Can't disagree that we did not perform against you this season;however, many of our team had never played in the Tyne/Wear, Wear/Tyne derby before and I will admit some of them froze.
Next season will be different all together my friend, because they have the experience under their belts now. Add into the equasion that we are adding some quality players to our squad and the fact that your team are highly likely to lose some of your key players by the start of next season?
Even a mag wearing the rosiest tinted glasses can see where this is going!! See you next season and make sure you've got your tin hats on!![]()
You cant blame experience and such for not performing well, you lot banged on for months about how you were going to hammer us in both games and how it was "an easy 6 points" then suddenly when the exact opposite happens your players lack experience and cant cope with the pressure, typical of the mackems to back track when things dont go their way.
Its always "next season" or "we'll get revenge next time" and it rarely (almost never) happens... then next season if we do the same there will be other excuses... and it will be "next time" again.
Which players are we going to lose then? As far as I know most of our key players have signed and are signing improved contracts, if anything we will be stronger having Ben Arfa back and hopefully Gosling fully fit.
I cant deny that next season could be different as I reckon Sessegnon and Muntari are canny signings but its certainly not cut and dry for your lot by a long stretch.
I personally think your lot will sink from 6th spot without Bent, but we'll see.![]()

Hands up! You're right that some of our fans got a little over excited at the prospect of the derby's being played again, but I wasn't one of them, because the mags do have a strong midfield and your defence were outstanding at the SOL. I know a fair bit about what goes on at SJP because 3 of my sons are mags
I'm sure that like my sons, you must be worried about Fat Mike's future plans? Fortunately for you guys, some of your players have performed very well this season, which is why you find yourselves in a very healthy position in the league.
Unfortunately, those players that have played well have put themselves in the shop window, such as Carroll, Barton, Enrique and Colochini (spelling!) They are the spine of your team, but I think you are going to find it very hard to hold on to them come the summer.
Your thoughts?
Being under the ownership of someone like Ashley theres always worries about the future, you just never know what around the corner. But if this transfer window is any indication we are looking to hold onto our best players, Carroll has just recently signed a new 5 year deal and has stated on numerous occasions that hes not going anywhere, as has Pardew, Barton is currently in the process of signing a new contract (at a reduced salary) and has also stated that he wants to see out his career here, Enrique has also stated that he doesnt want to leave and is meant to also be in the process of signing a new deal so all is looking well as far as I'm concerned.
Anyone who knows anything about football can see we have a real platorm to build on here... if we can manage to bring in some quality next season to build around the quality we already have, we could be looking at europe, or at very least cement a top 10 place for the new few years. Things are looking up.
Don't get me wrong, I love Catts, he's got a real big heart and always puts in 100% for us, but there is a problem which will stump his ambitions as a future England International and that is his lack of pace. IMHO, that is the reason why he commits so many fouls, because he does get skinned a lot by quicker players, so he brings them down rather than let them get away. Some say he is petulant because of his age, but I think he knows exactly what he is doing and unfortunately for us, that is going to mean more injuries and suspensions for the lad.
He's spent to much time on the Physio's bench in the last few weeks, he may be fit, but not match fit, so I can only see him making the bench on Tuesday.
If you watch him run, his shape is all wrong, with all the coaches we must have a decent sprint trainer, who should help him at least over the first 5/10 yeards and often that is all that is needed
Being under the ownership of someone like Ashley theres always worries about the future, you just never know what around the corner. But if this transfer window is any indication we are looking to hold onto our best players, Carroll has just recently signed a new 5 year deal and has stated on numerous occasions that hes not going anywhere, as has Pardew, Barton is currently in the process of signing a new contract (at a reduced salary) and has also stated that he wants to see out his career here, Enrique has also stated that he doesnt want to leave and is meant to also be in the process of signing a new deal so all is looking well as far as I'm concerned.
Anyone who knows anything about football can see we have a real platorm to build on here... if we can manage to bring in some quality next season to build around the quality we already have, we could be looking at europe, or at very least cement a top 10 place for the new few years. Things are looking up.

thisDon't get me wrong, I love Catts, he's got a real big heart and always puts in 100% for us, but there is a problem which will stump his ambitions as a future England International and that is his lack of pace. IMHO, that is the reason why he commits so many fouls, because he does get skinned a lot by quicker players, so he brings them down rather than let them get away. Some say he is petulant because of his age, but I think he knows exactly what he is doing and unfortunately for us, that is going to mean more injuries and suspensions for the lad.
He's spent to much time on the Physio's bench in the last few weeks, he may be fit, but not match fit, so I can only see him making the bench on Tuesday.