Big Onion

Well I hope Krul can cut it next season because Harper makes me nervous.

A lot would depend on who he brings with him surely. Presumably if they're substantial investors they'll want a substantial say. They don't need to be at DUG-level to have a serious chance of rebuilding the club; as long as they've got the wherewithal to stand a couple of seasons of investing adequately in the first team, and the brains to run the club professionally, they ought to have every confidence of getting the club to punch something like its weight. This club still has huge potential. Our fanbase and the fact we have our stadium in place still gives us, despite all the follies of recent years, a big natural advantage over most clubs. It's just a question of taking it. It really shouldn't be too difficult to make Newcastle United a top eight club; the hard part is progressing from there, but getting there is eminently achievable at this club. Look at 5th to 8th currently: Everton, Villa, Fulham, Spuds. None of them are much above the ordinary as football teams. They might look light years ahead of us given how shit we currently are but in reality they're hardly disappearing into the distance. Man City might get it right and that would make it harder, but I see no reason why a well-run Newcastle couldn't become a top eight side fairly quickly if the club is properly run.

I can't shake the feeling that we're gone now. I don't see enough fight in this bunch of players to go there and get a 'battling point'. I can see Villa scoring and heads instantly dropping. O'Neil is a fucking mackem as well.

The really daft thing is that a win on September 13th would have made everything ok and would now have had the bottom three relegated. The makems shouldnt laugh, they would have been safe too! Bottom of the table would be: 16 Newcastle 37 6 7 6 25 28 2 6 10 16 29 -16 37 17 Sunderland 36 6 3 9 19 22 3 6 9 12 26 -17 36 18 Hull 37 3 5 10 18 35 4 6 9 20 29 -26 32 19 Middlesbrough 37 5 9 5 17 20 2 2 14 10 35 -28 32 20 West Brom 36 7 3 8 26 31 1 4 13 10 34 -29 31 Such a winnable game as well, even in adverse circumstances you'd think Home v Hull should be a banker. But I'd say of all the avoidable mistakes made this season the two periods of 'drift' under Hughton - especially the second, since it was clear he couldn't cope from the first spell - condemn Ashley more than anything else. It was neglect of the club, almost certainly cost us a lot of points, and is inexcusable really. We reached the ludicrous stage where the players felt compelled to ask the board if they could please have a manager! In late February Llambias was still saying they were comfortable with Hughton and happy to wait for Kinnear's return. We were fucking haemorrhaging points at the time.

Get over yourself man KD It was a bit of pissed rhetoric after having watched what was probably the final nail in the coffin at the end of our worst season for twenty years. It's unlikely to really happen, honest. Those little Ashleys can rest safe in their beds. Fuck me

Only a complete fucking clown could relegate this club from where Ashley started. He is 100% culpable and I hope he dies along with all his family. Cunt.

'United' Fuck off man.

Their goal was offside twice, ours should have stood, Bassong wants shot the stupid cunt and we are down.

We'd need a lot less to progress if Keegan had been given £25mil net last summer and Ashley had told Wise to stick to signing kids. Stupid fat cunt.

Betty Handbag was a North Shields legend. Anyone who fucked with him/her did so at their extreme peril (or so it was said). There was always a story knocking around the bars about Betty chinning someone or other. Sadly, I never saw the legend in action myself.

Agreed. His baggage and his wages mean we'll not get much though - probably less than we paid for fucking Nolan.

I sussed it a couple of days ago and it made me inordinately happy for a little while. I had to resist the urge to go on an embedding spree

This is definitely your last chance Joey Bish Joey, I'm not telling you again, any more bother and you're out and I mean it Bosh How many times?! Right that's fucking it I've had enough. This is it, no more chances for you me lad. Final warning you little cunt Bash... *sigh*

Don't know why but I get the feeling the atmosphere won't quite be as good as the smogs game. Hope I'm wrong like. God what a fucking horrible season this has been man. Still, as you say, one last go

Joey B must have cornered the world market in 'final warnings' by now

Left-back, two creative midfielders with pace, two strikers (Owen & Viduka probably gone, likewise Xisco, Martins possibly). Plus all other outgoings replaced (actually we could probably lose a couple of our midfield plodders and scarce notice the difference, but you get my drift). Absolute minimum. We'll not get that while Ashley's here though.

Smith 50/50, Enrique out (official site).

Fuck off you ugly cunt

I know he never makes good music nowadays but I still find it depressing that Stevie Wonder can make utter shit like this

was that not from a previous game? Might have been I just half-watched the second half in the pub over the road good eyesight They must have shown it post-match or something as I'd not seen it before. No sound and I know fuck all about football in that division. Was in town and there were a few Leeds fans crying into their pints at full-time

was that not from a previous game? Might have been I just half-watched the second half in the pub over the road

Fucking dirty bastard Beckford should have been sent off last night. Shocker of an elbow on the 'keeper. 'Keeper did give him one first like but the elbow could have broke the fucker's neck.

Man City will no doubt be spending for fun again come summer, and I wouldn't mind us trying to nab Bojinov off them on the cheap. He's had terrible luck with injuries but is talented and will probably struggle to get a game for them once they've spent another £100mil. Whenever I've seen him (admittedly not loads) I've liked what I see - powerful, looks quick enough, skillful. Scored a belter for the reserves against us last season.

Championship. SPL is wank and we're not Scottish.

Which stat lot do goals-to-minutes Mr P? I can't find that anywhere, although it has to be said I'm shite at searching I do my own stats. Me too. I'm 18 from 3 outings this week at about 1 every 39 mins. That's pints, obviously