NcToon

Lima thick bastard.. fouling Williamson as he is about to shoot lol!

Most players are acting as if they gave away the Santon goal.. how are we not more up for this?

Incredibly sad how we are set up in the hopes that we can scrape through till it is 0-0 with 60 mins left. Our apparent game plan is get HBA on and have him the win game. It's as if Pardew thinks waiting till 90+ min to do anything is a credible tactic..

then why sack a manager who will have us pushing for champions league? Because I think, and it seems like others feel the same, the season we finished 5th we did so with a disproportionately large number of poor performances (for a team that high up the table) and somewhat lucky results. I have lost confidence in Pardew's ability to infuse the squad - not just the mythical 1st XI that we never see, anyway - with a certain playing style that may help us win games when Cisse, Ba, Ben Arfa, or Cabaye are not hitting wonder shots. I respect Pardew for steadying the ship and for mostly creating a positive impression of the club in his interactions with the press. However, there appears to be a reason he has never really succeeded anywhere in the long term - no long term goal/approach to football (apart from being physical/hoofing)

Pardew has been granted too many persuasive justifications/excuses (Europa, injuries, losing a top scorer in January) for his true failings to be exposed this season. Next year, unless we have another injury meltdown (I am sure whatever happens it will be exaggerated) there will be little but the league position for Pardew to hang his hat on. I find it almost impossible to believe that Ashley will replace Pardew this summer, but it will be much easier next year when Pardew's excuses no longer exist (to the same degree) and he has a settled and well-built squad to draw from.

Is there any consensus emerging about where people are going to be drinking before the game tomorrow? Any particular bars in Barrio Alto that would be a good venue?

Easyjet have a flight from Bristol straight to Lisbon with the route starting on March 26th

I will post this again later but.. I can see Benfica's stadium from where I live and would be happy to host people/have some people over for drinks before/after the first leg! So excited for this tie!

Anyone copped one of these yet? http://www.toffs.com/Newcastle_France-Le-Toon-Retro-Football-Shirt/productinfo/1536/

Observation: why is Tiote trying to make so many creative passes in the final third? So many of them go straight to the opposition. His role should involve winning the ball and playing simple short passes, that's it. In the same vein, why is he shooting so much more than the rest of the team put together? I would much rather see Marveux or Anita take the shots from that position.

good lord. One time that we manage to shift ball from left to right opening up space for Simpson.. and he chips the ball 20 feet over everyone's heads.. christ

Cabaye is playing far too deep as Tiote is sitting in front of the back four.. if Cabaye pushes up the front 2 wouldn't be so isolated

For any toon fans in the St. Louis area, there are a few of us who have been gathering at the Amsterdam Tavern in the grove neighbourhood.. they will be showing the Fulham game (they have Fox Soccer Plus) which starts at 7am.

May I add though that though he is no better than 4th choice (one of the first indications of whether Pardew has any sense is that he sees this) - he is good to have in the team for training purposes etc. as numerous players have been vocal about how he has helped their game - with the current lack of assistant coaches etc. we need all the extra coaching help we can get! Shouldn't be playing after this week so nothing really to worry about!

just wanted to mention that I was at the game last night at San Siro and Famugusta played a decent game. Inter had very few good chances - 1-0 accurately reflects the difference between the teams on the day