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aye was nasty. dave jones said johnson was coughin up blood and would've got up and decked him had he not been injured Wasn't it Claude Davis that pulled a razor blade on Ade Akinbiyi in training the other year? Doesn't seem like the nicest chap.

Did you just see MOTD2? Yeah. They showed today, the Hull game I mentioned and one other game after they trawled through the entire seasons footage. It's not like I was wildly out. What the fuck was that post-match analysis all about anyway?! I can't believe they didn't even show the free kick incident, nevermind debate it. They did a hatchet job on Hibbert rather than highlight that Young had a cracking game, bit over the top I thought. Then instead of highlighting some of the great passing football we played today they highlight... Phil Neville mopping up loose balls? Wtf. Who wants to see that shit? Piss poor.

Actually mate, I can only think of Fellaini elbowing intentionally in one other game against Hull at home. All his yellows have been for clumsy fouls and often pretty harshly, not for use of the elbow. Lets agree to disagree on the free kick, I've seen it on telly with replays and for me it is never a foul. They're both just jostling with each other and it shouldn't have been given imo. Webb definitely shit himself when the crowd got restless today and was pretty biased in the second half I thought. I was disappointed with that because I remember singing his praises after the derby at Anfield this season for not caving in when that lot were appealing stupidly for everything and instead ref'd it very fairly. The Cahill goal was scrappy but I don't see how Fellaini's was? Strong running by Baines, good movement in the box from Fellaini and an absolute peach of a low cross to pick him out. I can't say I've actually enjoyed either of our league games this season but they were definitely exciting and must have been great for neutrals. I reckon you're right about the gap between us and the other 14 teams outside the Sky 4 though, I think we've both got a bit more about us.

We didn't do ourselves favours on some occasions, some of them were pointless free kicks to give away. But yeah, Webb completely caved in, the height of it IMO being when Jacobsen was looking to clear it, Young hauled him back by his shirt (play on), gets the ball, and crashes yet again to the floor, getting a free kick. Glad the b****** didn't score. What about Jo at the other end re: the pen claim? Honest question because I can't remember it very well. A possible shout? And yep, the 2nd goal was never a free kick. I'd be more pissed off if the game really meant something though. Mind as I say, the plus point of that was generally a hugely entertaining game. We didn't defend Carew well at all, mind, when he's on form, how do you defend him? I didn't actually see the Jo incident properly, my little niece and nephew were running riot at the time off their heads on sugar and e-numbers. I assume it wasn't a pen though because no fuss was made of it after the game. Ashley Young, I really do not like and haven't since the Cup game at Goodison. His diving and moaning, gobby attitude really piss me off. He's up there with Fabregas and Gerrard on my blacklist now Our defending just wasn't up to scratch today though. Very unusual for us to throw a lead away, nevermind a two goal lead twice! Regardless of any harsh circumstances we should have defended better in general. Credit to Villa for putting us under pressure though, we were struggling with the crosses and high balls today for some reason and Carew was a menace. I think Howard got shown up as being average again too. He isn't up to the same quality as the rest of our first XI.

Never a free kick for the 2nd goal in a million years. He didn't even give it until Barry turned round and inexplicably asked the ref for it, Stevie G Laa-style. Nothing even happened. He must have learnt that trick while he's been in the England squad. That goal changed the game as well, if it had stayed 3-1 for a short while instead of Villa instantly getting back in it then we would have seen that match out comfortably. I thought Webb was shocking today. Just gave every 50/50 to Villa in the second half because he caved in to the crowd. Still not sure about the penalty, contact seemed minimal. I think it's one of those where you're pissed off if it's gone against you but would ask for it if it was the other way round. Tough call really.

Defending was a joke

Poor game so far. You need to play it on the deck against Stoke otherwise you get nowhere. Being able to mix it is all well and good but that should come secondary, whacking long balls in the air just suits them down to the ground.

Merson is an absolute legend

Wanker? Cunt? Ladyboy?

No.

What's the point in sacking him now? They're down already. Gibson said he'd still be there next season even if they went down too, but we'll have to see whether he sticks to that claim.

I don't really like Shearer but fair play to him for putting his neck on the line when his club is in trouble. Can't be the kind of circumstances he wanted for his start in management.

Is that a real story? Scunthorpe, Leicester and Leeds are all looking at him!! Tony Mowbray said he's been looking at him as well so he can't be that bad, only young.

Would love to see that interview with him and Revie in full. Check out the 2nd post in this thread. Instructions are in there. Dunno how I missed that Ta mate.

Would love to see that interview with him and Revie in full.

Jagielka has been every bit as good as Vidic. According to the Daily Mail Jags has got quite a lot of votes Gerrard probably deserves it though.

Did they just guess where the penalty box was? The ref must have been shitting himself every time there was a foul within about 20 yards of the goal

I totally forgot Beye, probably because he's been injured. I thought he was one of the best right backs along with Sagna last season and he'd walk into both our side and the Villa side. johnnypd- yeah, obviously you've got more quality than to be in the bottom 3 but I don't think that's what people generally mean when they say Newcastle are under performing. A lot of people seem to be suggesting you should be getting into europe but to be fair that's probably more outsiders than your fans. I don't think many neutrals expect you to go down at all, the mood seems a lot gloomier about your prospects amongst yourselves. I understand why though after suffering through Walter fucking Smith's depressing teams while everyone else told us he was doing a good job.

Oh, forgot about this. re: the point of having no real strength or fixed style I'd say that's a direct result of having so many managerial changes. If Allardyce was given a few transfer windows I'm sure we would now be looking at a NUFC side full of big, tall, athletic players ala Blackburn/Pompey/Stoke. While if Keegan had stayed in charge this season I'm sure a passing, attacking style would be stuck to pretty rigidly. Either method (and the stability it brings) would have no doubt improved results compared to the current mish-mash of an ill Kinnear and an out of his depth Hughton doing management by numbers. However, you'd still need a lot of dead wood shipping out and replacing to be able to push for say, 5th imo.

I was going to bring this up. I see a lot of posts on here and talk in the media about how your squad is good on paper & how you've got enough quality to be up there with us and Villa. I'm sorry, but I just don't see that in the slightest. I see a lot of has beens and players who are simply very average. I struggle to think of more than a few players that would get a look in at either of those clubs I mentioned. Here, Jonas would be a nice addition because he's a pretty good wide man and we are lacking in those positions. I'd defo play him there ahead of Osman. Up front, Martins & Owen would be welcome but I don't think either would be in the first 11 whenever Yak & Cahill are available to play together. At Villa I could see Bassong would play rather than Knight but what about when Laursen is back to partner Davies? Probably not then. Again, the strikers would get some joy with Carew probably on his way, Agbonlahor a bit erratic & Heskey being Heskey. Apart from that I struggle to think of anyone. You've sold your only real class player in Shay Given who would have walked into both sides. At the risk of really pissing you off, I think Spurs have an argument that on paper they should be performing a lot better. I can understand why that gets bandied about in the media but Newcastle? I just don't see it.

It's much worse when they're on ITV in the Champions League with Clive Tylsley and Jim Beglin. Oh, absolutely. I was just thinking that with the owners hating each other, Parry booted out, Benitez's contract hoo-haa, "family" is the last way I'd describe Liverpool, other than when meant in the sense that that Fritzls were a family True enough. 2 down now. Looks like both of us are running out of steam, 5th and 6th should be safe though.

So you haven't actually watched him but want to sign him? I remember his run of games at City last year. Never seen a keeper so terrified of high balls.

It's much worse when they're on ITV in the Champions League with Clive Tylsley and Jim Beglin.

Kasper Schmeichel is really, really shit. Harper is like Lev Yashin reincarnate compared to him.

It was definitely dissent. I can't believe all the top 4 arse lickers trying to make out like Rooney nonchalantly tossed the ball to Giggs' feet. Rooney spat his dummy out because the ref never let them take a quick free kick and absolutely launched it. I don't think he aimed it at anyone but Giggs was still miles away from where he threw it.