John P

Do these Arsenal injuries have nothing to do with the internationals this week? Ie they'll pull out of their national team squads with niggling injuries and then be starting on Saturday?

Just got back from the match, not a bad game overall. They started very well and we looked very rusty in the first 5-10mins, but we eventually took control and the second half was a bit of a stroll as their players tired. Harper - 6 - No saves to make really, caught his crosses but distribution wasn't the best. Richardson - 8 - Impressed by him, seemed to have a great engine getting up and down the right side and put over a great cross for Ameobi to score the equaliser. Williamson - 7 - Fairly solid but seems very unfit. Looked tired after 60mins when he came off, but might have had something to do with a knock he took in the first half from a nasty looking tackle. Tavernier - 7 - Gave away the penalty (I think) in the first half and was troubled a bit by their number 10 (who was very lively) in the first 30mins. Got stronger as the game went on though. Good pace and looked quite comfortable with the ball at his feet. Dummett - 7 - Made some good last ditch clearances and tackles, but also got caught out of position on a couple of occasions. Don't think he'd be quite ready for first team football this season if he was needed (fingers crossed he isn't). Would prefer to see Tavernier shifted to left back if we have to. Smith - 5 - Poor. Didn't look like an experienced Premiership player at all. Sloppy in possession and was beaten a few times by diving needlessly into tackles and letting their midfield get in behind ours in the first half. Needs to be moved on asap, but we already know that. Abeid - 7.5 - Again not the best of starts, but grew into the game and looked to control the tempo and our passing in the second half, which he did well. Also made some nice breaks forward in the second half, put a cracking low cross in that no-one got on the end of and was unlucky with a couple of good through-balls. Looked more of a first team player than Smith, and should play instead of Smith if we're struggling in midfield this season. Hopefully he can be eased in with some sub appearances first though as I think he needs some more experience first. Raylor - 7 - A bit rusty, but took some good set pieces and played some nice cross field passes second half. Worked hard as well, clearly still working on his fitness. Sammy Ameobi - 8 - Definitely has talent. Good dribbling and very quick off the mark to burst past his man. Did well with the header for his first, guided it nicely back into the far corner. For the own goal he knocked the ball past his man and drilled in a good low cross that was diverted in for an own goal. Second goal was a tap in from a yard or two. Was sometimes sloppy with his passing, but if he can cut that out and focus on his strengths then he could turn into a dangerous left-sided player. Was impressed with him and he also works harder than Shola! Vuckic - 7.5 - Another one who took time to get going, but once he did he linked up nicely with the midfield (especially Abeid) and was involved in most of our best moves. Looked to get involved and get on the ball and showed some great hunger and desire to win the ball in a couple of 50-50s. Had a good curling left-footed effort from the edge of the box saved in the second half. Again though, I don't think he's quite ready for the Premiership. I know some people are thinking of playing him vs Arsenal, but he just needs to be eased in I feel, similar to Abeid. Ranger - 6.5 - Should have scored when clean through in the first half, but took too long to get the ball under control and get a shot away, giving the centre half time to get back and tackle. Made some good runs where he wasn't quite picked out with through balls (which were generally overhit). Beat his man a couple of times in the first half with some good turns. Faded badly in the second half though, barely got a kick and didn't look too interested. Needs to be loaned out. Subs - didn't really have time to have a big impact but Moyo made some good bursts down the left hand side from left back. Reminded me a bit of N'Zogbia when he was running with the ball and looks like he might be a good reserve team player this season. Overall, Tavernier, Abeid, Ameobi and Vuckic look like the players to persevere with and have around the first team squad this season. If we need them to start though im not sure any of them are quite ready, but might be by the end of this season / next season. Which only serves to reinforce the fact we need more first team signings, people who are ready to be in the first team immediately.

Is it just going to be pay on the door? Might head over seeing as there's a few first teamers in the squad

When pundits say 'your Gerrards and your Lampards of this world.' What the fuck are you talking about? Just say Gerrard and Lampard. Im not aware of any other football-playing planet so 'of this world' isn't really necessary is it? Such a stupid fucking phrase that a lot of pundits use. Boils my piss.

Just saw that David Odonkor is on trial with Rangers on BBC website, went to his wiki to see if it was who I thought it was and saw this: 'Odonkor was rumoured to be moving on trial to Glasgow Rangers on July 28 2011 but shat himself when he heard of a man rampaging through the streets of Glasgow throwing Celtic stones. The trial was cancelled at his request.'

We're practically Barca Light now with our new passing philosophy, so im glad you appreciated it

Neil Sika had me bursting into uncontrollable laughter whilst I was simultaneously being cheated by FM 2011. For that I am truly thankful. 'One to nothing Newcastle advantage in the ninth' was a particular highlight, as were the fairly frequent humpback passes, Shola's lollipops and Jonas slipping it into the cracks. Utter genius.

Oh god not again

FFS! If it's 20th July local time, why do we have 'July 20th KO 00.30 BST' on the thread title? Surely it should be July 21st KO 00.30 BST? My word. Im just guna stay up tonight anyway and see what happens, I don't think anyone truly knows. Apart from Cheick.

I was getting really confused about when it is, as .co.uk says that there will be highlights of it up on thursday. Is it being played 'tonight'? If so I would have thought highlights would be up tomorrow.

Probably either the SD bonus payout or his moves to buy up shares in USC and JD Sports Misleading bastards. When I see 'Toon boss' I immediately think of the silver fox, not the fat lump. I obviously wasn't expecting that we had spuffed £60m on players, but it still got me excited nonetheless.

When I walked past my local corner shop this morning, there was a Chronicle headline saying 'Toon Boss in £60m spending spree.' Got me really excited, so checked on here and nothing is happening. What the hell was the article about?

Them training pitches do look lush mind. Worth every penny.

Not unless the league is extended to accomodate 125 teams this season.

Good place for Ranger to get loaned to? If he was assured of a good number of starts.

Not really selling him much there.

But you also think Arsenal don't need a keeper right?

But what is the consensus of the ITKs?

Yep, was just going to say that we should spend the extra cash and wages from selling Nolan on the Zog

Or Nolan is limited, has spat his dummy out at a new contract and wants away. Nolan wanting away must be a factor in this (if it's true). From Ashley's point of view it's probably going to take more than 4m, or whatever the fee is, to replace him and we all know that he doesn't like big spending to replace players. Anyone fancy Gardner to replace him if he goes?

Sounds sexy to me

or Tiote Cabaye N'Zogbia Ben Arfa Erding Ba Tiote Barton. cabaye HBA Erding Ba See in my opinion none of these line ups quite add up, be it lack of width or a player being played out of position. The only solution I see is 442 with Ben arfa behind ba, or a 433 with Ben arfa lining up as one of the forward 3 but drifting in like he did when he played for us at the beginning of the season. How about: Zoggy---------Tiote----------Cabaye----------Ben Arfa -----------------D. Ba----------Erding--------------------- On that youtube vid of Erding playing for Turkey it looked as if he was playing on the right in an advanced position. So maybe: ------------Tiote----Cabaye---------- Erding------Ben Arfa------Zog/Jonas ------------------Ba--------------------

El-Hadji Woof

TOON scout Brian Clark was the man who recommended Gazza to the club. Over the years he has spotted many who have joined the ranks at St James’ Park. And Brian still remembers the first time he saw the Ameobi brothers play. "I saw Shola playing in a schoolyard as I was walking back from the hospital after an eye operation," he said. "I said to our lass, ‘the big lad can play’ and a few months later I went to Heaton Manor School and I saw him having a trial for the school. Read More http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/evening-chronicle-news/2011/05/17/delight-for-sammy-and-shola-ameobi-s-mam-72703-28707653/3/#ixzz1MbzR6TFf The op obviously didn't work then.

If I was a Mackem I definitely would have called my dog El Hadj Woof like. Or Kenwyne Bones.