Neil

Also, although I'm currently on an atrocious run betting-wise, I'm usually quite accurate with our games, and at 5/6 we're decent value tomorrow. I expect us to match Blackpool's energy/work rate since we work hard ourselves, and then for our superior quality to show. 1-2/1-3.

Thing is I know little to nothing about domestic rugby. But I'm tempted regardless.

It will be an absolutely massive test of their character if Stoke go ahead tomorrow. If they play like they did against us, I can easily see Sunderland not scoring, barring yet another slice of fortune.

The way I see it is Sunderland fans are still in a state of disbelief. At first I didn't think they were wrong to suggest they could finish in the top half - not because they have a great squad but that everything from 7th-8th down is open in terms of the season's length. However, their limitations were brutally exposed last Sunday and when you look at it, they have big issues. I think it would be wrong to suggest their defence is as bad as what they were against you. Granted, it was absolutely atrocious defending for frankly every single one of your 5 goals in one way or another, but up until Sunday they hadn't been easy to score past. Bramble has been solid at the heart of the defence and Mignolet has impressed from what I've seen of him. But that is where the praise stops because the real answer to why they had conceded so few is, in my opinion, their main problem. The thing is, they've been pretty hard to break down because of a lack of offensive quality or cohesion in their midfield. Cattermole, when he's actually on the pitch, plays little to no part going forward. Elmohamady and Malbranque on either wing are not what I'd call bombarding wingers - the former does have a great burst of pace but he seems to have been told his main job is to help the defence; and the latter is inconsistent, nay, mediocre. This leaves Henderson, a promising but inexperienced player and the hopelessly ineffective Welbeck to make an impact and frankly, that's just not good enough to be doing anything above average at best in this league. And with this lack of creativity in midfield let alone quality to execute it, Bent becomes isolated. This isn't necessarily a bad thing because he has shown he can play the lone frontman role very well and play off 'scraps' but there comes a point where even he can't save them. So Bruce finds himself in a hole, as Nixon has said. He has a £13m striker unable to effectively play with their most important player, an average midfield and a defence trying to pick itself up from the crushing blow of Sunday. Sunderland have only looked remotely good this year when they've surrendered territory and possession to the opposition and tried to 'grind it out'. That's all good and well up to a point, but the time will come where penalties and own goals will dry up and if they don't address their problems, starting with a total reliance on Bent, they will find themselves not just not progressing, but going backwards.

Is it? IT'S RIDICULOUS!

Also PSG-Marseille this weekend. DERBY MADNESS!

Aye it is.

Rochdale play FC United of Manchester in the 1st round of the FA Cup tonight.

That's excellent. It's the smooth motion he just goes flying down the stairs that gets me.

Bruce is actually complaining about Newcastle taking the piss because of a 5-1 WIN AGAINST YOUR LOCAL ENEMIES? Christ man, he's truly an idiot. He seems to have done little this season apart from complain.

Take it as a compliment. Although doesn't Fergie still hate you hence consistently plays a strong side, since he's still pissed off about the 5-0?

Disagree. It ensures Turner's starting.

I was going to say this but thought I'd come across a tad pedantic.

In fact, fuck it, we could very feasibly be 4th on Wednesday night. I hate doing this, recounting where my team should have got more points from. It's incredibly frustrating dropping points in "easy" games but hopefully Hughton will have their heads screwed on fully for similar games for the rest of the season, and smash rubbish like Wigan.

Win for us tomorrow could quite easily see us 5th.

Well, BBC have it as: Suspended: Bramble (one match)

Mackem friend is saying Bramble has a 1 match ban. I thought it was 3 for a straight red? They apparently haven't appealed.

2-1 btw. Fabregas and Chamakh, Carroll to get one back.

Aye Saturday is far better... even when you're going to the match it's nice to have it sooner and have Sunday free. Worst combination is when you lose a Saturday lunchtime kick off, IMO.

I'd buy Gareth Bale's right leg.

Racist. Class avatar btw.

Messi, would you prefer to have to drink a cup of your own piss WHEN Nolan gets his 8th, or have someone hoy it in your face? So much potential.

The more I think about this, the more it's becoming apparent pedro is getting a little too keen on 2 people he's never met drinking each other's urine.

Confession time. When did Arsene Wenger go to Arsenal, '96ish? When I was about 8, I thought Arsenal were actually named after Arsene Wenger.

He banged them in for Feyenoord on past FMs like.