Benwell Lad

Though I think there's some rose tinted specs going on here about the "old days" (it has always been and probably always will be up and down depending on a variety of circumstances) the recent airings of "You've seen United now fuck off home" really is the nadir. I thought there could never be a worse chant than "You're support is fucking shit" but I was wrong.

Love Fab's ability on the ball and what he gives us, BUT those over confident, usually straight, passes he makes from the back which instantly turns the game against us in the final third are becoming a real concern. It's almost like you know it's going to happen then it does. Sometimes even the classiest defenders just have to minimise risk and put their foot through the ball.

BBC Alba produced an excellent documentary series about it called Tannadice 87. It's even got Gaelic subtitles.

He's been neat, tidy and composed since he was first thrown into big games last season and never been fazed by any team or opponent. Remarkable at 17/18 at that level. While we're starting to see a bit more of what he's capable of in final balls and scoring, with a lot more to come, what I really noticed today was his scrapping in the midfield congestion. He was getting involved in it, winning most of them and also winning a lot of important headers in tight situations. Maybe first signs of really coming of age.

I was even wondering if a 4-3 win would mean a replay at Goodison

Been capped at every age group up to U21, often way in advance of his age group, it's only a matter of time.

Watching Burnley and thinking I'd love it, love it, if a good old fashioned northern club playing in a traditional stadium with a great atmosphere, got promotion rather than the self proclaimed "hugest club in the league" (everyone's cup final) who play in a half empty, no atmosphere identikit stadium. COYC.

Crazy really, the situation they have got themselves into. If there's one non league club who appear to have everything going for them it's Spartans. Ground, support, population, tradition, they'd be the envy of most other clubs at that level.

From what I've seen of them it's hard to understand why promotion is even a possibility. It can only be because the Championship is particularly bad this season. The seasons we went down and won it we destroyed team after team usually by convincing margins. I have yet to see them really dominate a game (admittedly this is quite limited Sky viewing), they don't seem to create much and have little threat up front or in midfield. Leeds, who will probably struggle in the PL totally dominated them, it was so one sided.

Shoulder's funeral was yesterday. Lovely tribute on Mike Amos's Grass Routes blog.

Hearing some strange tales this morning about who's received emails and who hasn't and a lot of it bears no resemblance to what the club info stated yesterday regarding inclusion in the LC ticket scheme, number of LC matches attended etc.

Yeah, as a club we only went to digital season tickets last season. I thought they'd be digital now but the club info talks about a post out date 7 days before the final ??

Can anyone confirm whether the tickets will be paper or digital ? The club's correspondence seemed to imply paper (post out date) but Liverpool's were all digital last year.

That was a tough game for anyone last night and as an 18 year those 105 minutes will have been great experience. Agree with the comments above, he's very calm and assured in all situations, even against top European CL sides as he showed last season. There's a lot more to come from him in terms of the eye catching stuff, final passes, set pieces and scoring goals but for now he's ticking along nicely.

Exemplifies everything that is good about our club in the Eddie Howe era.

I've always liked a back 5 apart from, of course, when it muddles a team who just can't do it. Last nights version was exemplary and Schar's pressing Rice when the started things was a master stroke and Rice's frustration and petulance should have ended with a red for the challenge on Bruno. That was about as loud as I've ever experienced in SJP since the very old days of a tin roof on the Leazes End. It was very feisty pre match under the Milburn stand as large groups of Arsenal fans walked up having plenty to say for themselves and that feistiness transferred nicely into the stadium by kick off time. One of those nights which will live long in the memories of those fortunate enough to be there.

As we're already 2 up and the tie is virtually in the bag I suggest we rest key players and focus our energy on Saturday and Birmingham.

Watched about an hour last night and in fairness was the best second division game I've watched this season, albeit that's not very much at all. Boro seem almost obsessed with playing possession, build up football - almost to the point that it becomes more important than the result itself and looking good is a better result than winning three points ?? They shoot themselves in the foot and end up losing due to two fluke goals by not being serious enough in the final third. Sunderland are so far away from PL level but there again so are the sides currently above them.

Sad that a club who were almost universally looked up to and respected are now known as the biggest whingers and worst losers in football. They should bin Arteta for what he'e done to their reputation.

Definitely a footballer who fell into the category of "no airs and graces" as you'd expect from someone who worked in coal mines and came up through non league. A great character and definitely "one of the lads". RIP Alan Shoulder.

It's an obsession with them, but with about the same amount of truth as a Trump statistical statement.

If only Jesmond had it's own football team .........

Watched bits of Burnley vs Sunderland and Burnley vs Leeds, both were painful to watch. I'd rather watch non league for entertainment. I think part of the problem is that they are all now trying to emulate the way PL teams play, keeping possession and building from the back but frankly they're just not up to it and it descends into an error strewn bore fest. No wonder the SOL is the stadium with the most empty seats in football year after year. They should just play to their strengths and go direct if necessary. It would be far more entertaining.

Yes, that was a really gracious moment of sportsmanship.

I'll shed a tear for Miggy when he leaves, though realistically it's a great deal for him, leaving a club he's loved at to return to another club he's loved at, but who wouldn't love him ? That infectious smile, the humble attitude, his dedication and attitude, and the icing in the cake - that wonderful spell when he was having his own goal of the season competition.