The the obvious way forward in Chilly Jockoland is to kick out the Old Firm and create a bit of interest.
BUT ... there could be one interesting point put forward as the 12 Scottish Premier League clubs meet today for the latest round of discussions over the future set-up of the competition.
Apparently one of the features to be talked about is allowing six under-23 colt teams to compete in the bottom division - in a similar situation as the Spanish League where Barcelona and Real Madrid have a "colt team" that plays in the Spanish Second Division.
Would it work in England?
It would give the youngsters a better quality of opposition, rather than reserve games, but where do you draw the line - how many clubs would be allowed in?
Would Premiership clubs be allowed to form a club of another identity - as a feeder club - and be allowed to start at grassroots and progress through the pyramid system to the Football League?
The fact is - it works for the Spanish clubs - so why not give it a go?
Please discuss on our message board.
MAGPIES IN EUROPE
"Magpies In Europe" is available NOW!
Sports Journalist Richie Everson: "At last a book that the fabulous Newcastle United fans can relate to. It's informative, all the facts and figures are there, plus the 120 match reports from all the fixtures ... but it is the articles by the supporters that amazed me.
"I went to many of those games, and this is the only book I can honestly say 'hits the nail on the head'!
"Yes we know the results and the scorers, but some of the facts in this book had me so wrapped up in it I couldn't put it down.
"Was Benny Arentoft cup-tied when he played in the final? Big Wyn and his battle with John McGrath; McFaul scoring a penalty when the crowd had gone home; the trouble in Palermo; it is all amazing stuff.
"I would honestly give this book 10 out of 10."
MAGPIES IN EUROPE
From Antwerp to Zurich
Price: £9.99 (including post)
The book is available NOW!
Please include your address in a letter and send a cheque (or postal order) for £9.99 payable to Mr K Fletcher, to:
'MAGPIES IN EUROPE', K Fletcher, 5 Dunelm, Sacriston, Co Durham DH7 6NU.
Or contact: Kevnumad@fsmail.net
A sad statistic ... the last time we beat Man Utd at St James' Park was TEN years ago. We won a 7-goal thriller and Shearer called Roy Keane a "Dickhead". Happy days!
2001/2 Newcastle 4 Man Utd 3
NEWCASTLE: Given, Griffin, Elliott, O'Brien, Dabizas, Solano, Acuna, Lee (Barton 45), Robert, Shearer, Bellamy (Distin 90). Subs Not Used: Harper, Lua-Lua, Ameobi.
MAN UTD: Barthez, Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Blanc, Brown, Beckham, Veron, Keane, Giggs, Cole (Scholes 59), van Nistelrooy. Subs Not Used: Carroll, Butt, Silvestre, Johnsen.
Att: 52,056
Newcastle captain Alan Shearer handed manager Bobby Robson a precious victory over Manchester United in his 100th game in charge.
The former England skipper struck eight minutes from time to win a pulsating encounter which ebbed and flowed throughout.
The home side looked to have it won just seven minutes into the second half when defender Nikos Dabizas made it 3-1 after Laurent Robert's brilliant free-kick and and Rob Lee's first goal since April last year.
But the visitors, who had equalised through Ruud van Nistelrooy, then scored twice in a minute through Ryan Giggs and Juan Sebastian Veron and looked the more likely winners until Shearer's intervention.
And in a fiery finale, Roy Keane was dismissed for the second time in three seasons at St James' Park for aiming a blow at Shearer.
Andy Cole and Dutchman van Nistelrooy linked up in attack for the champions, while there were returns for midfielders David Beckham and Giggs.
Shay Given, Dabizas and Lee - all rested for the Worthington Cup victory over Brentford in midweek - were all back, as were Craig Bellamy and Robbie Elliott, both substitutes on Wednesday night.
Robson sent his players out under orders not to be afraid of the task that lay ahead, and they needed his advice from the off to put the visitors under extreme pressure.
The game was only four minutes old when the nevertheless impressive Laurent Blanc was penalised for a foul on Shearer 25 yards out and Robert took control from the free-kick.
With Beckham, Veron and Nolberto Solano on the pitch, the match had a glut of dead-ball specialists, but any of them would have been delighted with the the left-footed strike which the Frenchman sent rocketing into Fabien Barthez's top corner to give his side the lead.
But the men from Old Trafford have not established themselves as one of the best sides in Europe for no reason, and they flew at their hosts in the search for an equaliser.
Giggs, Beckham and Veron in particular got the bit between their teeth and, despite some sterling work from opposite numbers Lee and Clarence Acuna, began to feed Cole and van Nistelrooy with increasing regularity.
The equaliser duly arrived on 29 minutes when the Dutchman turned smartly on a knock down from Cole and drove a low shot past Given.
Referee Steve Bennett waved away strong penalty appeals from the home side seconds later when Bellamy was sent sprawling by Phil Neville's challenge, and they were still brooding on his refusal when Lee lifted the gloom after 34 minutes.
Picking the ball up inside his opponents' half, he ran forward before unleashing a right-footed strike which bounced in front of Barthez, who could only help the ball into the net.
The Old Trafford side should have equalised five minutes before the break when Giggs picked out van Nistelrooy unmarked at the far post, but he hit his volley into the ground and Given was able to push the ball over the bar.
The home side were never going to be able to sit on their laurels after the break, and they went about preserving their lead in the best way possible by adding a third goal within seven minutes of the restart.
Solano's corner was half-cleared to Robert and his shot from distance cannoned into Dabizas, who reacted first to lash the ball into the roof of Barthez's net.
But that simply served to sting the Red Devils further, and their response was devastating.
Former Magpie Cole was jeered from the pitch as he made way for Scholes on 59 minutes.
But his side were back in contention within four minutes when Giggs smashed a volley past Given and then Veron capitalised on some sub-standard defending to thump home the equaliser barely a minute later.
Beckham, Giggs and Co battled to make their hosts pay, and Barthez was a virtual spectator for much of the half.
Blanc nicked the ball off Bellamy's toe in front of goal on 78 minutes and his side raced to the other end for Scholes to force a fine save from Given.
But the home side were not done as Bellamy exploded past Blanc and fed Solano, whose shot was blocked by Barthez, but Shearer followed up to hammer a piledriver into Blanc on the line and into the back of the net.
Scholes saw two late efforts drop agonisingly wide as the Magpies rode their luck.
However, Bellamy could have made it five deep into injury-time after rounding Barthez, but he shot wide.
"Magpies In Europe" is available NOW!
Price: £9.99 (including post)
Or contact: Kevnumad@fsmail.net
NEWCASTLE UNITED FIXTURES
Tuesday 19th April 2011
Newcastle United v Manchester United 19:45
Saturday 23rd April 2011
Blackpool v Newcastle United 15:00
Sunday 01st May 2011
Liverpool v Newcastle United 12:00
Saturday 07th May 2011
Newcastle United v Birmingham City 15:00
Sunday 15th May 2011
Chelsea v Newcastle United 13:30
Sunday 22nd May 2011
Newcastle United v West Bromwich Albion 15:00
NEWCASTLE UNITED 2010/11
PREMIERSHIP
ASTON VILLA 1 NEWCASTLE 0
Harper, Simpson, Steven Taylor (Ryan Taylor 63), Williamson, Jose Enrique, Barton, Guthrie, Coloccini, Gutierrez, Ranger (Kuqi 83), Lovenkrands.
Subs Not Used: Krul, Ferguson, Donaldson, Tavernier, Richardson.
NEWCASTLE 4 WOLVES 1 (Nolan, Ameobi, Lovenkrands, Gutierrez)
Harper, Simpson, Coloccini, Williamson, Ferguson (Perch 59), Barton (Steven Taylor 89), Guthrie, Nolan, Gutierrez, Ameobi, Lovenkrands (Ranger 68).
Subs Not Used: Krul, Campbell, Tavernier, Kuqi.
STOKE 4 NEWCASTLE 0
Harper, Coloccini, Williamson, Campbell (Gutierrez 66), Jose Enrique (Ferguson 23), Simpson, Barton, Nolan, Tiote, Lovenkrands (Ranger 61), Ameobi.
Subs Not Used: Krul, Guthrie, Steven Taylor, Kuqi.
NEWCASTLE 1 EVERTON 2 (Best)
Harper, Steven Taylor (Ferguson 65), Williamson, Coloccini, Jose Enrique (Ameobi 43), Simpson, Tiote, Nolan, Gutierrez, Best (Kuqi 85), Lovenkrands.
Subs Not Used: Krul, Guthrie, Perch, Richardson.
NEWCASTLE 1 BOLTON 1 (Nolan)
Harper, Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Barton, Tiote, Nolan, Gutierrez (Campbell 87), Lovenkrands (Ranger 64), Best (Guthrie 75).
Subs Not Used: Krul, Perch, Ferguson, Kuqi.
BIRMINGHAM 0 NEWCASTLE 2 (Lovenkrands, Best)
Harper, Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Barton, Tiote, Nolan, Gutierrez (Campbell 87), Lovenkrands (Ranger 64), Best (Guthrie 75).
Subs Not Used: Krul, Perch, Ferguson, Kuqi.
BLACKBURN 0 NEWCASTLE 0
Harper, Simpson (Perch 76), Williamson, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Barton, Tiote, Nolan, Gutierrez, Best (Kuqi 90), Lovenkrands (Ranger 77).
Subs Not Used: Krul, Campbell, Guthrie, Ferguson.
NEWCASTLE 4 ARSENAL 4 (Barton 2 (2 pens), Best, Tiote)
Harper, Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Barton, Tiote, Nolan, Gutierrez, Best (Guthrie 89), Lovenkrands (Ranger 73).
Subs Not Used: Krul, Campbell, Perch, Ferguson, Richardson.
FULHAM 1 NEWCASTLE UTD 0
Harper, Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Barton, Nolan, Guthrie, Gutierrez, Best (Lovenkrands 72), Ameobi (Ranger 13).
Subs Not Used: Krul, Campbell, Perch, Ferguson, Richardson.
NEWCASTLE 1 SPURS 1 (Coloccini)
Harper, Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Barton, Guthrie (Perch 74), Nolan, Gutierrez, Best (Lovenkrands 65), Ameobi (Ranger 88).
Subs Not Used: Krul, Campbell, Xisco, Ferguson.
SUNDERLAND 1 NEWCASTLE 1 (Nolan)
Harper, Simpson, Coloccini, Williamson, Jose Enrique, Barton, Nolan, Smith (Guthrie 37),Gutierrez (Gosling 90), Best (Lovenkrands 88), Ameobi.
Subs Not Used: Krul, Routledge, Perch, Ranger.
NEWCASTLE 5 WEST HAM 0 (Best 3, Nolan, Lovenkrands)
Harper, Simpson, Steven Taylor (Williamson 46), Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Barton, Nolan, Tiote, Gutierrez (Ferguson 66), Lovenkrands, Best (Ranger 64).
Subs Not Used: Krul, Guthrie, Routledge, Perch.
WIGAN 0 NEWCASTLE 1 (Ameobi)
Harper, Simpson, Steven Taylor, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Barton, Nolan (Smith 86), Tiote, Gutierrez, Ameobi (Best 77), Lovenkrands (Routledge 70).
Subs Not Used: Krul, Williamson, Perch, Ranger.
TOTTENHAM 2 NEWCASTLE 0
Krul, Coloccini, Steven Taylor, Perch, Tiote (Lovenkrands 79), Barton, Routledge, Simpson, Smith, Gutierrez (Ranger 67), Carroll.
Subs Not Used: Harper, Williamson, Xisco, Best, Kadar.
NEWCASTLE 1 MAN CITY 3 (Carroll)
Krul, Simpson, Steven Taylor, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Routledge (Ranger 60), Barton, Tiote, Gutierrez, Nolan, Carroll.
Subs Not Used: Harper, Williamson, Guthrie, Perch, Smith, Best.
NEWCASTLE 3 LIVERPOOL 1 (Nolan, Barton, Carroll)
Krul, Simpson, Steven Taylor, Campbell, Jose Enrique, Barton (Routledge 90), Nolan (Smith 87), Tiote, Gutierrez, Carroll, Ameobi (Ranger 63).
Subs Not Used: Harper, Guthrie, Lovenkrands, Perch.
WEST BROM 3 NEWCASTLE 1 (Lovenkrands)
Krul, Simpson, Steven Taylor, Campbell, Jose Enrique, Routledge (Ranger 74), Guthrie (Smith 73), Tiote, Gutierrez, Carroll, Ameobi (Lovenkrands 46).
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Perch, Best, Kadar.
NEWCASTLE 1 CHELSEA 1 (Carroll)
Krul, Simpson, Steven Taylor, Campbell, Jose Enrique, Routledge, Guthrie, Tiote, Gutierrez, Carroll, Ameobi (Ranger 77).
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Lovenkrands, Perch, Smith, Best, Kadar.
BOLTON 5 NEWCASTLE 1 (Carroll)
Krul, Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Guthrie (Routledge 71), Nolan, Smith, Gutierrez (Campbell 77), Carroll, Ameobi (Lovenkrands 72).
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Perch, Steven Taylor, Ranger.
NEWCASTLE 0 FULHAM 0
Krul, Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Guthrie (Routledge 76), Tiote, Nolan, Gutierrez, Carroll, Lovenkrands (Ranger 76).
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Campbell, Smith, Xisco, Steven Taylor.
NEWCASTLE 1 BLACKBURN 2 (Carroll)
Krul, Simpson, Coloccini, Williamson, Jose Enrique, Barton, Nolan, Tiote (Routledge 88), Gutierrez, Carroll,Ameobi (Ranger 46).
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Campbell, Lovenkrands, Smith, Steven Taylor.
ARSENAL 0 NEWCASTLE 1 (Carroll)
Krul, Simpson, Coloccini, Williamson, Jose Enrique, Barton, Tiote, Nolan, Gutierrez, Carroll, Ameobi (Ranger 82).
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Campbell, Routledge, Lovenkrands, Smith, Steven Taylor.
NEWCASTLE 5 SUNDERLAND 1 (Nolan 3, Ameobi 2 - 1 pen)
Krul, Jose Enrique, Coloccini, Williamson, Simpson,Tiote, Barton, Nolan, Gutierrez, Ameobi (Ranger 86), Carroll.
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Routledge, Lovenkrands, Perch, Ryan Taylor, Smith.
WEST HAM 1 NEWCASTLE 2 (Nolan, Carroll)
Krul, Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Barton, Nolan, Tiote, Gutierrez, Carroll, Ameobi.
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Guthrie, Routledge, Lovenkrands, Perch, Ryan Taylor, Smith.
NEWCASTLE 2 WIGAN ATH 2 (Ameobi, Coloccini)
Krul, Perch (Ranger 89), Coloccini, Williamson, Jose Enrique, Guthrie (Routledge 66), Tiote, Barton, Gutierrez, Lovenkrands (Ameobi 60), Carroll.
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Ryan Taylor, Smith, Kadar.
MAN CITY 2 NEWCASTLE 1 (Gutierrez)
Krul, Perch, Williamson, Coloccini (Campbell 36), Jose Enrique, Ben Arfa (Routledge 7), Nolan (Carroll 76), Tiote, Barton, Gutierrez, Ameobi.
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Lovenkrands, Ryan Taylor, Smith.
NEWCASTLE 1 STOKE CITY 2 (Nolan pen)
Krul, Perch, Coloccini, Williamson, Jose Enrique, Ben Arfa (Gutierrez 62), Barton, Tiote (Ameobi 74), Routledge, Nolan, Carroll.
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Lovenkrands, Ryan Taylor, Smith, Ranger.
EVERTON 0 NEWCASTLE 1 (Ben Arfa)
Harper (Krul 35), Perch, Coloccini, Williamson,Jose Enrique, Routledge, Tiote, Barton,Ben Arfa (Gutierrez 84), Nolan, Carroll.
Subs Not Used: Campbell, Lovenkrands, Ryan Taylor, Smith.
NEWCASTLE 0 BLACKPOOL 2
Harper, Perch, Coloccini, Williamson, Jose Enrique, Routledge (Ameobi 81), Smith (Lovenkrands 62), Barton, Gutierrez (Ben Arfa 73), Nolan, Carroll.
Subs Not Used: Krul, Campbell, Ryan Taylor, Tiote.
WOLVES 1 NEWCASTLE 1 (Carroll)
Harper, Perch, Williamson, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Routledge, Smith, Barton, Gutierrez, Nolan, Carroll (Ameobi 81).
Subs Not Used: Krul, Lovenkrands, Ryan Taylor, Kadar, Vuckic, Ranger.
NEWCASTLE 6 ASTON VILLA 0 (Barton, Nolan 2, Carroll 3)
Harper, Perch, Coloccini, Williamson, Jose Enrique, Routledge (Ameobi 76), Smith (Ryan Taylor 76), Barton, Gutierrez (Xisco 80), Nolan, Carroll.
Subs Not Used: Krul, Lovenkrands, Vuckic, Tavernier.
MAN UTD 3 NEWCASTLE 0
Harper, Perch, Coloccini, Williamson, Jose Enrique, Routledge, Smith, Nolan (Ameobi 71), Barton,Gutierrez (Xisco 80), Carroll.
Subs Not Used: Krul, Ryan Taylor, Vuckic, Ranger, Tavernier.
FA CUP
STEVENAGE 3 NEWCASTLE 1
Krul, Perch, Coloccini, Williamson, Simpson, Barton, Smith (Tiote 58), Nolan, Routledge, Lovenkrands (Airey 78), Best (Ranger 46).
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Guthrie, Kadar, Ferguson.
CARLING CUP
NEWCASTLE 0 ARSENAL 4
Krul, Perch, Williamson, Kadar, Ryan Taylor, Routledge (Gutierrez 56), Guthrie, Smith (Barton 71), Vuckic, Lovenkrands (Carroll 57), Ranger.
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Tiote.
CHELSEA 3 NEWCASTLE 4 (Ranger, R Taylor, Ameobi 2)
Krul, Ryan Taylor (Tiote 63), Campbell, Coloccini (Williamson 63), Ferguson (Barton 90), Ranger, Gutierrez, Vuckic, Smith, Ameobi, Lovenkrands.
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Nolan, Carroll, Ben Arfa.
ACCRINGTON STANLEY 2 NEWCASTLE 3 (Ryan Taylor, Ameobi, Lovenkrands)
Krul, Ryan Taylor, Kadar, Tavernier, Ferguson, Ranger, Donaldson, Vuckic (Nolan 90), LuaLua, Ameobi,Lovenkrands.
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Williamson, Barton, Routledge, Perch, Smith.
PRE-SEASON
CARLISLE 0 NEWCASTLE 3 (Best, Ranger, Vuckic)
Harper (Krul 46), Tavernier (R Taylor 46), Coloccini (S Taylor 46) (Henderson 81), Williamson (Perch 46), Enrique (Ferguson 46), Inman (Routledge 46), Smith (Barton 46), Nolan (Guthrie 46), LuaLua (Vuckic 46) , Carroll (Best 46), Lovenkrands (Ranger 46).
NORWICH CITY 2 NEWCASTLE 1 (Ameobi)
Krul, Taylor (Routledge 45), Tavernier, Coloccini (Williamson 45), Diaz (Ferguson 57); Ranger (Xisco 45), Barton (Smith 45), Nolan (Guthrie 45), Vuckic (Edmundsson 72); Best (Lovenkrands 45), Carroll (Ameobi 45).
NEWCASTLE 2 PSV EINDHOVEN 2 (R.Taylor, Best)
Harper, Perch, Enrique, Coloccini, Williamson, Guthrie, Nolan, Smith, Ryan Taylor, Lovenkrands, Ameobi. Subs: Carroll, Xisco, Best, LuaLua, Krul, Vuckic, Ranger, Donaldson, Tavernier.
DEPORTIVO 0 NEWCASTLE 0 (NUFC win 5-4 on penalties - Lovenkrands, Nolan, Carroll, R Taylor, Barton)
Harper (Krul 46); R Taylor, Perch (Tavernier 52), Coloccini, Enrique; Routledge, Barton, Guthrie (Nolan 46), Xisco (Gutierrez 46); Carroll, Best (Lovenkrands 73). Subs (not used): Smith, Ferguson
RANGERS 2 NEWCASTLE 1 (Lovenkrands)
Harper; Perch (Tavernier 81), Coloccini (Ferguson 81), Williamson, Enrique (R Taylor 56); Routledge (Xisco 83), Barton, Nolan, Guthrie, Gutierrez (Lovenkrands 69); Carroll (Ameobi 46).