cubaricho

Definitely don't mind that starting eleven at all, but I'd use Harper instead of Given to be honest. He has not set a foot wrong since coming in to take over from Given.

Would love to see Faye and Coloccini as first choice CBs with Bassong as the first replacement for both CBs and Enrique at LB.

Bassong looks so much better than Taylor it's amazing. I hope he gets some faith from KK this season.

I expect the kids to get a run out the second half.

Is the stream shit or the setanta signal shit?

I'd probably go with this, only having Duff where Milner is, Milner where Zoggy is, and Zoggy where Duff is. Duff will be more useful cutting inside from the RM spot than Milner would be and Zogs is decent cutting inside from the LW position. Milner should be ok playing next to Guthrie in CM with more of a forward thinking mind than Guthrie would.

What a horrible place for a tattoo.

They got that quote from the comments on an article posted on the front page - are they fucking serious? That kind of shit passes as proper journalism in England?

Going to bed now, hopefully when I wake up later something will have transpired. Fingers crossed we get him and don't get held ransom over it.

There's no way. I picture him bitchslapping people when fighting - 1) He French 2) He's a whiny girl.

I am gobsmacked the thread ever made it past this post. Really sums up what is happening in this article.

This is the biggest bunch of drivel I have ever read. (not saying that I wouldn't love berbatov here however - even though it would never happen).

He said he'd make a decision soon in an interview on the official site today. He said he looked good and played well so I think he'll take him if we can't get anyone else.

Hah, where did that come from? There's people that are actually serious about us in Europe next season?

Would never wish that on any footballer.

The MLS All Stars/West Ham match was actually pretty decent. Parker looks the same as he did for us - lots of twisting and turning no end product. Blanco's finish was classy as hell as was his assist for the first goal - he deserved MVP. Instead of posting the actual video you can go to this page and see a nice little write-up/highlights reel from the match: http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2008/07/david-beckham-h.html

Not too far off dude:

That was my first thought as well. He looks a little incredulous.

Gutted for him. Could never imagine losing my mother, what a horrible thing to have to go through. RIP.

Awesome, thanks for the heads up.

I am a fan of dark shirt+white shorts+same dark color socks - it's usually a pretty cracking look.

Yeah, Nevada Smith's in NYC is the best bar in the states for Prem action. Usually packed to the brim with all kinds of supporters groups on Sat/Sun, everyone singing back and forth to each other and having a bit of banter. Show up in your Toon top and you'll be welcomed with open arms. Quality place.

tbf, Harper has been more loyal than Given - he's sat on the bench his whole career knowing he was as good as Given yet not given (no pun intended) the proper chance and that when he was, it was taken from him unfairly as soon as Given bitched to the press. (and your OP is fixed).

That's weird that he doesn't think he can score more than Owen.

We've all got weird quirks when playing sports, things we think help us even if they don't. The bottom line is that most of the time it's either purely aesthetic or a subconscious helper - both trying to build your confidence.