Despite their late flurry and the impassioned support of their sizeable following, Newcastle slumped to their first FA Cup defeat outside Wembley since January 1997 (Henry Winter, The Telegraph)

-- Anonymous, January 18, 2001

Answers

Martin Tyler was impressed with the support last night and to be fair you could hear the Toon Army over the Villa fans throughout the match.

The cameras did pan across our fans near the end, no doubt hoping to see some early leavers or depressants but there were none on show!

-- Anonymous, January 18, 2001

I'm amazed. Maybe it's because i now live a few thousand miles away from all of these but surely the doom and gloom on here this morning is a bit OTT?

I can't say i'm surprised at the result. I can't imagine everyone else is either. We've had a cracking couple of Cup runs in the last three years and had we not met the three [arguably] best teams in the country, would've won at least one of those games. It couldn't last.

So now we have just over four months to qualify for europe the right way: in the league. We have had more than our fair share of injuries, more than our fair share of bad luck and been badly let down by players [contracts, AWOL etc]. Now lets get on with it. Heads down and dig in. It's going to be a long four months but yesterday was yesterday. We're 7th in the league and I fully expect that YBR knows what we've got to do, how to do it and who he can rely on. He's not daft and he's BY FAR the best manager we've had since Keegan. He'll be damned if he's going to let this season and the next be another of transition. Europe is there for the taking.

Whatever they can throw at us, let them try. Then let them try again. Sometimes you just have to take the shite that comes your way and keep your heads up and get through it. If gritting my teeth and singing my heart out week in, week out is what it takes, then i'll do it. I can't play so i do the next best thing. When it finally arrives, those victories will be all the sweeter for days like these.

-- Anonymous, January 18, 2001

Good on yer, Min. Just what I needed. Wasn't very approachable last night or this morning, but that little splash of ice cold crystal clear mountain spring water has got me right back to my usual even tempered, docile, long suffering self. Thankyou.

-- Anonymous, January 18, 2001

Absolutely spot on Min. Thats the attitude.

-- Anonymous, January 18, 2001

" Get thee to the fridge Min "

Pint of lager in one hand, cheese and onion crisps in the other and up on the table in the Strawberry before the next home game.

Thats where you should be matey!

-- Anonymous, January 18, 2001

Don't forget the stotties!

-- Anonymous, January 18, 2001

I'm damned if I can find those rose-tinted specs. I couldn't borrow yours for a few minutes min could I? ;-{)

-- Anonymous, January 18, 2001

'bout time you broke into song hey Min? me throat is sore today like. Walked home last neet singing to mesell

-- Anonymous, January 18, 2001

Bliddy easy fer ye ti say Min, being thoosands o' miles away an' aal that. It bliddy-well horts owa heor.

-- Anonymous, January 18, 2001

I'll be speaking to the masses this sunday morning at Pet's Corner in Jesmond Dene at 11am.

This week's reading is from: "The Sermon in the Dene"

I'll also be feeding the 52,000 with 5 stotties, a couple of haddock fresh from North Shields quay and batter bits. Washed down with Broon.

; - )

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2001

Please can I have smoked haddock - can't get it over here!

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2001

i suppose you want me to pop up to Craster before i head to Jessie Dene as well? sheesh, religion's not like it was the auld days...

;))

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2001