Christmas Tree

Right then, first bash at Kebabs. Went without a marinade bearing mind the healthy eating and made a nice little dip using creme fraiche, mustard, lemon and a tad of olive oil. Made a side salad using balsamic vinegar which turned everything brown and tasted vile (bin). Luckily the kebabs were filling on their own. Whole meal only 8 points out of a 39 daily allowance so extremely healthy. Tarted the bairns up with a bit of melted cheese (drool) And then finished off with a sweet kebab (mine minus the sweets obv) Yum Yum

Reach safety then stick the fucker in the reserves

Caulkin@TheTimes Message from Mr Bird

Yup, sooner gone the better.

Yet its all going so well at Sports Direct....

Caulkin@TheTimes

Tweeted Caulkin, Bird, Ryder and Douglas......The fight goes on!

I know all of that Happy but at the end of the day, what else is left if not hope, no matter how perverse. I will be up and down like a pogo stick forever, thats just me. But this is the gloomiest outlook in our recent history, given how close we were // are, to having a very very good team. That makes the dismantling of the squad so hard to bear. Whether I believe any statement or not doesnt matter, but it might, just might persuade some players to stick with us. I just dont think we should let them go without a fight. The positivity around the camp seems to be draining away day by day.

Good man.

Yup. Anybody who doesnt need to rush to renew, is mad if they do. (fully understand long timers who dont want to lose their patch).

Cheers MF, (looked out for you on the Sutherland building on my trip to Town yesterday but you wasnt there ) Any suggestions for a marinate, any other stuff to stick on with the meat and whats a char grill pan????

Feeling sick as a dog still, but planning to make Kebabs tonight. (never made them before). Im assuming you just chuck a few peppers, mushrooms and bits of meat on a skewer and bang it in the oven, however if there is any Kebab artistes out there who can spice up a dreary attempt, all advice graciously accepted. Thinking of a little side salad and some dip of some sort???? Yoghurt based perhaps??

If he was I dont think you would have Barton squawking in the press.

Well I've sent it anyway. Im now moving on to Mr Bird and Mr Caulkin.

Just found her email address so im going to give it a go. wendy.taylor@nufc.co.uk

Feeling sick as a dog and just had a horrible nights patchy sleep. At the times where I did sleep, I was having these horrible dreams about St James. All the good players had gone and retail units like Shearers and the club shop had been duplicated all around the ground so that it just looked like an extension of Eldon square. Then I wake up an read the Jose piece in the Daily Mail. Regardless whether the comments are actually his or not, we all know the reality of the situation and the forthcoming despair of the summer transfer window. Having fought our way back from the bowels of the Championship, is Ashley really prepared to gamble with our status once again? I understand that all clubs lose players to better clubs, thats sad but life. But. But I dont see why we have to lose them without a fight. These next few months are the most crucial moment for me in the clubs recent history. Players havent gone yet, Europe IS still a possibility and the season ticket scenario is up in the air. If there is any shred of Ambition in Ashley he needs to somehow communicate that to the players and fans. Fuck the five year plans etc, now is the time for a genuine statement of intent. Put on record yourself, not via Pardew, what the summer war chest will be. Put on record that no player will be sold in the summer and contracts will be adhered too. Put on record that next season will be the season we attack Europe. Lets have some positive, genuine, fighting talk to give players a reason to think twice. Every fucker should be twittering the local and national journos and getting them to hound him for an interview. Lets all email the PR woman wendy.taylor@nufc.co.uk We need to get the wheels rolling and not just Zombie along into this. Depressed in Boldon.

Alex pasta sauce with mushrooms and spaghetti. Deefuckinglicious.

7th could potentially get you into Europe though. Without trawling through all the missed opportunities this season, just taking the 6 points we were robbed off by Tottenham, Sunderland and Blackburn and we would already be very comfy in 6th on 41 points. And as you say, had Carroll and Ben Arfa stayed fit!!!!!!!!!! Good point about European football possible helping some players to stay a bit longer, however Im pretty much resigned to Tiote and Enrique going in the summer. If a local geordie lad cant resist the big money on offer, then cant see those two doing it. Its quite staggering that Ashley doesnt seem able to see we were only a few additions away from having a very good team. If he is aware then I think he has underestimated the negative and knock on effect the Carroll sale will have on other players.

Its a catch 22. You dont spend and try to reduce costs, squad deteriorates or you vastly increase debt to chase the four golden places. CT - ref the sub title of this thread - I don't derail threads. When this subject pops up, I point out similar to what you do here. If you want the "four golden places" it costs big money. Failure to accept this means you are accepting being also rans. NUFC are not also rans, well they are now, but shouldn't be. Its also a fact that many members of message boards [not just this one] wanted us to be run like Everton a short while ago, fuck knows why. Reality of football finance ? This is the reality of football finance. Clubs have debts, you have to accept it, its part of the game, and it won't change until players wages etc are capped or something, which will never happen. And even then, it would still disappear down a black hole as will be the case with our 35m quid for Carroll. The difference though Leazes is that anything other than Champions league is somehow below us and makes us also rans in your eyes. I agree that its a shame that Shpeherd couldnt find a formula to keep us there. I really do. However I am realistic about the premiership today. Without an Arab, there is no quick path to the golden four places. Lots have clubs have and are throwing money at it trying to get their and if they dont, they are saddled with horrific debts and wage bills. IMO we have to have some sort of solid foundation first whether that be Ashleys doing or another buyers. Only then can we inch our way towards it. First we need a solid squad, then we need Europe. With that comes more money, more world wide appeal to players and a better point to then try and launch an attack on the big four. Even with a decent squad, decent finances and decent players, there is still a hell of a climb between 6th and 4th. For that you either need silly money or a fantastic manager who can find new talent like Arsene does. I accept that a healthy enjoyable land exists between top four and also rans. It might never happen under Ashley, but at least a solid foundation is being laid down for either him or someone else to push on from. The days where we can compete financially with Arabs are a long way away.

Loving the elvis impersonator belting out the hits on Northumberland street.

Had a quick look at the introductions and this does sound as though it will be right up my street. No nonsense common sense. I'll have a proper read when Im back home. Thanks

Even a broken clock is right twice a day

Sees Dr Gloom lurking and tutting

Really though? The thing is, the whole calorie counting thing isn't really necessary if you've got a vague idea about food anyway. CT - you mentioned how you're learning about food and all that at WW, but haven't you been a member before? Didn't they teach you all this last time? Didnt stick it before and had the excuse of cost to give it up. Now the NHS give you 26 weeks free, that's another excuse not too, taken away. Learnt some stuff last time will learn more this time. It's like the biggest loser. Knowing every Monday your facing Davina on the scales means there is no hiding place and makes you think twice about that naughty snack. But not the 4 pints of empty calories you saved your points for last night? Just done the math...... Day one on weight watchers. Points allowed 39 --- Points used 54 Had enough points for three pints, however a fourth sneaked in which also led to a drunken cheese bun for supper And its the normal pub night tonight......That treadmills going to get a good kicking this afternoon.