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Moscow in the final would've been a lot tougher than people make out nowadays. Nobody was that confident at the time, they'd spent massively. And it wasn't a complete capitulation against Lisbon - half a dozen injuries midmatch and a fucking idiot referee saw us off.

Sounds normal enough. brummie will explain more I'm sure...

You haven't, Player A was Bellamy. And as has been said, Dyer has expressed genuine remorse over it.

Yep.

Do you still think he's a good player playing bad? or are you coming round to the fact that maybe the Championship Andy Carroll is the real Andy Carroll? I'm still not sure in all honesty. One of the most baffling players ever, from utter shit to a worldbeater and then back to shit again in double quicktime. Yep. I know what I saw, and I await to see him play under a good manager again. Always thought he needed to be managed, have to admit I didn't expect he'd be going to such a poisonous environment, though. Fact is, however, when I see someone describe him as a target man who needs long balls to survive, I see someone who isn't very bright. Buffon was way closer to the mathe best part of a decade ago when he described him as a paintbrush striker.

Pretty much

I like it.

Gong on those Donachie comments, I think he's just being circumspect and avoiding stepping out of line, actually. Not wanting to get Prior's hope's too high kind of thing, just get him to embrace the opportunity instead of thinking it's Newcastle or bust. Don't think it means he definitely doesn't have a future here.

After the way they behaved against us that day when we went down ? It's be glorious, if unlikely. I'd be pleased anyway. Just couldn't really give a shit about them in that way. Part of the reason I think it'd be a shame - I want to give a shit about them, and Lerner could have been the man to make them worth noticing in another world. Would like to have seen his decent sort of ownership rewarded, but unfortunately he and his helpers seem to be clueless/completely lacking in confidence over footballing decisions and make safe (read 'shit') choices as a result. The sort of people who actually would listen to Mark Lawrenson. In contrast, Wigan, Bolton and Blackburn aren't ever going to be serious now. Compared to the other realistic clubs they just sort of spoil the view.

Happy for a Lancashire treble. Aston Villa would be funny but a shame.

Cockney yid in a canoe, paddling up the Limpopo. Wait till he finds out he's several thousand miles in the wrong direction, oy.

Aye. This would be a complete nightmare if he was still here. Makes there little to no chance of a move happening this month. The day they introduce the telegram to Africa, that's when we worry.

They might be going for the good publicity? Would mean very little outside of NE1. If they're paying big money they're looking for national/international impact. However if it were to happen I could see a future sponsor incorporating "St.James'Park" into their chosen name. Honestly think it would have national impact if they changed it back - seeing as the original change made such headlines. 'Saint Richard did another lovely thing today' type stuff while providing coverage of the actual sponsorship itself which is the key aim of said sponsorship, of course. Yeah, see your point on a national albeit short term basis. A "Virgin (or whoever) St.James Park" title could be the answer. Finding favour with fans while gaining biggest impact for the sponsor and even get the media off the hook. Yes, I suspect so. Keep it quiet, but I actually think the 'blahblah@SJP' idea was about the classiest idea our wankers could have come up with. Allowed something commercial to be married to history instead of just raping it. The thing is, one thing I felt highlighted Ashley and SD's cynicism over this idea they were 'previewing' this arrangement for potential buyers was that the preview in itself ate the value for any other potential sponsor as the impact was lost - and they must have realised that, because I don't think they're that cretinous. This is why the short term fame of changing it back would be more worthwhile than the long term darkness of just becoming 'Virgin Arena'. No bugger would notice, not even football fans for a good while.

They might be going for the good publicity? Would mean very little outside of NE1. If they're paying big money they're looking for national/international impact. However if it were to happen I could see a future sponsor incorporating "St.James'Park" into their chosen name. Honestly think it would have national impact if they changed it back - seeing as the original change made such headlines. 'Saint Richard did another lovely thing today' type stuff while providing coverage of the actual sponsorship itself which is the key aim of said sponsorship, of course.

How could you think it won't be seen as one? Because all it means is that the two people involved have a difference of opinion. Ben Arfa didn't say something like "Pardew isn't playing me so fuck him" I think it's extremely likely he or most people would say it without it being intended as a dig, but more to the point, as I said, it's even more likely it'll be seen as one at a club that only has followers and enemies. I think Pardew will be more stung than Ashley or anyone else higher up the rung. The buying policy is geared towards buying assets with resale value which means exciting young talent, Ben Arfa and Santon clearly fit into that mould. If Pardew can't make use of them I would imagine Ashley and co will be inclined to agree with HBA that Pardew is the one with the problem. Precisely - Pardew, if he's not stupid, will realise that Llambias will think he's weak if he doesn't slap Ben Arfa down now.

I'm taking this as good news. Hopeful of a buyout, given it must mean there's one person in the world whose now given Ashley enough money upfront to be 'allowed' to negotiate for the club.

How could you think it won't be seen as one? Because all it means is that the two people involved have a difference of opinion. Ben Arfa didn't say something like "Pardew isn't playing me so fuck him" I think it's extremely likely he or most people would say it without it being intended as a dig, but more to the point, as I said, it's even more likely it'll be seen as one at a club that only has followers and enemies.

How could you think it won't be seen as one?

Nobody will pay us anything close to what a lot of us agree he's worth. Circa £6m? I just can't see it. A Turkish side perhaps, but I don't think he'd want that. Could see him going for £3.2m-ish. Quite precise - sure it wouldn't be £3.25m? ;-) Certain.

Nobody will pay us anything close to what a lot of us agree he's worth. Circa £6m? I just can't see it. A Turkish side perhaps, but I don't think he'd want that. Could see him going for £3.2m-ish.

We've played long ball most of the season, we're just doing it more than ever now. we did it all last season aswel, one positive thing i thought may happen from the sale of carroll was that we wont have to launch it at the bean pole anymore. just using leon best and demba for that role now. f***ing horrible, pardew is soon becoming a fraud, he told players like cabaye we were suppose to change and play more passing game, and starting to look like a real fukking bulshitter right now. i know if i was player and got conned in moving countries by my boss on false premises i would be furious and lose all respect for the t***. Demba's in the form of his career and we're sitting 7th. Take it easy. look mate i aint knee jerking and i aint asking for the manager to get the sack, im actually grateful for what he and ashley has done so far believe it or not. but jesus, why does he insist on long balls and crosses crosses crosses, it didnt work vs swansea, didnt work against norwich, didnt work against wba, and it We scored twice against WBA and Norwich. Defensively frailties cost us in those games. The only problem I have with us using lots of crosses is the fact both our wingers are basically terrible at it. Imagine how many we'd concede with Ben Arfa on the pitch... good thing Pardew takes personal responsibility for training our defence.

I would'nt bet on it....... Best-Ameobi is my bet. Pardew did say a couple of weeks ago that Ben Arfa could be the one to "fill Ba's boots" when he's away. Did'nt Pardew say he would'nt sell Carroll, didnt he say we would play football and the side would be built around Ben Arfa.... etc etc? Not saying it wont happen but iam not in the business in believing Pardew's word is gospel. Sorry for all this negativity guys, but all this Ben Arfa and Santon on the bench everyweek is starting to get to me Definitely didn't say this like. Pardew's comments of late have been bizarre to say the least tbh. But I definitely still have faith in Pardew mind. I do, its just frustrating to see some of the decisions not being learnt from...... " The Worst mistakes we make are the ones we don't learn from" I take the Ben Arfa comment back if he didnt say it, but iam pretty sure did. If he didnt then i take it back. Think Hughton was reported by Ben Arfa's people as having said something along those lines. In the context of explaining why Marseille should let him come here, given they'd wanted to chuck him themselves a couple of months prior.

You're confusing times you've struck poses over in the past with comparable incidents. One's about observing an entire community engaging in deceit and delusion in the face of overwhelming evidence, while gaily going around calling all manner of people liars and conmen, while the others were essentially about opinions over appropriate internal disciplinary action for events that had definitely taken place (in Barton's case at least). Personally, I reserve the right not to destroy someone for raising a fist, I frankly don't see it as that bad a thing in itself before looking at the wider situation, and resent the suggestion it's something to do with my personal interests. Incidentally, the same goes for Suarez, although I waive that right Edit: Closest thing in our history was after we signed Lee Bowyer. A good load never got behind him, and even fewer were heartfelt, but still, that was a bit ugly...