afar

Thing is both have potential. But mind you I championed Bramble for long enough because the guy had potential. Neither are the finished article and I think that's what Sunderland lack really, playing Ferdinand alongside a Hyppia may have been a good move for them.

How many times are we going to get, "he rejected yous and came to us" from the mackems ?

Well I'll get to watch it in 4 hours time, if I can manage to retrieve the remote control from the wife's vice like grip.

Sounds like you've been on the brink of kicking the bucket throughout this one Mike.

We never win at pens.

We never do well in this sodding cup anyways.

This is the 2nd round

Arsenal I think this season may be a "second season syndrome" season for a lot of their young stars. They think they've made it. As others have said if they can get some experience into the middle of the park and find an alternative to Adebayor for a source of goals, they could still challenge at the top. Aston Villa The result against Stoke surprised me tbh, maybe it's early season bedding down for their new signing but they've already shipped a lot of goals in their two games. Oniell has to put that right and I think he will. Europe could be the key to where they finish in the league, they could win that cup but if they do it'll be at the expense of their league position. Blackburn Had a great result at Everton followed it up with a poor one at home to Hull, think that’ll be the story of their season inconsistency. Mid table beckons though. Bolton The embodiment of anti football, the big win against Stoke showed they can score, but I have a feeling that’ll be the exception to the rule. They’ll frustrate enough teams to ensure they don’t have too many relegation worries though unfortunately. Chelsea Before a ball was kicked I thought they would be the team to beat this season, after two games nothing I’ve seen has changed my mind. Everton It’s be a truly unbelievable summer for Everton in the transfer market, and not from a good point of view. I wouldn’t be surprised though to see them go big in the last few days and turn themselves into “best of the rest” contenders again. Europe as with Villa could be the key for them, their squad is even smaller than Villa’s, I just can’t see them sustaining but a decent league season with a good cup run. But never write Moyes and Everton off. Fulham I think Hodgson has done really well in the transfer market and is an excellent manager. Their result at Hull was poor but they bounced back exceptionally well against Arsenal. Could be a surprise packet for me, I originally had them finishing mid table but I probably over estimated them, still think they’ll finish comfortably safe of relegation. Hull What a terrific start for them, four pts from their first two games, I don’t think they can have expected any more. Will it last ? I can’t see it unfortunately, but one thing is for sure they won’t do a Derby, still back to the championship I’m a afraid, but their fans will have enjoyed the ride. Liverpool They always seem to start well and show early season promise, the key will them sustaining that form through the winter months. I don’t see much of an improvement on the team that finished forth last year. They are still miles off Manure and Chelsea. Man City I think a lot of people are underestimating them and overplaying the uncertainty in the boardroom. They look a strong squad to me with a lot of talent and an excellent manager in Hughes. I expect them to be pushing will all the way for fifth. Manure I think they will struggle to match their exploits of last term, I don’t think the desire will be as great this year for them. It was a mistake not to buy in the summer, iyam. If the berbatov signing goes through, and I’m far from certain it will, then that could give them that spark others said they need. Without it, I think they’ll not be too close for comfort for Chelsea Middlesbrough Surprised me with not just the result against spuds but their performance, ran Liverpool close too. Good solid season in store for Boro methinks. Portsmouth Last year the benefited from a tough opening schedule, they played well during those games and got a few points in the bank ahead of some easier games. This year it seems to be having the opposite effect. I also think they’ll struggle to wake from their slumber of the cup win and the Redknapp thinks he’s a better manager than he really is. Europe if they don’t get knocked out early could be an unwelcome distraction for them. My surprise package to do poorly this year. Stoke Of the three promoted teams I think Stoke will have the best chance to stay up. Pulis plays a pretty uncomplicated brand of football, they’ll be hard to beat at home but will struggle to find a way to beat the better teams away, but they may frustrate the other lesser lights and pick up valuable points against their rivals. Sunderland I think I underestimated them. I thought their signings were a bunch of rejects on high wages that would struggle with motivation. But Keane seems to have ensured that complacency is not on the agenda there. The secret now for them is to maintain the early season promise, the win at spuds will be a huge lift for them. Finishing above us this season is not out of the question for them. Tottenham Well common sense suggests that the comedy that has ensued at the start of the season will not last. However I think it will get a lot worse before it gets better. With less than a week of the transfer window to go, there are way too many holes in their squad to be serious European contenders this year (any talk of challenging the top four is ridiculous). I have question marks against Ramos, I’m not convinced he’s as good as people make him out to be. I have a feeling the focus for them this season will be the UEFA cup. I said a few weeks back that I thought they and Villa were miles ahead of the rest of the dirge in the middle and their pre season form seemed to validate that, but after seeing them in action in games that matter I have revised that, they could very well have a season like we did last year where they flirt with relegation but ultimately are safe in mediocrity. I have a feeling that within a season or two Moyes may be in the hot seat there. West Brom If anyone is going to do a “derby” I think it’s going to be West Brom, they are simply not good enough to play the football they like to play in the premiership, they’ve started badly, Arsenal they couldn’t have expected anything from but it was a great time to play Everton. Straight back down for the baggies. West Ham Hard to work West Ham out, they started with a good win then followed up with a bad performance and result against Manshitty. I rate Curbs, and when fit his squad is a match for most teams in the league. Ashton is the key to a good season for them, if he played 30 plus games they’ll finish top half, if not a flirt with relegation could be in store. Wigan Bruce comes in for some stick on here but he’s a good manager IMO (obviously not good enough for us though). Wigan will be solid and although they’ll be in a fight, I expect them to stay up. Here’s my new and improved league predictions, it’s based on us signing the players KK says he will. 1. Chelsea 2. Manure 3. Liverpool 4. Arsenal 5. Villa 6. Man City 7. Newcastle 8. Everton 9. Blackburn 10. Boro 11. Spuds 12. Dirty Mackems 13. West Ham 14. Pompey 15. Bolton 16. Fulham 17. Wigan 18. Stoke 19. Hull 20. West Brom

LOL

With a slice of good luck, he’ll hook himself up with a new contract. Some other club will fall into the trap of teeing him up with a new deal but he’ll draw a hefty wage. He’s got a fairway to go to restore his tattered reputation, he doesn’t want to have to hide in the bunkers like he did at Newcastle. A little birdie told me that the taxi driver asked him not to part with any money on his way to taking him out of SJP. His name may fade away into memory but he’ll wan’t it to sore like an eagle again so he can pull on the green shirt of Ireland once again. “He’s one of us masters in the team” said Shay Given recently, his availability leaves the door open, championship sides will surely be interested. Apparently Gateshead manager Ian Bogey is willing to putter offer in for him but he’ll face competition from other clubs.

I haven't seen/heard Andy Gray in about 10 years or so, as when I lived back in the UK I never got sky. However I do remember him being extremely good back then, him and Martin Tyler were by far and away the best in the business. I guess he must have changed over the years.

Didn't he have a trial at Blackburn? That's right. This is a quote from the director of football in Rosenborg. He says: "I haven't heard about this. There are often agents that calls us, but so far there is nothing concrete. But if a bid in the size that has been mentioned comes up, we have to sit down and consider it." This article was posted a couple of minutes ago. Well he might as well have said "Fuck me I hope someone comes in with that amount of dosh for him, I'd snatch there hands off, unfortunately no one has yet"

Absolutely not, his attacking game is built around the ability to run with the ball and there is no place better to do that than out wide. He also alows us to be stronger defensively by giving cover to the fullback. He's great out wide, I just wouldn't mess with that. If we need some creative spark in midfield, and we do, then buy it, fitting square pegs into round holes rarely works.

Pluses for me: Colo and Taylor (obviously outside the penalty) partnership looked solid again. Zog moving forward looked a threat and crossing was generally of a high standard, could be a good option at home in that position, wouldn't dream of playing him there away from home again though. Butt's distribution was spot on, a lot of it went unnoticed but he played pretty well on Saturday, much , much , much better than the Manure game. Owen of course, the guy just knows how to score goals. Jonas, continued where he left off against Manure Negatives: The team as a whole still lack a lock picker, we may get more of these frustrating games against the weaker teams in the league, if we don't find some more creative spark. Guthrie I thought was poor at times, not a bad game for the lad but seemed to play a bit carelessly from time to time. Martins injury, that could be hugely significant for us, not sure what the problem was but it didn't look good.

KK's comments in the BBC interview were interesting IMO. He was asked specifically about the Wow ™ signing. He basically said we definitely need a defender and a midfielder, and if the owner and chairman what to bring in a Wow ™signing too he'll be over the moon. So it looks like the Wow ™ signing is a forward. He sounded confident enough that we would get the midfielder and defender, but not too expectant about the Wow ™ player.

Tbf if they had have got one we couldn't have complained. Well I had to wait until 3am yesterday morning to watch the match in full because of Setanta strange schedule over here. However it did give me a chance to watch the game for a different perspective. I can tell you what, if Bolton had got something out of the game then it would have been an injustice. It was so anti-football, they showed no desire to go on an win the game, they were very organised and ensured they got everyone behind the ball when we had it. The only time in the first half where they committed bodies up front, we broke and Oba was cynicially brought down. Watching them week in and week out would be an absolute nightmare. Don't get me wrong we weren't at our best, but a 1-0 scoreline was probably about right. I hope they get beat every game they have left this season because rewarding that brand of football is just not right.

The comment he made in relation to the striker worried me a little. Reading between the lines, I assume he means, if we can shift Shola then we'll replace him. I'm not convinced we'll be able to shift Shola

Got to say I'm more concerned about this game than I was about the Manure match, I had a feeling we would get somehting from that one. But my gut feeling here is that we'll be frustrated, hope I'm wrong, but it would not surprise me if, we dominated for huge chunks of the game but still lost this one 0-1

Would rather have Denis Healey. But he's dead.....oh, i see your point

Yes,yes i know,we`ve signed a load of s****,but the Tooooooon as signed world class Argies Factually true TBH.

WTF does is that supposed to infer. That you're happy to have signed Cisse, well as a Newcastle supporter I'm freakin delighted you have, just wished you had spent some real money on the pile of shite.

I agree, he's got heart, works hard, is commited and has no small amount of ability. All attributes which as much appreciated within the Prem.

Sorry that's a lot tosh right there. With the exception of the top 4 and perhaps Villa and just maybe ourselves (based on one game this season), lots of EPL clubs dont bother playing through the middle. The reason why pundits rant and rave about the way Arsenal play is because they are the exception to the rule. In La Liga, even mid table teams play the Arsenal way (though obviously with less success). How many ball playing centre backs are there in the EPL, whi can get the ball out of defence and pass teh ball to midfield. Most just hoof the ball to clear, rely on their target man striker to get the ball down and if he is good enough, get others involved. You're also dead wrong when you suggest that the other leagues (particularly La Liga just pass the ball sideways). It's about keeping possession and passing and moving till you see an opening, that's not as easy as you suggest, painfully obvious in England game's yesterday when our midfielders (even those playing for the big 4) struggle to keep possession for any meaningful amount of time. Yes the EPL is perhaps the most exciting league in the world but that's not because the teams play beuatiful football. Bollocks of the highest degree. Great counter argument. I thought so. But he brings up the same old shit we've heard a million and one times about how poor English football is, yet it's still hands down the way most entertaining and popular league in the world, and also not too unsuccessful.

Sorry that's a lot tosh right there. With the exception of the top 4 and perhaps Villa and just maybe ourselves (based on one game this season), lots of EPL clubs dont bother playing through the middle. The reason why pundits rant and rave about the way Arsenal play is because they are the exception to the rule. In La Liga, even mid table teams play the Arsenal way (though obviously with less success). How many ball playing centre backs are there in the EPL, whi can get the ball out of defence and pass teh ball to midfield. Most just hoof the ball to clear, rely on their target man striker to get the ball down and if he is good enough, get others involved. You're also dead wrong when you suggest that the other leagues (particularly La Liga just pass the ball sideways). It's about keeping possession and passing and moving till you see an opening, that's not as easy as you suggest, painfully obvious in England game's yesterday when our midfielders (even those playing for the big 4) struggle to keep possession for any meaningful amount of time. Yes the EPL is perhaps the most exciting league in the world but that's not because the teams play beuatiful football. Bollocks of the highest degree.

Top bloke