JonTheMag

Shame that Almiron wont be available, apparently his work permit wont have been sorted out yet. But I'm sure the team will be up for it after beating City. Goals for Rondon and Perez, clean sheet.

Hey used to post on here a bunch like 6-7 years ago, and taking this exciting signing of Almiron to jump back on for a bit. I follow a bit of MLS and know a bunch of people who work in the League. Newcastle is going to love Almiron. He's not a similar player to Ben Arfa, but he brings the same if not more excitement. He works fucking hard, loves to track back and put in a shift. Pardew would've played him - though probably at left back. He'll take players on and draws lots of fouls, but as far as I know that's more from using his pace and acceleration rather than the tight, intricate footwork of Ben Arfa. Almiron always has a smile on his face, and plays with out fear. Not the type of player who will fall into a sulk like Ben Arfa was prone to. And obviously with his work ethic and ability to be coached, Rafa will love him as well. Can't wait to see what this exciting kid does for us, my only hope is that Ashley sells soon so it's not two years of Almiron and then we sell him off for £75m to Liverpool.

On Sunday he'll make his 150th appearance. Mike Williamson has been a Newcastle player and essentially first choice centerback, consistently, for 5 years.

This will all change if he's part of an 18 man roster that makes it to the semi-finals of the Champions League. Or wins it. Both of which are possibilities given the lack of convincing performances from some of the other big competitors.

Cheers Tom - works fine from over here

I would also be interested in a radio link

For me - as someone who has really only been an active supporter since the 2006/07 season - it's been the 2011/12 season, followed somewhat closely by the 2009/10 Championship season. Both seasons featured he best attacking football I've seen during my time supporting Newcastle.

I agree Stevie - £10+ is a very good price for him. Would prefer to see if he can develop a partnership with one of Anita/Colback/Sissoko this season instead of selling him though.

Agreed - I felt many times last season he was asked to play the Cabaye role alongside Tiote, which he's clearly not cut out for.

I would go with: Krul Janmaat--Willo--Colo-Haidara -------Anita---Tiote--Sissoko--- Cabella-------------------Gouffran ---------------Riviere De Jong may not be fit, and I'd like to see us crowd the midfield.

They would be play Villa and Costa up top as a duo, although admittedly Villa would drop back often and play behind the striker. More like a hybrid 4-4-2/4-4-1-1

This was posted by a very well regarded stats guy on twitter, Ted Knutson (@mixedknuts):

Well thats pretty not great. Hopefully it looks better when it's actually on our players. That said - hard to make any strip look decent when it's got that awful Wonga logo plastered on the front.

Have to hope that HBA sees this as an opportunity and makes the most of it. He must realize that time is ticking on his career and that if he wants to make anything of it he has to perform this season. Would be typical that despite everything over the last few years, it's only the motivation to make money on his next contract that forces him to play well this season.

Sorry if this has been posted all ready, but this piece on True Faith is a must-read, especially given what Charnley has said here: http://www.true-faith.co.uk/thru-black-white-eyes-zombies-6apr14/

On this - this is spot on. Kinnear was someone already utterly hated by the fanbase. Bringing him as a scapegoat for two transfer windows relieves the spotlight from Pardew and Ashley. It takes anger we may have strongly had towards Ashley (think of the vitriol after the Carroll sale) and distributes it almost entirely on Kinnear. Instead of not securing signings because of Ashley's tightfistedness, as had really been the case last summer, it became Kinnear's fault for canceling the Douglas deal or showing up to the meeting with Bent and making a horrible impression. In the end, Ashley gets to "sack" Kinnear -- making himself look like someone who is 'trying to improve' or 'admits his mistakes'. Kinnear slips completely from the world of football once more, this time just hated SLIGHTLY more marginally than, you know, the time he got us fucking relegated. Maybe I'm just paranoid because of the numerous other ways that Ashley has deliberately fucked over and intentionally mislead the fans of this club. But I wouldn't be surprised if right now, Kinnear and Ashley are laughing to themselves about how they just screwed with the Geordie public once again, and earned a bit of money for themselves as well. Bastards.

Anyone else excited to see Shola start alone up front against the Mackems this weekend?

He's shaping up to be a 10 goal a season midfielder, which is rare these days - especially from someone who plays as far back as Cabaye. Just needs to increase his assist output - only has 2 so far this season.

Despite the fairly atrocious editing, some decent goals in this, particularly that free kick.

I don't think so. Ashley will bet on Cabaye having a strong World Cup with France, which will massively inflate his value. Selling now would miss that entire opportunity, and I don't think Ashley would give that up. It would have to be for an astronomical offer, I think - £30 mil would be my guess - as he could surely still fetch £20 mil after the World Cup, even if he doesn't perform exceptionally well.

In 2011/12 were joint 5th with Arsenal on 36 points, 4 points behind Chelsea in 4th, on the day we signed Papiss Cisse. Currently 6 points off 4th.

I don't remember the last time we got well and truly up for a crucial match like this. I'm trying to think of one's we've even had. The last game of the season against Everton when we finished 5th? Our track record isn't always that great in big, potentially statement-making matches. Hopefully we can turn that around on Sunday! Ramsey being out is HUGE. But unfortunately they'll have Wilshere back.

Here's a match thread for you. Very excited about this, I think we'll see some great attacking from both sides and some decent football. We've one seven of our last NINE for the first time in ages, and finally, truly put a team to the sword for the first time since we beat West Ham 5-0 and Best scored a hattrick. As for Arsenal, they've been on a bit of a downswing since that 1-1 draw with Everton -- finishing second in the Champs League, losing 6-3 to City, the bore draw with Chelsea -- and Ramsey will definitely be out injured for their match against us. I'm feeling good, and if our midfield can play like they did against Manchester United they could get a fantastic result.

Luke Moore of the Football Ramble basically said on Twitter that, this move is basically implying that Spurs think Sherwood is a better manager than AVB. Ridiculous way to run a football club.

I'm genuinely looking forward to playing them, for the first time in ages. No reason why we can't score goals against them, especially as they seem to be petering out from their ridiculous form earlier in the season. Hopefully they get a beating off Chelsea tomorrow and heads drop.