Ketsbaia

Bale/Valencia or Silva/Cabaye? I've got a nasty decision to make....

Not getting a striker is annoying because it shows how unambitious the board are - we're 2 or 3 players from a very good team, but they're fine with mid-table. Also, it sucks that we're hearing the same old bullshit again and again. However, we need at least one defender and even a right winger before a striker, so as long as we make progress there AND DON'T SELL ANYONE then i'm ok with this.

Would we really bid again and let it fall through? After the summer, hopefully we've had a re-think and know exactly what it takes to get him. Thats what I'm banking on, anyway

Michael Cox from Zonal Marking (3-4-3): Neuer; Hummels, Thiago Silva, Kompany; Cabaye, Modric, KP Boateng, Silva; Van Persie, Di Natale, Soldado Ben Lyttleton (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Maggio, Hummels, Thiago Silva, Jordi Alba; J Martinez, Yaya Toure; Cavani, Silva, Suarez; Van Persie Dave Farrar (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Debuchy, Hummels, Thiago Silva, Monreal; Cabaye, Inler; Gotze, Silva, Hazard; Falcao

This anecdote in The Guardian made me laugh:

Nut is on a power trip!

Also, my team. Gareth Bale just confirmed it really. You're right though. Look at this gameweek's top scorer - Berbatov captain. His team is a great FF team from last season. The dude hasn't touched it since. The team he/she's knocking out is a pretty decent outfit this season. Quite funny. If you have a team full of Silva, Nani, Rooney, Van Persie, Aguero or Van der Vaart you've gone out. If you have Bale, Berbatov or Park you've stayed in.

It's not fair - out of the cup in the first round to an inferior team. Such a terrible week to kick it off, i bet loads of great ones are going out.

Be shocked at that signing, althought that really would push Erdinc through the exit door.

I saw a poster in Chester-le-Street Leisure Centre recently and it advertised a Merse talk-in

He's the 31st best manager in the Premier League.

I decided that I'd take him back for £7-8m, but remembered there are better strikers we can buy for less. So no, I'd not take him back.

6 points for Shotton in his debut week for me

http://www.europeanfootballshow.eu/ On the European Football Show podcast, 2 of them have put YoCabs in their Team of the Year (without Barca & Real)

No way he ever said that. Hmmm, what gave it away?

He blatantly wants to do what his mentor Sir Bobby couldn't and win a trophy with us. I saw him interviewed about it, he said "Before I retire I have to go to my spiritual home of Newcastle and lead them to the promised land" and I, for one, believe him.

Right here we go, back in business. Stupidly happy that he got his goal...hopefully we can go back to this novel idea of starting your best players every match.

Jackanackanory

Douglas is exactly what we need. Affordable, realistic and very good, he's 6'4" so can form a 'Beauty and the Beast' with Colo. We should do whatever it takes to get him, really.

We're fully capable of winning, but I think it'll be our annual defeat there. Ben Arfa for Best to be the only change. Enrique cross for a Carroll goal, guaranteed. 2-0

Wouldn't mind him getting a 5th yellow right before he leaves for Africa, mind.....

Poor day for me. Really poor. And thats two Man United clean sheets I've missed out on, despite having Phil Jones.

Amazing to win on Boxing Day, even though this was the first match this season I've not been able to watch. Dunno what tactical revolution happened but logically, Ben Arfa has now done enough to impress Pardew....right?

Pardew being a joke, yet again. Wish he'd stop doing this....