Optimistic Nut

Viana, N'Zogbia, Elliott & Clark are in the reserves tonight.

It's not as if Bernard would have to spend a couple of days looking at the area, etc. If we went for him now, he'd probably sign by tomorrow evening.

This is getting worse. Can Souness & Bernard not swallow their pride and work together? I'm sure we'll be the best option left for him, so he may come for less than what we even offered him back in January!

Let's hope we can finally bray someone in the Premier League.

7-1 full-time.

And Zoggy makes it 7.

Now 6-1. Goals apiece for Chopra & N'Zogbia.

http://www.rte.ie/aertel/p222.htm

4-1. Dyer & Milner.

2-0 Half-time, both goals by Ameobi. He also missed a penalty early on.

Unless it's been called off because Owen is flying this way instead.

We were heading into the start of the season with probably the best squad in the country after signing Ginola, Ferdinand, Barton & Hislop. Probably the most optimistic Newcastle fans have ever been about winning the title. Ten years on, what a change in expectations.

In tonight's Chronicle that Shepherd has called off a "hush-hush" trip to Madrid.

Sunderland IMO, might just stay up. Wigan look woeful (worse than Sunderland last year and have fallen further behind this summer), similar story with West Ham. That means if they can pip ahead of one from WBA, Fulham or Portsmouth, they might be alright. As for Newcastle, 5th or 6th. 4th if we get rid of Souness.

I'd be a lot more confident getting a result on Sunday if we had... Given Carr Bernard Boumsong Taylor Dyer Robert Emre Parker Kluivert Bellamy than the XI we'll see out there on Sunday. Given Carr Coco Boumsong Taylor Dyer Milner? Emre Parker Bowyer Chopra?

All this talk of lack of strikers, width, etc. Three simple words. Robert. Kluivert. Bellamy.

Wouldn't surprise me if we saw some unknown French striker or someone on Loan for a month.

So, Given & Shearer aren't going. Dyer & Parker won't be risked due the "rock hard" pitches. What the hell was the point of having this match then?

Have to say, the choice of Moore on a Free or Balde on a Free and I know which one I'd choose. *Hint - He isn't Australian*

Terry Venables has us down to finish 5th (think he's still fishing for the job ), and Andy Gray today said we'll be challenging Liverpool, Spurs & Boro for 4th spot.

I think the stick he got was mainly down to the fact he missed an awful lot of chances. No-one disputed he was a good team player, just when you play up-front for the best team in the land, you expect more goals. And next season I think him and Crespo will get around 20 each and romp away with the title.

No idea how old that Miles Stansforth is, but he is 10x the journalist Oliver ever will be already. Give him Chief Sports Writer. Let's start a petition and see if Oliver mentions this like he did with the Saviola one.

3.30pm ain't it? 8769[/snapback] Yes, it is. How did you know? Are you the famous "club insider".

Press conference at Friday tea-time.

Any proof that it's not? 8726[/snapback] The fact Real Madrid have confirmed this morning we're the only club to show any concrete interest in him?