Optimistic Nut

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?

I bet Dame Kelly Holmes must be gutted...

Since it looks unlikely we'll sign him now, expect the next 6 months to see another fresh Souey/Freddy bashing about how this was just a "PR stunt".

Real Madrid B side, or Newcastle side? The only other option looks like Lyon and I don't think he'd fancy a season in France.

Just seen the goals. Shola's first was the pick of the bunch, quality goal.

I've suspected for some time now that my girlfriend has been having an affair. The usual signs...Phone rings, I answer, someone hangs up. She started going out 'with the girls' a lot recently although when I ask which girls it is always "Just some friends from work, you don't know them". I always look out for her taxi coming home but she always walks down the drive although I can hear a car setting off. As if she has got out of the car round the corner. Why? Is it not a taxi? I picked her mobile up yesterday just to see what time it was and she went beserk and screamed that I should never touch her phone again and why was I checking up on her. Anyway, I have never approached the subject with my girlfriend. I think deep down I just didn't want to know the truth but last night she went out again and I decided to check on her. I decided I was going to hide behind our car which would give me a view of the whole street so I could see which car she gets out of. It was whilst crouched behind the car that I noticed rust around my rear wheel arch. Should I take it into a body repair shop or should I buy some stuff from Halfords and try to repair it myself?

"Now Mr President, you're going to have to learn how to go yourself."

I'd say to Spurs they have have Jenas if they send Keane & Kanoute to us.