themanupstairs

A good thing I suppose. Let him just get on with it.

Fuck me old man, you know what I mean :-[

At 15 years old I was once actually sent to the bus during training and banned for one match due to me having donned a pair of gloves and a wolly. I was ill, in the middle of winter, and did not want to miss training. Good old Tony Rudall saw it as a sign of rebellion and I was told off in front of the whole squad. Didn't you lot grow up with the Tony Rudalls of this world?

I do! Am I a weirdo like? Aye I guess a good thing if this is your main gripe at the minute it is a sign that things are going well. Haha I'm not complaining just for the sake of it. It's something I've noticed as it doesn't seem to be a random thing where some players tuck it in and some out. It seems that ALL have their shirts tucked out bar Steven Harper, and Sol Campbell (from what I've noticed in the reserve photos).

I do! Am I a weirdo like?

No idea if this has been mentioned/discussed/noticed elsewhere, but for some reason it gets on my tits that our players start games with their shirts tucked out of their shorts. Is this down to indiscipline? or is it part of the "roll your sleeves up" siege mentality? Or does it just not matter at all? I had it drummed into my head quite early on by coaches who reprimanded players who didn't have their shirts tucked in before kick off. It was fine to have the shirt out by 80th minute when you're defending a 1-0 lead, and really having to put a shift in. It was part of the process. A coach I had even went to the extent to claim that under FIFA rules, having your shirt tucked out is a yellow card offence I don't believe that the old adage of "Tuck yer shirt in" is a British thing, as you can see that it's a tradition in MOST organized and pro football all around the world to look smart and disciplined on the pitch. What say you?

its called principles. they are subjective and right at this minute we are not having to play him in the last game of the season to stop up, taking everything into consideration i'd rather not have him here. Absolutely 100%. Tim Krul looks confident, and I believe this is his time. I think given a run of 10-15 games, we'll not be discussing Krul's inexperience, and GK will not be a problem position for us as long as Krul stays fit. What we need to look at is possibly an emergency back-up option just in case. We don't need Given in the slightest.

On the subject of his name, I believe his first name is the "french" spelling of Sheikh, which can mean Prince. Prince Ismael Tiote

We've only been waiting about 10 years man. Scott Parker? Always thought he was pretty good for you in that role. None since David Batty imo

I looked at this post for about 5minutes thinking 'What pair of Scottish lads do we have?' Yeah, I was thinking Calderwood and who else Help me, someone. Is it Carroll and someone else? *u

Did the lot today! A superb debut. His decision making seems to be spot on. He can tackle, pass and move, he finds space to receive, he drove the ball forward and with pace, and even had the temerity to have a pop from range. Looks to be physically and mentally strong. Delighted with his performance

Is it just me or did anyone else also see Nolan keeping the play ticking with some excellent (and accurate) first time passing?!!? The more I think about it the better I think he performed today in comparison with Wolves and BPool. Get fit you large lump o'lard!

Special mention to Tim Krul who had to come on in difficult circumstances. You couldn't tell he has been a reserve GK the past few years

What a result!!! GET THE FUCK IN!!!! That was an absolutely MASTERFUL performance from our midfield! Barton, Tiote and HBA were top top class. Skipper played surprisingly well in the first 70 minutes or so. Outstanding result!! Well done CH

Agreed. He could have got away with playing Vuckic in the middle with Barton from the start. We really need to step up a little bit with his development. You can't keep them in cotton wool for too long. Would have given the lad some good experience.

erm not quite mate

On another day, the ball would have hit the post and bounced in, giving Williamson his first goal in Toon colours, and more than likely handed us 3 points.

Pienaar will need dealing with. I say play Coloccini at RB, and start Campbell. We need experience at Goodison to grind something out. Cahill will look to get stuck in if Ben Arfa plays, and we'll not need Smith's lunges on that twat. Cahill is a cunt and will spend his time all game trying to get someone sent off.

Just cos his english isn't all that good yet doesn't make him an imbecile

Lots of great moments mentioned already obviously. Can never pick out one or two. For me I'd add Ketsbaia's last minute goal away in Zagreb to clinch CL qualification. Pure elation that night

Do you genuinely think he's a Premiership-level striker? Yes. No. Erm Yes. No. No. No. Yes. No. Sums Shola up really. He's as erratic a striker as you can get. He gets way too much stick on this here board, but I personally have a lot of time for him. He's a good pro who loves the club, and is one of the few reminders of SBR's legacy. He's certainly not good enough to start or wear the number 9. Third choice? Fourth choice? No problems for me.

I suspect that even Capello doesn't know where it's gone wrong. You can see him cut a confused figure at full-time rather than a disappointed one. The stuff that's been mentioned here about celeb lifestyles, wags and all the cash definitely has an effect, but what about the other superstars from other nations? For me the buck stops with the FA, the PL, and the media machine that is behind it. English players do go through a gruelling season that doesn't give them a breather at the right time. Winter break or not, they play too many consecutive "big games", and as evidenced by the performance in this tournament, get burned out. They were pedestrian today. So pedestrian that it would be wrong to call them "England" from a traditional footballing perspective. For me the selection and persistence with Barry has been Capello's biggest tactical error. Watch how many attacks Barry started for the opposing team in all 4 matches. HTT is right though. The essence of a proud nation's national team is lost, and the lord only knows how and when you can get it back.

I can't remember much tbh

looks even better if you push lennon and cole onto the same line as gerrard. Absolutely! How Joe Cole still hasn't made it onto the pitch I will never know.

Yes. Yes please!