Scottish Mag

Post saves us from going bottom..

Of all the failings that our current squad has, I don't think bottling it is one of them. You were saying??

Where the fuck are our next 3 points coming from if we cannot beat Charlton, Fulham and Sheff Ud at home?

Booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo...

Baba, Bramble and Carr at the back... Roeder must have money on us to go down.

And so it begins...

BTW I agree bigotry is bigotry. However I do feel for the genuine supporters, and there are many, who are not bigoted etc yet get labelled with this or see it attached to them any time either of the Old Firm is mentioned.

Is Edinburgh not a big city?

I know plenty that could benefit from some nice donations, infact you could back my charity once up and running.

Football hooliganism has often been referred to as 'the English disease' but the sobering experiences of Newcastle supporters and the travelling Press in Palermo this week suggest otherwise. That there were no disturbing reports of violence emanating from the Sicilian city yesterday was down to one thing and one thing only - the remarkable restraint demonstrated by the Magpies' faithful in the face of some considerable provocation. When this country's football fans head for foreign climes, they do so with an unfortunate reputation for causing trouble. Yet as United's followers have shown, the truth is often much different. It is a fact that several journalists who found themselves in the midst of a riot-in-waiting on Wednesday evening can all confirm. As Newcastle's supporters drank quietly in a Palermo bar, a knife was produced on a table outside. That the night could have ended in tragic fashion was plain. Thankfully, with the Toon Army here for football and not fighting, the threat passed without serious incident. But it could easily have been so different, as the Middlesbrough fans who were stabbed in Rome last season will understand better than most. For those in Italy to report on black-and-white fortunes, what happened was, at the same time, both fascinating and frightening. It was an episode that demonstrated how quickly trouble can brew and one that proved that the English are not always as they are painted. First things first, the Gallowgate faithful have not travelled in their masses. Less than 200 have made the passage to Palermo and those who are here have not been obvious in their allegiances. On the eve of last night's match, there was not a black-and-white shirt to be seen and not a Geordie anthem to be heard. Newcastle's supporters could not have been more restrained, yet it mattered little to those who lay in wait. While a quiet drink was enjoyed inside the bar, outside the air hung heavy with threat. Groups of young men assembled on street corners with menacing intent and the Carabinieri gathered, their riot shields at the ready, their batons in their hands. A small group of journalists was approached by two youths who, having boasted that they were hooligans - 'We are the Palermo Ultras,' they explained with sneers on their faces - demanded to know if they had found Newcastle supporters of a similar persuasion. One of the reporters was manhandled and another had his drink taken, while all were subjected to cut-throat gestures. That it was time to leave was obvious, yet it was not that simple. A larger group soon appeared, this time older, this time armed. Ludicrously, they demanded to see identification, Press cards to prove the journalists were who they said they were. Even when supplied with the evidence, they were not satisfied. A furious debate ensued about perceptions of Palermo and about how, when West Ham had played at Stadio Renzo Barbera earlier in the season, their supporters had been obsessed with the Mafia. On that occasion, the game was preceded by violent scenes and numerous arrests. It could have so easily been the case again here, this time with Newcastle's name being dragged through the mud. West Ham supporters have since disputed reports which suggested that it was they who had instigated the ugly scenes and, if what happened then was anything like what happened this week, their discontent is justified. Palermo's fans were spoiling for a fight and it is to their great credit that Newcastle's didn't give them one. The intent was obvious, long before the most animated - a 30-something skinhead with violence on his mind - pulled a large knife from a jacket pocket and began to rap it furiously on the table. In that moment certain things became clear. That hooliganism remains endemic, that it is a disease that continues to afflict football, that it is something that should not be considered an exclusively English problem. Of course, there are those who set out from the UK bent on trouble but, as Newcastle's supporters have demonstrated, they are in the minority. It suits other countries - Italy chief among them - to portray hooliganism as the English disease. But really, it is not the case.

TRANSFER RUMOURS Man Utd have been ordered to stop their pursuit of Bayern Munich midfielder Owen Hargreaves or face being reported to Fifa. (Daily Mirror) West Ham have rejected a cheeky Barcelona bid for Argentine striker Carlos Tevez. (The Sun) Arsenal are ready to swoop for Newcastle's French winger Charles N'Zogbia for £5m in January. (Daily Mirror) Charlton winger Lloyd Sam is set to join League One outfit Bristol City on loan. (Daily Star) New Leeds boss Dennis Wise wants to sign Sheffield United centre-half Chris Lucketti on loan. (Daily Mirror) Championship team Hull City want to sign former England midfielder Steve Stone from Leeds. (Daily Star) Abel Xavier is set to sign a new contract at Middlesbrough after serving his drugs ban. (Various) Birmingham are interested in signing Arsenal's on-loan 18-year-old Fabrice Muamba on a permenent deal. (Independent) OTHER GOSSIP Gary Neville believes Sir Alex Ferguson could continue as Man Utd manager for another 10 years. (The Sun) David Beckham was fined for being 10 minutes late for Real Madrid training on Thursday. (The Sun) Tottenham boss Martin Jol may axe striker Dimitar Berbatov from the team to play Chelsea on Sunday despite his Uefa Cup brace. (Various) Peter Crouch says Liverpol can still win the Premiership title this season. (Daily Star) Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko was passed fit for the Barcelona game on Tuesday - but Jose Mourinho decided not to play him. (Daily Star) Arsenal midfielder Julio Baptista has returned to Brazil to complete his recovery from a hamstring injury. (Daily Star) A last-minute wrangle over price is set to cause another delay in the planned takeover of West Ham. (Independent) England Under-21 boss Peter Taylor says he will not return to the job until he has saved Crystal Palace's season. (Daily Express) Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn has pleaded with the club's fans to be patient with manager Roy Keane. (Daily Mail) Dundee boss Alex Rae has slammed the SFA for banishing him to the stand for Saturday's game against Gretna after being sent off while playing. (Daily Record) Terry Butcher will remain in charge of Australian club Sydney FC until the end of the season despite a disappointing campaign so far. (Daily Record) AND FINALLY... Barcelona midfielder Edmilson says the worst thing about playing Chelsea is having to listen to Jose Mourinho's "stupidity".

Steve Harper is frustrated at the "infuriating" injury that is threatening to keep him out of tonight's UEFA Cup tie against Palermo. Rookie goalkeeper Tim Krul is poised to make his Newcastle United debut in Sicily, with manager Glenn Roeder set to rest Harper and keep him fresh for the visit of Sheffield United on Saturday because of a niggling groin injury. Harper has been carrying the problem for several weeks, and United's hectic fixture list means it has not had time to heal between games. The 31-year-old keeper said today: "The injury is not getting any better, and it's not getting any worse. "It's restricting me. I'm kicking at 80%, but I'd rather take the kicks myself than leave us short at the back. "It's infuriating - it just won't go away, though I wish it would, and with us playing two games a week it's not going to go away." But Harper is determined to play through the pain barrier in the absence of first-choice Shay Given, and he will be back in goal on Saturday. He added: "I've waited a long time for this chance, and I'm going to soldier on." Harper's understudy Krul will be facing Serie A's in-form team, with Palermo currently joint top of the league. Harper added: "We came in on Monday and weren't aware Palermo had won 2-0 at the San Siro and were top of the league. "It's going to be a very tough tie, and having the league game on the Saturday makes things even tougher." Harper, however, admits that Newcastle need league points more than anything right now. He said: "It'll be tough, but the important thing - whatever happens tonight - is to come through with as few injuries as possible and get the lads fresh for Saturday. "I don't know what the manager's intentions are, whether he'll prioritise one or the other. But whatever happens tonight will be irrelevant come Saturday when we need three points." Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock will be looking to exploit any jaded legs on Saturday, and Harper is expecting a high-tempo start from the Blades. Harper said: "Neil Warnock will know we're going to be tired after we travel back tomorrow, and they're going to come out of the traps and go for us. "But we can't think about Saturday until tonight's out of the way. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it."

He is not registered to play in Europe..

Albert Luque will be given his third start of the season when Newcastle United go in against Palermo in tomorrow night's UEFA Cup tie in Sicily. And with Glenn Roeder having to decide whether Steve Harper, who continues to struggle with a groin injury, can play two games in three days, 19-year-old rookie keeper Tim Krul has again gone on standby. And the youngster has a very good chance in making his United debut in what will be a hostile atmosphere in the picturesque Italian island. Roeder has several other injures to sort out, as joining Michael Owen, Kieron Dyer, Shola Ameobi, Oba Martins and Shay Given will be skipper Scott Parker, who picked up a knock on his knee against Charlton Athletic on Saturday. And as a result, when United jetted out of Newcastle airport for their 114th European tie, youngsters Paul Huntington, Aussie striker James Troisi and Andy Carroll, who scored the goal in Monday night's reserve victory over Blackburn Rovers at Kingston Park, were in the squad - and they all have a chance of being of being on the bench tomorrow night. Parker, Damien Duff, Stephen Carr and Celestine Babayaro didn't fly out with the squad this morning, as they rested knocks ahead of United's busy schedule. Roeder has been forced to turn to the 28-year-old Luque because Owen, Ameobi and Martins are all injured and Sir Alex Ferguson has stopped his Manchester United striker Seppe Rossi from being cup-tied in Europe before he returns to Old Trafford at the end of next month. Luque actually played and scored in United's first game of the season against Lillestrom in the InterToto Cup, and also in the goalless draw with Ventspils in the UEFA Cup, both at St James' Park. He has yet to start a Premiership match after being substitute in the opener with Wigan Athletic and then at Aston Villa, and Roeder has challenged him to put himself in the frame for Saturday's crucial game with Sheffield United at St James' Park. Before boarding United's private jet for Palermo, Roeder told me today: "Albert Luque will start tomorrow night and it is a big opportunity for him - the ball is very much in his court. "This is the opportunity for him to show what he can do on a fairly big European stage and the chance to prove that he really wants to play for Newcastle United." In addition to Luque, both Emre and Antoine Sibierski were back in the squad after their respective back and foot injuries and both are expected to play some part tomorrow night. On Parker's absence Roeder said: "Everybody saw Scott pick up a bad bang on his knee against Charlton and, while tomorrow will come too early for him, we are anticipating that he will be OK to play against Sheffield United on Saturday." When United arrive in Palermo they will find it's a public holiday in Italy and are hoping this does not affect their plans to train in the Renzo Barbera Stadium, the scene of tomorrow night's tie.

Who has started already and who leave its all until the last minute? I am usually well clued up on what I intend to buy and have it all sorted early doors, however this year I do not have an idea what to get anyone..

Aye it was sorted ages ago, not that I ever doubted that it would The threat of a silver bullet soon done the trick. Really have no idea when to come down, was planning to for one of the Christmas games, but with so much uncertainty as to who would be about have yet to make a decision.

I agree, brother!

Newcastle United boss Glenn Roeder is hopeful of having Antoine Sibierski and Emre in his Magpies arsenal on Thursday. Roeder was without the pair for last Saturday's disappointing goalless draw with lowly Charlton at St James' Park. Newcastle take on Palermo in the Uefa Cup on Thursday and the ex-West Ham manager is crossing his fingers the pair are fit. The Serie A high-flyers have already eliminated The Hammers from Europe this season and Roeder is keen for Sibierski and Emre to shake off toe and back injuries respectively. "I'm hoping that both will be fit to take on the trip," said Roeder. "We are short in the striking department so it would come as a welcome relief to have Sibierski back, as well as Emre." Sibierski has undergone a fitness test ahead of the game and the former Manchester City man is confident of taking part in the clash. "I am feeling very good," said the French midfielder. "I should be ready for the game in Palermo. "I was very disappointed to pick up the injury because I felt so good."

I will be a no show once again.. I really need to plan a weekend down some time soon.

I thought Leazes Mag was Shepherd Jnr??

What a mong...

From .com Golf watch - we hear that wor Shola is still managing to swing his ailing hip on the golf course. If you spot the stumbling striker on a fairway near you, drop us a line. (Goswick is a favourite haunt of his, so we're told...).