Ronaldo

I'd love to see Raj Sing pay a visit to the likes of Seaham. Something tells me he wouldn't be quite so quick to endorse Sunderland as a stage for the international community

Shearer was never as good after 96-97, never came close in fact. The Shearer of that season was absolutely world class as a goalscorer and footballer.

It's after 10AM on a Tuesday mate, i'm allowed some fun once in a while

If Hughton gets us promoted, why would you sack him and give Shearer the job in the summer?

The goal he scored that day was superb. Remember a free-kick from that season (Coventry maybe?) where Shearer ran over the free-kick, Hamann thumped the hardest free-kick I've ever seen which just bounced off the keepers chest, into the onrunning Shearer's path to tap-in. Actually that 20+ goal season was under Gullit, but was predominantly Keegan/Dalglish's side. 20+? I thought he hit 14 under Gullit 21 in 40 appearances. ah right, must have just been league games

The goal he scored that day was superb. Remember a free-kick from that season (Coventry maybe?) where Shearer ran over the free-kick, Hamann thumped the hardest free-kick I've ever seen which just bounced off the keepers chest, into the onrunning Shearer's path to tap-in. Actually that 20+ goal season was under Gullit, but was predominantly Keegan/Dalglish's side. 20+? I thought he hit 14 under Gullit

Arsenal (h) 1998-99 He was like Gerrard in that game

Impossible to argue with so far. Many similarities really, not least the baggage they bring off the pitch far outweighing their contributions on it. Bowyer at least chipped in with the odd goal tbf. Not till near the end post the fight with Dyer when they both pulled their fingers out. Chipped in with a couple before then I think...off the top of my head Pompey at home, Deportivo (I think? In a 1-1 away in Europe anyway) away. I assume 1 or 2 I've forgotten about. Barton's only ever scored penalties for us. Was that not post fight? I remember goal against Olympiakos at home. Think you're right actually. Still contributed more than Barton. His excellent volley against Deportivo was in July 2005, a few months after the fight. After the game, both Shepherd and Souness gave a collective statement about Bowyer being a 'great player' and not leaving

Speed was defensively sound but an exceptional passer of the ball too, which is one of many we lacked from 04 onwards. Speed was also the organiser of the midfield which lacked tactical displine from the off in 04-05, I still cannot believe we let the guy go tbh. Age was a fact but he was in better physical condition than Shearer and showed fewer signs of deteriorating that him.

Why was discipline needed with Jenas? When was he tough? :lol:

Switched to Shola because of the family connection Regarding Colo, it could well be 2 seasons as I haven't spoken to my dad much recently.

He was talking about Ranger's build, not height

Just a shame he didn't back it up by keeping Shearer on the bench for Boro, Spurs and Norwich. Im sure a part of him wanted to.

The entire BBC broadcast managed to piss me off

Can't we just tell it like it f***ing is for once. It was a bad header which fell nicely for Nolan, but Nile was at least in the right position. This thread man

there's a nice surprise. I got Liverpool on Tuesday at 6/5 last night. 10/11 now Every compiler I know smokes more weed than your average landscape gardener, take advantage lads!

I was just about to post that. I loved Bobby's subtle hint that he'd actually have been prepared to sell Shearer.

Carr had been linked with us since the summer of 2002 and iirc Bobby said a year later that he was 'a player I like' as for Carrick, damn right

Looks pretty quick to me, how fast do you want him to be able to go? Aye, he looks rapid once he gets going. Eats up the ground. You'll not get many with his build with the brilliant acceleration. why not? Eh, genetical reasons? What about Olympic sprinters who are much bigger and stronger than Ranger? exactly

Speed and Solano replaced with Butt and Ambrose, honestly. I realise Bobby wasn't behind the selling of Speed but I'm also sure he could have easily stopped it. Bobby also said that 29 was a good age at which to sell Nobby yet he went after a 29 year old Butt (who played in a position requiring more stamina) 6 months later. I don't believe he'd lost the dressing room but I do think he'd lost judgement. He was also bitten hard in the arse by the looming presence of Shearer and the cuntishness of Dyer.

we were rubbish that day, as we were the previous game against Norwich and the one before that against Spurs. The mistake made was keeping Shearer in the team for 3 out of those first 4 games

I answered your question if you read it again Every game apart from us and Forrest is on Tuesday

we've played later than the other teams pretty often. Cardiff was a Sunday and there's been 3 late kick saturdays kick-offs for TV. Just use your brain mate.

we played later than anyone else on saturday and had the longest return journey (would be the excuse)

good odds all the same