Keefaz

It's not terribly exciting, but I do like this bit:

Haven't seen this about, delete if it's a duplicate. From Soccernet http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=419557&cc=5739: Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder believes Michael Owen's knee injury would have ended his career a few years ago. The 27-year-old England striker is back in training and perhaps only days away from joining in with his team-mates following the long haul back from two bouts of surgery. However, Roeder is acutely aware that, in a different era, the ruptured anterior cruciate ligament injury he suffered at the World Cup finals in June could have finished him as a professional footballer. He said: 'Michael is where he should be in his recovery. He was out there this morning and he is looking in fine shape considering how bad the injury was. People have to realise the injury he suffered during the World Cup was a shocking injury. It is not that many years ago than an injury like that would finish a player's career. Thankfully, because of medical advances and the ability of surgeons to put parts of the human body back together again, he is out training and I am very, very pleased for him.' Owen was operated upon in America by renowned specialist Dr Richard Steadman - the man who prolonged Alan Shearer's career - and immediately set his sights on playing again this season. That may yet happen, although both Roeder and Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd, who is still fighting for compensation for the loss of the club's £17million record signing for the bulk of the campaign, have insisted he will not be rushed back. Owen has managed only 11 appearances to date for the club, the last of them as a substitute at Birmingham in April last year, but his seven goals have demonstrated the potency in which the Magpies invested so heavily two summers ago. With Shola Ameobi also on course for a return before the end of the season and £10million Obafemi Martins and Antoine Sibierski added to the mix, Roeder is confident he has a strikeforce which can make a real impact in 2007-08.

Pretty tight match. Spurs nearly had them on the break a few times.

great. that's cleared this debate up then.... NP

He's fucking good enough for us.

Aye, he had about three decent shots on target before he finally scored. Awesome. Scored the following match, as well, I think. Thought he was going to go on a run. Saw him in Starbucks just before he left, looked feckin miserable, gave him a thumbs up and he said thanks. Bit clumsy at times and gave away a few daft pens, but genuinely cared and wasn't a tit.

Chelsea are working hard. Excellent closing down.

Dabizas?! Harsh! Gave his all, scored against the mackems, loved the Toon.

That one's funny, though. It's a big long spiel about how we need to play better, the players need to talk more, confidence is low, etc., etc. and oh, by the way, we've had a lot of injuries. Don't forget that bit.

Hoho! Also noticed our league record shown on the same poster: 4th, 1st, 4th, 1st, 4th, 1st, 4th! I bet they were well pissed off when we finished 8th the next season!

Maybe you guys can help me out, then. My sister gave me a poster for my birthday the other week featuring our 1910 FA Cup winning side which had Bill McCracken in it. He was the only name I recognised apart from Colin Veitch, and only because I know he destroyed the offside law in place at the time. What exactly did he do?

Right half actually, i.e. right sided centre-back. ie a right back. Wasn't this in the days when they played 2-4-4? Surely they only had two defenders?

Hairstyle? Just his grin, I think.

Always thought Okocha looked a bit vampiric, like.

Steven Taylor. Looks like he's had a few sleepless nights.

I'm sure there were loads more achilles problems when I was a kid. Nowadays, it's all knees.

The biggest myth is that we're born to fail. Keegan all the way to Roeder for some reason have perpetuated this idea that because we're Newcastle, we're doomed to fall at the final hurdle. Fuck off.

We've been linked with Brown all season...

It's in Bramble's best interests to leave. He's not getting any better here, and unless he's happy being a laughing stock, he should try fresh pastures.

If FF wants ST holders to renew he'll have to start handing out complete replica strips.

"However, for Parker to do this is unacceptable and inexcusable, even if he were to cite frustration as his justification. "Many, many fans were left devastated about the incident." Fuck off and die.

Thought the Man City match report was good. I like nufc.com and I've read every match report they've done since they started, basically. Tbh, I agree with most things they say. The bit about 'tosspots who queue to buy the shirt' was a touch out of order but I agree with their viewpoint that if the hardcore of fans who've supported the club through thick and thin stop giving a toss, the club's little more than a fashionable brand for Geordies and people who like the strip.

Can't think of three. Bowyer, maybe. There's lots I didn't think much of, but I didn't really actively dislike many.

Given, Beardsley, Rob Lee. Or something.

If Shola ever scores 20 goals in a Premiership season, just let me know, please. That 'won't happen, ever. But, problem with Ameobi is not solely in his ability or disability to score. Problem is that when you're playing with him in the team it looks like you have one player less on the pitch. His control of the ball is awful, and so is his ability to pass and colaborate with the other striker and midfielders. I thought we were talking about Shola here, not Martins...