Sifu

Happy Birthday to a true Newcastle United legend

Reet, just got in. What's the craic? Is Mapou actually playing at RB?

You should disown whoever said that.

Celtic are disliked for one reason (for me anyway): Neil Lennon.

Rock.

Well maybe, although pretty much everyone else in the top eight (let's say that includes you, and the top seven right now) has a team of full internationals. Nobody ever fields a full-strength line-up every week. Something always goes wrong. I think that failure to finish in the top eight next season would be, well, failure for you. Unless someone screws up massively (Rafa, Mancini) then the top three should be predictable. Thus you have 4th (fantastic), 5th (excellent), 6th, (good), 7th (probably par - you'd expect at least one of the eight to have a s**** season), 8th (disappointing). You'll have a chance to test yourself against Liverpool and Arsenal at home in a few weeks, which will give you a better idea of where you stand. Again, I see you challenging for CL, and think that failure to do that for at least some of the season will be disappointing. There really isn't much to choose between the chasing five, and this summer's transfer action will be crucial in differentiating us. I understand what you're saying. Things never go smoothly but I'd like to think that we can achieve a lot with this squad. Your assessment is pretty much bang on. Top 8 should be the bare minimum but 6th should be the goal every season for us. The AvB project seems to be working so we'll see if he can keep that going at yours.

Canny thread this. Kudos geordie_b

With the players we've got at our disposal, we should really be looking at top 6/Europa League spots every season. Our strongest starting line up essentially consists of full internationals and if they can't get us in the Europa League places (this is based on the assumption of us fielding a full strength line up every week), then something has gone wrong... I really do believe that this is the strongest squad we've had in years, if it goes to waste, it's a massive opportunity lost.

Well then, this is my Valentine's Day sorted

The Barry own goal gets better each time I watch it.

After a day of reflection, I can say that I'm not too disappointed with the result of this game. I was content enough with the display but the Spurs goals were rather soft ones to give away, especially from a defensive point of view. Donkey Kong Bale was the difference between the two sides, he was on his game yesterday and he took advantage of our weaknesses but as always he was also his cunt self. On another note, before this season, I've always regarded Martin Tyler as being one of the best commentators around but his constant wank over Bale (and Suarez earlier on this season) was very irritating and he's pretty much quickly descending into the Clive Tyldesley category of commentating. Shame.

Bite your tongue, Fulham and American legend. I agree like. McBride was Fulham's talisman for a fair few seasons. Not a random footballer at all imo.

What a difference a sober Llambias is. Fair play to him btw for admitting that they made a mistake in the summer. Now, make sure it doesn't happen again!

Tempting.

Deschamps annoys me.

Completely forgot about the game. Ah well.

I'm fairly certain Villa are down. My workmate thinks otherwise - "never write any team off", he does have a point tbf...

Simpson was out with Cleverley and Welbeck apparently. That's my ITK for the day. (Glad he's okay btw).

Brilliant mate Glad you've watermarked it too

Some people do like a late night Rice, it's one of those things... A guilty pleasure if you will.

Well this has gone well for 'Arry and QPR then (Though I'm sure the money will ease the pain).

It was you! I was out and about on Saturday evening/Sunday morning to celebrate our win...

Oh Danny, making Manchester proud. I know that takeaway he was at. Not a rough area at all, it's close to where I work in fact.

Steven Gerrard won the England "Player of the Year" tonight at the FA Awards Jordan Henderson won the England U21 Player of the Year.

Think we can get a result here. We do have a (somewhat new) air of unpredictability now so don't think Villas-Boas/Spurs can really "figure us out" so to speak. Probably a bit too optimistic there but we shall see.