Unbelievable

Bayern's passing so far in the second..

Another sitter missed by Bayern.. Imagine having to watch this as a Spurs fan..

We may be laughing now, but not so in 10 more years or so, for they have just signed the new Messi himself: http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/local/new-sunderland-signing-dubbed-mackem-messi-for-skills-at-academy-video-1-4528080 http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/local/tyneandwear/9690742.Eight_year_old__Mackem_Messi__signs_for_Sunderland/ (apologies if prehistoric Welshman)

Anita is nothing like Tiote..

I don't think Van Marwijk is the type of manager to lose confidence in the goalkeeper who has been very instrumental in getting to the World Cup final two years ago just because he's had a difficult first season abroad..

Nah, not first choice, that will be Stekelenburg despite a disappointing season at Roma. Not a lot in it between Krul and Vorm but he most likely won't feature in the tournament unless Stekelenburg gets injured.

Really? Just told my Norwich mate, he's pissing himself at that, especially given they've released him. I don't know if it's true. Read it on RTG and they got it from some Norwich forum I think. They have apparently been linked to him before, so they don't seem too surprised/miffed.. http://www.readytogo.net/smb/showthread.php?t=701482

No way Brummie will be getting flashbacks. Typical MON would be to play him at right back at the expense of actual full back specialists at the club wouldn't it..? God, if this is true it's a brilliant start to their summer transfer activities.

Zak Whitbread rumoured to be signing for Sunderland for 40k per week. Yes please.

Aye. The clause is probably based on certain conditions being met. Maybe we are in a position to trigger it whereas other interested parties aren't, meaning they could fetch more for him from them. Only possibility except for that chairman being a closet mackem I can think of for that statement. Not is first dig at us either..

Have a preference for a candidate. If in a job ask existing club permission to speak to them, if not given move to next candidate on list. If interview successful hire candidate, if not move onto next candidate. A shortlist of 12 or so candidates and wanting to speak to all 12 (regardless of whether they are in a job or not) before making up your mind on who you'd prefer is not usual practice, is it? I can't see many managers in established jobs wanting to risk their futures at their current club to enter a raffle for the Liverpool job..

Let's hope all 11 don't. Such an arrogant approach to treat managers already in a job this way (understand it to a certain extent for jobless candidates). Do Liverpool expect all cubs and chairmen to just bend over like Wigan/Whelan have done?

Possible Welshman, but found this prematch report on RAWK supposedly compiled by AVB regarding NUFC in 2005. Makes for interesting reading if you're interested in tactics: http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01927/art18-1_1927022a.pdf

Sounds almost as if we are aware of a clause in his contract where other clubs aren't and he's unwilling to sell for the amount specified in the clause..

Exactly. His win percentage at Wigan is 26,77% - hardly impressive even for a "small" club like Wigan.

It's taken a while for Martinez' methods to finally click with the Wigan players. He won't get the time to do it at Liverpool. They already want him out and he hasn't got the job. Has it finally clicked with the Wigan players though..? Based on the Wigan Houdini acts after extremely slow starts in the last few seasons I would say Martinez has a knack for rallying the troops under extreme pressure, but is rather shit at deploying his methods under "normal" circumstances. In fact, looking at his managerial career I really don't see what the Liverpool owners apparently do and if I was a Liverpool fan I would be extremely worried to be fair. There are serious question marks about his suitability for the job before you even consider the huge pressure he would be under at a club like them, especially considering the fans are already on his back before he's even appointed. I predict it will be an unmitigated disaster if their owners decide to go down this path.

Vermaelen is pretty shite at LB I thought?

All central defenders.. Agree they should be much better than their results suggest. Criminal they haven't managed to qualify for the last WC and the upcoming Euros.

Alba or Alaba?

£10m or thereabouts for the Ajax and Belgium captain and the Eredivisie Footballer of the Year? It's a tidy wedge for a player with only 1 year left on his contract but I wouldn't see him as a risk tbh. Think it means Caulker can get another season at Swansea and Ledley can retire. Aye, good transfer for Spurs.

Rightio John. Just like they were this season and last..

http://www.newcastle-online.org/nufcforum/index.php/topic,92319.msg3712836.html#msg3712836

Aye, I'm inclined to agree. As much as they've had a disappointing season, getting a new manager in, as well as a new DoF, means they are effectively writing off a large part of the investment they have made into their squad as the new manager will want to bring in his own players. Unless they are prepared to invest a seriously big amount of money again there is every chance that the change they're making will not be for the better.