midds

and the beer's shit.

I think Benfica are a cut above anything we've faced so far in Europe. Anzi were decent, Kharkiv was a tough draw but this lot are in good form and play good football from what I can gather. Just hope we can keep it tight and nick an away goal or two. My worry is that if we have a bad 20 minute spell tonight then the tie is finished.

Why can't our players attempt to move like that? The Dortmund players are on a completely different level to ours but even poor players can move into space. Touch, control and passing ability yeah, granted, but simple things like moving about the pitch it something every player should be capable of doing so why can't we? Really frustrating to see us fail to do the simple things like sensible movement week after week. It wouldn't cure our impotence going forward but it would be a start. Because Pardew is all about shape and rigid defensive positioning. Whereas Dortmund are about forward movement and freedom to express themselves as footballers, knowing that keeping the ball means the opposition can't hurt you if they don't have it. Therefore allowing you to take risks. Flys in the face of everything Pardew. Well imo like. End of the day if you keep the ball, they simply can't score. With the players we've got, it should be fairly easy to achieve. Exactly and that's why we know Pardew is a crap coach, he simply can't get his teams to keep the ball. And when our GK comes to hoof the ball in the oppositions box anytime we get a free kick near the halfway line, a tactic that never ever works. Is it any wonder we doubt the bloke. Genuinely think that Pardew's entire philosophy is to keep the ball as far away from our goal as possible. The longer it's down there the more likely we are to scramble a goal. There's no pattern or system we use, we just pick an XI to occupy 11 positions on the park, attempt to keep the ball as far away from Krul as possible and hope for the best. It's fucking awful to watch and unfortunately I can't see it changing while he's here. Bleurgh.

Why can't our players attempt to move like that? The Dortmund players are on a completely different level to ours but even poor players can move into space. Touch, control and passing ability yeah, granted, but simple things like moving about the pitch it something every player should be capable of doing so why can't we? Really frustrating to see us fail to do the simple things like sensible movement week after week. It wouldn't cure our impotence going forward but it would be a start.

Anal Shitjew. Tidied slightly for added authenticity.

Had enough of the cunt. He's lucky to still be there as we speak.

Superb.

Never in the world is he worth more than £10m I wouldn't even go that high tbh but West Ham apparently agreed the £18m fee at the end of the loan. Bargepole time, no thanks.

If he's going to cost £18m (or anywhere near that tbh) then I hope we pass and look elsewhere. There's got to be better value than spending that much on Andy fucking Carroll ffs.

d'ya like dags?

Keane looks and sounds like one of the gypsies from Snatch. Been bugging me for ages.

Looked rattled as fuck in that presser. Not sure he'll cope with the pressure.

Had a couple of pints with a few Sunderland season ticket holders today are they've bang up for Di Canio. They're not sure how good a manager he is but they reckon the whole place needs lifting and the doom and gloom of O'Neill needs shifting.

And last season down there. We went in 1-0 up, Jol changed a few things about, Pardew didn't respond and 20 minutes later we're 4-1 down.

We played our part though.

This has potential: http://www.readytogo.net/smb/showthread.php?t=769627

How shit a spectacle is this derby going to be man?

Got down as low as a 2 a few weeks ago but we're far too close to that dotted line for comfort. The regression of this team has been staggeringly quick this season. As soon as the final whistle goes against Arsenal next month Ashley needs to go down to the dressing room and sack the cunt on the spot.

Wigan score. Massive goal.

They're a massive club so I'd imagine they'd bring quite a few like. I think the club realise after the Anzi game that the demand is there so Level 7 will need to be used regardless. Bang them in the Leazes and fill up as much as we can of L7?

They were but they had to be because that little corner would never have contained the amount they brought over.

That depends tbh, what do the club see him as? a fullback or a winger.... honestly if its fullback i don't see much of a future but if its a winger he could still force his way in as we lack width tbh. Fair point, I just sort of assumed they saw him as an orthodox LB tbh.

He's never going to improve unless he's playing every week. If he's not part of the first team squad, and the recent signings of Santon and Haidara suggest he's 3rd choice at best, then he needs a full season to develop even more. I'd send him out next season too.

Next one up isn't it? I always thought that was just part of level 7? Surely it cant be, because thats where the away fans are? Just counting the layers of seats tbh. Unless they've got that bar thing counted as a level? Honestly not sure now.

Next one up isn't it?