Declarations of intent

With the curtain barely drawn on our Premiership status, players and agents have been queuing up to declare their intentions for the road ahead.

The only rat to so far be outed as desperate to leave the sinking ship is Peter Lovenkrands, whose short term deal has presumably expired anyway. His agent apparently stating that his client wanted to stay in the Premiership (wouldn't we all!)

In contrast, messers Duff, Beye and Steven Taylor have all declared a desire to stay and help take the club back up at the first time of asking.

What is, of course, still up in the air is who will be in charge of the good ship Toon when it begins its perilous attempt to navigate its way back to the Premiership. According to reports Alan Shearer is locked in talks with Fat Mike and Llambiarse, which are reportedly picking over the bones of the season before identifying the way ahead.

Assuming Shearer receives the necessary assurances which he is seeking, I'd expect confirmation from the club to be forthcoming before Saturday's FA Cup Final officially draws the whole sorry season to a close.