* Godwin Antwi garnered some praise from Hartlepool boss Danny Wilson after containing Obafemi Martins in the first half of Newcastle's 3-1 victory over the Pools. The 19-year-old Ghana-born, Spanish U19 International played the full match and is expected to be featured in the Monkey Hangers' defense on their upcoming tour of Holland. We definitely need Antwi to develop into a reliable squad player as soon as next year if possible.
* The Giorgio Chiellini talk just won't go away. I'll be shocked if we sign him, that's all I have to say about that.
* Our World Class central midfielders are excited about the upcoming season. Xabi loves the new wide boys and thinks they'll be the key to a successful season, while Stevie-G believes our opponents are already shuddering in their boots. He has declared 'we're ready to rumble.' I didn't need much more to be excited about this year, but now I'm pumped.
* Finally, the man I might have to thank about not letting 'he who I won't talk about' come here is none other than Señor Alex. Thank Robbie Fowler someone is coming to their senses. If there's anything positive to come out of this, it's that John Arne Riise has taken this whole affair as a sign to get his stuff together. If his nasty free-kick goal against Werder Bremen is any indication of what that means, he's gonna be hella fun to watch this year. Cheers.