If anyone was organising a knees-up, I'm sure ex-Liverpool players Alan Hansen ans Mark Lawrenson would be the last people anyone would invite. Has there ever been a more depressing pair ever to voice an opinion on TV? I fear not. And although Graeme Souness spent many a happy season with them at Anfield winning cups, he has just about had his fill of their views on Newcastle United. Particularly on Titus Bramble and Jean-Alain Boumsong.
Souness: "They were picked out by the so-called experts on Match of the Day, two people I know very well. I've not felt the need to take them to one side and talk to them about what they said. They are both big boys and criticism is part and parcel of our business. What I will say is that it's very simple to sit in a studio and re-run things and re-run things. You could do that with anybody, in any game of football, to highlight mistakes.
"They know where they made mistakes and they don't need so-called experts in a cosy studio telling them where they have gone wrong. And let me tell you, I played with those two for a long time and I can remember them making the occasional mistake as well.
"I was very happy with their partnership at the end of the season. It had the makings of a very good partnership indeed and that's what we want to get back to.
"Titus was outstanding in the second half of last season and that's what we need him to get back to. He knows that is what we want. Nobody was criticising Titus last season, he was fantastic. For 88 minutes last weekend I was very happy with Titus' performance. Up until the last minute, when he gave away the penalty, I had no complaints about the way Titus was playing.
"Top defenders concentrate for 93 minutes or however long the game takes. It has been his Achilles heel for a long time, but he corrected that in his game last year and he needs to do so again."