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Never thought about it like that, good point. I don't get it... Sports Soccer outlets will miss out on the normal rush to buy England shirts and merchandise. Quite a moneyspinner. Ashley wont lose money, as they'll order less stock, but profits will be down, which means less money to spend on Newcastle. That's not a contradiction Profits down = Ashley still making some money. So he's still not losing money, but not making as much as he could.

And that's just a rumour... Yes because The Guardian's always right. Anyway, like I give a fuck if Berbatov's attitude 'stinks'. Zoggy's attitude stunk like shit last season yet now he's loved by most of the fans. There's really no point arguing about this, and it'd be stupid for anyone to turn their heads up at a striker of such quality like Berbatov. PS. I'm not back-tracking - before I get accused of that. I still think Berbatov has an exemplary attitude, especially when he's on the pitch (i.e. unselfish, hardworking and gives his all).

And that's just a rumour...

A right-winger and left-back on low budget in January, then Arteta and Berbatov in the summer. Sounds good to me, although i wouldn't bother with Berbatov, his attitude stinks, he'd cost a bomb, and he'd be 28 by the summer, i'd rather go for someone younger. What? Berbatov's attitude 'stinks'? That's a load of crap. If you were referring to him apparently looking not too happy yesterday, what do you expect? He was sitting on a bench for no good reason (from his perspective). Players want to play, they don't understand the concept of 'resting' unless someone else forces them. Just look at Owen for a prime example of someone who wants to play all the time. So of course he looked like he wasn't having the best time, especially with his team down by 2. And if you weren't referring to yesterday, then I have no idea why you might infer that Berbatov's attitude stinks. He didn't make any noises about leaving Spurs in the summer and since then hasn't said anything in public about his dissatisfaction with the club, if he is even dissatisfied about the club at all. If we miraculously sign him, it'll be a signal of intent to every other fucking club in Europe. If we somehow sign him, we'll have signed a top class player peaking, and someone who could pick any club he chooses in Europe. It would be a brilliant signing.

When some players DON'T complain when they're on the bench, they're called mercenary, greedy twats. When they DO complain about not playing, they 'have no right to' because they're on 'ridiculous' money'... Damned if they do, damned if they don't.

Allardyce has said that 2 points/game is something he's hoping to achieve. And he also mentioned that this form is top-four form

We've all seen how good Cacapa, Faye and Roz have been, but today was the first time that Enrique, imo the best prospect out of our new players, showed that he's very solid. His positioning defensively was very very good. Marked Malbranque out of the game (one quote from a Spurs fan 'was he [Malbranque] even playing?'). He's got some meat yet at the same time is quite agile and pacey. Looks very good. His attacking game is also quite good, passes don't seem to go too astray too often, and also has a good cross. The best thing is that he seems to be a complete fullback, not like Olly Bernard who was only good going forward. Just looks like someone who will only grow and get better with every game, especially if he gets a continued run in the team with Zoggy in front of him. Our left side is fannnnnnnnntastic

Never thought about it like that, good point. I don't get it...

WHAT!! He played very well at hartlepool and then got injured at Carlisle! He certainly did get injured. He still played a substantial part of the match though. I'm not trying to wind anybody up here, just passing judgement. EDIT: I wasn't at the Hartlepool game but I thought I read he was at best average against a weak side... Not really something I would argue though, I wasn't there. However, he was the worst player on the pitch at Brunton Park. No he wasnt. Dyer wasnt even moving and didnt look interested in the slightest. Fair enough, I disagree though. Although Dyer also had a poor game he did create an opening and a good chance from a breakaway run into the box and had a shot on target. He also never constantly gave posession to the other team. I've no personal gain from saying this, point is he was poor today and then, lets just see what happens. Barton did seemed to be off the pace and seemed to need an extra couple of seconds before a pass but surely that's expected from someone coming off a 2 month layoff? Especially against a team harrying and hustling because they're down by 2? No?

No need to pile it on. I like to think we're a bit classier than that!

We weren't at our best today but took our chances when it came and for the most part, defended resolutely. Our attack wasn't fluid, but it looked like we had a gameplan (for example Given always kicked towards Geremi because he was up against the smaller Lee) and we never stopped hustling in the first half. Even though we weren't playing Arsenal-style football, we were really good in keeping possession and pinning them back. Sam seems to have instilled a low-risk attacking plan which puts the opposition under pressure for long enough that they'll make at least a couple of mistakes, and from there we hope that our strikers finish the job. I think all of this says that we're heading in the right direction, and all we need now is to replicate this type of performance away from home. Note - Milner was quite disappointing whilst he was on. We missed Zoggy ALOT. I dunno whether it was because Chimbonda is a quality fullback or it's just that Milner's a bit tired atm, but he was slow in reacting and even slower in getting involved in our attacks. Note 2 - Berbatov is deceptively quick. Skinned Beye with ease on one occasion near the byline. His agility is also something that hasn't been mentioned that much, but it's that and his close control and overall technique that makes him such a classy player. Note 3 - I'm slightly worried about Beye. He looks good going forward - having pace helps here. However, defensively, he seems unable to adapt and change how close he's actually marking his player. On one instance with Berbs near the byline he was too close. On a few occasions when Spurs had a player on the left wing, he was too far away which made it was easier for them to cross the ball. Maybe it's a tad overreading his game but he needs to adjust to who he's marking and where they are on the pitch. This was also evident when we played Citeh three weeks ago.

Definitely agree. Especially playing away. Saying that, there is an argument to make for starting Viduka again because he holds the ball up well and can challenge those balls that are hoofed up. Most of the defensive clearances that were made today just came right back at us (especially in the second half), something which probably would not have happened if Viduka was in the team.

Tbf, I thought Spurs' game suffered when Bale went off but then our game suffered even more when Zoggy went off. Milner wasn't in the game at all and thus we couldn't hold onto the ball, which meant Spurs really dominated. Thumbs up to Martins, Faye, Butt and Enrique especially. Owen played within himself today and I'm slightly worried about Beye and how often he seems to get skinned.

Great first half for us. I don't know why there seems to be some negativity in here. We've outplayed them, outpassed them and outhustled them so far. Nicky Butt has been really good. Emre's a bit quiet but he's had his touches. Similar story with Zoggy but he's been really active and trying to create something. Geremi is slow Anyway, even though we haven't had the best individual performances, the key thing is we've been awesome as a team, especially the midfield and defence. Martins and Owen also look threatening. Owen's link up play is really top-drawer. I echo Keef's statement - Owen's a class act. Oba's looked the most threatening of our players so far and everytime a long ball is hoofed up, we actually have a shot at scoring a goal because of his pace. Great half from the boy. Hopefully Spurs will come out more in the second half because I really do see us scoring a couple more if they have to push on. Lets not concede early and I think we'll be home and dry.

I notice that James has deleted his predicted lineup (which was wrong)

So it's Given Beye Cacapa Faye Enrique Geremi Butt Emre Zoggy Martins Owen I like

Teamnews? Kick off's in an hour. Edit - Towelie you tit

Is there something wrong with you, Decky? You've predicted us to lose and now you're predicting that a striker who's hardly played in the last month will actually score against us if (a big if) he plays. Fuck's sake man, show some spirit.

My first thoughts when I read them as well. If I were Sam I'd be showing these comments to the players before the game. Reminds me of a few years ago when Dyer was backing himself in the press to dislodge Scholes from the England team, right before a game with Man Utd. Scholes came out and taught him a lesson in football. Jol really isn't in a position to be making these sorts of comments. Hat-trick in a 6-2, wasn't it? At our place as well iirc.

I have a really good feeling about this one. We'll be up for it, the crowd will be up for it and boy will Spurs be up for it. It'll be a good game and I see quite a few goals in it, hopefully something like 3-2 to us would be berry nice.

No. That would be Arsenal.

We'll beat Sunderland away. I just have that feeling. We'll also get 3 against Spurs/Porstmouth. 7 points in total. I think someone's said this but Reading is gonna be another 'Derby' game - immensely frustrating but we'll be good enough when we play the better teams.

blueyes.gif Everything you said about Zlatan I agree with. He's a great player and one who's probably now underrated because of how shit he was in the WC and in his last season with Juve. The criticism he got from all that seems to have stuck and now people don't seem to appreciate how much he's improved and matured as a player. No more silly bookings/red cards and no more stupid mazy dribbles that go nowhere. He's more direct than anywhere and very lethal now.

No offencem but personally, I'd have to smoke a prodigious amount of crack to even start to believe that Ibrahimovic is even a quarter of the player Rooney is, let alone Owen. And I don't even particularly rate Rooney. I reckon in the past couple of seasons Zlatan has matured in a way that he probably should have ages ago. He's better than Owen imo, and he's proving it at Inter every single week. Edit - 22 league goals in 34 matches says a lot.

Wow. This is too much for my heart. Fucking hell blow the whistle.