Benwell Lad

Unfortunately this idea of "lets take a full tilt at the League Cup as it's the easiest route into Europe" seems to have caught on and most clubs are putting out stronger teams. We probably played less first choice players than most PL clubs last night. It will be a much stronger starting XI versus Leeds imo.

Interesting, I didn't realise that was the case.

you don't honestly think that do you? We were absolutely horrific and should have been two down at half time Think what? Professional manner: We kept our heads when they were trying to make us lose ours. Minimal fuss: Was never really a point where you're thinking we are going out here. Minimal damage: Nobody came out the game injured or lacking fitness. Target achieved: Get through to next round Nice home tie: Opposition is Leeds Yeah I think all that actually..... Professional in the manner they dominated us for most of the game? Minimum fuss in that most of the game it felt we might go out we didn't score until the 87 minute? Did they f***, man. I'm sure this will become fact by the end of the week, but it just didn't happen. First half, yes, they were much better than us. But that was more down to their physicality and desire, than us being outplayed. Second half, they barely threatened. We were comprehensively outplayed for the first half. That's simply how it is. So from most of the game to the first half? That was in direct response to Inochis post about the first half. We didn't get anything like a grip on the game until half way through the 2nd half. That's most of the game. Cheers though. Thought second half we were much better from the off with Shola's intro. Have a go at the lads and pardew all you like, but end of the day they got through, accept it and move on to Fulham. I have accepted it but that doesn't mean we can't discuss it, or what would be the point of message board Who do you really support Sanny ? I know we are are a self critical bunch and some are even serial whingers but there's something about the way you post that just doesn't add up, despite your attempts to pretend you're just another "critical supporter".

Sky had their agenda prepared in advance too and stuck to it firmly, but hey everyone loves a giant killing story. It's not just national broadcasters, some local outlets have their Newcastle agenda too and they're sticking to it come what may.

Yep, it's a proven business formula. Go in with a high bid and hope the seller will knock you down a bit.

Considering that out of the team starting, only Debuchy would make our strongest starting XI, (ok shouts for Gouffran and MYM possibly) they did quite well. They were roughed up a bit in the beginning - pretty much as you'd expect from any 4th division team playing in front of the biggest crowd they'll get all season. We lacked cohesion and cutting edge (sounds familiar) but showed plenty of character and gradually took over the game and scored two good goals.

Good idea. Try making it even later if possible.

Played well again tonight. I like the kid.

Ah right now I understand. Done for drink driving........and where was he when the police got him...........Westgate Road, Newcastle

It will 'just beat Morecambe man' then. There will be no positives from tonight on here. If a win is gained in a professional manner, it will be the standard of opposition being questioned and Pardew's tactics/team selection having no bearing as we should have done this regardless, if we get beat it's a simple metldown and a few more Pardew out people come to the fore. Similar sort of reaction if we scrape through in et or pens. It's all irrelevant Brett. Pardew's shit. Yup. If we win tonight he's just "found his level".

Really surprised how easy the local TV media were regarding Friday night's hotel incident. Saw nothing reported. They'd have been all over it like a rash had it been us. Have they put the scarers out on the local press, or is it just in keeping with what looks like a policy of treating all things Sunderland as if they're some kind of sensitive minority ?

One of the first ever games I can remember watching on Sky. Particularly remember some pissed up Geordies being interviewed at half time and them taking the piss out of the mackems.

Will his knee be "exploding" any time soon ?

a) If he's saying this in the press, he'll more than likely be saying it in the dressing room - the depressing bastard that he is. b) As if the players just go home from training and sit in a dark room with their fingers in their ears going "LA LA LA LA LA LA". They'll know exactly what he's saying. There has NEVER been a manager in football who says the same things in the press as he does in the dressing room. The "assumptions" surrounding Pardew on here really are getting a bit silly.

If ManU were playing Hartlepool, Moyes would be showing respect to the opposition prior to the game. It's what managers do. Means nowt.

Pardew got a few things wrong last season but not sorting out Ba/Cisse was probably the biggest mistake.

Too simplistic. Every quote has a hidden agenda, surely you know this by now. Praise poor performances and he's a fraudulent cunt full of excuses. Criticise poor performances and he's an evil cunt draining the confidence out of our brave young players like a big managerial dementor. I fully understand why people jump on every single quote made by the manager when we're playing shit, it's just tedious as owt. Aye, sadly there is no balanced debate and criticism of Pardew any more. Like you say when he speaks he's a cunt, if he stays quiet he's a cunt. He picks a full strength team he's a cunt, he picks squad players he's a cunt. There's a lynch mob mentality on here and every word he says will be used or twisted against him. Don't really mind the genuine NUFC fans who are out for him but it's obvious that there are some outside stirrers enjoying the ride as well.

Meanwhile you continue to ignore that Cabaye has wanted out all summer unlike those two. Unless you think Pardew and just about every French journo around are all lying its a totally different situation altogether. This is maybe true but we can't forget that the club have been actively looking to sell him all summer too. You dont think there is a connection in there at all? Its hardly out of the box thinking Connection or not it doesn't matter. The club could have just came out and said Yohan Cabaye is not for sale any price. At the end of the day, the only way Cabaye can leave is with the clubs consent. Erm what box are you looking at? Player tells manager he wants out amid rumours big clubs want him. Manager tells owner that he could make big money, owner tells manager that he would only be given something to spend if it happens(looking pretty likely atm). Clubs with money want him so we set a price, manager touts him about as player wanted and therefore both parties win. Or if nobody will pay the fee then we win. Both versions of events happen but us being the weak pathetic club we just roll get over on our hands and knee's and the spread the cheeks. So in your eyes the answer is something that this club has never done before? f***ing hell you really want us to fail inventing s*** Have you ever actually considered that regardless of intention saying someone not for sale is the right way to go. We are struggling to get 20million out of the richest club in the league for our best midfielder because we've been hawking him about all summer. Pardew's comments such as: "We'd be powerless to refuse a big offer" just puts it out their the fact he's for sale. We all know this is the case there is no need for him to open his stupid mouth. f***ing hell, you think other clubs cant see the summer long quotes from French journo's saying the player wants out? You think they invented them for no reason? No his agent or maybe himself for all we know has told them and its incredibly stupid/naive to think the same wouldnt happen with his availability at the right price. If you genuinely believe he is worth £20m after last season then great, however its looking more like you want yet another reason to beat the club with as if that well was dry. As a fan why would i want to beat the club? All I'm saying is we should take a firmer stance what I believe he's worth isn't even relevant the clubs valuation of him is what is. Is Gareth Bale worth 100million? No of course he isn't but logic doesn't come into such things brinksmanship does.

i still call it the league cup and so should everyone else. Quite right. And we're playing a 4th division team.

Be careful mate, sanity could soon be a banning offence on here.

So now the imagined success of Pardew as manager is something to use against him Can we take it any further, or is it time to draw a line under this tedious silliness ?

Bad enough when idiots like Ranger and Cattermole are making headlines for the wrong reasons but must be pretty worrying when it's the manager.

First half just felt like a continuation of last season, had Carroll been fit they'd have been two up and I'd have gladly taken 0-0. By the end I was disappointed that we hadn't turned the pressure into a win, it was so much better but sadly once again toothless. Disappointed that Marveaux didn't contribute more and Wham did a good job of marginalising Ben Arfa who they knew was our biggest threat. Positives for me were the full backs particularly Debuchy recovering from Monday's mare and the pairing of the excellent Anita with Cissoko looked better than anything we've had in there for a while. Got to say considering the general mood, lack of clear opportunities and weather I thought the support for the team from the stands was excellent.

I do fear your right here it certainly was the case last season where we consistently invited wave after wave of attack by just not being able to break forward and kept giving the opposition the ball back due to a combination of lack of options and poor passing. Horrendously infuriating and stressful to watch. Attack really is the best form of defence sometimes in football we certainly need to offer more in this department. Thats why JK has failed miserably by not geting a Thauvin or Sinclair or similar player in. HBA can't do it on his own. Marveaux ?

This will be the macums biggest ever season in Europe with Swansea and Cardiff away.