OTF

The fact that we now appear to have two quality strikers makes it tougher to find somewhere for him to play. Whatever is decided though the kid needs some consistent game time in that position if we're going to get the best out of him - on the right seems to make sense from the perspective of where we're most lacking, but if he's more suited to playing on the left then if Jonas is happy to switch sides that could work. A large part of the reason why there is so much confusion is because he's played so little in such a variety of positions.

Looking forward to this as a test as to where we're at. Just a shame that we don't have Tiote and Cabaye.

Don't have anyone in mind when you say that do you?

I concur. Victory courtesy of a Scorched Perch shot from 35 yards.

Our defense will need to be on the top of their game to try and limit the space available to the likes of Bale. If they continually get behind our defense can only hope that Colo and Williamson will pick up their runners and that Krul will be at his usual high standard. They will allow us some opportunites to attack as their defense isn't particularly good, Parker flying around in the midfield as cover has helped that but I suspect Ledley King won't play given he features against Liverpool. Dawson is an ordinary defender who should be crapping himself at the prospect of either Demba. They deserve to be odds on favourites but that's no reason to write off our chances.

This has certainly been an enjoyable season, probably my most enjoyable thus far focusing only on seasons where I could see the majority of our matches - coming from following the results in the newspaper in the early days of my support in the early to mid 90s. The Championship season was a lot of fun, and there was some fantastic games last season (5-1, flogging Villa, neatly disposing of Liverpool, the comeback) but there was some horrible results as well. This season the horrible matches have been limited, and even when we play bad we've still picked up some points. Some keen purchases have really improved our first 11, and despite our apparent lack of depth a comradery that was built under Hughton appears to be continuing under Pardew. Players with mixed histories have improved immensely, stepping up to add some vital relief when our first teamers aren't available. Enjoying it while it lasts is what it comes down to. Noone can know with any certainty what is around the corner so they should be words to live by in the world of a Newcastle United supporter.

Not taking away from a very good Perch performance, but that's blatantly not true. So he won a tackle, then gave the ball immediately away, then won a tackle, then gave the ball immediately away then won a tackle - all within a 6 second period...... Is this from the CT school of logic where a defender is rated based on the number of last ditch slide tackles they attempt?

101.5% of statistics are made up.

Racist count would be good as a cutaway between two longer skits. The first skit was a reasonable idea, but the male customer was annoying and overacted and the whole thing dragged on a little too long. Would be interested to see more.

Watched part of Gumball Rally which was on TV the other night. Ridiculously interesting. 70s film, fashions and fast cars.. nice soundtrack. Was really only on in the background.

To get this back on topic.. Interesting comments from Pardew about this match: "We can go to Tottenham and let our hair down. We will have a go and if we get beat, we get beat." Sounds like the intention is to play a free-flowing attacking game, which will be interesting not the least because it could mean some changes in personell.

Indeed it was... a scuff doesn't fly into the top corner like that. Off the outside of his boot granted, but so was the fantastic Tiote goal. Two wonderful strikes.

Aye, cause Spurs are on the decline or whatever you said. Will be an interesting game, I expect our players to up their intensity but ultimately if our defense allows them as much space and time as we did Villa it will be an incredibly tough ask and will require a herculean effort from Krul. I suspect Pardew will line us up the way we played much of the last game, hopefully we're not forced into any subs through injury.

Obertan was not bad. He troubled them and helped to push the tempo of our game.

A debut to remember. Loved his effort off the ball. Always closing down.

Agree, Guthrie MOTM. Such a critical role to fill with other options unavailable. As I said before should retain his spot when Cabaye returns from suspension. Williamson had a good game IMO. Down the stretch he was continually the one clearing the ball out of our box.

why not? makes perfect sense. fresh legs to hold it up and run down the clock. Fresh legs and Ame-casual-obi? Anyway, great result. Three points, two Demba's on the score sheet. Can't really have asked for much more.

Why would you bring Ameobi on?

Nervous moments there.

Guthrie is having a blinder. Should hold his spot even with Tiote and Cabaye back playing like this.

Who asks for a shot from the Perchinator?

Crowd getting to Given?

No way Jonas' is injured here

That's a brilliant strike! What a debut...... Senegoals!!!

Cisse you legend!!!!!!!