Benwell Lad

Always count on Bimpy when a bit of dramatic relief is needed

We are indeed lucky to have such a hard working and honest bunch of players. Does that count as being lucky ?

Yes and yes.

Aye, he makes a great contribution to the team in general and has been outstanding during the winning run.

See they've got another "points total from the next 10 games" thread going. Probably their favourite discussion point after "why we're the best fans in the world despite plummeting attendances" and "the whole world is against us" threads. Unsurprisingly some are predicting an upturn to Champions League type form

.... and in fairness wouldn't that bunch of results be fairly representative of the macums' form during the O'Neill, di Canio, mad Gus era anyway ?

That ricochet between the two Norwich players in the first half that went from outside the box just wide for a corner. Was a toss up between that and Shola for the hardest shot of the day.

Aye, it's funny how the argument "if Remy/Ben Arfa/Cabaye/Krul etc hadn't been playing" can be used to justify a point. If that Hitler bloke hadn't been in the National Socialist party................

Just love this guy's attitude to the game and for someone who is performing the "willing work horse" role his goal scoring is very impressive. Can we consider him as our goal threat from midfield or is he just a "lost forward". Whatever but long may it continue.

Three wins on the trot is great but I still can't make my mind up. None of them were entirely convincing but all included periods of excellent play. We really are starting to look like a very good team at times with top quality players in key positions, and for the first time in quite a while we have a strong bench with some serious options. Perhaps there is some room for optimism. Maybe. I didn't think Norwich looked a bad side, apart from the first goal, They should have enough to survive and they are a lot better than a couple of other teams down there.

Gave another excellent, old fashioned centre half performance yesterday.

Just seen the "tackle". It's reckless and really could have injured Adam. The noise they're creating is silly considering what they have got away with in recent games (second goal against us, Bardsley's foul for goal against ManC, Larsson's attempted leg breaker etc etc) Must say that their new manager really does demonstrate a lot of the ape like qualities which so endeared Peter Reid to us in years gone by. Oh, and Fletcher rolling round in agony howlding his heed after being clipped on the arm by the keeper - what a cheating twat.

Aye, Saturday 3 o' clock kick off, coming out in the dark and straight to boozer to enjoy a few celebratory (hopefully) pints.

Happy to accept it as legit, but until we know what it's for (which I can't imagine we'll find out anytime soon/ever) then can't say it bothers me. /Unless it is for mugs. Fuck me man, fair enough it's useful crockery and that, but howay, £500,000!!! Who knows, but while the blurred lines between NUFC and SD marketing has been used as ammunition against Ashley, it MAY be the case that the NUFC business is benefitting from using another company's system to save making substantial investment in their own. As is normally the case a fee would be payable. Not saying this IS the case but it could explain it ??

I think the article misses a few points regarding the real value of the asset. The complementary fit it has with Ashley's core interests make it a lot more valuable to him than simply adding those two figures together. Also the perceived hostility to outsiders, whatever you think about Ashley he is the first ever person to put substantial amounts of capital into the club yet he is still widely loathed, may make any billionaire think twice about buying the club as a "play thing". Interesting to see the notions of Newcastle being either poor or remote being debunked. Parts of the NE may have economic problems but any visitor to SJP and Newcastle would probably leave with the impression of a well off and very vibrant city. We may be further in miles from the metropolis but it's still much easier to get to than most other places in the UK. Two trains an hour centre to centre, the quickest of which does the journey in 2 hours 50 minutes, regular flights to an airport 10 minutes from the city centre and regular direct flights to other European centres and the Middle East make us anything but remote.

It's a much better place with a decent crowd in, as there should be tonight. The Heed fans always seem to make plenty of noise and give great backing.

But you know you'll never hear that. We should all know that by now. Especially not in the Mirror right now what with Trinity Mirror = NCJ. Perhaps a wee tad bitter in their slant of all things NUFC at present ?

Aye, a bit like last season. Hughton's a good tactician and meticulous planner, it won't be lost on him that our better results have tended to come in games where we haven't had most possession. They'll be sitting back. Pardew may be tempted to stick with the same team but I think he will change it and bring back HBA for this one. Certainly hope so anyway.

I raise you. Rueben Agboola's new computer.

No club deserves a "canny crowd" more than the Heed. Just seems like a great club and great bunch of people from the chairman down to the fans.

Brilliant photo. Amazing how "cool" a part of town it has become around there now. Me grandfatha would never believe it.

Could be a fair summary to say that HBA is the most talented player we've had at SJP for many a year, but Pardew was right to leave him out of the last two matches (QED), and he will still have a significant impact and role to play over the rest of the season.

I know it's become the norm for NE journalists to sweep things under the carpet and be all sugary sweet with Sunderland managers, but it would be interesting if someone asked Poyet if the horrendous tackles, intended to maim opponents in consecutive games, is just a coincidence or whether it's part of his rescue plan ?

I'm a 5. Thanks for clarifying that Mick. We don't want there to be any uncertainty about where you stand on the Pardew issue