Newcastle 3 Plymouth Argyle 1

Pretty awful first half. Nolan loons sluggish and out of his depth up front. Barton was dreadful. Enrique wasn't on his game and neither were Smith and Ryan Taylor. To be honest, neither was Steven. Our best defender was Coloccini and he continued to be in the second half. After the substitutions, it was a different matter: Nolan looked more comfortable and Carroll at last had someone to work with. I thought Ranger was excellent when he came on and that this was Carroll's best game (except when he opted to shoot instead of putting Guthrie through). Enrique and Smith were better in the second half. And Geremi? I have to admit, apart from the odd bad ball - and he was far from alone there - he had a good game. Much better than Louvenkrands and Barton in the middle of the park.

I hope Hughton learns from this and plays Ranger with Carroll and drops Barton, who has been pretty awful all season.

Just a quick one to say a big Thankyou for the very freindly welcome we had from the Newcastle fans yesterday, everywhere we went we got the chant of Green Arrmmmmy, and get on ya Janner, it was brilliant. The game was good for Argyle the first 25 mins of the second half but as usual we can't seem to shoot on target, well there's always the next game. Once again a Big Thank You Newcastle,you are great ambassadors for football. All the best for the future.

I was impressed with the Plymouth fans. I can think of many a Premier League club who couldn't match them.

I don't get Barton. When he threw down his shirt was he annoyed because he knew he was poor or because he felt he was too good to be subbed. If the latter, then he desperately needs a reality check.

Like them or loathe them, a lot of people have given him a cahnce at this club: Shepherd and Fat Sam, Keegan, Kinnear, Hughton, Shearer and now Hughton again. It's time he repaid their loyalty - or at the very least, acknowledge that he's well off form and expect to be dropped for the more lively Guthrie.