The Prophet

Apparently my mackem mate has noticed 'more Newcastle fans coming out of the woodwork' something which 'you don't see with us (Sunderland)'.

SHOCK HORROR! Exactly, people keep coming out with this 'not being tested' shit but how many teams are actually going to come away from Eastlands/Old trafford with anything? Next to none, does it make us any worse if we don't? It's a desperate statement, we've played over half of the league for fucks sake.

I see this gem is still being trotted out. We have only played 11 of the 19 teams making up the self proclaimed BEST LEAGUE IN THE WORLD. The thing is if City turn us over what are they going to say? 'I told you they weren't as good as Man City.'

To come out with 'how on earth our we second?' is a very harsh comment, neither side were at their best and we were missing Tiote and Cabaye for a large chunk of the game, basically the engine room of our team. Got to say we looked pretty tired too, Jonas and Ba both put in sluggish performances. Any some match ratings: Krul 6.5 - Nothing he could do about the goal. Some more aimless long balls towards the end of the game which resulted in our back four coming under pressure. Simpson 6 - Didn't cover himself in glory for the goal but solid overall, also contributed tot he attack with some decent balls in. Taylor 7 - A composed display, looked comfortable in large parts but Saha did give him a bit of bother at times. Colo 7.5 - Commanding, won almost everything in the air and played with his usual level of class. Taylor 6.5 - Looked uncomfortable with people running at him but didn't do an awful lot wrong, got a cracking match winner too. Marveaux 5 - Floated in and out of the game. Linked up well in parts but ultimately contributed little in the final third. Cabaye 5.5 - Worked hard as usual but didn't really impose himself on the game, his passing range was a bit off too. Hope he's back soon mind. Guthrie 7 - Impressive display, knows how to create a yard of space for himself and used the ball well. He's proving decent back up for Tiote. Jonas 5.5 - Looked absolutely knackered and never really got into the game. Did track back to good effect at times mind, one brilliant sliding tackle in the second half springs to mind. Ba 5 - Another who looked absolutely knackered. Dropped deep to help the midfield but was sloppy in possession and ineffective in the final third. Best 5.5 - Battled hard but to little effect, needs to learn how to play the offside trap. Gosling 6 - Nothing flashy about him but he put himself about and made some decent challanges. He dropped a bit too deep late on. Ameobi 6.5 - I like him, he's direct, commits defenders and runs his socks off. By no means the finished article but there might be a decent player in him. Ben Arfa 6 - Didn't really have time to impose himself on the game but he helped ease the pressure by creating some space and keeping the ball late on. Pardew 7 - Can't really fault the starting line up, his changes weren't bad too. The sluggish display was most likely down to the monumental shift the lads but in on Monday night more than anything.

Jonas looks slow. Marveaux has been alright in patches. Ba has been crap. We need a kick up the arse because we've been prett woeful, Everton have created far too many chances for my liking.

He's Simpsons man like.

Goslings first two touches were him miscontrolling it and passing out of play. Mint.

We've been shite. Cabaye going off only hinders our chances too. It's going to be a long second half.

We've struggled with the three man midfield this year, hope it isn't the same today.

You should donate some of that to me Ray. I wasn't going to have a bet tomorrow but there looks to be a lot of 'home bankers' knocking about.

Is Silva fit this weekend? Can't see Mancini risking him like.

Fancy Best to score tomorrow.

Someone threw a pie at his head?

Comfortably. I'd argue against that. For me Vidic is when he's not picking up red cards (some are unfair on him) the best defender in the world. Then I'd argue Thiago Silva who is the most important piece of that Milan defence is the 2nd best. Pique is a one of the best players in the world, but like Sewelly stated above he has it relatively easy with the amount of possesion Barca and Spain have. I'd disagree with Vidic. He's an excellent centre back but not only can he be clumsy in the challange he struggles when players with pace run at him. I woouldn't say he's the most comfortable on the ball either. Like I say he's still a very good player though.

Surely there's no way Ben Arfa will start out wide given the ability of our full backs.

I think a decent bet is 0-0 at half time if not a draw of some form. Although it wasn't the case against Stoke both sides have a habit of starting slow and coming on strong in the second half.

Everton may actually play a striker this weekend, probably Saha. Vellios looks a handy player too, will probably come of the bench.

Looking forward to seeing him play. His touch, intelligance and passing range has looked impressive in his breif stints thus far. The one thing that does worry me is he seems to drift inside a lot which could leave Simpson exposed to Baines. Hence why I'd switch Jonas to the right for this one.

Left as far as I know. They've been playing Neville/Coleman on the right.

If we've done our homework, which we've been doing of late we'll see Everton's main threat comes down the left in Baines and Drenthe. I'd seriously consider moving Jonas over to the right to protect Simpson.

They're a great dark horse bet. I was tempted to take them at twelves but bottled it, I hope I don't regret it. They're favourites ahead of both City and Man U, hardly a dark horse! Are they? I don't think they were at the beginning. Don't take my word for that though.

They're a great dark horse bet. I was tempted to take them at twelves but bottled it, I hope I don't regret it.

And these passengers made it to the champions league finals three times in the last four years? Barca are the best team in the world but Man Utd are a better team than Real. You think? For me Real have more quality all over the park. Working harder this season too.

I can't confirm any of this but my reliable source may contradict al.c's reliable source. My source may be an unnamed footballer from Timbuktu who probably plays from a side somewhere in Europe. He claims he thinks he knows Tiote's agent who might of told him Cheik recently had the club's logo inked into his nuts. I don't know if this is true but it backs up recent stories in the local press that Tiote is happy at the club. Don't shoot the messanger.

The problem is while City and 'United' are very very good sides they aren't in the same league as Barca or Real. They carry passangers such as Carrick, Fletcher, Cleverly, Anderson, Wellbeck, Clichy, Lescott, Barry and Milner. Most are quality players in their own right but in comparison to the players the very best teams possess they don't quite cut the mustard. Real and Barca have immesnse quality all over the park, they don't carry the passangers the English sides do, they're just insanely good teams.