Rich

Aye, so meaningless then

I agree with their stance, but what I said wasn't about that, just found it funny that they go from saying this: To advocating said meaningless online polls a week later when it suits their cause.

After their recent knockage of online polls and suchlike, I couldn't help but smirk at this:

Given Beye Taylor Faye Enrique Milner Barton Emre Duff Viduka Owen SUBS: Harper, Cacapa, Carr, Butt, Smith Please. We're going to need as much height as possible from their inevitable set-play threat, so that immediately means Carr is shipped out for Beye while Enrique is hopefully fit enough after last night to slot straight in for The Zog. I want Abdoulaye Faye doing a job on John Carew as Cacapa is too small and Taylor doesn't have the nouse about him for it. After Butt's performance on Sunday against 'Boro he simply has to be dropped and Emre/Barton given a shot in the middle of the park. Both looked lively at times against The Beasts and deserve a battle in there against Reo-Coker and Barry. Milner and Duff hopefully pick themselves, if Keegan isn't planning on going defensive to counter the threat of Ashley Young in particular. He might do the same as what he did for Downing there, allowing Butt to keep his place. If Martins is struggling then The Duke/Owen are a no-brainer as the front pairing. Could be a good game, this, if both teams line-up to win it. Excited, first away game I've got to for a while.

Not sure if I've missed the boat, but it's good to see that Jose Enrique is playing tonight (against N'Zogbia). Barring any ill-effects he'll hopefully be good to go on Saturday

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.