midds

Still think Blackpool will hit the wall but they've probably got enough on the board and enough home games (they've only played 6 at home!) to be quite comfortable even if they blow up. Wolves will get cut adrift soon and not be able to get it back. West Brom are on the slide but should be ok. Wigan look dreadful but inconsistent so they may spawn enough points to stay up. Fulham are the proverbial 'too good to go down' but are right in the thick of it. A lot depends on who West Ham bring in this month as to whether they go or stay. Birmingham are also knee deep but should grind enough results out to be safe. Blackburn have got the potential to be the team that drops into it late on. Liverpool, Everton and Villa have nothing to worry about. I'm pretty sure that if we beat West Ham we'll be ok too. Wolves definitely. West Ham probably and either Wigan or Blackburn for me. Long way to go yet though.

Must admit that Sunderland are by far the team I'd most like us to beat during the course of the season. I think it's the fact that many sunderland fans use us a barometer of how well they're doing and are constantly comparing themselves to us and our team. Gotta beat the Mags Gotta finish above the Mags Gotta have more fans than the Mags Gotta spend more than the Mags Gotta have better shirts than the Mags Gotta have nicer pies than the Mags etc. Inferiority complex doesn't even come close

He's doing ok. Squad has responded quite well and another 6 or 7 really good performances should see us safe with room to spare. Waiting to see who comes in this month and how he copes in the derby atmosphere though.

Are you saying you think you will finish above us? I feel a gambling opportunity coming on. I think he's saying that, for all Sunderland are having their best season in years, the clubs are still only a few points apart. We are only a few points behind Chelsea then but I can guarantee we won't finish above them.5 points and the fact you still have to come to our place is a fairly big gap. For the record I think you lot will finish above us and will probably win the derby as you're strong at home. Had we played and beaten Birmingham the gap would only be 2. You're better than us but not hugely so which means we're over-achieving or you're under-achieving given the squad investment both clubs have had over the last 3 years or so.

Are you saying you think you will finish above us? I feel a gambling opportunity coming on. I think he's saying that, for all Sunderland are having their best season in years, the clubs are still only a few points apart.

I'm not sure he was on about him in the bath. GM's not talentless. Better add one. Harsh bastard. Just a joke big man.

I'm not sure he was on about him in the bath. GM's not talentless. Better add one.

Throw a fucking toaster in there and we're laughing. Well I am anyway.

Get that fucking horrible talentless fat pig off this forum.

Thought he did well today. Looks far more comfortable this year compared to last which is odd too.

Bet he's a cunt about the tackle, which was a bit poorly timed and aimed but in which there was clearly no malice. Doesn't really matter. Webb saw it and decided it was a yellow so it can't be referred anyway. The cunt can say what he wants.

Was dodgy and a definite yellow but half expected Webb to show him the red. Thought Webb did well today actually can't think of too many things he got wrong.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6631191,00.html Good shout. He'll be 'doubtful' all week then he'll play. Mackem CH's will shit themselves when they see him in the tunnel. Mind games ftw.

Loan to buy Shriley? Can't see more than 5m either and that's if he plays his socks off till the summer. Either way, Redkanpp's comments haven't put Spurs in the best of bargaining positions. We know they don't want to be lumbered with him and should start bidding low. £5m will get him imo.

Given the fact Redknapp has made it perfectly clear that he's not got a future at Spurs, criticised his injury record, not too many clubs after him (that I've heard) I can't see the fee being any more than £5m tops. Could be wrong like.

Fantastic 3 points on the road against a very very poor Wigan. No way on earth will Wigan get 6 more points than us from the rest of the fixtures so there's one side I think we'll finish above. Wolves could well become the second given their next 6 games. If we manage to turn West Ham over on Wednesday then they could well be the third. Fingers crossed. Thought Pardew got it pretty much spot on with formations, tactics and subs. Would have brought Ranger on instead of Best but we got the win so it's all good. Can't complain with a win and a clean sheet away without our top scorer and best player. Played lads.

I'd be astonished if he's not back for Sunderland. Honestly think he'd tell the physio he was good to go even if he was still in a bit of pain.

Simpson has been excellent. Taylor is still a liability though.

Should have had this one won already.

That would have been the best goal I'd ever seen.

Chocolate. Sexual Chocolate.

Krul would have caught that and not conceded the corner.

Can you imagine the circus every training session and match? No thanks. Not happening anyway thankfully.

I quite agree. It's either Souness-like stubborness/ego tripping or completely absymal judgement. Bingo. That's exactly what it is. (If the journos are right obviously)

If Pardew is still overlooking Ranger because he's attitude isn't good and he's playing Smith instead he needs sacking on the spot. He needs to pick the best XI possible and Smith shouldn't be anywhere near it.