Big Geordie

It's all about money sadly - so many are frightened of losing the cash cow that is Rangers and that is why the right thing will not be done (making them start in the 3rd division) I feel many good Rangers fans would agree with that, if it meant the club could start afresh and with no hangers-on. I'd also hope that criminal charges will be brought against those who have been abusing their positions.

As much as it pains me to say, Terry was great last night. Still should be his last game for England though.

No hard lines from me here, as we were totally outclassed over 120mins - Pirlo gave a masterclass in the art of the playmaker. For all of the effort and determination, England currently have a poor side with a lack of quality and ingenuity throughout. The amount of money that flows in (and mostly out) or the PL and for to have probably the worst England team in 20 years is nothing short of galling when that is taken into consideration. Jordan Henderson and Ashley Young, FFS?

Dutch mate of mine on FB rates de Jong quite highly - reckons he has a good touch/movement and has the potential to do well in the PL. Also reckons we are still in for Anita who is 'much better' than Tiote as a DMC - he is said to be too small to play DL.

I was quite impressed with Mandzukic!

If the lad isn't keen, then we need to move on. Had enough over the years of players who come here when their heart isn't in it.

I'd agree with starting Carroll on Sunday night. The Italian's don't like it up them! http://www.bbc.co.uk/archive/imageArchive/images/5200_gall_003.jpg

Will take the win and playing the Italians on Sunday. However, more than a slice of fortune went our way and whilst we look organized and hard to beat - we are still a poor side. Will need to up it big style on Sunday to get a result.

I know England don't need to go for the win tonight, really - but this is honestly the worst England side I've watched since the days of Graham Taylor. Awful! Bring back Geoff Thomas and Carlton Palmer!

Tough start and away on Boxing Day again!

Ronaldo 1-1.

Yep. Looked decent from what I remember (despite Greece being very anti-football that year). Seitardis was the bomb, looked the part, but didnt he just completely flop not long after that? Not even sure he got injured either, seem to recall some kind of knee injury at somepoint. Think he was badly injured when at Athletico and was never the same again. Was a cracking fullback, in the early-mid 2000's.

Ginola on Cabaye, via The Mag; http://www.themag.co.uk/tyne-talk/david-ginola-yohan-cabaye-has-crossed-another-level-an-enormous-one/ David Ginola “Yohan Cabaye Has Crossed Another Level, An Enormous One” by Mark Jensen on Saturday 16th June 2012 Yohan Cabaye put in a man of the match goalscoring performance and the French public made him easily man of the match with three times the votes of any other player. Another feature of the coverage last night on French TV was the appearance of David Ginola on the pundit panel. If you give him the benefit of the doubt, the host of the programme was playing devil’s advocate because of Ginola’s history as a Newcastle player. Daveed though was right in there sticking up for Newcastle the club and city – thanks as always to Pierre for the translation services. As you will see from the cover of L’Equipe today they have made ‘Dreamboat’ their cover star with the headline of ‘The Blue Lightning’! (Watch Ginola’s defence of Newcastle (In French) here along with highlights of Cabaye’s performance) Ginola : ”I think that his time at Newcastle and his successful season…. (rudely interrupted as in ‘here we go again…. England is great Newcastle is great blah blah blah) Host: “is it because he is in England at Newcastle that he is good?” Ginola : “It’s very important, he has really gained confidence by playing in the Newcastle team which has had a very successful season. I think that he has had the fans behind him and the people at the club would have seen a player with a real future at the club. He has gained confidence that you see time and time again in his manner, not only in the fact that he scores the goal but in the centre of the pitch, his presence as a player. You feel a player who has more bottle, who’s gained more experience. In a year he has crossed another level, an enormous one. Today it’s beneficial for the French team and you cannot put a value on it. Host : “You have played for Newcastle, we knew when Cabaye left for Newcastle we said why is he going there, it’s not a big English club and in fact…is it a club to gain experience like for Ben Arfa? What is it?” Ginola: ”It’s the League…” Host: “So it’s not just the club…?” Ginola: ”It’s the league in one way and the club for something else. Every weekend you are playing against great quality teams. The English game is very open, you play at 200kms an hour, you need to be physical, it never stops, you don’t have time outs.” Host: “Isn’t Newcastle a ‘sad’ place” Ginola: ”Newcastle is a great place, even if it is in the North of England where there is an economic crisis, it has been classed as the second city in the world after Buenos Aires where you party the most!” (but he mentioned that doesn’t apply to the players – with a wry smile!)

Terrific header for his goal - shades of when he was with us. Give the lad the right kind of service and he will score goals.

Great interview.

Made very hard work of that, but am pleased they showed some guts after going behind. Carroll played very well (goal was superb!), Wellbeck was a threat and the introduction of Walcott was in inspirational sub. However our ball retention is woeful and we are so lacking in genuine quality in midfield that it's nout short of shocking. In the main, England players are over-hyped, overpaid and not good enough for the attention that they get and enjoy.

Just looking at the live pics on ITV - no way this will resuime today. Pitch is absolutely sodden.

Recording that - will watch tomorrow.

*jesus*

Am sure I heard Balotelli being subjected to monkey noises when he was subbed yesterday, or was it just me?

Very Juventus-ish, IMO. Jury out for me.

Rumours this morning that McCoist will resign today.

Rangers, Portsmouth, Darlington? It was more that you would think wages, etc would start coming down - but this will mean they are only going to increase further. Christ knows what Sky will start charging for their sports packages next year.

Nice to see Football and TV bucking the economic trend at the moment.

Rangers have no-one to blame but themselve, so deserve everything that comes their way. Even the sensible Gers fans agree with this.