David Kelly

If a better player is there to replace him yes. Would you stick with Shola if he was on form in place of Owen or Pattison in place of Barton? Of course you wouldn't because no matter how well those players are playing they have never shown in their careers that they can play consistently better than the players you would replace them with. Harper is not as good as Given plain and simple. Just because he's playing to a high standard of his own ability it does mean he's a better player. If Emre was in the team playing well I wouldn't suggest dropping him for a fit again Geremi and the same goes for N'Zogbia and Duff. When you have two competing players who can both deliver the same standards I wouldn't advocate dropping one who is playing well just because another who was playing well before he got injured returns. That would set a bid example and show favouritism. This is what Roeder did with Duff and pissed off Charlie to the point that he alsmost left the club which would have been a crying shame even if Duff has been performing. But as I said before, Harper and Given are not equal, Harper cannot consistently perform to the same standard that Given can. Unfortunate but true. Like when Saha kept van Nistelrooy out the first side and won the Carling Cup?.. Fergie had fallen out with RVN and decided to get shot of him which was why he played Saha instead. It wasn't done on the basis that Saha had kept his place because he was playing well. Whatever was said at the time, what's transpired since has clearly proved that.

If a better player is there to replace him yes. Would you stick with Shola if he was on form in place of Owen or Pattison in place of Barton? Of course you wouldn't because no matter how well those players are playing they have never shown in their careers that they can play consistently better than the players you would replace them with. Harper is not as good as Given plain and simple. Just because he's playing to a high standard of his own ability it does mean he's a better player. If Emre was in the team playing well I wouldn't suggest dropping him for a fit again Geremi and the same goes for N'Zogbia and Duff. When you have two competing players who can both deliver the same standards I wouldn't advocate dropping one who is playing well just because another who was playing well before he got injured returns. That would set a bid example and show favouritism. This is what Roeder did with Duff and pissed off Charlie to the point that he alsmost left the club which would have been a crying shame even if Duff has been performing. But as I said before, Harper and Given are not equal, Harper cannot consistently perform to the same standard that Given can. Unfortunate but true.

What he said. Harper isn't in there because Shey performed badly so why not put him back in? Because Harper hasn't played badly. But he hasn't played better than Given either.

If Given had been dropped due to poor displays then I would consider the shirt up for grabs. As it is though Given has never made more than an odd few mistakes since he arrived here years ago and never had a run of bad games. There are no signs that his standards are dropping so therefor he should start. Harper is a good keeper but unfortunately for him not as good as Given and let's face it he knows this or he would have left a long time ago to try and prove it. You play your best team in order to win games and Given is our best keeper not on the basis that he used to be great (the way Shearer ended up) or that he produces odd flashes of brilliance but then disappears for games on end (like Dyer) but on the basis that he consistently top class. I don't believe it sends out any bad signals to put someone like that back in the team when they are fully fit.

I've been impressed with Geremi too. I admit I wasn't particularly excited about his signing having never been a fan but I've liked what I have seen so far. His passing is superior to anyone else we've had in midfield for god knows how long and he's got a good engine to get about the pitch and stop the opposition. I'm not keen on the partnership of him and Butt in the middle though as I don't think either of them offer enough drive into the oppostions defensive third. I think their pairing has been more to do with other missing parts of the team though than Allardyce thinking they are the way to go. I would expect that we will more than likely see Geremi and Barton at home and Faye added to them in a 4-3-3 for away games. I think that might well be a very nice balance of ability and graft in the middle of the park. I think Butt is still doing a very decent job but I just expect SA like any other manager to want to play his signings so I think his games might be a bit more limited if everyone is fit.

It's good to see that he seems to have his head sorted out now and it's paying dividends on the pitch. I'm looking forward to seeing him and Enrique lining up together down the left and really tormenting some defences at home for a change.

Was really impressed with the team on Saturday tbh. Granted the opposition weren't up to much but the back four looked as solid as I have ever seen (I think Taylor will find it very difficult to get back in the centre ahead of Roz and Cacapa who are both looking top class so far). We created plenty of chances which on another day would have seen us score at least three. I think it's important to stick with 4-4-2 at home as it offers much more when we need to force the attacking play. My only worries are where Smith actually fits into the team and a central two of Geremi and Butt is a bit too much like Butt and Parker and not attacking enough especially at home against teams like Wigan. Although I Barton will change that quite a bit when he's fit.

I found that completely unwatchable. A Very Long Engagement (with audrey tautou) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0344510/ What did you think of A Very Long Engagement? It's one of the best foreign films I've seen. Its a very good film. Love the Directors work - shame hes not more prolific. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000466/ Aye he's one of my favourite directors at the moment, A Very Long Engagement is probably my favourite. I thought Alien Resurection was canny but not in the same league as his French films. Even Alien 4 has its good points (though most will tell you its shite).

I'd be quite happy to sign both of them but I still think we are looking a bit weak going forward although that might change with Enrique and Barton in the team.

If he's available I would definitely be in for him.

I found that completely unwatchable. A Very Long Engagement (with audrey tautou) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0344510/ What did you think of A Very Long Engagement? It's one of the best foreign films I've seen.

New boy Peter runs like a Cheetah. Class!

I hope it's not true. He really is a true football great.

I used to love John Anderson. He always seemed to be playing with a bandage or a plaster on. Not the greatest of players but a right battler.

I'd be pretty happy whichever one of them backs down tbh.

From what I remember of seeing him play before I don't think he's the sweeper type. More the leading man at the back.

In the world of Newcastle United nothing would surprise me.

There was some sort of fuck up with the smart cards. By the time I got there they'd just started letting people in by them showing the card to the steward. Could have showed them anything tbh.

To be fair the perfomance was very little better than last season. Ok so we didn't look completely clueless at the back any more but going forward we had no creativity at all. That said, the booing (which was definitely there and aimed at the players) was fucking pathetic and anyone who did it can fuck right off. We've got a load of new faces (both on an off the field) to try and integrate and number of key players not fit and we draw a game after pissing on Bolton the week before. Ok so yesterday's performance and result was disapointing but acting like a bunch of Boro fans is worse!

Martins, Owen, N'Zogbia all have pace!

Good luck to the lad tbf. He's always done his best for the club and I can't wish him any bad for wanting to be with his kids. Would rather we could keep him because he's a usefull member of the squad but sadly that's not to be.

I would like to see us have a fullback who can really contribute going forward (which I think is something that is important in the modern game) as we haven't really had one since Bernard was playing for us. Belletti has always looked quality to me when I have seen him play for Barca.

Excellent move for us this. PNE have been a canny team for the past few seasons so hopefully they will be able to create chances for him to get on the end of. Exactly the sort of thing we should have been doing for years but have seemed pretty poor at!

PN is a good player. People knock him because of his performances for England (many of which were on the left if memory serves) and because his brother is a better player. But he's so much better than Carr it doesn't bare thinking about and would provide cover for a number of positions. I do think for £4m though we could do better abroad but of course when you bring in untried players you're always taking a gamble.