OTF

Despite having already won promotion, that wasn't enough to dent the driving force of the Newcastle team. Carroll sealled the win in the 36 minute. But while the crowd were cheering, it was a hollow victory—for somewhere, Steven Taylor had his jaw wired and was having to drink his bovril through a straw ... ...the hollow nature of the victory further enforced by a growing tide of disapproving glances afforded Chris Hughton, who critically lost the respect of journalists when he failed to inflame a situation which would have sold papers country wide...

Disappointing that Kadar is injured.

Jonas was dribbling, and the ball took a deflection off his boot taking it past the keeper?

.co.uk says Enrique is out with a bug, Kadar starting at left fullback.

I expect him to spend at most 10 million net in the summer. That is a marginbal improvement on his efforts in the past. Even though he's made similar mistakes before I think he'll try to survive on the cheap and will use Derek as a mouthpiece to blame the shifting economy of football as to why they couldn't 'responsibly' spend any more money. Will probably bring up Portsmouth as well. If it's not going well I fancy he'll pony up a minor amount of cash to spend in the January window, and may consider sacking Hughton.

Largely agree with this. It is very reactive, so you can't predict what will happen in 2 years let alone 5. A whole lot of changes can happen outside out influence (eg. Man City being bought) that may have a direct impact upon our team. One of the keys to ongoing performance is stability at the club. Hopefully we can continue to establish that across this season whilst bringing in a number of new players who will supplement the existing team in some areas, and replace the existing side in others. Over a number years this could see the overall side change dramatically without having instability. This is what's required. Ultimately we should be a higher performing version of Everton. Their recruitment has been excellent, and in a few years time we should be in a position where we can comfortably outspend them. If we have some direction and the money is spent properly in a few years time we should be capable of challenging for Europe. First steps first, lets strengthen in the area where we are most weak, then reassess in January.

If I was at all optimistic I'd be hoping that this was a case of them promising little, and then delivering slightly more than little. Hughton is not one to talk a bit game, though I don't like his implication that supporters have grand ideas for next season. This season should be about cementing ourselves back in the top flight. Realistically if we wanted to push for anythign above mid-table we'd need to largely gut the squad replacing just about all positions, with a ridiculous cost easily exceeding 100 million with massive wages accompanying. If that was done it would still be a very big gamble to assemble a new squad and throw them at the Premier League. The right thing to do is to keep the existing squad largely together, but add in some additional talent in our weakest areas.

Actually, I think Jonas looked to be pretty much the same last season. His biggest opponent is himself at times. I've said it before that I think he's the type of player that will be much more valuable when playing alongside superior players. Any difference in his productivity this season has been because he's not playing in a side with an already beaten mentality. He won't have any problem with the level of players in the Premier League, but unfortunately that won't mean that he'll cross with any consistency, or won't give the ball away cheaply on the odd occassion. By stark contrast Coloccini did look very average in the Premier League particularly in the latter stages of the season. The hope I'm fostering is that he's a confidence player and he's now more settled in the team/city so will be more resilient when results inevitably don't go our way. He'll never be very good against fast players with quick feet though. I say he's a level above the championship but possibly a level below the top half of the Premier League. The upcoming season will surely tell.

Smith out would be great, but I can't see it happening. I think we should listen very closely to any offers for Barton, but in the end if noone comes in he could be of value throughout the season. I feel like a bit of a fool for saying that, but deep down I still hold some ill-formed hope that he'll come good. Geordie Lad what are you basing your weekly figures on for the players? Some of them sound like complete bollocks. There's no way in the world Ryan Taylor is on 30k. N'Zogbia wasn't on 30k - there's no way they would have brought him and paid him more than the outgoing player (whilst it was clearly an exercise in making money). I'd say Raylor would be on 15k. Likewise I don't think Nolan would have been on 40k. Bolton wouldn't pay those sort of wages and they wanted rid, so I'd say he's closer to 25 (and would have had some form of relegation clause given the time at which he was signed).

Whilst I implore that every action is taken (ie. money is spent) we're an exception to the norm of teams that are promoted from the championship. Point me towards one that has come into the premierlaague with as many premierleague experienced players as we have? I'm not saying we'll survive with the current side, just pointing out a fact that we're abnormal in the amount of experience that we bring up from the Championship.

Thankyou for spelling my post out.

Andy Carroll, Nile Ranger, Kadar, Tozer, Edgar, Krul, Vuckic and Tavernier have all played come through over the last 2 seasons. I don't think we won't give promising players an opportunity, i just don't think the players are coming through, we haven't produced a decent central midfielder since Lee Clark.. Iirc there have been no examples in recent years of young players we've released who've gone on to play at the top level. Of the players you've named there only Andy Carroll has been given more than a handful of games in the first team. Of the rest the majority have played a handful of games or less for the first side. Ranger for example looked to be getting a chance to figure in the first team, and then in January Best was purchased. Kadar despite looking good whenever played couldn't get in the side ahead of a short term loanee in Fitz Hall. Vukic and Inman despite playing exceptionally well in the reserve/youth setup can't get into the first side even on the bench. Granted some of these players aren't vey old, but ifthey can't get a spot on the bench whilst we're in he Championship then what chance do they have in he Premier League? I think in part we're still suffering from the decimation of the youth setup as overseen by Shepherd. With the youth setup removed only players in the first team were considered with no real a emir to progress through. The paths are slowly being reopened, but so far it has been too slow for my liking.

If goal keepers started standing still they wouldn't save 15% of penalties let alone 33.3%

Over the last 5+ years we've really sucked at giving opportunities to promising players coming through with player like Nicky Butt and Geremi favoured becauseof their experience (which now includes relegation). That needs to improve greatly.

He's a nice bloke CT noone would deny that, however you could have drawn a comparison between him and your milkman if that was what you were basing the comparison on.

In the wash of this incident I'm actually glad the club handled it the way they did. For once keeping tight lipped worked in their favour. The fact that we're only a championship side no doubt lessened the media focus on the whole fiasco. Nonetheless it will be interesting to see what future lies ahead for Taylor. If he uses this as an excuse to piss off, he'll show himself as a complete shit talker. Time will tell. They're grown men they should be able to deal with this.

The problem with the Ashley/Llambias version of the plan is that as soon as one of the young players delivers on their promise they're sold. There's not much of a future in that.

Geordie Lad's ratings - 5 started well, but quickly lost it

Does seem to be the case with Jonas and Routledge. Seems a luxury for us to have two wide players who are capable of terrorising opposing defenses. Top draw finish from Nolan. Amazing how one of the poorer athletes in the side becomes a fantastic athlete in the box. Certainly has his scoring instincts back.

Pretty sad of them to carry on like that, shows just how much it's hurting them that we're coming back.

Can see why Routledge has never settled at a side. Masterclass of finishing! Great to see Morgan penalised for the foul. I'm sure he gets away with worse most of the time, but it's a penalty and he can have no complaint. Moronic of him to do it when already warned by the ref, but moronic behaviour from a moronic player is hardly surprising. We should have been a couple of goals up from the chances created but I feel we should be able to go on and win this. Anything less would be a bit of an anticlimax.

Colo hasn't had a meaningful part to play in the Argentinian side for some time now. At a pinch might get into he squad. It will take a number of injuries for him to play any sort of minutes for them.

Even if you can't see his direct value to the side I'd not sell Jonas. He forms part of the Spanish speaking connection along with Coloccini and our strongest player Enrique. Selling him could very well upset that balance, not something we want to do recklessly after building it over the last season. Otherwise the other movements are all acceptable if superior players are bought. That's the one thing we're all having problems beleiving with the current owner. Forgetting the mistakes that ultimately lead to our premier league demise largely the right moves have been made in terms of the player market. The off-season will be the real test, one that will ultimately signal the intentions of he owner. If he hasn't learnt a lesson from his lack of investment in the past then he's clearly got no hope.