Neil

None taken, mate. None taken.

http://www.nufcblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/mike-williamson-360.png I wouldn't be averse to an Iron Mike Jagielka CB pairing in Brazil.

Jagielka is the best English centre-back out there currently too. At the top of his game.

We all know the world we're in. You can never assume a Chelsea or Man City won't throw loads of money at us for him and he could have his headed turned. Who knows? What I do know is if he stays with us over the coming years he is going to develop into one brilliant player. I, obviously, think he should develop with us. Martinez has made a point to protect him at times too which is encouraging to see (rested him a couple of games in a row a month or 2 back). Fwiw, he seems a level-headed bloke who is just enjoying playing for us. Then again, Rooney was once a blue, always a blue. We'll see. All I'm bothered about right now is the fact we're going into very tough games believing we can win them and that's reflected in how we play. Might be harsh to say but I definitely think we can play even better - plenty of times today we breezed past Arsenal's midfield but made the wrong choice/ball wasn't good enough. It's good to be ambitious. Aim to keep pace with the top sides and if we don't, fair enough. We've shown we can more than match the top teams.

Just had a look at the fixtures for the next few weeks. 14 Dec: Man City v Arsenal 15 Dec: Tottenham v Liverpool 23 Dec: Arsenal v Chelsea 26 Dec: Man City v Liverpool 29 Dec: Chelsea v Liverpool Shit's bout to get cray Begrudgingly fair play to the scum if they get more than 4 points from those away games. Hope they fail miserably. Man, I'm feeling fucking delighted with that performance. We have a clear identity under Martinez and as a team we're still developing. 4 well-earned points from 2 of our most difficult games (on paper at least) this season but moreover, we went to both places believing we could win and played as such. Barkley - think he's 20 this month - what a player he is and what a player he's going to be given some more experience and once he executes the final ball on a more consistent basis. Arsenal are also the real deal IMO.

Arsenal fans don't half complain. Don't like it at all when they don't get their own way. Great game that tbh.

They did, as they're fucking class when they turn it on. We'll need to score to get something IMO.

FT. Arsenal 5-0 Everton. Only joking Least it won't be 7 this time.

The lack of the killer pass aside, that was a great half from us. We're realistic, we know at full flow Arsenal are obviously better than us - they're one of the best in the world on form - but how can you limit them playing well? Don't let them have the ball. That, admittedly, leaves us open to the counter, but that's where the realism comes in, you have to accept they're going to create some sort of openings during the course of 90 minutes. I'd rather do it that way as you've always got a better chance of scoring with the ball than just sitting in and hoping they don't score. Regardless of the outcome of the 2nd half, I really like where we're going. If we can combine trying to control the passing against the better teams, with incisiveness vs poorer sides, then we could go very far this year.

Arsenal's 1-2s are obscene.

Brilliant so far, but the worry is if Arsenal score. We need to get the final pass right.

Wasn't he at the West Brom game the other day saying how much of a WBA fan he was?

Brazil/Messi WC winner/top scorer combo is 33/1.

I'm aware this is some sort of rumbling argument on here, one I've not paid much attention to, but... I think Altidore is an alright player. Holds the ball up OK, has a bit of pace. By no means a very good player but I think useful enough for Sunderland.

Aston Villains of the piece, hahaha.

It only dawned on me watching MOTD just how bad the results were yesterday for them. Fulham winning here would compound things.

That Kagawa story. :lol:

Roma/Viola BTTS got things off to a good start today. Gone for Torino/Lazio BTTS. Now I'm actually posting my bet it's in big danger.

ermagerdagoal

Looking forward to see how we do later. Arsenal will be expected to win but we're more than capable of doing the same on our day. Arsenal could get 3 or 4, we could win. Should be a good watch.

oldtype v the world

US posters vs Benfica fans - 5 on 5, Mike and jotenko team captains Dino v GC v Baba, triple threat VI v Unbelievable v Raconteur, heel turn from cfcmagpies as he costs Raconteur the victory

I'm fairly sure Lawro has just invented this. On 5Live/Football Focus/whatever the midweek score update service was, he just randomly chirped up with "Van Persie doesn't look happy at all" without any justification whatsoever. Mark Trollinson.

VI silence = Barcelona now in front.

I'm sure it was more a casual comparison between other groups which look kinder. It's certainly a considerably harder than average draw, but obviously the broader picture is that we're not seen as especially likely qualifiers in a World Cup group, something which emphasises our standing in world football. I think we'll probably scrape through.