QBG

Didn't know where else to stick this, bit of a shameless plug, but me and the rest of the guys at French Football Weekly have compiled our annual Le50 publication, which profiles the 50 best young players in France. It's only 99p and it's a good - if quite long - read. Likely to come in quite useful come the summer when we're linked with our usual raft of French players. Enjoy! http://frenchfootballweekly.com/2013/04/01/le50-2013-the-best-young-players-in-france-2/ I wrote the profiles on Jordan Veretout; Samuel Umtiti; Djibril Sidibe; Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro; Aissa Mandi and Alexandre Coeff

Danny Simpson ladies and gentlemen.

Like him as a bloke, should be proud of what he achieved last season (and this season in the Europa to an extent) but would really like to him guide us to survival and then leave in the summer. It's clear we have a very good set of players here that should be doing much better regardless of how many competitions we're in, but we've been tactically deficient for much of the season and the lack of positivity shown today was just infuriating. Would ideally like someone of the Laudrup ilk but won't hold my breath.

True but it is always a bonus to have somebody who can score regularly. I would argue that with Villa Spain at least have somebody with a history of scoring at that level. Did he play as a striker in the WC? Didn't go to the Euros. International football is more about a strong defence, a midfield that can control games and holding your nerve using this combo. Balotelli was probably the star striker last summer. He scored twice. While true in the case of the last Euros, Villa was in storming form in 2010, and Torres was at his best in 2008 (5 years ago already?). This. But I agree it is less important for a team like Spain who in recent years have suffocated teams before almost willing their opponents into collapse, France do not employ that kind of style and tend to be much more direct with the likes of Ribery and Menez working the channels and Matuidi and Pogba working as box-to-box midfielders. When it works their frenetic and high-tempo brand of football is good to watch but what was obvious last night was that the full-backs weren't providing enough of an overlapping threat and that Benzema wasn't getting in any dangerous areas to latch on to service from wide areas. For the moment they would be better off playing Gomis up top, he's a very wasteful striker at times but is adept at bringing others into play and his movement is first class. Still I'm not sure whether he or Giroud are good enough for the long term.

True but it is always a bonus to have somebody who can score regularly. I would argue that with Villa Spain at least have somebody with a history of scoring at that level.

Thought France were decent last night, Pogba looked very good until the red card as did Varane. Cabaye drifted in and out but Valbuena looked lively and Ribery caused a few problems. Wasn't impressed with Jallet at right-back, he's been very good for PSG this term but France are clearly a better team with Debuchy in the side, was also a bit bemused by the selection of Koscielny over Sakho. Even at his young age Sakho is a much better player and I felt Koscielny struggled throughout. The main area where France have a dilemma is up front, Benzema just can't seem to do it on the international stage and Giroud and Gomis just aren't consistent enough to be considered regular starters. There seems to be a production line of young defenders, wingers and midfielders but if they want to win a major tournament anytime soon they would be advised to find a regular goalscorer.

1996/97 Leeds 0-1 Newcastle Mam and Dad took me, sat in the Leeds end, Toon top under my jacket. Mum ruined the whole rouse by jumping up when Shearer smashed in the winner. Went to Milwaukee Diner for tea afterwards. Canny.

Ouch. Tough one that like.

Wondered how long it would be before something I wrote would end up on here.

Great stuff Blues, taking back the bragging rights.

Bump the Champions Leagueometer.

Excellent, excellent game of football. Poor start but after going behind I thought we were excellent and really enjoyed how we were patient and never really panicked. Disappointing goal to concede in the second half from a defensive point of view but always thought we had enough to see it through. A couple of touches of fortune about the win but we most certainly earned it with what was a very positive attacking display. Between Tiote and Debuchy for Man of the Match imo, though I cannot completely discredit Sissoko, who was again excellent with his pace, energy and intelligent movement. He just gives us so much drive and intensity going forward, he's the player we've lacked for a long time and we look so much better with him in the side. Tiote undoubtedly had his best performance of the season, he was everywhere defensively and felt his distribution was very good as well. Debuchy had Shaw in his back pocket all game and beat him every time going forward then did the same to Fox when he came on. Cisse's goal was a joy to behold, one of the best I've seen at SJP for a while and one that he deserved. The presence and energy of Gouffran is a big help up top and helps take some of the pressure off Cisse up top imo. Cool penalty from Cabaye, who was decent once again, and while I think Santon was arguably our worst player due to his defensive naivety even he ended up with an assist. The result was a testament to the spirit in the squad, we showed great resilience to comeback and regain the lead in the second half and the togetherness was there for all to see in the celebrations for the Cisse goal, a group of players congratulating him and another congratulating Elliot, who had a very solid game overall. I just hope that the positivity on the pitch can be transferred to the fans, a lot of people near where I was sat seem to eager to get on players' backs straight away. I know that is the norm but the almost constant negativity irritates me and doesn't help the atmosphere at all. Still I guess that will fade with more results. The whole French Day thing was perhaps a tad overdone, but it was a laugh and good marketing from the club. Nice to see us doing something different. Cracking day all round

Laudrup/Wenger to us. A man can dream.

Absolutely fucking fuming. Disgrace.

Awful marking from Sunderland for Reading's winner, they're still very suspect defensively despite looking a relatively decent outfit in general.

He was outstanding against Barca last night apparently, didn't watch myself but there's a lot of hype going around about his performance. Varane was excellent against Barcelona, France will have an excellent spine in future with him and Pogba.

Really? I do. Perch but in a decent shift but we were really struggling to retain possession in the second half, after Shola and Anita came on we managed to get more a foothold and calm things down. Gouffran had an OK game but by the time he was subbed he was definitely struggling. Yanga-Mbiwa made a difference with that excellent tackle to prevent a certain goal and appeared composed on the ball. We went very narrow and ceded the flanks but that really didn't matter as much as they weren't offering much down the right and after a while Debuchy got to grips with Agbonlahor and N'Zogbia. As a result we managed to gain a bit more control in midfield, and that was vital as Sissoko's influence had faded. We were lucky in one aspect in that Villa always seem to panic and lump the long ball forward when time is running out, that played right into our hands.

That was a cracking first half performance, Sissoko unreal, Gouffran decent but didn't settle as well. Entire back four played well and Perch put in a decent shift in the middle. Cracking goal from Cabaye and Cisse getting one will only do him the world of good. Second half it was obvious they were going to come at us but we weren't helped by the ridiculous penalty decision, still I think we weathered the storm well and for once the substitutions were the correct ones. The result is the main thing, but their are so many positives to take from that, we were resolute after conceding the goal and Krul was in fine form, when we were on top we looked like a top team, Sissoko ran the show in the middle and it allowed Cabaye to be quietly more effective. Cannot underestimate the impact Debuchy has on the team though, actually having two full-backs that are prepared to bomb on and produce quality in the final third really makes a difference and we ran them ragged down the flanks in the first half. Pardew was reserved but upbeat afterwards, I think he's intelligent enough to realise that we're far from the finished article but we can have a very strong second half to the season if we maintain decent form and stay relatively injury free.

Probably be able to do that, unless we win like 4-0. Then it just wouldn't be relevant.

Ask him why he's so s****. I was planning on asking about the new recruits depending on which ones play, but you know I could throw that in there Gotta go with something different man, everyone will be on about the new recruits. As him if he reckons the Ravens offensive line will be able to protect Flacco from the 49ers front seven long enough to throw the ball deep and possibly exploit the 49ers weakness against the big play. :lol: Probably be able to tell us more about that than the Newcastle game.

Ask him why he's so s****. I was planning on asking about the new recruits depending on which ones play, but you know I could throw that in there

In the press box for this one. Looking forward to quizzing Pardew afterwards.

4. Can't see it, we finally have excellent strength in depth.

He's already signed according to Mark Douglas. Not sure what the hold up with confirmation is.

Would have been quite pleased with that one as well, not with the length of the contract, but he's a decent squad player.