BottledDog

Great to hear he's through it. There's no doubt at all for me of the significance that his form and injury (and now it seems, mental state) have had on our season.

Coining it in how? Ashley going to start taking a wage? We'll see I guess, but bar paying off debt, I'd be very surprised if money generated by NUFC doesn't remain to be invested in NUFC.

Who wouldn't. http://i.imgur.com/aZQOE0d.jpg

He's spot on. They've spent a canny bit on their stadium and I think moving away would kill them too though sadly. Orient are fucked.

Bit pointless these days aren't they? He doesn't exactly need the cash injection to afford a pub to retire to, and I can't see much chance of a high profile charity do.

Massadio Haidara has recounted the horrific tackle from Callum McManaman that rocked football by admitting: “I thought my leg had smashed in two.” Amazingly McManaman’s tackle went unpunished by the FA after the challenge that has been described as a “leg breaker” by many pundits left Haidara with blood seeping out of his knee. But while there is still no timescale on Haidara’s recovery, he said today: “I underwent some further tests yesterday morning. “The ligaments in the knee are undamaged. “It’s a massive relief. “I was very worried when it happened. “I thought he’d broken my leg or smashed up my knee. “The pain was unbearable, I couldn’t bend my knee. It was really horrible. “But, God was on my side.” And looking back on the incident that left him floored, he said: “I remember it all. I can still see it in my mind’s eye. “The ball came to me, I controlled it. “I thought I had the time to run around him but he came at me like a bullet. “It all went so fast. I didn’t think he’d tackle me, especially not above the knee. “And then I felt his studs crash into my knee and remember feeling excruciating pain. “I was in so much pain I couldn’t think of anything. “I was so shocked. “I still am actually. “When, afterwards, you think of everything. “I told myself that perhaps I’d never be able to play football again or that I’d be able to play but never with the same level of ability. “It was a tough time. Once I was in the ambulance, “I started to think of my family. I knew my brother was watching the match live.” McManaman is thought to want to apologise to the player and Haidara said: “Yesterday I was told he wanted to speak with me. For the time being, we haven’t talked. “There is a language barrier but I think we will try to meet up next week with an interpreter.” “At the time, I was very angry. I thought he’d ended my career. Now, I know I escaped a serious injury, I have taken time to stand back from it and I am not angry. I simply hope that it will serve as a lesson for him and the next time he will think twice before making a tackle like that. “I hope, when he watched it back, he told himself that wasn’t who he really was.” Massadio Haidara was recovering today but there is still no timescale on his recovery and the player is unable to confirm whether he will be back this season. And reflecting on Wigan chief Whelan’s comments, Haidara said: “I understand he wants to defend his own player but I believe fairness and honesty must be respected. You simply need to see the images and photos to understand. “People will have their own opinion, of course, and I don’t wish to cause a controversy. “I am simply relieved to have escaped the worst. “It’s tough to take. “I don’t understand why. “He could have ended my career and ruined my whole life and he will play again before me! “Ridiculous! “You must protect players” And when asked about his hopes of recovery this season he said: “I don’t know. “I feel better but the medical team remains cautious. “I don’t want to rush back but, when I do get back, there will be a lot of apprehension, it’s understandable. “But then, I can’t let this affect my mentality too much. I am quite strong mentally. I won’t dwell on this too much. I’ll get over it.” http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/massadio-haidara-slams-dave-whelens-1767472? and http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/massadio-haidara-callum-mcmanamans-horrific-1767469?

easy out, they can just say they went to any pub at any time and had some crack about strips how did this post convey being upset out of interest? Not your post man, I was agreeing with you. Stop getting your knickers in a twist.

easy out, they can just say they went to any pub at any time and had some crack about strips Whey, all they're saying is that they'll talk about talking to supporters about setting up discussions about finding some way of getting supporters involved in the design at some point down the line. Getting upset at them already 'breaking promises' is a bit precious.

Me too. My guess is page 76.

He's apparently better than Buddha. /Mo/Dawkins/Jesus/Zeus/Tom Cruise

Wanting good, on their day great players like he and Jonas to fuck off out of the club. Fair enough. Can we get as good/better replacements in for little more than the money we'd get for them? Hope so, but it's not an enviable task. /oh, apropos of nothing much, Cabaye said in his last interview that his English is not good enough to take a leading captains role in the dressing room. That'll need to change sharply too.

If it helps sooth your obvious ire, Ba wasn't being particularly serious.

Its like calling us the grey seahorses. Theres lions on the Sunderland coat of arms, so they put them on the badge and made them black. There is a kind of reasoning behind it Eh? It's got nowt to do with the lions. They were the black cats long before they put lions on their crest.

If that's the headline it may be a little misleading. Anybody able to explain what the article says? Well, he's waxing lyrical about Newcastle. Saying he loves the club, the city and the atmosphere here. Says how much he enjoyed his goal against Wigan. They ask if he would return to Italy. He says he has heard of interest from Milan, but he has a contract here until 2016 and he has an English family now. He says he would think seriously about leaving if Milan came in for him, but he would not leave for anyone else. Please note this is based on my very limited knowledge of Italian “I’ve heard of the interest from Milan in me and that is really pleasing. I’m really happy in Newcastle. I like the city, the club and the atmosphere. I’m also engaged to Chloe and we’re expecting a baby in May,” the 22-year-old told La Gazzetta dello Sport today. “I live like a king in Newcastle and I have a contract until 2016. But that doesn’t mean that I’ll stay here. The La Gazzetta dello Sport Santon interview (screenshot) “I’m not sure what would happen if another Italian club came in for me, but I’d seriously think about packing my bags for Milan. I owe Inter a lot. I was happy there, but it is not my fault that I was born as a Milanista… If Balotelli and I are still friends? Well, when paths diverge the contact is a bit lost but we were friends of course. In England we talked every now and then and in the national team we immediately found a common understanding. I’m happy for him, I see him more calm. “Balotelli is more mature now. The decision to return was an excellent one for him. The fact that I can go back to playing with Mario (at Milan) would be an extra incentive. Otherwise we’ll challenge each other as opponents,” added the Italian fullback. From here - http://www.rossoneriblog.com/2013/03/21/santon-im-a-milanista-id-pack-my-bags-for-milan/ IT'S. HIS. DESTINY! (just not for a while, or for a massive wedge please, thank you)

Again, a cracking article that just goes to highlight what an absolute farce this is.

Fucking bang on.

Love posts like this me.

Couldn't disagree more. There's no physicality in that tackle and 3-game ban is basically nothing. There are ways to fight diving but I fail to see how not giving proper bans would be one way. Beyond my concerns regarding 'losing physicality', how do you scale the severity of one tackle against another (and thus influencing the punishment)? Do you consider the height of the challenge? The speed of which he made the tackle? The severity of any injury it might cause? Like I say, the only thing that should influence the punishment and force an extended ban, is a clear suggestion of malice and intent imo. Like Thatcher against Pedro Mendes, for eg. I don't have the rulebook in front of me, but by the letter of the law - McManaman's foul was dangerous play and should have been a straight red/3-game ban. I don't think he went in with the intention of injuring Haidara. I find it pretty unbelievable that he found his studs half way up a planted leg without an intention of 'sticking one on'. I've not even come close to doing that in all the years I've played (despite increasingly shit reaction times and control). Whether it ran through his head what level of injury his 'welcome to the English league' would cause doesn't matter a jot. I'd say that the intent was there, and that needs to be stamped on. The only way to do that and make an example for others, is for the FA to impose a longer than standard ban.

I'm still just feeling utterly sick over this. Couldn't give two shits about the game and staggered that anyone can. Utterly sick, utterly angry.

Finally get a full season? Can't see that ever happening and it's starting to get fkn frustrating. It's an absolute joke that he's missing out on the final stages of Europe, feels like it basically puts the kibosh on our already slim chances of winning it.

Extra time? http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nIBfM-fEYb4/TP9oq4ckd4I/AAAAAAAAAk4/9XjQYVUxN2s/s1600/leTired.png

NOooooooooooo

FUCK TOTTINGHAM.