Benwell Lad

Lets face it if they could only attract around 35K of their own fans for last weeks game against Everton, which they said was their biggest game for years and when they're still at the height of martyparty frenzy, it doesn't look too good for their future attendances and gate receipts. I reckon Newcastle United are the only team who will ever fill the SoS again.

Obviously the O'niel effect is wearing thin as they're peddling £5 tickets for remaining games this season. They're absolutely obsessed with attendances and get unnaturally excited about the prospect of ever seeing a 40K gate. However it's gate receipts which really count and their falling attendances + giveaway tickets do not bode well for the future. The manic "one more seat than Newcastle" rant must be haunting them nowadays.

I'm sure the stated policy of paying transfer fees up front,rather than in installments like many clubs, must strengthen our position when negociating transfer fees.

Just a week ago they'd already won the FA Cup. They should be proud of that too.

Got to admire Swansea's style of play, but I have to say I don't fully subscribe to the Swansea/Brendan Rodgers love in which seems to be fashionable right now. Mind some posters were using them as a model we should aspire to in the Pardew thread just a couple of weeks ago. We murdered them at SJP and although they passed and kept possession neatly they were as toothless as anything we've seen all season. They may endure but I'm still to be convinced they're anything more than this season's Blackpool, although they will not be relegated this time. The 15/8 mentioned earlier looks good to me especially with a certain Mr.HBA running at them.

Counting the days until until we can watch this guy playing again.

Anywhere in town where it's on the menu ?

When you see some of the dross spouted in here between losses and draws, it's a wonder some of them know how to get dressed in the morning on their own.

I didn't think it was particularly intimidating yesterday but it was excellent. It was like a throwback to the old days when the chants were original, topical, witty and caustically piss-taking. Top marks to the Gallowgate corner and a slightly rejuvenated Leazes L7.

It's great having a player who can do that. I struggle to remember when a player receiving the ball filled the stadium with such an air of expectation.

Be very disappointed if he doesn't stay.

He really does like to play it out of defence. Got a good footballing brain the lad has.

Aye probably been at it again. Still not one word of condemnation from his club about his despicable behaviour. In fact his manager has been bigging him up ever since. Really scummy club.

Will the FA extend Reina's ban to more than 3 games for violent conduct for trying to get at Perch after being dismissed and his blatant "i'm going to get you afterwards" gestures as he was being restrained. It was positively Sunday League stuff by the Spanish stopper.

Was excellent yesterday. Really wish that header had gone in - I'd love to see his celebration.

Although I'd never criticise him publicly and certainly never inside SJP, like many I harboured doubts about him. I have the upmost admiration for anyone who has the balls to get through a rough patch when confidence is low and the crowd are against you. He has now performed excellently at CM, LB and CD but more importantly has shown great strength of character. Well done Perchy !

The more I see that stumble the more I wonder if he did a "Chopra".

If it wasn't Liverpool I think I'd feel sorry for them. They had no luck, they're not dirty or cynical like some teams - but hey they're Liverpool and we owe them some payback over the last couple of decades. They do look a bit of a shambles and their financials must be plain scary. Anyway another excellent performance, special mentions for Perch (again) and Williamson, not many would have backed them for a clean sheet against Carroll, Suarez, Bellers, Gerrard et al. We have a totally commited squad, we have some very good players and we have a world class player who can win any match. We're in pretty decent shape overall and a sensible summer of recruitment and retention will place us nicely to kick on as those clubs who have not been intelligent with their finances start to feel the strain. I've got a feeling Slimboy Ashley really enjoyed yesterday.

That cheeky scouse humour eh - no wonder everyone loves them. Also anyone see the "Mackem Reds" flag? Could they be the saddest people on the planet?

Where would you play him if you would have him back anytime? With the formation we played on Sunday he wouldn't get a game for us. Perhaps should have qualified that by saying... even as things are today. He wouldn't be in every starting XI but it won't always be like Sunday gone. Horses for courses and all that.

Got nowt against the kid. He was young, got blinded by riches, promises of glory and agent's spin. He knows he made a mistake and probably regrets it. Had an awesome season and a half for us, and I for one would have him back anytime.

Having set the transfer market alight last summer, easily won every derby they've played in recently and gloriously won the FA Cup in mid-March, I see the mackems, under the guidance of their third consecutive messiah manager who will take them to the "next level", are going to set the transfer market alight again this summer and storm onwards and upwards next season. And on and on and on........................

Stuck in a time warp the sad fuckers - probably reflecting the place they live in. In fairness though it seems like the more sensible fans shot him down quickly. The sad thing is that when that stuff was sadly prevalent in football they were regarded as a pushover, but since the internet arrived they've become the hardest thing around. That idiot wireside who used to come on here is probably a prime example.

how do sunderland fans celebrate in Milan though? Not that they'll ever play there, but if they did, smashing up the local public transport system taking them to/from the stadium seems to be their usual form of celebration.

As expected the local TV sports presenters very soft and "touchy feely" about Marty and their woeful display. If he's supposed to be a top manager why did he not do anything to change the pattern of the game ? It was obvious to anyone watching that within 10 minutes Everton were in total control. O'Neill spends the next 80 minutes doing his trademark jack-in-the-box stuff but seemed totally incapable of doing anything to affect the outcome. As posted earlier I watched the full game and still have no idea what Sunderland's shape or game plan was meant to be. Watching his post match interview I'm not certain he knew either.