ponsaelius

There's a lot of Italians who don't want him to play for Italy because they don't see him as truly Italian. Obviously his petulance and serious attitude problem constitute towards most of the hatred he's having directed at him, but Italy isn't exactly the most racially tolerant country in Europe and there's certainly a feeling with alot of people that a 'foreigner' shouldn't be able to play for the national team. It's the line between the personal dislike and the racism that's making it a difficult issue. Like Mourinho said Balotelli needs to sort himself out and just focus on his football in order to realise his potential. Similarly the stigma of bloodline to define nationality within Italy needs to be eradicated, because Balotelli is probably the biggest talent in Italy at the moment, would be a shame for their own benefit if he was to end up playing for a country he doesn't fully identify with because of some backward ideals about the purity of nationality. Ghana would be over the fucking moon if he ended up playing for them like However the kid is far more Italian than he is Ghanaian.

The keeper goal in the Liege game was superb. Scored in the 95th minute to take them into the Europa League and then ran the whole length of the pitch like a mad man.

Everton signing Landon Donovan on a 3 month loan. Can see him doing well there.

I think Obertan has looked pretty dogshit most of the games I've seen him in. All style and no substance. Then again he does remind me of Ronaldo when he first arrived. The difference being Ronaldo was 3 years younger and cost considerably more.

We best win tomorrow like, because we wont be picking up any points on Saturday. It's gotten to the point I truly believe I'm a curse. People encourage me not to go to away games. Manchester United 6-0 Liverpool 3-0 Liverpool 2-0 Middlesbrough 1-0 Wigan 1-0 Blackburn 3-0 Bolton 1-0 West Brom 1-1 (hurrah) Notts Forest 1-0 Peterborough 2-0 When it was against Premiership sides it wasn't so bad, but it's becoming truly creepy that it's continued into the Championship. I'm going to Sheff Wed aswell btw I'm sure many on here have got similar away records like, if anybody wants to make me feel less responsible for us being shit go ahead.

I've just had 5 Live on in the background, and while I wasn't fully attentive I'm pretty sure they were moaning on about Cech aswell

I'd agree with that. Atletico's goal difference is -9, while APOEL's is only -3. Seems really harsh on the Cypriots. Atletico are having such a stinker of a season btw. Joke of a club.

Generally surprised how shit Boro have been in this division. I honestly thought they'd cope better than us.

Yes but they drew both times against Athletico Away goals in head to head. Pile of shit that if you ask me, APOEL robbed there.

If we win tomorrow I'll be over the moon! 7 point gap would be bliddy fantastic.

Couldn't give a flying f*** who scored the winning goal, if it happened. Could even be a mackem, wouldn't change a thing. Meh, it would really erk me tbh. Say he scored off his shin or something and then seeing his smerking grin all over every paper in the world. Annoying dick.

If Owen got into the England squad then scored a shitty goal to win the World Cup final for England would it dampen it for you? Would for me.

Blackpool have had 63% of the possession against Boro. EDIT: On the subject of which teams I'd like to see get promoted along with us, Blackpool would be my choice. Basically because they'd be guarenteed to fill one of the relegation spots next season.

He's s****... really I've seen Bolton twice this season and even though he scored against Everton, he's still no good, he's just fast, nothing else... awful handling of the ball... Disagree there like. I've seen him play a number of games for Bolton and he looks a clever little player, skilfull on the ball with an eye for a pass, looks very out of place in the Bolton team in that respect! Has the typical work-rate of Korean players aswell.

That Muniain will be a good player like, already scored a few this season at 16.

This Rome derby is pretty tedious stuff.

North Korea's diminutive centre halfs against Drogba. Oh dear.

I've always really admired Zlatan, but since he went to Barca he's became one of my favourite players. Absolute class act, hopefully he can stay fit all season and put the doubts to rest.

Don't want.

Xerez against Barca tonight. Top vs bottom, hopefully will be a nice goalfest.

League Cup is turgid at times. Merge it with the Scottish League Cup, makes it a bit more interesting.

I'd rather we got one from Slovenia, Slovakia, or Greece from that pot. The Swiss won their qualifying group (ahead of Greece) and did fairly well at the last WC.

No way. They're dirty foreign mercenaries who can't be trusted! Seriously, if they (Colo and Jonas) are willing to stay and fight fair play to them, they were the two players I expected to be off first in the summer.

It's a shame I'm just about too young to remember them days, would have been great. I doubt we're gonna get back there again any time soon. The way the game is now we'd need a shitload of cash and even then it wouldn't really be the same.

to think: in the beginning of this decade we could've gone on their forums and they would have been jealous of us. Fortunes change quickly. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/2050221.stm Dodged a bullet I think. He was never the same after the 2002 WC. But yeah, I won't pretend being a Barça fan isn't pretty swell... the early 2000s are considered the lowest point in our recent history, and the lowest we did was finish 6th... You were better in your two title challenges under Keegan, though. I guess it's right he went downhill after that tournament, but looking at that news article with Bobby in charge and us being 'close to signing' a player that's just carried Brazil to World Cup glory is heartbreaking. It's just such a far cry from where we are now.