havasack

Last season and 2012-13. I'm saying last season because when Carver took over nothing changed, it had Pardews stamp on it and the season was the same as the one before, OK results (dire performances) till new year then off a cliff (2013-14 after boxing day P20 W5 D1 L14) and no distractions of Europe or Cup runs (knocked out in the 3rd round at home to Cardiff) Yes we were in Europe on one of those seasons, I'll bet you don't suffer like we did by having a defined style of play that you play week in, week out, we never had that. Pardew says he likes his teams to play attractive front foot football, he may like them to but it rarely happened in 4 years up here. You'll find being in Europe won't be as much a factor for yourselves. Cast your mind back to March last year, you kick our arses 4-0, could easily have been more, could've been more than you put past our dear neighbours last season, that was a regular performance from us and the amount of games we won by the odd goal without being the better team doesn't bare thinking about. Why are you making a big thing about Carver ?, as if we wanted him because he is a Geordie, nobody wanted him even as a coach never mind manager. Look beyond the red top headlines, strangely the managers and players we've effing loved are those that done well, entertained and were honest, doesn't matter where from. I repeat, I saw more pattern, defined style of play and hope on Sunday than I did in 4yrs of Pardew.

He near relegated us twice through his tactics alone and we played more entertaining football on Sunday than in all bar about a dozen games of his 4yrs in charge. Funny how those defending him in ther media weren't those watching his team every week. He may learn as he goes and Palace will get the benefit, if he carries on like he did here, there will be ups, which will get praised to the hilt and deeper downs, that will be lamed on other things. The media will buy it, the public that aren't too close will believe it.

But that's impossible, I realise Pardew had left by then but we were still playing his way and the papers, Talksport, all the pundits etc tell me how good he is and how we should have really been thankful to have him. The difference with Colback and Anita (both played in both games iirc), having play go through them instead of over them, playing the ball out from the back instead of "HOOF!". The man is a bog standard prem/championship manager at best who gets fantastic coverage off the press. You were lucky he didn't stay with you long enough to have to get rid of him for footballing reason.

Well I said I wouldn't be too miffed with a draw and that seemed fair enough at the end. Thought you would be a bit sharper than us due to competitive games and so it turned out. Decent early season game, very stretched towards the end. Waiting for MotD to see if we should have had a pen or two and to see how you missed those two sitters. Hope those who travelled up had a good time, I thought you had sold out your allocation, there was a few spare seats in your end.

Not played any friendlies but there are behind closed doors games aswell. Mitrovic and Mbemba should have started training even earlier as the Belgian league has already started and instead of Williamson, yes I'd take the risk. There's Perez aswell should De Jong or Aarons be unavailable before Obertan.

I hope not, Betfair have you at 2.76 and if that is our line up I'm straight on them odds. My line up would be Krul janmaat Mbemba Coloccini Haidara Wijnaldum Colback Sissoko De Jong Aarons Mitrovic.

Don't know what to predict from an NUFC point of view as we haven't got a clue of the line up. Could be any two from four centre halves, two full backs are sorted but only Colback, Sissoko and Wijnaldum seem certainties to start. I expect your lot to be a bit sharper having already had competitive games and I wouldn't be too miffed with a draw.

That's not how I'd have it though. Go back to the way it was, 2-legged knockout. I'd also get rid of seeding, if Bayern get Barcelona in the first round then so be it.

I would. The reason Real Madrid, Arsenal and Dortmund are now as big as they are is because they are guaranteed more revenue because of the Champs league. I much preferred when the likes of Bruges and Malmo could reach the final. Not a chance now, the Champions League is a closed shop designed to help theose in it pull away from everybody else.

Haway then, for those who travelled up here, did you enjoy it ?

The bigg market area has to be tried , Pop world, Mushroom and The Vault(a bit like watching curios in a freak show but worth having one for the shock/novelty value ), many head up to the gate complex but I can't stand it. The best pubs are towards the Central station (Forth, Town wall, Bodega), if it's night life you want then and you're young and trendy you'll be after the likes of Madam Ku's, Baby lynch and Perdu on Collingwood street. Food wise, I posted a link earlier with plenty of reccomendations and you'll not go far wrong on Stowell street if you want Chinese.

Depends what you're after. If you wnat lagery, shouty type places go the gate complex, if you're after good beers then try Tilleys, The Forth, The Town wall, , Bodega, (all about 20mins from the ground, between the train station and SJP). The Bridge Hotel and Bacchus are worth a shout aswell, 5mins further away though. For food The Town wall is probably best or if anyone is staying on the Quayside newly opened Bridge Tavern is very good for both beer and food, nice well heated roof terrace aswell. Brew dog is worth a shout and could fit that in on the way up from the Bridge Tavern. Most places will be quite busy as they usually are on match days, add in it's our last home game before christmas so many will make a day of it. Anyone stopping over and wanting more resteraunt style food could do worse than to have a look in here......http://www.newcastle-online.org/nufcforum/index.php/topic,58315.0.html, obviously later pages are more recent.

That was true for a long while, particularly at The Dell, spookily enough our last win there was in 1972 (same as the hoodoo we've just broke at Old Trafford), at St Mary's however I think it's played 6, 2 wins, 2 draws, 2 defeats.

I wouldn't go that far. There definitely are two NUFC's but it has little to do with Cabaye. We were as bad at Swansea with him as we were good at Old Trafford and we can even show both faces in one game (home against Hull). Ben arfa could be the interesting one if he plays as for all he's an amazing talent when he's off his game he makes us much less organised and we are down to 10.

Who's grooming who in that pic ?