it's partially because a common saying is "gan t' toon", so we call newcastle the Toon. our "official" nickname is the magpies, but nobody seriously calls us that. there's few things better than hearing 50,000 geordies shouting "TOON! TOON! BLACK AND WHITE ARMY!"

on topic: i am anticipating a top-6 finish, or at least top-half. it looks like owen may want to leave for man utd or liverpool and nobody seems too bothered (though moving to man utd will make him public enemy no 1 in newcastle and liverpool). good to hear we've finally gotten rid of titus shambles at least. though i suppose he did entertain many in the premiership with his gaffes.