gazza ladra

I thought we were very, very fortunate to get the point. Sure Routledge's shot was the best chance of the second half, but Chelsea had so many and so much possession. They must feel that they dropped two points. I didn't think Guthrie was bad, he just didn't do anything that would want me to put in in the line up ahead of Nolan or Barton next to Tiote. Routledge, on the other hand, was quite good. Before today I don't think he's shown much this season. We've been a better side with Barton out wide. But after today's performance I'd certainly like to see Routledge start again, with Barton moved into central midfield. Happy with the performances from Campbell and S Taylor. Great performances all things considered: First starts, Taylor being out almost a year, up against Drogba, Anelka, Kalou. Wouldn't mind seeing either starting league games. I really like Williamson, but he has started to make me really nervous: he's a red card, penalty in the box waiting to happen.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=840703&sec=england&root=england&cc=5901

Connection Problems: I got excited, thought something had happened.

Yes.

I suppose that's a good result for us. Still-- hate Manchester United.

w00t Wofs

Fuck em. that's all

Great. Going to feel a whole lot better Sunday.

Barton and Carroll in my fantasy team. We're gonna win the league!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes. Deluded. Exactly. I was wrong about Parker. Isn't that the point of the thread?

The Guardian Squad Sheet reckons Smith with start in front of Tiote. Luckily, they haven't got it right yet. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/sep/24/squad-sheets-newcastle-united-stoke Tiote isn't listed as a sub either. Or injured. Or suspended.

Having watched the Villa game several hundred times, I can tell you that Williamson was holding players throughout the game. The commentators noticed too.

Parker, thought he wasn't good enough for us.

Switch to a host outside the UK-- problem solved. Your copyright laws are insane.

They're deluded.

Sol for Colo maybe. And Krul obviously. Otherwise the same lineup as that started against Everton.

Ok, I'm not from the North East and Sunderland really mean nothing to me... they might as well be Fulham to me. Still, I like reading about Newcastle United and with the exception of this forum and sundry NUFC blogs, there is nowhere on the interwebs that wastes as much time talking about my club as the SMB boards. It's clueless and frequently laughable, but no more than NUFC blog.

Ok. Breathe. The club that wins the League Cup qualifies for Europe. No? So, yes I want to see NUFC win the Cup. Winning the Cup, competing in Europe is a good thing no? More football. Makes it easier to attract and keep talent? What is difficult to understand?

This is our shot at a ticket for Europe. The club should definitely play our best 11 or at least the core of the first team. I don't think we're missing that much by substituting Raylor for Perch, or Sol for Williamson. Sitting Nolan, maybe playing Guthrie. Still quality. I might reconsider if we were playing poorly in the league and were sucked into a relegation battle. So long as we're doing well in the league, I think the Cup should be prioritized. A far easier path to Europe (and much more likely) than finishing in the top six or whatever.

Voted for Malandro. Sort of a lifetime Oscar for a born loser.

Lovely.

Shearer is paid a lot of money to know his stuff-- he's a pundit. And Ben Arfa signed for his club. It's not like Ben Arfa was still at OM--then, ok, he can plead ignorance. He's not paid to cover football in France. I don't really follow football in France or the Netherlands, but when Ben Arfa and Tiote signed for-- hell, when they were linked to-- the Toon I made it my business to find out gratis.

An Idiot’s Guide to Hatem Ben Arfa http://www.tomwfootball.com/2010/09/22/an-idiots-guide-to-hatem-ben-arfa/

The Zonal Marking guy who does the Guradian chalkboards noticed Tiote's Everton performance. Maybe he reads these boards as well -- same chalkboard was here couple of days ago. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/sep/20/premier-league-chalkboard-analysis

Looks delicious. Where's the beer?