Neil

Good to see the home nations (I'll try not to get to bogged down with technical geography!) doing well. England halfway there, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland (particularly with a win later) both looking in good shape, Scotland also have a chance if they can make Hampden a fortress.

Would like to see us put a marker down and not only go unbeaten in our group but possibly get a 100% record. See no reason why we can't. Just a question of putting our on-paper superiority into practice. Before anyone suggests it, I'm not saying this means we'll do brilliantly at the WC. Our real test is whether we can perform consistently against top sides. The answer at the moment is a resounding no.

NI 3-2 FT

1829: Just seen a shot of Steven Gerrard, showered and changed already. Don't mess about these lads. What the hell?

Just on a bit of a tangent, finally found the poem I read on an Everton forum last year. A bit off-topic for a Newcastle forum, but I thought it was brilliant all the same, and it seems to stick in my mind whenever Hillsborough is mentioned: "I bought a scarf at the match today, you know, the way you do. The bloke at the stall said: 'Which one our kid, the Red one, or The Blue'? Well I've followed the Blue's most of me life, since I was a little boy And school dragged on all week you know, but on Saturday, what joy. Me mate Billy and me would kick a ball about down Scottie Road, and the streets all around. Though he was Red, and I was Blue, we'd dream of our own hallowed grounds. Well the years rolled by and we were still footy daft, and we'd meet for a Bevv'y at night. You'll never walk alone, Billy would sing to me, laughing, with all his might. Then Hillsborough came, and my mate Billy died, in a special kind of hell. As the Sun shone on untouched turf, my mate Billy fell. I watched the telly that night alone. Sat there numb and just cried. The game had ended, before it began, for Billy and the rest who died. I bought a Scarf at the match today, and I turned to the bloke and said: 'My mate Billy would be 30 today, I'll take two mate, a Blue one...And a Red'."

Dan-b, dunno if it's been said on the thread already but where you wanting to play in midfield? Wing? If so, me and Kaizero will be the central warriors. Ish.

Eh? Who's speaking? What have they done with the real Nile Ranger!?

Generally interested to see if there's actually that much interest in these 2 games, especially the Ukraine one. IMO, a win against Ukraine and we're pretty much there in Saaf Africa. Also, felt sorry for Capello in that interview today. Almost pleading with the reporters to talk about the 2 matches as opposed to constantly going on about Rooney, Gerrard and Beckham.

He does, he passes it back and square.. http://www.cafc.co.uk/uploads/charlton4006match1.jpg

Oh aye, he's the reason we've won them games. He offers near f*** all to the team. He's got two or three goals this season, in fairness, but on the whole, he's barely worth having in the side. This is bad news purely down to the fact that Geremi and Ryan Taylor are near totally incapable on the wing. Duff can atleast retain a bit of possession. But to claim he's a big loss to the side is just an exaggeration. Surely you've just contradicted yourself. Can't think of many who can "retain a bit of possession" in the team as it is.

I wouldn't be surprised if he was sent on loan AFTER news of Duff injury reached the mind of Emperor Hughton. That is, if he is injured. That is, if Hughton even knew he was injured.

Thought that was a great documentary. Being at the age I am, although I knew of him, his personality and what he did, I found it fascinating to hear about some of the examples of his behaviour. Great watch that was.

Talented playmaker? Eh? But regardless, I'd have him. £6m would be the most I'd pay, though.

Ah go on man Without sounding pompous or patronising (which probably means I will), would doing more revision beforehand not be the solution? I say that, I'll no doubt be doing stuff last-minute, as per usual.

Nope, but I'm hoping to see it soon. Think Michael Sheen is a very good actor.

No, but not many others were.

Don't agree he's better than President King Ruler of the Earth Gerrard though. A cracking player, though. Oh, Xavi? Xavi vs Gerrard is an interesting one. Technical wizardry vs physical domination.

Needs more David Villa, drop gerrard put in villa play 4-4-2 Iniesta > Gerrard?

Haven't read the thread, but my opinion is simple: Messi

Ripped the reds apart more like.

If I play CM with Nixon, can I bark orders? Actually, why am I asking. LET ME PLAY CENTRAL MIDFIELD WITH HIM

From the main forum page, all I can see from this thread title is "Hughton is not a man..." Certainly an unexpected twist of events.

The whole articles tbh had me laughing

Btw, Giggs should not, not, not, not, definitely not, be Player of the Year.

I hate to say it, but it's Gerrard IMO. Vidic a close 2nd. And agreed, I think it'll be beyond ridiculous if Jagielka isn't given a nomination, though I don't expect him to win it or indeed finish 2nd. Young Player of the Year is a tricky one, namely because there haven't been many who have performed continuously. I guess Agbonlahor for this early-season form, and Bassong should be in there as well. I'd say Rodwell or Gosling, but they haven't really done much to warrant a nomination. Good prospects though.