gazza ladra

Considering the progress they've made after a dreadful start, I think they'll come in second and win promotion-- they are only 4 points off 2nd right now. Birmingham is fading. Derby Sunderland West Brom

I didn't include Bent or Johnson. McBride has as many as Bent. And Doyle has more than all of them. Would take Berbatov over all of them. Wouldn't you KD? Berbatov has fewer Prem goals than all of them.

1. Henry 2. Drogba 3. Rooney 4. (Owen) 5. Martins 6. Van Persie 7. Yakubu 8. Kuyt 9. Anelka 10.Berbatov 11.Saha

-----------------Given--------------- Solano - Taylor - Onyewu - Duff ---------------Parker---------------- Milner---------Dyer-------N'Zogbia ---------Owen------Martins-------- Harper Emre Sibierski Butt Bramble

You put Spurs in there and you might as well add Aston Villa.

Blackburn are big boys?

Wouldn't mind Ashton, Upson, or Benayoun.

Didn't see the game, so I can't comment on Babayaro's performance today. But it seems to me that some fans are more critical of him then is frequently justified. For example, over at the Sky Sport ratings (rubbish), the fan ratings of NUFC players are across the board higher than the ratings given by SSN--- except for Babayaro, who's scores are significantly lower. Fans tend to overrate their heroes and unduly criticize the goats. Fairly typical. He's often just a kickdog for fan frustration. Not nearly as bad as some like to pretend-- consistently better for us than Carr has been this season. (Anyway, I'd like to see both of them replaced in the summer.)

Spurs players are vastly overrated. As is Jol That vaunted strike force-- scored fewer goals than NUFC. That great, young, "future-of-England" back line-- conceded more goals than NUFC. The midfield is crap, doesn't come close to ours. They wanted Parker and Duff... playing Jenas for pissakes.

1. At the start of the season what where your expectations, and are things going as you expected? 5th, really. (I'm an optimist.) 2. Who's been your best performer this season? Martins. 3. And your worst/most disappointing? Worst = Carr Most Disappointing = Duff 4. You had a quiet January transfer window, if you where the manager, who would you have tried to sign? Alex, Appiah, Baines, Bridge, and Huntelaar for starters. (I'm delusional) 8. In the summer, Liverpool and Newcastle are told to swap 3 first team regulars, who would you send to Liverpool, and who would you like from us? Carr, Ramage, and Babayaro Finnan, Carragher and Gerrard. 10. Care to predict Mr Roeder’s starting line up for the game? ........................Harper Solano...Onyewu...Bramble...Taylor Milner... Parker... Butt...Duff Dyer......................Martins 11. And finally, let’s have your score predictions for the game: NUFC 2-0 (I'm a delusional optimist)

Christ, are Americans responsible for that too? If the game was truly Americanized (note the zee, err zed) you'd have this crap to deal with: * Astroturf * Gridiron lines on the pitch * More and more cheerleaders * Shootouts (no draws, ever) * Golden goals * Clocks that run down from 90 to zero * Quarters: as if a break at the half was not enough (More time for commercials!) * the goalkeeper only substitution rule (don't ask) * Derision of the game, American fans, and the rest of the planet from the American sports media and other ignoramuses (roughly 70-80% of the population) * Washed up eurotrash burnouts that wash up on these shores for that final paycheck * Landon Donovan * The phrase "emerging power" in reference to the US National squad. * FIFA rankings * The Mexican National squad -- love the country and their fans, but the players in the squad are and always have been a bunch of whinny, cheating, losers. The one thing I do like about the American game is that so far we've avoided the sight of sponsor advertising on club kits. I hate that.

I might add, one of the things that pissed me off the most was Ferguson claiming that Manchester United were the "neutrals' choice" for the title. Huh? Who is "neutral" when it comes to Manchester United?

Chelsea is a joke. They bought the past couple titles. No one really respects them or their achievements. Seeing them win again just draws out a lame joke-- it doesn't mean a thing. When the Russian loses interest and pulls out his money, no one will look back and admire these teams--- it'll all be a big joke, sort of like Pele, the Cosmos, Best and the rest cashing in the NASL or overweight Brazilians shuffling off to the UAE. On the other hand, were Manchester United to finish first you'd never hear the end of it. Another feather in Ferguson's cap and more blab from the ManUtd fans--- whom I despise. Were it Arsenal or Liverpool, I might have a different attitude. Fuck Man Utd. Can't root for them.

Chelsea

Solano Friedel Scharner McBride Diouf Jaaskelainen Bullard (yeah, he's been out. But he's always forgotten/overlooked) Yobo Kanu SPEED (dammit)

Valid point. American businessmen, however, would laugh themselves silly at such a notion. There is long history in American sports of team owners picking up and moving their "franchise" to another city in search of bigger profits. Teams do belong to their communities and the rights of the fans should be safeguarded.

from toontastic: Four players in the squad who are not in the domestic league. I'm surprised to see Dempsey in there considering that he very recently went to Fulham, but no real surprise. News over here is that Gooch was not included because he's settling in at Newcastle. Similar story for a lot of Euro-based players (Wolff, Beasely etc) which is why Dempsey is such a surprise. Both Bocanegra and Dempsey are going.

True enough. Though, very few people in San Francisco are actually natives. And when San Franciscans talk about their City they're talking about how much greater it is than any other city in the world.

Yep. But Texans are easy and fun to ridicule. It's a national sport for the other 49 states. Huh? What part of the country are you from? Never played that game. Here in Northern California, we're too busy insulting our friends in the south of the state.

Voted Yes. Outside the top four, there is nothing but mediocrity. Finishing any thing below fifth is a disgrace. Felt that Roeder was and is moving in the right direction-- bringing in Oba and Duff brought us something well desperately lacked, speed. (I am confident that Duff will prove his worth-- this season). 6th is definitely achievable.

The way Bush was marketed as a "compassionate conservative" in the States; Basically, a smiley sockpuppet for a group of extremists (neo-cons). The terrace thing sounds pretty hollow.

Went out to Celta Vigo, I think.

I think that Onyewu is relatively ambitious actually. Compared to others on the national squad. Seeing that both Boro and Fulham showed an interest and he chose to come here-- it is a bigger challenge. US Nat stars end up places like Fulham, Watford, and Reading-- and do well there. Not Man Utd or Chelsea. Hat tip to Coleman- he has identified and bought the best American talent for pretty cheap. Yes, folks McBride, Bocanegra, and Dempsey are just about the best the US has. No surprise he was going after Onyewu as well. With Fulham's budget and the insane prices being asked for mediocre English talent, Americans are pretty good buys. That, and they sell Fulham merchandise in the US

You're right. The little media we get is very top four-centric. But then isn't the national media in England as well? The papers I read online inevitably lead with Man Utd or Mourinho. Following Man Utd. etc. makes life a little easier. You've got to put some effort into following football in this country... and pay through the nose for cable access. At least there are groups of fans that you can meet up with to watch games at a pub on Saturday or Sunday morning. If you are following a team that nobody knows are cares about (that is, if they care about football at all), you really don't get the opportunity to talk about your passion.... that is unless you go online. Which, I suppose explains the high number of non-Geordies on these boards.

Just noticed that Hamburg SV are bottom of the Bundesliga. Could see Mathijsen and Vincent Kompany available. Also, with Wigan dropping like a rock-- that'll free up Baines. (And Scharner as well) Who knows, West Ham may need to sell Upson as well.