Big Geordie

Went as expected tonight. We looked pretty solid as a unit without really offering any threat bar Carroll (who I thought did very well on his own) Can't understand as to why Hughton didn't put anyone on Scholes because he ran the game. Naive on Hughton's part perhaps? Kevin Nolan turned in another invisible man performance. He has to realize that he has to contribute more as him hiding will become more evident in this league than the Championship. All in all, I'm not disappointed. One of the hardest away trips is out of the way now and we can look forward to getting a win against Villa on Sunday (another very tough game I might add)

Smith starting? Can only hope he chooses to have a blinder against his old club. Still a worrying lack of pace in the middle of the park as well. Owen will be nailed on to score tonight, as well as Rooney. However I think we'll turn in a reasonable performance and lose 2-0. We aren't the soft touch we were the last time we were in the PL. This team is together and it counts for something.

Cantona was a loony-toon and look at the effect he had on the Mancs. Not saying Ben Arfa will do the same for us, but he may well turn out to be the difference.

Some interesting quotes there. Still hoping it comes off!

Holloway's interview good value on 5Live. Refreshingly honest and no BS.

Mackems booed off or not?

Didn't Wigan batter Hull at home at the start of last season, or was it the season before?

Birmingham

Blackpool 4-0 Another huge mistake from Kirkland. Baptiste scores.

Blackpool 2-0 up! Massive rick by Kirkland!

Wolves 1 Stoke 0 Jones

Wigan sound all over the place. Blackpool nearly score again.

Bent scores

Sunderland got a pen

Blackpool

Good news that the lad seems that keen to come here. Hope it goes through.

What I don't understand is how we spent a fair bit back in January (on Williamson, Routledge and Best) to cement the promotion bid and yet when we get promoted, there's very little in the coffers? Just doesn't make sense.

Man City?

Reading between the lines, I think the lad will come here but it might take a while yet. Marseilles have mucked Ben Arfa about so you can't blame him for digging his heels in. Just hope we don't lose out on the lad due to Ashley being a tightarse.

Not so long ago, Accington used to be in the same league as Blyth Spartans (the old Unibond Premier) They've done well since those days and it's a cracking tie. No need to be fearful of this lot as long as we do a professional job. Massive money spinner for them as well.

Pablo Aimar.

Why people are getting so fretful is because this lad has the quality that we all know the side lacks at the moment. The midfield is very one dimensional, with there being no-one who can do that little bit something different (like Ben Arfa obviously can) Our chances of staying up will be severely diminished if we cannot sign a creative player.

I'd say that he's not a priority for Man United given the midfield options that they have. NewsNow have a couple of pieces up, both from The Journal and The Mail which say we are poised to sign Ben Arfa, Only problem is the buggers won't load now!

Got to say that the longer this drags on, the more worrying it gets. I hope Hughton has more irons in the fire should this fall through.

Why they didn't feel too bad at having a chorttle at our expense ? Bit more than a chortle! They celebrated like they'd just won the PL. Bit different to having a laugh/taking the piss.