Beren

2 of the 6 () title contenders win last round, so he predicts a clean sweep this time around

I read it, then this post^ and still went to check. Unreal. Pretty close to my last parody write up IIRC.

Pardew won't start Santon IMO.

3-1 isn't in his repertoire. Also, 3-0 is the most any team can ever get beat. Barcelona could be facing an N-O eleven with Mike, and he'd still only predict 3-0.

Honestly, I find it difficult to be offended or disgusted by his interviews or videos... because I struggle to understand a fucking word he says.

Seems like tactics to get Simpson to accept his deal ("you're not indispensable, Danny boooooy"). Would be massively surprised but very pleased if it came off. Expect one central defender, and no more this window (unless there are outgoings which is a very real possibility).

Although this means we'll face a former Newcastle strikeforce of Bellamy and Carroll

Two goal lead seems harsh when they're still in striking distance of a CL spot. If teams above them had capitalised I'd agree though Sadly leffe, I already seeing Spurs as being in league all their own beneath the Manchesters. Your consistency and squad depth is annoyingly good. Third is yours, as far as I'm concerned - barring some major self-destruction. Chelsea and Arsenal will be vying for fourth. Liverpool will be inserted into that battle by the media, too. Hopefully Arsenal get it.

Two goal lead seems harsh when they're still in striking distance of a CL spot. If teams above them had capitalised I'd agree though

Punters got taken to the cleaners this round. I suspected Blackburn, West Brom and - at a stretch - Fulham might derail Liverpool, Citeh and Chelsea respectively... but Wolves getting a point at Arsenal was taking the piss. Especially after that first half. The odds were fairly shocking, too. Still in the black, but been a shocking December.

On the train to work this morning I remembered that Obertan will be facing Jose Enrique. I yao'd.

Fucking hell.

Can we not? Go to General Chat to discuss religion. Go to PM to get personal.

Also, my team. Gareth Bale just confirmed it really. You're right though. Look at this gameweek's top scorer - Berbatov captain. His team is a great FF team from last season. The dude hasn't touched it since. The team he/she's knocking out is a pretty decent outfit this season. Quite funny.

Norwich putting in a lot of effort, but will be difficult to sustain, and they're committing too many tbh.

Was only messing

I have no idea what's up with him. I don't think it's the Joey Barton/Kevin Nolan factor. Charlie Adam can whip in a corner, and Downing can cross a ball. I struggle to believe it's the service that's the real issue.

Scott Sellars! [What game are we playing?]

*awkward silence*

Wigan maybe but McCarthy was getting dogs abuse earlier this season from the Wolves fans Probably divides opinion. Many appreciate he gets players to work hard and try to play good football with limited resources, which seems a fair assessment to me. Also pretty entertaining post-match interviews and is quite honest which goes a long way when you're struggling and trying to cultivate/maintain a rapport with fans.

Get the impression Wolves fans like McCarthy. Same with Wigan.

What a weekend(/Boxing Day and a bit) for Man Utd.

You would not be incorrect. Such a shame he didn't get a goal or two when he was playing well. Oh well. For Liverpool, I'd rest him. I'd like to see us line up with something a little bit more difficult to defend against with more moving parts and unpredictability. Cabaye Tiote Jonas Ben Arfa Vuckic Ba Off the ball, defensive responsibility would have to revert something more conventional though. [/cloud cuckoo land]

You agree with somebody saying his only bad game was against Bolton. I agree with the sentiment he hasn't been as terrible as has been made out by some of the jackals on here, yes He's in a bad run of form, there's no question about that, but starting next to Ba and having HBA benched has, I suspect, prompted some to get on his back more than they otherwise would. Objectively, he's been bad lately, but he isn't bad at all. His goal record at the club is still very competent. He still has all the attributes and components necessary to succeed and be in and around our first team squad (an eye for goal, strength, skill, hold-up play). He isn't getting the benefit of the doubt other more popular players in the team would to turn it around. FWIW though, yeah, I would have played Ben Arfa ahead of him in the last few games (as I've attested to previously). Also, Ba has (in part) been helped in shining so brightly this season because of the largely unsung work of Leon Best. He's a fantastic player independently of Best of course, but Best has been a very unselfish team striker this season. The kind of striker that never gets the plaudits they deserve. (Not the last couple games, obviously!) Edit: Sorry to keep modifying my posts, but I don't think it's coincidence Best's play has deteriorated at the same time as Pardew's reversion to long-ball tactics. He's a beast in the air, but he has more value to the team than is being used. Point to his game against Blackburn as an example of this. Ba got the hattrick, but Best was fantastic on the deck.

I agree with that. Look forward to seeing Ben Arfa and Best when Ba eventually leaves for the ACoN. People seemed to have turned on him very quickly.