Stephen

Nicky Butt's expression there is quality! Looks like Duke enjoyed himself yesterday! The first goal is absolutely crucial tomorrow, if we get an early goal, I can see the floodgates opening and the frustrations of the previous games being banished from the memory with 3 or 4 goals. Get at them from the start, play with plenty of width and play the ball into Viduka's feet, can't see us going wrong if we are professional, committed and have a real go at them and put in a real shift. Left flank will be crucial, with Enrique and Martins. Can't see us going far with the right flank with Owen and Beye, and centrally I think it'll be more about Butt and Geremi keeping Murphy and Bullard quiet while Barton bombs forward.

He gets paid to write stuff like that?

Nailed on.

Looked painful

Next season if we stay up, I can't see us being in a position where a striker like Owen would benefit us. We simply don't have the quality in the team to be able to have a striker who doesn't offer anything but a finishing touch. I'd prefer a striker who could involve himself more in the overall play, who could pick out a pass and a finishing touch. As oppose to Owen, who if he doesn't score it's like playing with 10 men.

Going to stick my neck out and say 2-0 Newcastle. Owen in the first 10 minutes, Taylor towards the end. If we lose this it would be a huge opportunity lost to gain some crucial points. 3 points on the board tonight takes a great deal of pressure off and keeps things in our hands.

It's a shame the lad hasn't got the quality to go with his work rate.

Would be a good career move for him, to be fair.

I don't the tackle was malicious, just mis timed and clumsy. Real shame for Eduardo, just when he was finding his feet in England this happens. Wish him a speedy recovery.

Whole lot of hassle over nothing tbh

I was absolutely delighted listening to the match on Century. The phone-in is mint right now

Todays tactics and substitutions completely baffled me. I honestly thought Sam was the man to take us forward, and maybe he still is, I don't know. I didn't expect a win today, but what I did expect was for us to make a game of it and battle to the death.

They'll probably stick Crouchy up front to give Beye a hard time at centre back. Not too confident going into this, a draw would be fantastic.

Very good striker, but although he has calmed down a lot there's always going to be a question mark over his temperament.

It'll probably be Capello. Shearer would be a huge gamble, but the way Klinsmann and Van Basten have both took to international football like a duck to water might mean it would be a half decent shout to see Al as England manager.

They've had a rubbish start, compounded by Rooney's injury and Ronaldo's suspension. Can't see them really putting up much of a challenge. It's early in the season but every game counts when you have the quality of Chelsea and Liverpool also looking to claim the title.

Looks like England are shaping up to play a long-ball game if Heskey starts. I would have preferred to give someone like Joe Cole a role just behind a lone striker, or even just starting with Johnson or Bent up front with Owen.

Big Sam has got a good record against Arsenal with Bolton, so hopefully he can carry that on to Newcastle. Last season I would have been truly gutted, but this season we look much harder to break down and Arsenal are finding it hard to find a cutting edge in front of goal.

With everyone fit: ---------------------------------Given ---Beye-----------Cacapa------------------Rozehnal-------Enrique ----------------------------------Geremi ---Milner------------------Barton-----------------------Duff ---------------------Viduka---------Owen Few tough decisions, like dropping Martins and Zog. Good to have so many choices.

Fantastic player with a great footballing brain. Legs have started to go though. Would have been nice for him to stay on another year and provide a bit of cover but at his age I can't blame him wanting to get games under his belt. Legend.

Very pleased we've got 3 points on the board, Wigan at home is a must-win if we want to push on in the top half of the table. A match-fit Michael Owen would have had a hat trick today. He's getting better but it's important that he gets games under his belt at this stage. Encouraging that we're also still unbeaten under Big Sam. EDIT: Credit to Big Sam in selecting Harper, the lad deserves it.

I was gutted when we signed him, didn't think he'd do much for us. Ran his arse off for us and got a few important goals. His lack of quality was all too evident at times though, it was the best time for him to move on. Just remembered Bramble is coming back to St James' tomorrow as well, how could I forget.

Surely they can't be that desperate.

Is that the same Sunderland side who are apparently gunning for the Champions League?

Looked nasty. The tackle looked a little bit naughty the way he swung his leg out when it looked like he wouldn't get the ball. Jacobsen was just really hungry to win the ball I think.