blackandwhiteboy

Nicky Butt has picked his favourite eleven players he has either played with or faced on the official Newcastle website and there are not Toon players on that list. I kind of expected Shearer to be in there as a striker or maybe either Given as keeper, but alas no. Six of them are people he played with while at Manchester United. Wonder if he considered putting Bramble and Boumsong as his favourite ever defensive partnership - got to have pushed Stam and Maldini close.

It does seem to have been a crazy few years at Loftus Road. When Briatore took over as part of the group of millionaire owners i reckon many football fans expected QPR to quickly rise into the Premier League and become a major force in English football. However, as this Championship article about QPR explains, they have had six managers and the longest of them only managed to be in charge for 35 games. That is a diabolical way to run a football club and it is no surprise they have not had success with a philosophy like that. The club has to be screaming out for some stability if they are to push on as a club and i cant see that happening anytime soon.

I would like to see Nicky Butt offered a coaching role at the club when he inevitably hangs up his boots, he has been a good servant to the club and must have picked up great knowledge on the training pitch from his time at Manchester United. His experience could be a great addition to our staff.

There have been various names banded around to replace Coyle at Burnley. The current two names leading to take over seem to be Brian Laws and current Doncaster boss Sean O'Driscoll. The fact that Burnley are rooting around for Championship-grade managers suggests that is the level they see themselves at, if not at the moment then next season.

It is good to hear Enrique urging the club to drive forward and look to bring players in during January but IMO fans should not panic if there are not loads of signing during the window. 1 or 2 would be good to develop the side but January is always a time where prices are inflated and, while clubs run around chasing the likes of Emile Heskey and Ryan Babel (who cant get in their own side and would probably command larger fees than they are worth), I would rather we concentrate on bringing in good value players who really can drive the club forward. The biggest worry would be players leaving the club rather than bringing people in. Im sure Hughton has a good list of players he is interested in, so a couple of signings and maybe a few more loans from Premier League clubs would represent a great window for me and we can push on for the title.

I cant ever remember a prolonged period of snow like this in my lifetime, and I am in my late 20s. Strange how it only really becomes a major disaster when the south of the country is going to be really affected by it.

I think it is great news if we get Danny Simpson on a permanent deal, he will be a quality addition. Hopefully Chris Hughton can look to get in another young player from one of the big Premier League clubs as i think they present a great opportunity to improve the side. The likes of Jay Spearing,Macheda or Jack Wilshere could be given an arena to improve and showcase their skills and bring some enthusiasm and exuberance into the team - in the same way this Championship football blog explains how Henri Lansbury has excelled at Watford. It could be a cheap way to improve the side for the second half of the season.

Seems like the deal for Matt Kilgallon is off after his agent has said he wants to remain at Sheffield United. I thought the deal was sewed up for him so it has come as a surprise to hear this.

He may not be the most likable lad in the world but he damn sure looks like he can score goals. If he can replicate his form from League One in the Championship and fire us into the Premier League then that price for him should be seen as an absolute bargain.

I thought it would have been a decent job for Shearer to start out in but it seems from many reports today that Alan has moved to end speculation linking him with the job. He has told the BBC there are no truths in reports linking him to Sheffield Wednesday.

Wheater does not seem the same player who shot to prominence when he first came into the Boro first team, and was being touted for an England place, but im sure he will get confidence back and make it back up to those levels. I would have him in a Newcastle shirt if there was an opportunity.

Newcastle are linked with Rob Hulse in this football article, do we really need another big target man ?

i think that Chelsea could face the trickiest tie against Inter Milan as they have to be one of the favourites to win the Champions League, especially with Jose in charge. Italian football is very underestimated and i think sides from their are now coming back to compete at the top level in European competition. Whatever happens, it will be tasty watching Mourinho return to Stamford Bridge.

Seems like a pretty dire situation for Watford, that is big money owed and a number of their directors resigned yesterday. Most fans will be hoping the sun does not go down on Vicarage Road.

Magilton has left the club and very quickly Paul Hart has been named new manager at Loftus Road.

Following all the hype that surrounded Notts County when their new investment came and the big talk which followed, it is quite hilarious to see what is now happening at the 'other Magpies'. The owners have now left, the manager has gone and it all seems a bit up in the air. It is interesting to read this football blog written by Notts County midfielder Ben Davies as he explains the problems from a perspective inside the club. I cant see Sven sticking around at Meadow Lane for too long if the situation continues on like this.

I think this is just paper talk which i can never actually see becoming a reality

While this Premier League betting blog says managers can work wonders for their team by ruling with an iron fist, it is quite a big leap from that to headbutting you players - something which obviously can never be condoned. Good managers need to strike a good balance between scaring their troops into performing well and getting results and physically assaulting them.

Rangers striker Kris Boyd is reported in the Sun to be a transfer target for Chris Hughton. He has scored a lot of goals in Scotland and could be a snip for £1.5 million if he could replicate this record here.

despite getting £1 million, it seems they still need another £4.5 million to survive according to here.. That is a large sum of money and Watford could be struggling for the future.

Lets hope he is not out for too long as he is one hell of a character and player. He has been very unlucky with injuries and he looked consolable when he had to go off.

England should get out of the group without too much difficulty but then could face a tricky game in the knockout stages. But this tournament preview of the World Cup thinks Spain could also have to face Brazil/Ivory Coast or Portugal in the last 16, while England could most likely face France at some stage. Its all boiling down to be an exciting summer.

It was a good victory but have to agree with Lovenkrand's comments here that the side needs to be more ruthless and not slack off when 3-0 up.

Its going to be one hell of a trek but i would rather see Hughton taking the game seriously and give us a good cup run to get the fans excited.

I am constantly left bemused why strikers such as Emile Heskey and Bobby Zamora are plaudited despite their seeming inability to score goals for their side. Just read this Premier League football blog which suggests that strikers should be judged on more than their goal record but i have to question that surely these players are put in the side to score, and if they do not then they should be deemed a failure. While i accept that forwards do need other aspects to their game, such as to hold up the ball and bring others into it, it beggars belief that strikers which year after year fail to score over 5/6 goals a season are still backed and put in Premier League teams week in week out. The best strikers can surely provide their side with extra dimensions and also hit 20 a season, such as the likes of Drogba, Torres and Shearer did season after season.