DT

Pardew should be forced to wear a bowler hat too.

Why is it on that pikey England shirt? Presumably you have to add horrible scraggy grey sweatpands and Fila/Reebok white trainers too...

barbershop

Oh dear. Mine was Liverpool away.

five minutes of my life i won't get back

I would have understood if it was a really good, kicking story, but to risk good contacts for such a rubbishy piece was a bit silly. Mind you, Cortese and co are really overreacting. PS do the turnstile operators check for false beards/dark glasses etc. Can't quite believe none of the Echo staff are not good enough to consider wearing, say, a 'hat' to get in...

Am I the only one who's a mite disappointed we didn't get him?

Charlie, George? Tell him not to go near any lawn mowers...!

always thought this lot would make a good sponsor: http://www.saints.co.uk/ Freight company. Keep seeing them on the motorway and mistaking them for merchandise deliveries...

Saintsbury's?

My bet - our very first kit as a club. Or just a very retro red and white stripe. Or perhaps it will be a red cross....

Ludicrous censorship. Wessttwoodworm.

W******dworm

seconded. welcome, smaller mountain range...(Pennine Saint?)

Nice pursey.

v good. was it in the shape of an orange?

I expect she's seeing John Terry.

No, you misread the emphasis. All I was saying was if he goes, he goes, and I don't think it would be a massive loss - BUT I would prefer it if we actually were one of the only clubs to instigate stability in this most important position, because it is crucial and given time, a lot of managers come good. This is all a bit of a waste of time anyway because the story looked like a non-story if you ask me. Then again, most things are shrouded in mystery...

i think you missed this bit: 'I think it would be good to be one of the few clubs to give a manager an old-school long-term chance at building'. I hope that helps.

Bit throwaway, this. I guess it just means his contract has not yet been renewed. Personally, I think there are better managers out there and while I think it would be good to be one of the few clubs to give a manager an old-school long-term chance at building, it wouldn't be a massive loss if he did go.

£2k a week is only just over £100k for the leading striker in the division. Are you sure?

I just clicked on their site (I know, the shame) and note that they are having a 65% off sale. Hilarious. Also, a big banner asking for a £50 deposit from some betting outfit. It'll take more than that...

would we get a bye?

1) no - need new keeper and midfield old head general 2) see above 3) I'd say so, yes, but am ever hopeful we can do it. If we don't win at the weekend I think we can forget it.

I'm still here and still believe that although he's a good shot stopper, his inability to come for crosses and general lack of dominance beyond the six yard box destabilises the whole defence and leads to untold problems. And I stick by that. I'd love us to get a new keeper. Sorry to disappoint.