There has been a lot of conjecture of late, particularly in the printed media, about an alleged conflict of interest concerning Michael Owen and whether his priorities lie with his club or his country. Much of this is undoubtedly the press stirring things up in order to sell newspapers. In particular the recent articles in The Sun seem to have gone out of their way to drive a wedge between Owen and Sam Allardyce over the player’s participation in the Euro 2008 qualifiers. And, however lamentable its prose may be at times, it is still the best-selling newspaper in the country and is hugely influential amongst its predominantly male, working class readership.

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This player fancies himself as an international. He’s only with the toon for the money, in fact he’s a mercenary little b******. He rarely plays for us, he’s usually got some injury or other. He has no loyalty to the club, he’s more interested in swanning around with his international mates than playing for us. Since we signed him he’s done nowt for us, absolutely nowt. It cost us millions to sign him, millions to pay him and for what? An injury list as long as your arm, no longer the player he was, in fact he might be finished with his record. The best thing we could do is sell him now, to the highest bidder, and get him off the payroll.

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The defensive frailties of Newcastle United have so often been overplayed by elements of the national press, preferring to use clichés first mooted in the Keegan era over the cold, hard facts shown in the goals against column of the league table. That said, in recent years the backline has always had the tendency to self-destruct at crucial times, leading to our exit from many a competition. Now, on paper at least, the defence is starting to look good. With Beye, Enrique, Cacapa, Faye and Rozenhal adding to the potential of Taylor and bringing some much needed experience and quality to the United back four, there is some cause for optimism amongst supporters. So, where does that leave the other elements in the team live-up?

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Martin Atkinson of Leeds in West Yorkshire will take charge of our game with Everton at St James’ Park today. It will be his first Newcastle game of the season, with the last time he refereed us being our 2-0 defeat to Blackburn in the final home game of last season.

Newcastle return to St James Park and host Everton this Sunday afternoon in a 3pm kick off. The Magpies have performed quite well at home so far this season and they will be looking to carry this form on when the Toffees visit this weekend. But will they? We asked the panel their views.

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After being taught a footballing lesson by Sven and his boys last weekend, we entertain an Everton team this Sunday fresh from their midweek adventures in Ukraine, I caught up with Newcastle-Online’s own resident Scouser 1878 to find out his opinions on the match…

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Manchester City looked in control on Saturday afternoon when they played to a comfortable 3-1 win over Newcastle. Despite taking the lead through Martins, the Magpies were pegged back less than 10 minutes later and behind just after the break. As always, we asked the N-O Panel their thoughts on how the game panned out.

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United slipped to a disappointing defeat, albeit to a talented Man City side who regularly opened us up with some neat passing movements.

We played the expected 4-3-3, with Viduka central, and Milner and Martins supporting. Given, after his performance against Arsenal, was restored to goal, behind N’Zogbia, Beye, Taylor and Rozenhal. The usual trio of Geremi, Butt and Smith formed the midfield.
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Chris Foy from St Helens will be the man in the middle at Eastlands this afternoon as we take on Sven Goran Eriksson’s rejuvenated Manchester City at the City of Manchester Stadium.

It will be Foy’s 2nd Newcastle game this season, having been in charge on the opening day when we won 3-1 at Bolton Wanderers.

Manchester City entertain Newcastle on Saturday afternoon in the lunchtime kickoff at the COMS. Can Newcastle bounce back after a dismal defeat at the Emirates earlier in the week? We asked our panel, as always, what they see things panning out.

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Arsenal youngsters played Newcastle off the park on Tuesday night, in a thrilling Carling Cup tie which saw the London side progress with a 2-0 victory. As always, we enlisted the opinions of our expert panel.

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We head to the City of Manchester Stadium tomorrow lunchtime, where we face a rejuvenated Man City side currently riding high in 3rd place. Will it last? We caught up with Man City fan Groucho from the Man City section of general football site www.soccer24-7.com to get his opinions on life under Sven, Joey Barton and of course, tomorrow’s game.

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Match: Manchester City vs Newcastle United
Date: 29th September 2007 | 12:45pm
TV: Live on SkySports

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Match: Arsenal vs Newcastle United (Carling Cup Round 3)
Date: 25th September 2007 | 7:45pm
TV: No live coverage

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Howard Webb of Rotherham in South Yorkshire will take charge of our Carling Cup 3rd Round tie against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in North London tonight. It’ll be the second time this season Webb has refereed us, having been in the middle for our 0-0 draw with Aston Villa in August.