cubaricho

I almost forgot what it felt like to be so unsure of our defense. Every time they bring the ball forward I break out into a cold sweat.

Ref's having a bit of a 'mare tonight.

Was hoping the atmosphere was going to be a lot better and a lot more singing for wor Chris tbh.

Yeah, looks a packed house. So much for waiting until half-time.

Was just coming on here to post that myself. I love having Warren Barton on FSC, especially when talks about Newcastle. You can tell he genuinely loves Newcastle.

I thought it was always going to be Beardsley for this match and then Pardew taking over from there? I must've read something wrong then if everyone else thinks otherwise.

No Prem experience tbh. They should get someone like Pardew in.

That's pretty sound of them like, shame it doesn't happen over here. Yeah it sounded pretty awesome. Apparently they had something like 50 prototypes at the meeting with the board of the supporters group where they talked about what they really wanted in the kit and so on. I think they were trying to get on their good side since Nike is HQd in Portland but everyone in MLS has to use Adidas.

They're professionals and they will go out to win regardless, it's just that fourth and fifth "gear" that will be missing because they don't give a shit anymore and are probably almost as pissed off as we are with the whole scenario.

As always, they look better on the players: http://www.alaskasworld.com/Newsroom/ASnews/images/Timbers_jersey4.jpg

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Alan-Pardew-will-have-to-see-off-a-dressing-room-revolt-when-he-takes-his-first-training-session-as-Newcastle-manager-on-Friday-article648299.html FUCK OFF.

So adidas held a few meetings with the supporter's group and the front office of the Timbers and made these kits with a lot of intricate detail, here's the outcome with some of the close-up details: http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/5532/porjers1620.jpg Also the second kit is modeled after the nickname of Portland, the "Rose City" http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/3848/porjers2620.jpg

They were doing a really good job of keeping the new Timbers kits under lock and key but some webmaster accidentally posted them to the official store before the unveiling in only a few hours. Here's the home one: http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/9929/portlandhome.jpg

Five a half years?

Head Coach: Teitur Thordarson The only player of any real note to anyone on here might be Jay DeMerit who played for Watford. Here's the rest of the confirmed squad: — United States GK Joe Cannon — United States GK Jay Nolly — United States DF Wes Knight — United States DF Jonathan Leathers — Canada MF Philippe Davies — Saint Kitts MF Atiba Harris — United States MF Shea Salinas — United States MF John Thorrington There are still a lot of people to bring in over the course of the next few months before "spring training" begins. The SuperDraft is next month I think. The Whitecaps will have a pretty swanky new stadium next season too. They'll be playing in a 54-57k seater stadium but between the top and bottom tiers there will be a retractable roof so when the Whitecaps play the place will only seat 20something thousand people but not look massive from the inside but they can easily expand to more when they have big friendlies.

The Timbers have started a new ad campaign where feature members of the "Timbers Army" supporters group on huge billboards around the town to garner more interest in the club's inaugural MLS season. I personally think it's awesome. http://blogtown.portlandmercury.com/BlogtownPDX/archives/2010/12/08/so-what-do-you-think-of-the-new-timbers-billboards They also have a sweet new commercial. (and for some history on the guy cutting the log on the pitch: that log gets wheeled in at the beginning of each season and Timber Joey cuts a slab off for each goal that the Timbers score at each home match and at the end of every home match the squad comes over and holds up the pieces and celebrates with/in the crowd) The new kit gets unveiled tomorrow as well. There have been some pictures floating around but no one can tell if they are real or not (the MLS kits this season look kind of cheesy). We'll be able to tell tomorrow.

It's still just mind boggling. The one thing this club needed above all else was stability and Hughton was bring that in spades. Guess Ashley couldn't handle it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVJrqh7XAlE That's my favourite wrestling clip of all time. I'm actually serious here. That was in the heyday of my wrestling watching days and I remember being so happy for all of the ECW guys getting a chance at the big show. I was sad that ECW went away but them getting real recognition was always nice.

If this acutally happens it's such a mind-boggling decision. What is Ashley playing at here? Ridiculous. The only way this works is if Pardew comes in and doesn't stop winning. The first bad run (like the one we're in) and we're threw. What could the players do in protest if they were even inclined?

I would genuinely love to punch Ashley in his fucking face right now. What a fucking joke.

Clubs are licking their fucking chops right now. 15m for a big (English) bruiser that can score goals and play with the ball at his feet, which club doesn't need one of those?

Although not as out of the blue as Hughton, I still didn't really expect it - especially with the American sports landscape and how much time managers/coaches usually get because there is no relegation.

Dave, you're invited too dude. Don't feel left out.

Knew this was coming.

Yeah I really enjoy the area to really just chill out, because there's not much more you can do tbh. It's the perfect beach+drink+book kind of place. Food, man. The restaurants on 5th are incredible. The beach is f***ing heavenly. I'm taking the lass back in either February and March. Probably venture up to your neck of the woods at some point, too. I think I've probably said it before but let me know when you're in town if you fancy meeting up for a pint or two. Although I know you have a mystery to keep on the boards. And also, I'm sure there's a restaurant with an awesome crunchy grouper sandwich, which are amazing. Tommy Bahamas, by any chance? Best live music in Naples, best steak, too. We'll have a pint this spring, though. It's a promise. Possibly, it's been a few years since I've been down that way. I used to spend spring breaks in Fort Myers when I was a youngin' though. Sounds good. I'll show you some good places.