Memphis

Cabaye taking corners for France.

Commentator takes a moment to offer more kind words about Cabaye. This is a mind-numbingly boring match. Dreck.

My commentator on ESPN3 here in the States said Cabaye is "set for Newcastle after the French internationals". Very tidy passer again today.

Google translation from that article: And you wondered how we attracted such a fine quality of player...

Not a shirt, but the new 2011/12 Ligue 1 ball has been revealed: http://www.ligue1.com/images/photos/articles/web/fiche//1011_ballon_l1_11_12_1.jpg Ooh la la! More "magic" from Puma.

Any journalist with that kind of spelling is obviously top class and trustworthy.

Yeah, he didn't need to expend a lot of energy today so I wouldn't feel comfortable making any kind of judgement on that. Doesn't seem to have the game that would necessitate a lot of pace. Just passes and moves - does seem to make himself available quite a lot, similar to Tiote. I would think with those two, we'd be 10000x more comfortable in possession than with some of the other midfield options we have.

First I've watched him, have to agree with those who said the match wasn't exactly played at a cracking pace - have to take that into account. Still, looked awfully tidy. Good range of passing, it would appear - he kept the moves going when needed, had more than one excellent long ball. Dropped deep at times, went forward when necessary. Seems a natural fit to go alongside Tiote and form a nice platform upon which players like Ben Arfa, etc. can operate. Apparently can take a good set piece, too. For 4.4 million or whatever it is, seems a bargain.

Rozehnal on the Lille bench? Forgot all about him...

Lille/Rennes match on live on Fox Soccer Plus in the USA for those so inclined...

I present it without comment. Marlon Harewood was 6th btw.

From here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2011/may/26/premier-league-opta-statistics According to OPTA stats, young Besty was the 4th best striker in the Premier League according to goals per minute ratio: 1. Robin van Persie: 1 goal per 98.2 minutes 2. Dmitar Berbatov: 1 goal per 110.5 minutes 3. Javier Hernandez: 1 goal per 114.3 minutes 4. LEON BEST: 1 goal per 125.3 minutes 5. Carlos Tevez: 1 goal per 126.6 minutes

Now that we're mathematically safe (barring Blackpool winning their next three by a combined 22 or more goals), I assume the 'Luis' Enrique contract talks will begin posthaste, yes?

From Caulkin on Twitter: Pardew says Harper doubt for tmw's game vs #MUFC - Krul to play. Ireland involved for 1st time. "He brings technical quality for us." #NUFC

http://cdn.popcrush.com/files/2011/02/james-durbin.jpg

When you get clowns like Jason calling him a scumbag and bringing up the jail time on the back of 1 bad performance, of course people are gonna get defensive. Dickhead fans of other clubs will never stop going on about his past, we don't need it from our own. Especially when it's completely unjust. Bad performance today, that's all that needed to be said. Certainly those kinds of comments aren't justified, but my point is that those extreme views shouldn't be used to totally overlook the very real criticism of his performance as a footballer and captain today. That's all. And that's what the vast, vast majority of those who are criticising him today are saying. After all, the point of this thread is to discuss Barton's role at the club. That's what most of us are trying to do - discuss.

People are being incredibly defensive about Barton. He was awful today, and that's indisputable. It's particularly notable he was so poor today because he had a lot of responsibility not only as captain but also as one of the few 1st choice players playing in his 1st choice position. And he responded with a terrible, terrible performance. That is all just plain fact. I would suggest there are plenty of criticisms in the Tiote thread when he's been poor. But Barton's poor play stood out today for the reasons mentioned above.

I don't think it's out of line to focus on Joey Barton in the 'Joey Barton' thread. No need to overreact and call him a cunt or anything, but he was truly awful today and that's well within the bounds of this thread to discuss. Every player is constantly criticised/praised on a game to game basis, Joey's no different.

It is one game ffs. Note the part in bold. But he clearly doesn't have the temperament to handle the armband.

Not a captain. And today, not a footballer. Just a whinger. Quite disappointing.

Barton was disgraceful. Wouldn't shut his mouth, stopped playing several times to complain, and offered none of the quality that's made him good this year. Enrique offered the only moments of quality; although he faffed about way too much, he showed genuine class more than anyone else on the pitch for either side. Predictably forgettable. We are bereft of depth and it showed yet again.

Out of nowhere - Loven should have done much better.

1-1 today would be every bit as embarrassing for Villa as the 6-0 at St. James'.

Good work winning the free kick by Guthrie. We're not going to score from open play.

Giving Joey the armband seems to have decreased all his good qualities and amplified all his bad ones.