Beren

Iirc last time he played at the bridge he was man of the match. I mean world-beater class. Making people look silly/himself untouchable.

Messi is as yet unproven against EPL defences. This will be an important night for him.

it softens the pain mate A few years ago, I couldn't have, but on Sunday I did too.

Poor spectacle. Blatter will ban all-English semi-finals for this.

No more numbers!

Hopefully as Hull push forward, Young/Gabby should finish the game off on the counter to make this less uncomfortable for us.

If Villa win this, the Hammers can't catch them and with their European spot secured they can blood their kids for the rest of the season. [butt's often[/incessantly]-lauded experience should make mince meat of them............. right? ]

Agree. And with all 3 of them on the pitch against Pompey we managed to create 3 clear-cut chances. Sacrificing one of them for someone who can link up the chasm that exists between defence and attack could may create more [arguably better] chances. I'd either drop one to midfield [as our creativity in midfield is shite] or stick Loven on a wing.

The best username I've seen on there is "Bassong's Third Leg". It's Ridzuan.

Incidentally, any hate we receive is probably worsened by the feathers we ruffled on our way up to the relative heights that we did reach under KK and SBR in recent history. It's only natural on our way back down, there'd be those who are happy to be rid of, what used to be, competition.

The only real gripe two of my friends [a Yeovil fan and a Hammer, respectively] have with Newcastle is that we subjected Shay Given to our team for so long. They just bleat on about his super performance against Liverpool, and how he still conceded 5 that day... ...other than that, we're just good for laughs to them. Very little serious animosity in my experience.

Having watched that, would you rather Newcastle play Barca at Camp Nou or Liverpool at Anfield, if we needed 3 points? Hmmm..

"the Butt haters." Jesus. We basically ensure relegation, and someone is on here defending Nicky fucking Butt. Jesus. Yup, sounds about the right time for everyone on here to turn on each other! In all seriousness though NJS, I think that's a thin argument. I think the last 10 minutes had more to do with fatigue, lack of fresh ideas and nothing to link defence and attack. Oh, and Duff vs Pennant/Johnson.

Martins didn't look fit and I think the reason Owen panicked and snatched at his chance was because he hadn't had time on the ball or been involved in the match up until that point.

Apart from that bizarrely apathetic last 10 minutes, we fought hard. A lot of players didn't look entirely fit - which may explain the last 10 minutes. Ultimately though, we simply don't have the talent in midfield to score goals, irrespective of tactics, heart, desire, luck. Still a glimmer of fading hope.

Great link-up.

The HT Positive Fact!: NUFC have only failed to score in 2 home PL games this season.

Again! His best work, he didn't touch the ball!

The best thing Butt has done this game is leaving the ball, that one time.

Keeper had it IMO.

Crowd doing great.

He isn't half chewing that gum!

It's like a cup final out there!!

That midfield and strike force is the equivalent of putting blanks in a mini gun.

Fairly well put Duff11!