Rich

We could say this about every newspaper though (especially recently), yes?

They're top class man It's why I can't get as het-up about the Ronny Gill as others do. It's utterly two-bob and it's losing credibility by the day. Should be treated as what it is: next day's fish and chip wrapper, especially now that all of their stories are on NUFC.co.uk anyway.

The bloke has a job to do, good stories don't sell papers unfortunately. I understand fully why people don't like him, but a lot of the criticism he gets is a bit short sighted. If anything it's his editor who should get most of the abuse, if that's what he demands from his Chief Sports Writer. You did see what I meant? The deliberate misrepresentation of the manager? Aye, I saw the article and the difference between it and what was on NUFC.co.uk, but unlike the official website, Oliver has to sell papers somehow, which is why I made the point about being torn on doing what's best for the club/what's best for his career. It's easy to sit back and judge from up here on our high-horses, like we do with players over their off-field behaviour, etc. but the people involved can't have it as easy as we think. I'm more disappointed with his comments about Biffa than about the things he writes in the rag, personally. Because he's a journalist. Show me a journalist who isn't a bit of a twat or who hasn't had to bend the truth to get to where they are. He shouldn't do it, of course, but I don't believe he's out to harm the club. He is a supporter, after all.

Got booked against Arsenal.

The bloke has a job to do, good stories don't sell papers unfortunately. I understand fully why people don't like him, but a lot of the criticism he gets is a bit short sighted. If anything it's his editor who should get most of the abuse, if that's what he demands from his Chief Sports Writer.

Lee Ryder is a bit of a plank, isn't he? Saying that, he's the bloke getting paid to meet footballers and write stories, so he can't be that daft. 'Boro worth a point, though? Dear me Alan. I do feel sorry for Oliver at times like, the bloke is only doing his job and I daresay it's easy to be a smug bastard when you're getting your ugly sneck on TV every now and again and when people talk about you non-stop on the so-called "noticeboards". A lot of the criticism he gets can be OTT and unjust at times, but there are instances where he brings it all on himself. Must be hard trying to balance what's right for the club and what's right for your editor mind, and it's something I hope I never have to do.

He was fucking infuriating yesterday, especially towards the end when he kept giving the ball away with his "lean back and try to dink it 50-yards over the top" passes (he does about 5 a game, and I am yet to see one work) when we needed to keep possession. Expected better from such an experienced player and he was more responsible than anyone else for them being allowed to keep pressuring us. Shouldn't be a first choice player if Barton/Emre are both fit for selection and hopefully he won't be after that performance yesterday. I don't like the bloke as it is, but he was utter gash...

2-1 win, with Alves inevitably notching if he plays.

I fucking hate it when Woodgate plays well... have done since he left us. He was top notch today like.

I find Merson most offensive out of the regulars they have. Stelling is quality though, I usually just stick it on for the last 5 minutes. It was particularly good today.

Want Sunderland to win. Will be much better for football in general if the dominance of the Big 4 is broken. Christ almighty. That'd put Sunderland 1 point behind us man!

Won't play. Hasn't got his UK visa yet so can't play. Smokescreen?

You say this after almost every game, mate. Still a lot of positives for you to take from today like, hell of a match.

Well spotted. B'ham really wanting the 3. If we're being more optimistic: a win tomorrow moves us ahead of Spurs (hurrah!) and within 6 points of West Ham after they lost at Wigan today.

6 points off the relegation zone thanks to Derby. Would have been 5 otherwise going into tomorrow.

GET THE FUCK IN!!!! 1-1!!! TEVEZ!!!

I find it interesting how a player like Emre has so many threads dedicated to what he can and cannot do and where he can and cannot play, while the likes of Nicky Butt barely gets a mention. Is it simply because we expect more from Emre when compared with Butt and so judge him more harshly? Quite an interesting thing to think about, really, and it could apply to other members of the squad as well.

I think we need Faye in the centre of defence, unfortunately, otherwise I'd be inclined to agree.

I could do with Spurs losing every game they play, personally.

Yes and he has been giving rather large of late. Man Utd away next for them as well... Still, baiting aside, they're still doing fucking miles better than we are and I think Speccy will be pleased with the progress they've made this season regardless of whether they finish top-six or not.

I'm willing this bloke to deliver for us, I really am. I think and hope he has a big part to play here under Keegan and I wouldn't be averse to seeing a Barton/Emre midfield given a proper run, despite some misgivings about defensive solidity and all that. But for fuck's sake, we've had Nicky Butt and Alan Smith in there for most of the season, so can it really be much worse? Good luck to the pair of them and I hope they both start tomorrow. Fuck knows, we might see some passes getting played if they do. For all that people will be on the "that central midfield lacks strength/can't tackle" bandwagon (seriously, all it takes is one or two people to make a comment and it's soon a stock phrase on here) do we really have that much to lose by dropping the likes of Nicky Butt from the starting XI? If we had a bulldozer in there like a Diop or an Essien who was charging around and bullying people then I'd understand it, but we don't and we haven't had since the might of Amdy Faye. "Breaking up play", "winning the midfield battle" and "spreading it around" are hardly phrases we've seen anywhere when referring to our football this season, so what changes? I hope Keegan stays true to his philosophy and gives them a whirl.

That is well worth a watch by the way, I would do a transcript of the best bits, but I can't be arsed. Some very important comments on Wise/Jimenez/Vetere, he knew about it all, bar who the DOF would actually be, we tried to hijack the Woodgate deal but were too late, he would have picked Beckham, he realises that we are playing with fear and not trying anything risky on the field which is stifling our creativity, he goes into a lot more detail on Joey Barton, explaining how he has always had to fight for everything and he really thinks prison has gave him a reality check... Final question was this: Garth Crooks - "Given the right resources, I feel there is no doubt that Kevin Keegan can bring success to this club. The question is, has Mike Ashley promised you the resources to do this job?" Kevin Keegan - "It's definitely there for us, I mean don't be fooled by this transfer window. That was my choice not to bring in - we could have brought in 4 or 5 players and spent some money." He didn't feel the players available or that he was offered were good enough, though, and I should really add that he goes onto say that when the summer comes he'll have a better handle on the squad and will bring in players who will take us to the next level (top six).

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/football_focus/default.stm The whole interview is available there, it's much more than what was on Football Focus on BBC1 earlier. Some very interesting bits.

Sunday 1.30pm is a poor time for a football match.

2-0! Get in there. Speccy's sumgness will have been dealt another blow. Good times