OTF

Solano would have curled it in with his right from there, while his pristine left foot was being pedicured. Not that I'm blowing his trumpet because he'd be doing that too.

The flick cross for the winner was quality. In my opinion anotehr sign that the quality is there, just struggling to get out consistently. Without making a joke of it, I think it's all in his head.

The pursuit of success within the constraints of responsible financial practice should be a gradual process, not a large push for immediate success. This would be achieved by retaining your best players and replacing your weaker ones with superior performers on a gradual basis. There is every chance that these players may cost more and be on higher wages, but the idea is for this to be offset by an increase in match attendance, merchandise sales, sponsorship money, prize money (higher league position, further in Cup competitions and ultimately qualification for European competition), and an increased value in the club along with its a superior perceived position in relation to other clubs. This is obviously not the model that Ashley is operating under, regardless of what they say. Any risk taken should be a manageable one. Good luck selling that dream to your 'top players'/ambitious stars. Nah, not the real world I'm afraid. Truly 'in demand' players will want a wage hike every few years and rapid progression, because as long as they're truly 'in demand' there'll be one of three or four clubs at the top prepared to offer them that. It's a nice thought, but it's ridiculous to suggest you're going to keep all your best players by showing them some cautiously incremental model. As Leazes says, the very top players want silverware now (ps and money), so you can't really have it both ways (even though he's suggesting you can by agreeing with you). Also, the turnover point does now need to be addressed square on. Not simply 'increase turnover', but suggest how much realistically it can be increased by, and how much difference, realistically speaking (in the context of bankrolled opponents budgets) , that can mean to our player acquisition/retention. This debate really does need to be rooted in the real world now. HF makes some good, moderate points in his last few posts. Lets keep it going in that direction. Obviously only the general idea, you can't allow for all circumstances. In the case of in-demand players ultimately you'd want to be getting them frequently onto new, improved contracts (hello Andy, Tiote) to somewhat mitigate that risk. The longer their contract the greater the bargaining power, and the greater the transfer fee. This could then be put to use to actual improve the squad. Sure you may have lost one of your best players but you've done so knowing that the money from that sale, if spent well, will result in a better more balanced team. It's what Spurs have done with the money from the likes of Berbatov and Carrick. The way you put it you'd think there would only be good players in three or four clubs - that's simply not the case. I'm not sure what you're implying my point is, but I'm saying that the team should be invested in on an ongoing basis and not a large splurge with the hope for immediate success. Under the model I'm talking about the money from Carroll's sale would largely have been invested in the playing squad, Enrique still would have gone, but offering Barton an improved contract would have been a priority. Nolan would have been offered a 1 or 2 year extension. If he refused it the talks would have been put on hold for the season to determine whether he maintained the same level of influence on the side, and with that information potentially been re-opened or alternately he could be sold with 1 year remaining. All of the other business would still have been conducted with the additional spend from the Carroll money having bought in 1 good forward, a natural left back and some cover in central defense. All of this IMO is completely realistic and financially responsible and would have plainly been a sign to fans and players alike that the club is moving in the right direction. Anyway, I don't profess to be an expert on any of this just offering my opinion. Feel free to shoot it down at will.

Abeid they have Mehdi more shite headlines in the works.

Yup. I had some luck just going direct to the theater in the opening weeks of Spamalot in 2005. They were 'obscured view' seats... but they turned out to be seats in the private balconies to the side of the stage. The only thing that was obscured was at the very opening stage when a character was talking from behind the set through a window. Great success. Awesome show. Stayed in this place last year - http://www.comfortinn.com/hotel-new_york-new_york-NY041 Was surprisingly quite decent, with a pretty good sized room and bathroom. Around US$150 a night, that included a breakfast - cereal, fruit, bagles, donuts, juice, yoghurt... a few minutes walk and you were in the middle of Times Square. Whoever mentioned the smell is not wrong, though it comes in wafts.. so you'll be strolling along and suddenly get a burst of a horrible pungent rubbish smell, then it will pass and everything will be back to normal.

You're the type of kid who puts three fingers up your arse even when you're having a wank yee like. Total wrongun.

The players must have been taking the piss as well for that string of results.

Yocheicio Ben Cabioccini for mine.

The pursuit of success within the constraints of responsible financial practice should be a gradual process, not a large push for immediate success. This would be achieved by retaining your best players and replacing your weaker ones with superior performers on a gradual basis. There is every chance that these players may cost more and be on higher wages, but the idea is for this to be offset by an increase in match attendance, merchandise sales, sponsorship money, prize money (higher league position, further in Cup competitions and ultimately qualification for European competition), and an increased value in the club along with its a superior perceived position in relation to other clubs. This is obviously not the model that Ashley is operating under, regardless of what they say. Any risk taken should be a manageable one.

Love that this was his first ever first team game. Sounds like a handy player though.

Harper is fit again. Wasn't played in this because Pardew wanted to give Ellito a chance to play - didn't want him coming to a new club and then not getting a chance to play for ages.... something about his confidence. As it was I can't see how that performance is going to do his confidence any good, small consolation for him really that we managed to win the game. As with any other player it would be silly to write someone off after one poor performance.

He hate's Keegan and admitted he isn't even a football fan. Give him the Deano/Christmas Tree treatment. They can discuss consolidated financial statements at Newcastle Online. Has to post a picture of himself with an I'm not Paul Wyn banner to prove ees not a wrongun who will default on a promise to charity or run off sulking in a strop at that time of the month.

Match review. First Loven goal. Simpson goal. Penalty. Colo goal.

What a lovely sight. damn straight, on the ball with his head up.. quality.

a win and some very valuable time on the pitch for Barfa, Marveaux and Abeid. Plus what sounds like a nice cross from Obertan. Shipping a few goals is kind of expected when you have Perch in defense.

Simpson's goal in the championship was a nice curling shot from memory...

Dependant on whether they can line up a 'deal' for someone who they feel will appreciate in value. No point in discussing it any further than this.

That would be brilliant. As much as this is a detestable change to the stadium it would be a smart move to help associate the change in the stadium with the positive activity of Newcastle scoring a goal. The ultimate in marketing genius would be if they lit up when ANY team scored in the primary colours of that team and a corresponding banner unfurled from underneath the flashing sign announcing the price of that teams shirt at Sports Direct stores along with a grinning picture of Ashley with a "tell em Mike sent ya" message.

Let's wait until we se him on the pitch.

St James' Park.

Shola

Best > Bent

Tiote pinging balls about out there like Nicky Butt.

Good to see them at least trying to keep the ball on the deck so far.

Blackburn owners loving it... chickens, not so much.