Stottie

Great post by irki, clearly knows his football. Yeah seconded, or thirded. And we have no right to call a moment of class from Borini "flukey" or "lucky" because our whole effing game plan is based on moments of class from our more skilful players. When was the last time we passed one in? Or even just set up a clear chance in the box through simple passing and movement? Our players won more than enough of the ball in the second half but came up with ferk all with it.

Aside from the goal, our best effort from inside the box was by O'Shea. We had a lot of possession second half, but we did nothing with it.

He's giving Cisse a good run in the declining as a player stakes.

I might have to stay up (it's already Monday here) and watch some real football to recover.

Fucks sake. What a load of shit.

Adam Johnson showing why Mancini didn't like him. C'mon lads, this lot aren't bottom for nothing. Go and get another!

C'mon Papiss!

Well that was shit in terms of tactics, attitude, and execution. They're not very good though and will tire will all that pressing, so no excuses for not getting back into it.

Great story Mick. Thanks!

The Sunderland passage is fake, but here's one example of what's in there. His version of their performance in the return fixture they lost (pretty much along with the league) to the Kompany header is an even more warped version of reality.

Man U seem to play Carrick at CB every season so having at least three out isn't a Newcastle thing. The Simpson/Perch combo should also be etched into everyone's memory.

I can't see them finishing below fourth, let alone outside the top six. Their squad is too good. It strikes me as pointless talking about AMs they could buy if they are not going to play their former Bundesliga Player of the Year in his preferred role.

Great work HF.

Bah, there's no way our fans should be doing that. And that goes way back to him reffing half the games between the two teams. Standing over the ref screaming at him to send Lee Bowyer off, for example.

Very negative from Moyes, Nani off for Giggs and then Rooney for Smalling. He ended up with what he deserved. Southampton look a good team.

Feb 24 2013 Toon 4 Southampton 2. Dec 3 2012 Toon 3 Wigan 0 They are the only league games we've won by more than one goal in this and last season. That's 45 games in total.

Can't see this happening at all, though it could if we were as ambitious as a team with a pretty much full 50,000 seater should be. Richards should also go somewhere where he'll be first choice because he's not far off being England right back. A decent run of form could do it. Richards-HBA on the right side would be very tasty.

Thanks Nut and Dave So Arsenal are actually -3 points from the same fixtures but everyone is saying they are "back". The team at the top with the biggest improvement is Tottenham, not Liverpool. Liverpool still need to further better results than last year to finish above Everton. For us, the points total so far is fine, and isn't that far off being better (Gouf miss from two yards etc.), but the performances have not been convincing, even with the full first team playing.

Great result, but ferk me, can't we ever win by more than one goal? We made it far more difficult than it needed to be and its got to rub off on the players. They'll have finished the game far more stressed and tired than if we'd pushed for and got the third that was there for the taking.

Lets just give QPR the money now!

Good little player. Always looking to get the ball forward If I saw it right, he won the ball that got to Remy for the first goal.

I reckon you've got to give Cisse ten games in a team that is reasonably creative. The one we put out against Citeh or Liverpool last season was taking the piss. Last time out vs. Fulham wasn't bad and today's was right up there, so you can count one or two games already depending on how strict you want to be. If there is no improvement in Cisse, we'll have to buy to replace in January, not to supplement (were such a concept possible for the current regime).

Great result. Shame about the Krul error otherwise another clean sheet for the lads at the back. The Agbonlahor miss was a howler, but that was the other chance we gave up all game. With Remy in the team, its much harder for teams to send out a midfielder to double up on Benny. And look what happens then.

Says it all!

The mackem WUM at the Guardian said he was seriously injured in the first half.