Nordstrom

Hughton might have subbed him for Gutierrez, rendering the left wing useless

Harper - 8 (Not much to save, but when it counted, it was superb) Enrique - 9 (Commanded the left wing by himself with runs up to the front, pity no one was on the end the crosses) Kadar - 7 (Good start for the 19 year old Hungarian, few vital clearances and solid play) Coloccini - 7.5 (Definite improvement from earlier performances, risk-taking paid off; THAT RUN!) Simpson - 6 (Poor game, silly calls for justifiable decisions, unnoticeable) Gutierrez - 6.5 (Found it difficult to retain possession, left Enrique out in the cold, not effective) Butt - 6.5 (Slight improvement on the theatrical passes of previous performances but not good enough to warrant taking Guthrie's spot) Smith - 7 (Effective, solid passing, no ridiculous challenges) Raylor - 7 (Confident, played fluidly after the OG, few decent set pieces) Nolan - 6.5 (Unable to hold possession, silly passes, slow) Carroll - 7 (Well played against Morgan, utilised his height on both sides of the pitch, pity about the yellow) Ranger - 6.5 (At a physical disadvantage, as lost footing often for leverage, good run-out though; hopeful prospect) Harewood - 4 (Had chances to make promising challenges with poor Sheffield defending but failed to deliver; lazy; pouting on the bench)

Sheffield United have run into poor form over the past month or so. I reckon we'll extend that run with a 3-2 win; Carroll winner in the 82nd.

**** this, I'm off to sleep.

Steve Harper, Ryan Taylor, Tamas Kadar, Zurab Khizanishvili, Jose Enrique, Danny Guthrie, Nicky Butt ©, Kevin Nolan, Jonas Gutierrez, Andy Carroll, Marlon Harewood

With Smith out, do you think we'll see Hughton slot Butt in to replace him as provided he's VC?

Class move by Anelka

http://www.independent.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00109/burnley-owen-coyle_109571t.jpg Jose Enrique http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/nechronical/apr2008/8/3/190513C8-F497-9C1F-6B4801B8848F8B43.jpg Owen Coyle

But, it's a Bank Holiday, nothing can happen. Seymour Pierce celebrates after off loading the ridiculous dealings of NUFC & Ashley?

I presume that this means that Moat has set down a serious bid and we're waiting for all the finishing touches. Still disappointed though.

Surely not? I'm pretty sure this is the link to the said article http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/football_league/article6736633.ece?token=null&offset=0&page=1

Absolute master stroke to leave Butt out of the starting 11. Hughton has already proven himself as a superior to Kinnear.

I wish I could watch it live but I have to settle for recording it. It's unfortunate that it is on at a god-awful time, really challenging my sleep schedule if I was to watch it. The real challenge when I wake up though is to be able to hold off checking the result before watching the match.

WBA 2-2 NUFC

I'm guessing that he's not a really big player in the Western world hence not having any translation for his name which would probably be written in Perso-Arabic Script

I seriously can't see Kevin Keegan coming back a third time. The fiasco with Ashley last season really increased the risk of his reputation being tarnished. If he encounters the same waters as last time, he'll be questioned on why he ever came back. Now considering that this bid by Mahjoob does get through, wouldn't Keegan's desire for the ability to have a say in transfers be compromised? Already from the start, we can see an attitude which seeks transfer control with the owners. In the interview, Mahjoob constantly talks about Iranian football. Obviously it suggests controlled transfer targets. I can't see Keegan or another 'respectable' manager coming in with those constraints. I hope I'm wrong though.

Despite being frustrated at Ashley’s lack of urgency, the bidders claim to remain interested and were today set for a second day of talks in London with those charged with selling the club. It comes as reports emerged in the national media of a Dubai-based tycoon called Sirous Mahjoob making a £100m move to buy the club and bring back Kevin Keegan as manager. A source close to Seymour Pierce confirmed there has been contact between him and managing director Derek Llambias. He said: “Derek is expected to meet him, but this is still very much in the early stages. “Proof of funds must be the next stage. Nobody is racing ahead of themselves. “They could be very serious, but we are yet to see proof of funds. There has definitely been dialogue between the two.”

Last year I wanted to follow football. I loved the sport but never had the chance to watch the EPL because of the timezones (I'm from Australia). I made the commitment. I based by decision to support NUFC because it was the club which was the closest to the origin of my family, in Langholm, Scotland. Quite a strange reason imo. Despite all the tribulations of last season, I'm confident I made the right choice. I've fallen in love with the club despite the mishaps.

6-1. This team is dead. Cannot be saved

WTF IS THIS ****

3-1...we are in trouble.

2-1, better turn of events.

Goodness gracious me...2-0 down. Is the "sale" getting to the players?