Benwell Lad

Well said. I had been thinking about penning a similar post after the "library" atmosphere at the last two games and think you've raised some very valid points. I didn't really think they were booing the team yesterday at the end, it looked like it was directed at the referee as he left the field and justifiably so - he looked about Northern League standard. For a while I have thought that the "great Geordie fans" thing is a bit of a myth - we don't have particularly great supporters we just have a lot of them That said when it does get going, as you said, SJP can be an intimidating arena, it just doesn't happen enough and we could do a lot more to help a very decent bunch of players through difficult games.

I don't think Barton does that sort of stuff, even when Henry was commiting repeated GBH on him at Wolves he just got on with things. Had the roles been reversed then I'm sure Pedersen (has he been on the Apprentice yet ? - He's got all the right attributes) would have been rolling around on the floor, as it seemed big macho Blackburn have been told to play act at every opportunity. In this league maybe we (regretably) need to be a littler "cuter". As I said earlier problem with Barton is his misdemeanours are just so out in the open - mind for a 3 match ban he might as well have landed Pedersen a real haymaker instead.

Now the dust is settling, I'd go with normal back 4 and assuming Shola's out, Raylor Tiote Guthrie Jonas Nolan Carroll Raylor over Routledge to give us more quality on set pieces and crosses and a bit more defensive cover for Simpson. Routledge on if it's not working and we need more pace. I look forward to seeing Guthrie back in CM where I still think he's a very decent player.

Like everyone else I wish Joey would count to ten before acting sometimes, but peversely theres something refreshing about the way his misdemeanours occur. They're always pretty out in the open and straightforward, unlike many in the game who's crimes are conducted in a sly cheating manner while always making a meal of anything directed back at them.

Yes we've definitely come unstuck against the crowded midfield defensive teams and it is now a problem. No easy answer but I'd go for 5 in the middle with two out and out wingers who are told to run at them at every opportunity. At very least this would increase the chances of getting set pieces in dangerous positions and opposition defenders picking up bookings thereby inhibiting their game plan. Oh.. and it would also help if we started contesting decisions a bit more passionately like a lot of teams do. We just seem to accept any decision while opposition teams get at the referee about anything they disagree with.

To the letter of the law, you're probably correct. A bit like if a bloke murdered someone he caught shagging his missus, technically it's no defence. Barton was undoubtedly to blame, but it's pretty clear that Pedersen went out of his way to provoke the incident and then make the biggest deal possible out of it, like the sneaky little shit he is.

er...I'm sorry...what? He couldn't have looked more like a smug-faced t***. He refused to comment but he had a snide smirk on his face at the time. His face was practically saying "hehe I went down on purpose" He could have easily made a meal of it, he didn't. He's allowed to be smug, he's just wound up Barton over nothing and won that match, roles reversed Barton would be smug as s***. Petersen's gone up in my estimation too. Raised to about the same level as a piece of dogshit I once tread in.

Playing a decent team, a 1-0 loss at Chelsea probably means they can be quite resilient too. Quite like Fulham and have great respect for Aaron Hughes - top guy and great pro. Absolutely detest their manager, as a player he was despicable. A talented player but a dirty cheat who's game was full of sly nasty fouls but the moment anyone came near him he would roll around and act to try and get them sent off. Horrible cunt.

I think that goal has been waiting to happen. We do like to play short passes and over-elaborate in dangerous areas, we've got away with it so far but it has to go wrong some time. Also can never understand, assuming that the purpose is to get crosses into the box, why when that opportunity arises we like to play another 6 passes before we get the cross in and often end up going backwards and losing possession in the meantime. A basic in playing football is, when it opens up - do it - because that opportunity will very quickly be closed down if you don't.

Join the queue. Shame because Scandinavian players are usually pretty honest, but he's just a horrible little shit.

This match reminded me what I enjoyed in the Championship, less quality but more honest endeavour which makes the game a better spectacle. Fat Sam is known for his thorough approach to the game and he must have a couple of the best "cheating" coaches on his staff, because they were at it from start to finish. I'd far rather watch Doncaster or Scunthorpe than his anti-football team. That said we didn't deseve anything from the game, we were clueless against their game plan and Robinson will not have many easier games. Hughton has talked about our home problems, time to stop talking Chris and really address them. Losing one game we are expected to win would be a blip, no win in 4 of the games we were expected to win would indicate a real problem. There was definitely an Arsenal hangover last night but we're going to have to think very carefully about our team formation and psychological approach to home games against limited opposition who crowd the midfield. It was our downfall 2 seasons ago and is proving to be so once again.

In recent weeks, since Bruce unsurprisingly leapt to his defence, it may just have gone the other way and referee's are letting him get away with his thuggery. I haven't seen that much of him besides games against us and a few on TV, but it's hardly an exaggeration to say I've never seen a game where he would have stayed on the pitch if the referee was doing his job properly, and that's quite amazing by any thug standards. It may of course have just been total co-incidence and that in all the other games he really does behave like the Durham Cathedral choir boy Bruce tries to pretend he is. P.S. I know your just trying to be fair and even handed - I just don't think the odious thug deserves defending.

TBF to Cattermole (who is no doubt a dirty mofo) there was a lot of discussion last night about that tackle. A few commentators seemed to think he meant to play the ball, but bounced/skimmed off it and into Modric. Some were saying he was unlucky to get booked. Yeah, they're probably right - he's not the type of player or person who'd intentionally try to take out a talented opponent is he ?

Apparently he intentionally went over the top of the ball and took Modric at the knee last night and only got a yellow for some reason. 'Arry is absolutely fuming about it. Also should have seen red on Saturday for the double hand ball on the line (not his normal thuggish offence granted) and could well have walked against us. Referees need to get a grip and clamp down on this idiot, he seems to be getting away with murder on a regular basis. Bit sad when publicans in his home town can handle the thug by banning him from all licenced premises but the FA and referees seem to be going soft on his on field violence.

I think this thread is proof alone that the blob is hated by quite a few fans actually. You're right - he quite obviously is - I just don't particularly understand it. He's a poor manager - we sacked him - he's a bit deluded but never said anything bad about NUFC. Glad he's nowhere near our club but can't hold a grudge either.

after being very late to get on the "souness out" bus i was on the "allardyce out" train at the first stop. i wanted rid after portsmouth when after many poor performances he lost it and any faith i had in him. No, I never fancied him or his entourage and the football was woeful, but I find him more a source of amusement than scorn.

I normally get really anxious watching games on TV, much more than when I'm in the stadium. I was surprisingly cool on Sunday in the latter stages - it just seemed like we were so in control of the situation and that's pretty amazing when we're away at Arsenal.

It never has been a minority, same as when they waved banners which supported innocent British people being murdered by Irish terrorists. The majority cheered and sang their songs. The moment there is a bit of public outrage they claim it's just a minority. It's not. They should NEVER be allowed near to the English football leagues - let them join the Irish League if they're sick of their own.

Yeah good result for us, when we pip Spuds to a CL place by one point we'll be thanking the macums. ;)

Couldn't get a game which is a sharper contrast to Arsenal away. I think we'll win narrowly after being patient against some serious spoiling tactics. Can't understand the Allardyce hype around the game, he was a bit of a non event here and by no means hated - he was being supported (publicly) by the fans right to the end. He's moved on and so have we - don't see any reason for grudges. Crowd will be 5K less than Saturday, I understand some fans have to travel and midweek is difficult but I love Wednesday night matches almost as much as Saturday 3pm kick offs.

This thread is starting to depress me, are we expecting a plane crash or something ?

We've already had quite a few injuries and key players missing and done OK, so yes, but a bit of extra quality in some positions will help of course.

Haway lads, does anyone know exactly what Kevin Ball said to Glenn Roeder ?

good points., but. nah hes a c***. I have no doubt he is. Professional football is full of them - especially owners. The real point is whether he's the right cunt for our club at this particular time ? I'd say he probably is.

Would be great if we hit the 40 point target early. If we did I'd go full pelt at the FA cup and hopefully come up against teams who still have bigger fish to fry.