AyeDubbleYoo

Nobody think we'll see Carroll and Power Ranger if they're both fit? Might be an odd partnership I suppose.

One of the things I was thinking last night was that, actually, Lennon gives Johnson really good 'protection'. Might sound strange, but if Johnson doesn't like the opposition coming at him then stick Lennon in front and immediately all they can think about is defending. I agree Joe Cole is technically a better player, but the shirt is Lennon's to lose now IMO... Capello seems to think like that as well.

Am trying to but KingDawson keeps taking it off topic. Don't respond to him. Or if you're that bothered about his responses, conduct the 'conversation' over PM. Am chosing the "no response" option. Sorry about that guys. No because he's s**** and Joe Cole will play there if fit. Joe Cole over Aarron Lennon? Joe's a far superior player, he can create something out of nothing and Lennon can't, he can basically just run fast. Missed the game last night?

I don't care about people laughing about it. It was a stupid thing to do. It just annoys me that people like KingDawson use it as something to throw at me cos they are too stupid to come up with anything else. It's really nothing to worry about, think I was more amused by the way the thread went wrong so quickly. I opened it up expecting to read about the relative merits of Robert Green and David James!

For some reasons I'm in tears laughing at that conversation. Sorry to those people involved obviously, I realise that's wrong

I never understand why stadiums don't put the majority of the corporate and guest seats away from the half way line/main stand... the people don't care about seeing the match anyway. As long as the bar was luxurious they wouldn't mind sitting behind the goal!

I think Heskey (along with Barry) is a major reason for the good play of Gerrard and Lampard. They know that the ball is going to stick more up front and so they can gamble to get forward. I rate Defoe but the team is more important then any individual.

Well no rule applied by a human referee will ever be perfect, it's up to the ref to decide on what he sees. If we're talking about reviewing games on video and banning people later (which I would like to see), then I think it's pretty clear when someone's dived. If it's not clear then no action need be taken.

Nice to see Slavan Bilic defending Eduardo http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/8245629.stm

And there it is. It really is f***ing easy to make this club a success as all one needs is common footballing sense. Ashley and his cronies have clearly lacked this and here we are, slowly clawing back to normalcy despite the fat one's ineptitude. Do we not want big signings, attractive football and the Champions League again though? Playing devil's advocate, but to get those things you need serious money nowadays.

Mourinho ruined Duff and Joe Cole during that time. He was more interested in seeing them work their socks off and tracking back rather than attacking the opposition. He might have ruined Duff, but he made Joe Cole IMO... turned him from just a tricky player to a really effective one. A bit like Fergie with Ronaldo. I remember after one Chelsea match Mourinho came out for a post match interview and tore Joe Cole a new one just because he tried some back heel pass or something. Said something like if he does it again he won't play for Chelsea again. Wtf like, what kind of way is that to behave to a good, skilful player like Cole. Can you imagine if a manager said something like that to a player like Ronaldinho.. don't think so. Can't remember that TBH, but I still think Cole was a better player after working with Mourinho than before. He might have done that anyway I suppose, no way to tell.

Mourinho ruined Duff and Joe Cole during that time. He was more interested in seeing them work their socks off and tracking back rather than attacking the opposition. He might have ruined Duff, but he made Joe Cole IMO... turned him from just a tricky player to a really effective one. A bit like Fergie with Ronaldo.

Ive asked everyone at work,and they all told me NOT to wear colours! But thats what i purchased my shirt for! I haven't bought a kit for years, my newest one is the grandad collar Keegan era one! I was going to buy a new one especially for this... not sure now

There's definitely no sense in bringing in a manager now, with the transfer window closed, the lads doing well and the takeover not complete. Unless it was somebody truly world class who became available.

I'm amazed, and delighted, that we managed to hold onto all three. Like you say, they all seem to get on and Enrique & Jonas combine really well down the left.

Any thoughts on wearing colours to the match? Some people I've mentioned it to say I shouldn't, but are they just being pathetic? My view is I should just wear them and take my rightful place in the front line of the toon army.

They enhance his performance.

I agree that a breach of the rules should be based on whether or not the substance would effect performance anyway, if it's just for a cold then surely no harm done? All I can think is that it is impossible to detect the difference, or the level of dosage (or something like that). Otherwise it would be fairly easy to detect cheats as opposed to people with a cough, no?

I haven't read the details, but I think it's more likely it was over-the-counter without prescription.

We'd have noticed if he hadn't been at West Brom. I suppose so, in hindsight. There are were many possible outcomes though, someone else might have started instead and scored a goal... or we would have scored a goal in another situation because of the difference in our lineup and tactics. All I'm saying is that Damien Duff was not a very effective player for us, losing him is not a big deal (except in terms of numbers).

Selling Duff for £4m in our situation was an incredible deal... we were right to bit their hands off. Have we really noticed the difference, playing without him?

9 months seems harsh, but I can't believe footballers take any drugs that have even a hint of anything banned... you've got to be pretty careless and/or thick to trip up like this.

All joking aside, I've completely stopping hoping for a takeover or a manager now, I don't even check for news.

Apparently the deadline is friday.