NSG

Surely if we'd won 1-0 the outcome of the choice would be different...

Sounds like a good record for a man who mainly plays from midfield.

From the Ronnie: NEWCASTLE United will run the rule over Russia’s versatile Andrei Arshavin in Saturday’s crucial Euro 2008 qualifier with Israel in Tel Aviv. The game could decide whether or not England will be going to the finals in Switzerland and Austria next June and fans will be glued to their TVs on Saturday night. United will be represented – and their eyes will be on the 26-year-old Arshavin, who plays for Zenit St Petersburg. These are not the best of days for United fans, but they will be comforted by the fact that Sam Allardyce has already made his plans for when the transfer window opens again in January. Big Sam has a number of targets, and the Chronicle can reveal that while he may not be top of the list, Arshavin is most definitely on it. He is Zenit St Petersburg’s top player and they would want in the region of £7m for him. And it’s easy to see just why Allardyce will dispatch his top scouts to watch Arshavin in Tel Aviv. He can actually play in four roles – as a deep-lying forward, an out-and-out winger, an attacking midfielder and as a back-up striker, and he is just the type of player United need. His versatility is further highlighted by the fact he was voted the best right-sided midfielder in Russia six years ago, and in 2004 and 2005 he got the nod as the best shadow striker – and last year he was named as Russia’s Player of the Year. A Premier League club’s European scout told me today: “Arshavin has superb pace, he is a great dribbler with the ball, he has vision and technique, and his passing is second to none.” Arshavin has been in the Russian national team for the past five years, and he led his country out in the Euro qualifier with Estonia back in March. He has scored 11 goals in his 25 matches for Zenit St Petersburg this term – and goals are something United need. Their last three have been made up of two own goals, courtesy of Michael Duberry and Sol Campbell, and Saturday’s fluke from James Milner at Sunderland. But United also have problems at the other end of the field and, after watching that shambolic defending when Danny Higginbotham nodded Sunderland in front on Saturday, it is clear that Allardyce is no closer to sorting out his back four. That’s why, while he is not exactly a fans’ favourite, Allardyce will be glad to have the experienced Stephen Carr available again. And he was one of the reasons for yesterday’s behind-closed-doors match with St Mirren at the training ground.

Spot on, 100% IMO

4-2 Alkmaar at home. Could have been 7 or 8.

He's fat, he's round, he's worth 2 billion pound(s), Mike Ashley!

A football fan has been shot dead by police following fighting between rival supporters in Italy, officials say. Local authorities said there had been a "tragic error" when police intervened to quell violence between fans of Roman team Lazio and Turin-based Juventus. The victim, a Lazio fan, was shot during the clash at a motorway restaurant near Arezzo in Tuscany. The Lazio fans were travelling to a match against Inter Milan, which has been suspended following the death. Other games were starting 10 minutes late with players and officials wearing black armbands. The Juventus fans were reportedly on their way from Naples to an away match against Parma. "It was a tragic error," said Arezzo police chief Vincenzo Giacobbe. "Our agent had intervened to prevent the brawl between these two groups, who had not been identified as fans," Mr Giacobbe said, according to the Italian news agency Ansa. Earlier reports said the fan had been killed during the brawl. News of the violence apparently sparked clashes between fans and police in Bergamo, where Atalanta were playing AC Milan. That match was also suspended. In April the Italian government introduced a law aimed at stamping out football hooliganism. It was enacted after a policeman was killed in rioting at a match in Sicily in February. --------------------------------------- RIP

He fucking drove it back man! LEGEND. ZOMG!!!!!11111!!!!!!

TBF, Viduka has barely played and Taylor and Milner have both been poor.

When fit, replace Milner with Duff. Viduka has to start IMO.

Cue some song about Ash splashing the cash

Tits oot if you love the toon

A dozen or so games in and we're starting to see what the future may hold. Right now, who'd be the first three names on your team sheet? For me: 1) Mark Viduka. Adds a totally different dimension to our game. Is excellent in the air and has superb close control, plus is a natural finisher. 2) Charles N'Zogbia. The lad is a rare talent and is getting a good run of games in the team. However, he's wasted at left back. 3) Abdoulaye Faye. He's been superb since he came he. Barring the pass yesterday that led to their goal I can't remember too many mistakes. Always seems to win the ball in the air and reads the game superbly.

So far, at least, it seems we've hit the jackpot with Wor Mike.

Just what we fucking need.

Didn't think he was too bad today. Stunning kick to put Owen in as well.

BTW I thought Viduka was superb today. How the hell did Jones get MOTM? He didn't have a sniff all match.

http://img105.imageshack.us/img105/5004/milneraq9.png Hero.

Enrique didn't put a foot wrong all game IMO.

Absolutely shite first half. Improved second half. Played our only real football when we were 1-0 down. After we scored we seemed to go back to the hoof it long mentality. It's amazing what you can do when you pass it about, isn't it lads?

IF you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you, If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too; If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, Or being lied about, don't deal in lies, Or being hated, don't give way to hating, And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise: If you can dream - and not make dreams your master; If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim; If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster And treat those two impostors just the same; If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken, And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools: If you can make one heap of all your winnings And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss, And lose, and start again at your beginnings And never breathe a word about your loss; If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew To serve your turn long after they are gone, And so hold on when there is nothing in you Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!' If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, ' Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch, if neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you, If all men count with you, but none too much; If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds' worth of distance run, Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, And - which is more - you'll beat the scum, my son!

Wonder if the mackem cunts will try to get him to sit down or not?

Ashley is sitting in with the toon fans tomorrow I've got more away apps than that cunt

28 hours. 45 mins...

All he does is fly up for a cheeky tab with the "jobs for the boys" crew. Now Clarkie has gone, only him and Terry Mac remain.