If the English team is going to win the World Cup, then surely it is best to have the back-room staff English as well? Bringing in a foreigner (mercenary?) to get you the World Cup devalues it a bit if you ask me. None of Curbishley, McLaren or Sam really convinces since they have not managed a top-level club. Might as well go for McLaren as worked with Sven so there is some continuity. Or Peter Taylor.

Haven't we got to play them away yet? Savage will be hoping it's his last appearance at St Andrews.

Read in the 'paper today that's he's only completed two games in two years. That is shocking.

Latest news is that it may be sinking (subsiding). Could be the most disastrous engineering project ever?

Did the government cock up on a sporting project before? Something lock? I do wonder if they're building the damn thing out of lego and mecano. You can slag off the contractors all you like, but who appointed them? The buck stops at the very very top and that means Sir Kurt Diego Millichip of the FA, he of the pulling balls out of a bobble hat FA Cup draw round five Stevenage Borough play Wasps.

Get Dunn in to sort out the catering.

But that won't happen though, will it? Something will fill the vacuum. Might take a bit of time but eventually people will start making a noise again. You might be able to hear the odd joke said 20 rows back again, you never know! Catch 22 - unless the crowd starts singing on their own and shows they can make noise, there is a case for retaining the drummers. But the drummers stop any attempts to start up songs by blasting out their monotonous "tune".

Maybe they can't get a word in edgeways with the buggers as they constantly bang the flipping things. I'd be surprised if they could hear you even if you did. They should ship these fellas back to Africa and they can bang out the daily news on their tablas. Should keep 'em occupied. I've been sat quite a few rows ahead of them before and the din has still been horrendous (Spurs last year), what it must be like if you're sat immediately in front, God only knows.

Amstuckonglueso?

Always preferred "Afteryouso" but sadly it never caught on.

Ali Dia wasn't a Souness buy, he was brought on trial.

Pretty much in agreement there. Some people are obsessed.

Are you saying we're not allowed to talk about a former manager Dave? Can we talk about Don Mackay, Bob Saxton, Jim Iley? Dally Duncan? Bob Crompton? Or is it just Souness? It was big news when he got sacked, why on Earth can't we discuss it? Mind you, given the demented nature of some postings, I see your point.

A few years ago, these sort of quotes would've wound me right up. But now it's so laughable, that, as long as Hughes stands up to him, I really don't care. Hughes' words were measured and spot-on, and I think Ferguson has been shown up as a man who's steadily losing his grip (and has been for a number of years). He simply is the worst loser in football. Loser being teh operative word, since his club is in a right pickle.

Wouldn't touch him with mine! You have him Den!

Have to say, I find Jan's post disturbing, she genuinely seems to be unhinged on this topic. Surprising for someone on a 6 figure salary blah-de-blah. Anyone wishing ill on Graeme obviously has a very distorted, warped outlook on life. Mind you, living in newcastle, that might be understandable.

Why has Pearce not got it tactically? Is this something to do with his hardman reputation? And why would Curbishley be the choice of the Press? Notwithstanding teh fact that I've seen no championing of him in the 'papers, he's signed some very ordinary players, sometimes for silly money. For example, Jason Euell for 4.5 million. No thanks. Not that I'd go a ton on Mclaren either. Although I'm not sure about Big Sam - how would someone like Beckham or Owen take to being coached by a guy who's managed in the lower leagues and taken Bolton into the top flight, and been a largely anonymous central defender as a player? There's no stand-out candidate for me.

Just seen a picture of Norman Kember on BBC. He does not look very well. How can anyone kidnap and threaten to behead a 74-year old peace worker is just beyond me. There's plenty of wrong-doing going on in Iraq, but that really takes the effing biscuit!

Sorry badge placement is part of teh design?

I can't remember the last time I was so hopping mad about a game (probably the last time we played United). The difference between the Newcastle game and Weds was that we profited from one bad decision. Man Utd had things go their way all night. To turn down that penalty appeal was outrageous - he had a better view of it than the Man Utd pen, it was blatant and right in front of his nose. Normally I can accept a loss in a good-tempered way, but I was absolutely seething Weds, grrrrr ...

A certain manager is sticking out like a sore thumb. But I don't expect him to put his hand up. ;-)

Surely he's just waiting for his whacking great pay-off now. That club is in one hell of a mess.

If that's true Phil, I got at least 2 out of 3 correct, and I'm pretty confident on club three!

Anyone watching this up old London town in a suitable pub?

Will pop down the bookies in a bit to stick a bet on - probably for 2-1 to us, but I fancy teh odds may be crap. Pedersen to score the last goal maybe?