Mark: The early season hasn't started too well for Newcastle, why do you think this is and what can be done to eradicate it?

Howaythetoon: We were very unlucky away to Arsenal in that we were more than a match for them, but Jenas' sending off and a harsh penalty decision turned the game. We were hanging on for a point and had we done so, well that would have been a great result on the opening day of the season. Against West Ham, we were awful but we are hamstrung at the moment as we only have one fit striker, and he is 35 now. Anyway, we never make great starts to the campaign.

Mark: Charles N'Zogbia, Martin Brittain and Steven Taylor are just some of the young players in the Magpies squad at the moment. Are there any other youngsters at Newcastle who we should keep an eye out for?

Howaythetoon: We have some youngsters making a name for themselves in the reserves and Academy sides but as ever at such an age, it really would be harsh of me to wax lyrical about any of them. Steven Taylor is the one though, he has been excellent since he broke into the first-team last season and will go on to big big things. Keep your eye out for him.

He actually made his Premiership debut at the Reebok in 2003-04 and was at fault for Pedersen's goal but he's never looked back. An outstanding prospect who at 19, is playing as if he's been playing for years. He has the lot, we are very excited about him although we don't want to get too carried away.

Mark: Alan Shearer is sadly hanging up his boots at the end of the season. What is your favourite Shearer moment during his long and industrious career in football?

Howaythetoon: My favourite Shearer moment has to be the day he signed. 20,000 Geordies skipped school, took a day off or extended their lunch hours just to see the man wave. What was extra special about Shearer's signing wasn't the fact he was one of the world's best strikers at the time or the fact he cost a world record fee, but here was a Geordie coming home to better himself. We have been used to seeing Geordiesleave Newcastle to better themselves. Whether in football in any other work. The club and City had came full circle.

Playing wise there are too many, his second goal against Spurs in the FA Cup Semi-Final a few years back at Old Trafford, magic. He will be missed.

Mark: Emre and Scott Parker are excellent signings for your club but one signing out of the blue was the return of Lee Clark. What where the reasons behind this surprise aquisition?

We are a strange club Newcastle. We do strange things. We treat a Geordie such as Sir Bobby disgracefully by sacking him like we did, yet we extend the hand of charity to ex-Toon players who don't have a club.

Having said that he initially returned to train with us, then he got a deal working with the reserves as some kind of coach and then he found himself coming on in a Premiership games 7 years after leaving. Crazy club. Great lad though and Toon daft.

What are Newcastle's aims for the season ahead, is there any specific goals on the agenda?

Howaythetoon: To qualify for Europe. But it will be a tough task as we lack squad depth, quality in places and Graeme Souness has not shown any evidence he can be a success here and it wouldn't surprise me if he got the chop soon.

Walking Down The Manny Road would like to thank Howaythetoon and the rest of the people at Newcastle-Online for their welcome input on this website. Their site is a joint effort by a handful of the Toon Army and is increasing in popularity by the day

Newcastle-online.com - NUFC News, Views, Reports, Chat & More.

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