At least the weather should be fine on Saturday. Give us a chance to sing "What's it like to see the sun?" again. It definitely startled them last season with all that blazing light. Was it last season or the one before? Can't remember. Schwarzer poleaxed Pallister with an attempted punched clearance anyway and we beat them 2-1 when it should have been 7-0 at least. There goal was milesoffside...no, really.

-- Anonymous, March 15, 2001

Answers

Twas last season me thinks, and 2-1 flattered them. Never seen such a one sided derby game as that one. Don't feel as confident this time round though.

-- Anonymous, March 15, 2001

I only hope Boro play like they did this season at the Riverside match. They were so crap they made us look bliddy brilliant.

-- Anonymous, March 15, 2001

There is every possibility that we will start with Ameobi and Cort up front, which should be some aerial threat.

Glass and Solano must play to provide some ammunition for these guys. With Speed, Acuna and Caldwell in there we may be a bit more of a threat at set pieces.

-- Anonymous, March 15, 2001

I have to confess that the Boro game was my only away game this season. It was though the best game I've seen Newcastle play in this season. Really looking forward to Saturday, and thinking back Cordone had a great game at the Riverside. I'd use him with Shola upfront, bringing on Cort later in the game.

-- Anonymous, March 15, 2001

Cordone seems so out of favour that I can't see him getting the starting role, but with Dyer and Shearer out I suppose the only alternative is Cort or Lua-Lua so Robson may well go for it.

-- Anonymous, March 15, 2001

What...Gallacher injured again? He'd probably start ahead of Cordone, if fit.

-- Anonymous, March 15, 2001

Sorry forgot about the wee man. Congrats to him, he's been included in the Scotland squad for the match against Belgium.

-- Anonymous, March 15, 2001

If Cort starts on Saturday in what is likely to be a really tough game - after playing only 80, apparently low-intensity, minutes in a Reserve game after a 6 month lay-off - it is simply ludicrous.

Seems he is destined to become the latest feed for the 'Toon Sausage Machine' following on from the highly-seasoned and expensive links made from AS and YKD.
Bloody ridiculous.
For goodness sake, play Ameobi, and let either Gallagher or Cordone earn their very healthly salaries.

-- Anonymous, March 15, 2001

That's what I'd go for, in fact Gallacher will probably start in the left midfield slot. Cordone and Ameobi up front then give Cort 15-20 minutes at the end of the match.

That's what should happen but as we know the right thing rarely happens when it comes to bringing back players. Dabizas will probably be on the bench!

-- Anonymous, March 15, 2001