 West Ham Crystal Palace 0-0 Leicester Watford 2-1 Stoke West Brom 1-2 Norwich Swansea 1-0 Aston Villa Newcastle 2-0 Sunderland Southampton 2-1 Liverpool Man City 1-1 Man Utd Spurs 2-0 Bournemouth

Can't help being anxious given where we are in table. Guess same is true for players. Thing is though, we didn't get much luck tonight (can't always 'make your own'). Seemed every clearance went to a Leicester player, loose balls just didn't bobble our way, Morgan ran into Sissoko then cannoned into Mitro, when surely would have scored. Might have had a penalty (then or from Sissoko's shot against Morgan's arm). Great finish to score with one of very few chances (free scoring league leaders). Makeshift defence looked organised, number of promising moves 'just' failed: final ball a foot off or the omnipresent Kante seemed to connect with every stretch for the ball. In my current 'just/fair world' deluded frame of mind ( it's been a long night) I choose to think we're saving up the luck for Sunday. If stuff starts to come off, players will get more into their zone/flow, seem to have more time on the ball, do what comes natural. Promising signs tonight, but need something to go for us; kind bounce, rub of the green. Whatever. Howay great footy gods, give us a break, man.

Good structure, commitment and discipline. Feel disappointed not to get something, think we deserved it. Liked the substitutions - not frightened to mix it up. Thought Mitro did well/ what I suspect he was asked to do. Gini played better than Anita and better than he has previously in centre: courageous and tenacious in possession. De Jong needs a goal ( most polite thing I can think of saying) . We can take some positives from that. We will be harder to beat on Sunday. Looking forward to it.

Fabulous chest control.

Gini for Townsend, Perez to Gini's position. They haven't taken the piss, which seems like improvement. 1-0 to an offside goal, against leaders: can still get something. HOWAY!!

Snappy bastards.