Segun Oluwaniyi

I still cannot believe that football's governing bodies have essentially forced a footballer to be inactive for half of a season. It is a ridiculous decision. He has essentially been given a 7 month ban from the sport because Pardew and Bruce did not fancy him as a player!

It is also very specific to this incident. Not only is it a complete misunderstanding of the rules with no grey area; it is also the last kick of the match that is being discussed, so it can be easily replayed without the integrity of the match being threatened. Also, it has happened during a tournament that is formatted in such a way that all of the matches will happen in the same stadium, so there is no effect on any travel plans or training schedules. It is hard to see it being applied elsewhere. Once again, you are incorrect.

To be honest, I am somewhat sympathetic towards Carver. I genuinely believe he loves the club, but he has the same faults as most other men. He is ambitious, self-interested, and remarkably unremarkable. He is also woefully incompetent and deep inside himself I think he knows this. Everyone at the club knows it too. I believe the people above him at the club will essentially use him as a sacrificial lamb for their own inadequacies and lack of interest in this season for anything other than simply surviving at the least cost.

French footballers are remarkably forthcoming when compared to their English counterparts. Ligue 1 players at fairly big clubs talk about moving on, bigger clubs, etc. constantly without much in the way of backlash. They love to talk.

I understand the reaction because people are hurt at another surrender against another poor Sunderland team, but there really is nothing here. Maybe you chastise someone for lack of aggression or competitive nature on the actual pitch (Not me), but this was walking to the changing room at halftime. Hand on the back, simple pleasantries in the vein of "good hit" or something similar, spend the the next fifteen minutes ruminating on what lacked in the first half and can be changed in the second. The players are not blood warriors, just professionals in a small fraternity of people that have made it to the top. It annoys me when things like this pick up media exposure, especially when there are real issues at hand after this shambles. How many seasons out of the last eight or so have ended in a malaise? I would say every single on except for the 5th place finish and the dominant run in the CCC.

The football is a bit rubbish, yes, but the results are undeniable, and this generation has come together under his tutelage. Before he took the post, they hadn't qualified for anything in ten years and now they are fourth in the world and considered legitimate contenders. Why would he be sacked?

He is only 35. He might just enjoy playing football and the lifestyle that accompanies it. It will be all he has known for twenty years. There are obviously coaching positions and other decent paying jobs available with Barcelona and throughout the game in Spain if it was just about money. There is no reason to hang your boots because one club no longer finds you useful.

People give Oscar too much credit for his work at Chelsea, imo. He was very good at the start of the season, but when the weather got cold, he went on the same mid-season swoon he has gone on every season in England. His decline in form along, with decline of Matic and Fabregas and the injuries/suspensions of their direct replacements is the main reason Chelsea has failed to impress in recent months. He has to work hard to cover Fabregas, but it is insincere to blame his poor creative work on this, when he has also done well in the same system.

I am glad that Brazil came to it sense and cancelled the allegedly planned trip to Nigeria on the weekend because they would probably spell FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA in goals with the team in its current state. However, this is a very un-intimidating front four for Brazil.

"Southgate, George Boateng, Aiyegbeni Yakubu and Mark Viduka who all proved themselves important players." The mid-2000's versions of these players would all walk into NUFC's side. It should also be noted that the next manager used similar funds to buy the likes Woodgate, Afonso Alves, and Mido while also leading Bror to a relegation from which it is yet to recover. Anyway, I am a fan of Mclaren. He is one of my favourite English managers, though the competition level is fairly low. With a decent squad of players, I would trust him to achieve consistently satisfactory results, without insulting the intelligence of every single supporter repeatedly. It would be a good appointment, given the circumstances, imo.

People that willfully suggest Anita as a starting player for Newcastle United must not have watched him. He was the worst player that appeared on the pitch last Saturday and imo, it is not an especially rare occurrence. I'd prefer Jonas to him for reasons other than sentiment.

I cannot remember the last time this wasn't a terrible football match. Maybe the 5-1, but even this was mostly the result of a shambolic Sunderland.

At some level though, results are important at this level. Going to European Championships would be a great experience for the youth players to play against the best of the continent, experience a real competitive atmosphere, and build relationships that could be vital if players ever reach the national team together. Of course, you can say that the inability to include Harper is just a representation of Sbragia's tactical deficiencies, which is probably correct tbf , but I don't think the mentality is necessarily incorrect.

How do you think that will go ? what do you think of Bielsa ? Bielsa's results speak louder than anything. Everything about his accomplishments is exceptional. I thought the team had tired because of his intensive style after the swoon post-New Year, but the recovery has been great, players like Batshuayi and Ocampos have come in and rejuvenated the form. My favourite OM managers since probably Gerets, hope he stays around. Lyon and OM both play better football, but PSG are in front currently and have the likes of Zlatan is their squad, it is hard to bet against them. Lyon have the easiest fixtures though, imo.

Clasico always degenerates into idiocy. I find it somewhat tiring, tbh. Speaking of title races, this is Ligue 1: Eight matches left, Monaco with a match in hand. Le Classique (OM-PSG at Velodrome) weekend after the international break. It should be fantastic.

Anita has been extremely poor today. Lazy with possession.

Honestly, I don't think they are playing particularly poorly. If the complete lack of competence/interest at didn't leave them with three players out of position in defence to partner the least talented centreback in the Premiership, this might be a decent match.

One fit centreback and he is completely dominated for the goal. Then again, it is the same player who was dominated by Moses two years ago and still hasn't been replaced.

Arsenal haven't had one legitimate chance, so you shouldn't be.

Ameobi is actually a very good dribbler, but his basic ball control is rubbish.

Newcastle have started fairly well given the circumstances, tbf.

The best team available, anyway. The team has the capability of being competitive in this fixture at home to a tired Arsenal, but frankly I'm not sure if the players care anymore than the supporters. Five more points and their job is done. Frankly, it may already be.

I wouldn't say that he needs to be a striker, many of his best performances this season have come in the centre midfield (which is where he would end up with a bigger team, imo) Dede is an all-around talent with great mentality and work ethic who will chip in with goals from wherever he plays, mostly because of his stunning ability in the air. I assume he is more attacking for Ghana for the same reason Mikel is pushed forward for Nigeria, the creative options are lacking (they are lacking at NUFC also, tbf) I would be vexed to see him leave OM where he should be given a fat contract and the captaincy. Frankly, I think he will have better prospects than NUFC, anyway.

Should be one hell of a match this. Two of the options at centreback are a fullback with who has made less than five appearrances in three season after having his career stunted by knee injuries and a winger who has just recovered from cancer. Against Arsenal. They'll probably stumble to a lucky win just to spite all of you.

one thing I do rather like is the way the league cup does it with the away goal rule coming into effect in extra time, its a good way to negate home advantage I hate that more to be honest, it's just a ploy of preventing games being finished by penalties. I just do not understand how you could scrap for your lives and secure a 1-0 win away at Barca, only to lose 8-7 at home and be tossed out of the cup because of it. The Arsenal game last night for example; Arsenal were sh*t in the first leg, Monaco were sh*t in the second leg - surely that should be decided by ET and penalties. No, it is a strategic aspect of the tie. Teams are well aware of the value of away goals and align their tactics to it. Arsenal shouldn't have allowed three goals at home and shouldn't have been pushed so far forward at the end of the first match. Allowing three goals at home will be fatal 95 percent of the time, Arsenal should blame themselves. The only unfair aspect of the current rule is the away goals rule extending into extra time. It is a massive advantage to the away side who have an additional thirty minutes during which their goals are more valuable. This also encourages defensive play in those thirty minutes because the away side usually counter-attacking anyway and the home side knows that allowing a goal at any point will essentially endthe tie, as they would have to score twice to match.