Location – SJP Kick Off – 15:00pm Date – Saturday 31st March 2007 Tickets - On General Sale (Single seats only available) Coverage – BBC Radio Newcastle 95.4FM Referee – Graham Poll

"I am not living on Fantasy Island or cloud cuckoo land." Oh Glenn my learned friend you still have a lot to learn about management. There is unfortunately an increasing amount of unrest within the ranks of the B&W faithful and frankly they couldn’t care less where you live…. Is it realistic to think that if the Fat Controller invests money in Roeder this summer will it bring us closer to having a team to be proud of or will it bring us a step closer to financial ruin? Speaking of Fantasy Island I have found myself on Guernsey this week (Not through choice I might add) but the spiritual home of our illustrious leaders the Halls. May I remind you that they were the family that saved Newcastle United from extinction (ahem).. Are the Halls AWOL at the moment due to the sinking feeling of the good ship Newcastle United, do they feel there job is done at NE1, do they know something that Fat Fred is failing to comprehend? Where are the saviors of Newcastle United now when we really need them? Do we look to overseas investment, do we stick with what can only be described as a steaming pile of useless shite or do we find someone with a touch of business savvy from God’s country… There seems to be an increasing amount of unanswered questions.

Well back to the important stuff. With only seven games remaining we are in a position where even if a miracle does happen and we go on a winning streak, reality has to set in and the very best we can hope for is a invitational place in next seasons intertoo bob cup. Is this really what we want again… another very long season of trying to cope with a small quad on four fronts? This week has seen old corned beef face booed off the pitch in Israel and pretty much the same happened in Spain, but what can you expect from a distinctly average manager with about as much idea of rallying his troops as Mr Roeder (Was that a cheap shot). The internationals seem to have passed without too much concern and that’s definitely without the help of that sour faced little twat up front for Wales… how to make friends and influence people by Craig Bellamy. This Saturday see’s another Saturday 3.00pm kickoff and our assistant manager welcome’s his mate Psycho Pearce and his band of underperformers to SJP. I really am sick of saying it this season but things really need to change on the pitch and fast if we are to stay clear of the relegation zone. The absolute debacle that happened in south London nearly two weeks ago pretty much sums up our season. It also reinforces the facts that either we have a squad of players that don’t care or don’t come up to scratch. If we ever needed a Shearer a Beardsley or heaven forbid an Owen to lead from the front now is the time… It is time that the ones who want to be here next season need to prove they are worth the tens of thousands a week we seem happy to part with every week.

Anyway I hate having to be negative before a Saturday game but again I find myself without any confidence that we can go to the pub on Saturday teatime with a smile instead of a grimace. Roeder has at his disposal for the first time in a long time almost his whole defense and midfield available for selection we will now see nowhere to run and hide if it all goes wrong. Hopefully everything is pointing to a great game so without further ado Ha’way Lads dee us proud.

Last Season

Away – 3 – 0 (L) (Vassell, Cole & Riera)

Home - 1 – 0 (W) (Owen)

This Season

Away – 0 – 0 (D)

Likely Squads:

The Sky Blues – Isaksson, Weaver, Richards, Distin, Dunne, Jordan, Hamann, Dabo, Onuoha, Jihai, Miller, Sinclair, Barton, Ball, Ireland, Beasley, Trabelsi, Vassell, Samaras, Corradi, Dickov, Mpenza

Man to Watch – Mpenza – Roeder is a big fan of this fella but that’s not really saying much.

Fitness News – Richards having a scan on his injured calf.

NUFC – Given, Harper, Solano, Carr, Babayaro, Edgar, Taylor, Bramble, Onyewu, Moore, Ramage, Huntington, Butt, Parker, Milner, Duff, Emre, N'Zogbia, Pattison, Troisi, Martins, Dyer, Sibierski, Luque, Carroll, LuaLua.

Man to Watch – Dyer – City will struggle with his pace.

Fitness News – Carr (Hamstring) Owen (knee) Ameobi (hip)

Late Fitness Tests – Given & Ramage

”Reasons to be Cheerful – ..Players told that there next few games will be fundamental to their Newcastle United careers, Given told the dirty Mackem yard-dog to mind his own ‘kin business and Owen is only three weeks away…again

Keep On, Keepin’ On …

Ewan Stephenson