Stu

Something like that

I've said that. I'd rather have Tiote in than Perch every time. I quite like Perch, but Cheikh is a far superior footballer. He also tends to turn up against the big sides. Well the Cheikh we saw for 15 or so minutes today would have been an absolute liability over the full ninety. Can't believe you're putting reputation over performances.

What determines your 'best XI'? On this seasons form, Tiote is nowhere near it.

Robby Robson

That's the most indecisive piece I've read on here since Mike was weighing up Liverpool or NUFC

It'll be end of season - so May, after the Arsenal game

Where did you hear that? Presumably the same place as me.

aye he's neigh good he'll bray you for that comment

This is a ridiculous stance to take - what does the form pre-Xmas have to do with the form post-Jan? We're not even likely to play the same starting XI as any of those earlier games.

Only if David28 and co give back their winnings.

Hi Mike, Dekka. Enjoy the game yesterday? (we're not getting relegated )

I still get the impression that we were nowhere near sacking him tbh You'd be correct with your impression. Club have had no intention of losing their managerial 'puppet' - he goes along with the financial rules and understands what is expected of him. He's also very appreciative to be in such a big job and displays his gratitude in the press every quarter (see "Pards is an arselicker" comments). Surely no-one genuinely thinks that their opinion on Pards/NUFC is going to affect what happens at the club? We're long past the days of 'Souness Out' or 'Sack the Board' comments having an impact on he short-term decision making at the club. Pards is going to be here for a while (unless he walks away).

100%, I was foaming at that. Webb completely bottled it due to the colour of Ramires' shirt. The Colo one was more difficult for him to call. Same here

It hasn't taken people long to start getting carried away again, has it? It's what we do. Wheyyyyy, it's not really getting carried away when you actually look at the fixtures and realise there's only 13 games left.

Don't think it's that over optimistic, even with the knowledge that today's result has brightened the mood around NE1; will hold my hands up in May if the club is limping home in lower midtable without any further progress in Europa League and say it has been a very disappointing finish to the season* Agree with the notion that we should be going all out to win every game in the Europa League - we're not gonna be able to field all of the new players in the competition, so even if we have Haidara, Sissoko and Debuchy/MVM playing on a Thursday night as part of our strongest XI, we've still got a 'fresh' Gouffran and Debuchy/MVM to join whoever didn't play out of Tiote/Anita/Perch/Marveaux/Jonas. With 'only' 7 internationals in the squad, we can give the players who aren't called up for national duty a chance to stay refreshed and in peak shape during the two (three?) international breaks between now and May. Afterall, if we're not going to try and win the bloody competition - why bother going through all that hassle to qualify for it in the first place? *caveat if Ben Arfa or Cabaye's leg(s) fall off.

Shamelessly taken from the post-match discussion as it's probably more appropriate in here: I don't see anyone claiming 13 out of 13, but there's no reason for us to write off any of the remaining games (Citeh aside if they're back to full health/still in title challenge): Spurs (a) - probably second toughest game of the 13, would strongly fancy our chances if we repeat today's efforts Southampton (h) - their longest trip of the season, slight worry about Europa hangover but new boys can't all play Swansea (a) - third toughest fixture for me; week after League Cup final so potential Wembley hangover for them Stoke (h) - we know we can outplay them, Sissoko and MVM will only help us to match them for power (Walters esp) Wigan (a) - chance to reverse last season's thrashing, all of the new faces should be bedded into the squad nicely Citeh (a) - tough trip, Mancini wants to be within 5 points of Utd after this game. Fulham (h) - not the best travellers (glass houses, etc) mackems (h) - NETD, marra. Baggies (a) - they've not got the biggest squad, will find themselves running out of steam after a superb opening half scousers (h) - toughest home game left, a draw will most likely look a good result by this point. west ham (a) - surely safely mid-table and seeing out the season QPR (a) - surely relegated and seeing out the season with a group of overpaid and uninterested mercenaries Arsenal (h) - (n)either team could be playing for something by this point. We've been desperate for a bit of momentum all season, a couple of good wins and the energy from the new faces could have done the trick to set us on our way. As we showed in the beginning of last season and the end, once we get ourselves a head of steam we're canny at grinding out results and finding a way to get a win. I make that Citeh, Liverpool and the mackems which are the games I probably won't go into with the firm belief we can win - even then, if we play against these three teams the same way we did against Chelski (the most important 2 games are at home) then there's no way we'll pick up less than 6 points (Citeh might be able to match us). Agreed?

I don't see anyone claiming 13 out of 13, but there's no reason for us to write off any of the remaining games (Citeh aside if they're back to full health/still in title challenge): Spurs (a) - probably second toughest game of the 13, would strongly fancy our chances if we repeat today's efforts Southampton (h) - their longest trip of the season, slight worry about Europa hangover but new boys can't all play Swansea (a) - third toughest fixture for me; week after League Cup final so potential Wembley hangover for them Stoke (h) - we know we can outplay them, Sissoko and MVM will only help us to match them for power (Walters esp) Wigan (a) - chance to reverse last season's thrashing, all of the new faces should be bedded into the squad nicely Citeh (a) - tough trip, Mancini wants to be within 5 points of Utd after this game. Fulham (h) - not the best travellers (glass houses, etc) mackems (h) - NETD, marra. Baggies (a) - they've not got the biggest squad, will find themselves running out of steam after a superb opening half scousers (h) - toughest home game left, a draw will most likely look a good result by this point. west ham (a) - surely safely mid-table and seeing out the season QPR (a) - surely relegated and seeing out the season with a group of overpaid and uninterested mercenaries Arsenal (h) - (n)either team could be playing for something by this point. We've been desperate for a bit of momentum all season, a couple of good wins and the energy from the new faces could have done the trick to set us on our way. As we showed in the beginning of last season and the end, once we get ourselves a head of steam we're canny at grinding out results and finding a way to get a win.

If the last 2 results are anything to go by, we could do a bit of damage now due to how open/poor the league has been this year. A top 8 finish is suddenly very possible. Need to sort out that awful goal difference though. 13 games left, realistically think we can expect to pick up points in all of them - maybe Citeh away is one game that could be a stretch too far but with the new boys in the squad, I genuinely don't see why they should fear anyone. Not outside the realms of possibility that we can pick up another 25-30points. All depends if we decide to cut loose in the league and go for the wins (not got a lot to lose) and focus on the Europa league adventure. 52/55pts good enough for top 6?

Definitely had an affect on the link-up play between the french/non-french. See the second goal for an example.

Spotted that at the time - seemed like a premeditated attempt by JT to get 'revenge' on Cissé for the elbow incident earlier on; couldn't have worked out any sweeter as he completely missed him, Cissé sets Gouffran away and then JT is out of position to stop Sissoko slotting home the rebound.

Gerrin!

Surely you mean three (or four) seasons ago..? Last season he looked shot for the latter half.