Badger

Regular first team matches. Agree with David in Sweden et al, about CC. The other option he helps give us is Clyne switching to lb as cover for Shaw if needed, without weakening our right hand side (as it would if relying on a Butterfield or Richardson at this level).

Yes, and sacked by them.

I understand the 'nerves' about Gazzaniga playing in goal, but he has a long way to plummet before he reaches the same standard of sh!t as Bialkowski, and lets not forget Forecast. Gazzaniga or KD is a difficult choice as I see it. Best thing for Gazzaniga's development though is a loan to Championship team for a year,rather than losing all confidence in the Prem, but for the next few weeks he is in the spotlight.

I think this is nearer the truth, in that QPR are 'hawking him around', and probably leaking our interest to speed up the interest elsewhere. Whether we are actually interested is of course another matter.

The bit in bold is a bit of a shocker to imagine frankly (and not sure how this qualifies them for the job anyway..). Agree about the loss of Lukaku, but I thought they spent big on someone from Everton Anichibe (?) or whoever. Can't see RDM going back there, and I don't see Coyle as an improvement to be honest.

Good clip. Their coach is shoved out of it by a steward. MP appears to do a good job in sorting it, and getting our lot back to the bench. Pardew stands, hands in pockets throughout watching, then makes some feeble dismissive wavy gesture at the end of it all. I don't see Osvaldo involved in the skirmish here.

oh, f^ck, back to the drawing board, if so.

Settle for a point there, especially with the injuries, (and the fact we started with Gazzaniga & Hoiveld in the side makes it even more admirable).

Good result in all the circumstances, injuries etc.

He's been designated by NC to deck Pardew at the end of the match.

Boruc being a much safer and more confident pair of feet of course

Strange no one has mentioned it before........

I have been hoping for a new GK for two seasons now. Only after our shaky start last season did we bring Boruc in, and we're still lacking. Surely its a position worth shelling out a few £m on.

We are bound to be vulnerable with him and Jos playing,and in terms of defending Yoshida is a 'mistake a game' player. For all the youth players coming through, we seem short in the CB, and GK positions.

Chance for Sam Gallagher perhaps, before we spend ?

Showing my age here havasack, but as a former Newcastle Uni student, I recall Stowell Street as home to the Stage Door nightclub, a rather seedy little place but inexpensive and fun at the time. Also the Bigg Market was excellent, and always heaving....Half Moon pub; presumably now gone ? Never saw Saints at St James' Park in those days, had to go to Roker. Put it in context of time, I was up there when you signed KK from us.

GK - possibly ease Boruc back in gently, if fit. Centre backs - Christ, I had thought of coming down for this match but suggestion of Jos & Yoshida makes a rethink necessary. Be surprised if Fox does not play. Can't see all those experiments being made to be honest, and maybe one or two coming back from injury might feature.

Timing of his comments, and expressing a desire to put himself in the shop window for World Cup selection suggests to me he'd be quite keen to move in January. Anyway, someone has already said we're in for Cassilas. (not that I can see that one happening).

Andy Awful must be a scummer too the, as he talks about the defeat to spurs, and even spoke to his team about it so that they didn't feel too bad about losing 7-0 !

Ah yes, and of course they have the added advantage of a Championship squad to cope with it.

Best recollection - the spurs game immediately springs to mind. Always liked Anders but just felt he could not up meet the demands of the premiership week in week out to reach his full potential with us.

As have Burnley (albeit on 21st rather than 22nd), so I doubt they'll put a full first team out for this.

So did theirs though.

Ryan Gauld at Dundee Utd is talked about as a good prospect, dubbed the 'mini Messi' apparently. Reckon we should bring him down here, he could be the next Neil McCann for us.

Was Sam Gallagher the lad we signed from Plymouth ? Shortly after Jack Stephens if I remember correctly.