Shak

Aye, there's definitely some cause for positivity. We look like we're going to try and keep the ball and play it on the deck a bit more, and with a midfield of Routledge, Jonas, Guthrie and Barton I'd be confident we could play some good stuff at times. Up front is a really big concern though. We looked positively toothless in the final third until late in the game, Nolan and Carroll as a pairing up there was painful to watch. We need another striker to be brought in or we're going to really struggle to stay up, simple as that for me. Carroll is good enough to lead the line up there, and Shola is passable as a back-up for him. But we so badly need someone with a bit of pace and movement to play off Carroll, unless we get that then it won't matter how well we keep the ball or pass it around. As it stands Lovenkrands is one of the first names on the team sheet for me, he's the only one who even comes close to fitting that description. But I'm not sure he's really good enough, we need someone else to compete with him for the place starting alongside Carroll.

What we really need is for Nolan and Barton to skate through Newcastle city center on roller blades with the trophy.

I'll be utterly shocked if this is anything more than a PR exercise from the club, making it look like we're willing to spend money. We'll doubtless sign some retard on deadline day for fuck all though.

If all that is true you would have to wonder what Hughton see's in him? A free transfer isn't good business if he's no better than we already have. It will be interesting to see whether Hughton has a better eye for a player than your average Joe Bloggs (BB version). ...and David Moyes. Everton clearly didn't want to let him go and he did generally seem to be in and around the first team at Goodison when fit, not bad going when you consider some of the players Everton have at their disposal. If Everton saw something in him well that's good enough for me like. He was nothing more than a sub when he was fit (unless there were other injuries). Gosling is really slow and hasn't got much ability on the ball. The two positives to his game I'll give him are that he tries hard and has a bit of a knack for getting into goalscoring positions. Maybe managers see something else in him that we don't but I'd be surprised if he ended up amounting to much. I couldn't care less that he's gone in a footballing sense but the way he's done it rankles a bit. Instantly makes him an upgrade on most of our midfielders tbh. Sounds like Kevin Nolan tbh. As good a signing as we can expect to be making with the current owners though, sadly. Best of luck to the lad if he does sign.

That's poor Jon, even for you.

It wouldn't be any real surprise. Van der Vaart, Van Persie and Robben have always struck me as being absolutely massive dickheads.

They apparently paid 9m euros for him last summer. He goes and has a great season and we apparently proceed to offer them significantly less than they paid a year ago. Seems like the kind of "Surely they won't accept this... PHEW!!" offer our lot would throw in alright.

Do you prefer him or Busquets as a player?

The problem is midfield - looks like Del Bosque has sacrificed attacking flair for increased stability. Arragones in 2008 got it right with Senna/Xavi in the middle and genuine attacking midfielders out wide. Del Bosque fielding Xabi Alonso and Busquests in the middle and Xavi out wide isn't working at all imo, and with Iniesta being off form compared to a year or two ago, it just seems very laboured in the middle of the park for Spain. Still don't get how Busquets is getting picked, he's looked shit imo and against Portugal gave away a number of clumsy fouls. They'll be lucky if he doesn't cost them at a later stage. Furthermore, although this may be difficult to explain, I think there's a problem with Xabi Alonso being in the team. He's obviously a class player, but there's something about him that just doesn't seem right for the Spaniards. Maybe he's better suited to playing in a fast, direct attacking side, where his tendancy to spray passes first time is more useful. Xavi in the middle two years ago was immense for Spain because of the way he kept the ball in the middle of the park, allowing angles to be opened up for teammates, players to be played into space, better retention in the middle of the park, etc etc. Hence, with Busquets/Alonso, I don't think they have that in the middle this year. Good post, the problem with Xavi is he's playing too far up the pitch. This somewhat negates what is his greatest attribute, namely running the show in the middle of the park. Reckon they'd do well to take Alonso out of the side and throw in either Fabregas or Silva. Alonso is a quality player but they've really no need for him in the team when they've got someone like Xavi on the park. Get someone on there who can be more of a threat in the final third. Torres being woefully out of form doesn't help much either obviously, I'd be tempted to use him from the bench for the next game. A front six of... ------------------- Xavi ------------- Busquets Iniesta ---------------------------------------------- Silva/Fabregas -------------------- Llorente -------- Villa would be interesting to see. Obviously it's not going to be a rigid 4-4-2, but you get the idea.

Kind of player we should be after. Not going to happen though, for obvious reasons.

So vote 'England' I voted England. League Cup is shit and NUFC is a soulless shitpalace. Removed my vote. Not voting for any option as long as it says England to win the World Cup though... fuck that.

Ireland win the World Cup. No contest tbh.

Fucking your fault that Towelie.

Aye, I'm sure the world will be on the edge of their seats.

Come on Japan.

Yeah, fuck you 2J.

It's pretty much undone all the good of the last few days games for me.

A noteworthy incident!!

Did you bet with bet365? Every bet you lose but that goes to penalties they pay you back. I completely forgot about that until now. Nah I'm on Ladbrokes.

Ballboys having a 'mare.

I wouldn't worry about it man.

I better at least get some fucking penalties to make up for this shit.

Hey hey let's go kenka suru Taisetsu na mono protect my balls Boku ga warui so let's fighting... LET'S FIGHTING LOVE!!

Remember though... A win for Japan is a win for all of Asia.