Neil

Wear the same hoody as me, in an effort to confuse our opponents. Because it'll obviously work. I'm gonna be as good as a Pirlo, Carrick and Makelele all rolled into one; apart from the intelligence, passing, tackling, positional awareness, stamina and general talent. But honestly, I'll be err, mint.

I'll telly you why Brazil needs a player like Kaka. He can run through defenders with his pace, he pentrtes defenders, he passes the ball with a high accuracy and rarely looses the ball. He traces back to get the ball back and start the attacking movement, hes creative, he has a lot of flair and he rarely misses when he has scoring opportunities. He's a player that can make magic from just simple footballing, nothing extraordinary. He has such a great ball control not many have it like him, there is probably only one player in the world with better ball control and thats Messi (but hes incomparable at the moment.). I agree we need a striker, Luis Fabiano though hasn't been that incosistent although i agree he can fade away from matches. Pato should be given the chance considering hes been ripping apart defences in the Serie A. Vagner Love is crap, and people only rate him on his scoring record in Russia. The guy is just terrible. Pato and Keirrison (who has been banging in goals in Brazil and is only 19) is the answer to take this team forward, but Fabiano needs to be kept in the team. Off to Barca if I remember correctly. I haven't watched Kaka much in detail but what I do know is if he's on form, he's unstoppable. How serious have his injury problems been? I agree with Nixon as well in that there isn't a standout Brazillian striker at the moment. Pato should be given more chances at international level, mind. Possibly with Kaka just behind? (when fit). Ronaldinho is past his best, Robinho, although very talented, I don't think is consistent enough. The defence is a myth though, I was under the impression that although they sometimes seem disorganised, statistically they don't concede that many.

We've needed a right back for a while.

Germany only 2-0 after 35 mins vs Liechtenstein. Sack the manager.

Nail on head.

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.