geordiesteve710

I did like that when he did pop up and deign to offer his hand towards his subjects, about half of our fans booed until he sat down. This was immediately followed by everyone pointedly belting out ben arfa's name. Rinse and repeat. I'd like to think the 'give us a wave' brigade were trolling him and also instigated the booing but I'm probably being far too generous there Deffo smelt smoke from something- didn't see what or where- just after kick-off. I know Hillsborough wasn't a fire-related incident but strikes me as a particularly moronic thing to bring to that stand in that ground. Also, it must be time to retire the 'Shola from Fenham' song in light of recent events. Imagine how Liam or Johns family would feel hearing it sang, ironically alongside songs honouring their memories.

I was there yesterday. Thought the first hour or so was pretty decent especially being the first game. But like often happens in friendlies it degenerated after both teams made multiple substitutions (Oldhams was like an ice hockey line change with 6 subs lined up to come on at once ) Bit worrying that de Jong, the only first teamer not to have been coached by Pardew, stood out to the extent he did, but the team that starts vs man city will be very different to last nights. Is everything going to go perfect and we'll give city a hiding? No. Is Pardew an incompetent baboon? Undoubtedly yes. But I can't bring myself to get all negative or upset about a friendly- I've got the next 9 months for that!!! Did De Jong stand out other than the goal? Any other notable performances? I thought he did, just with his general awareness, running into the right areas, finding space in the box etc. The worry is once Pardew and Carver get hold of him they'll knock it out of him and just have him running back to his own goal/ have him stood trying to beat 6'+ centrebacks to Willo's punts. Gouff had a good 45 and looked threatening before being subbed, and Abeid looks to have grown in confidence from his loan. Colback was tidy which is all we can realistically expect from him. Dummett was shite like, and Alnwick will never make it as a prem keeper. After all the subs everyone was shite.

I was there yesterday. Thought the first hour or so was pretty decent especially being the first game. But like often happens in friendlies it degenerated after both teams made multiple substitutions (Oldhams was like an ice hockey line change with 6 subs lined up to come on at once ) Bit worrying that de Jong, the only first teamer not to have been coached by Pardew, stood out to the extent he did, but the team that starts vs man city will be very different to last nights. Is everything going to go perfect and we'll give city a hiding? No. Is Pardew an incompetent baboon? Undoubtedly yes. But I can't bring myself to get all negative or upset about a friendly- I've got the next 9 months for that!!!

Anyone else going to this? Or know anything decent to go/do/see/drink at in Oldham for a couple hours before the match? I asked a lad I work with who is originally from Rochdale just up the road what's worth doing in Oldham? He just laughed and said 'getting the tram to Manchester.'

I hope you're not trying to suggest that we're using this Remy link to play for time until the inevitable 'couldn't get him over the line, no time to look at other targets' piece?!? For what it's worth if there was any chance of it happening I think we should be looking to break the bank/burn the pay structure to get this lad in quickly. A striker who has proven he can score goals in this team with these tactics is worth his weight in gold and then some Imo.

You see much worse gamesmanship most times a penno is given during open play, when the whole team gets involved. Seems de rigeur for south American teams.

Ah man. No. who the fuck are these people? Honestly.

Different kind of football book and might be Giggs, but for an insight into the boardroom politics/corporate culture of the club Denis Cassidy's The day the promises had to stop. Its not exactly full of unpredictable twists (i.e. It was all just as big a shambles as we all assumed) and there is a little inherent bias but interesting to get a view from the inside nonetheless.

Nice. No, Dijon. To be fair he's got nothing Toulouse. Bordeauxing on a ban, that. Lets hope the ban isn't toulon. With another player off the wage bill, Ashley will probably get some Cannes in to celebrate.

Stay classy Uruguay Which is exactly why, of course, the whole squad were proclaiming his innocence, saying the pictures were misleading etc in the build-up to the hearing... More faces than a pack of dice these fuckers!! Between this and the Dummett death threats thing, and the way all the media, public in the country seems to blindly swallow everything their paranoid FA says as gospel, I do wonder what sort of country Uruguay must be to live in.

£15 freebet went on Belgium win btts 7/2. If I'd known about the Ghana situation I would have added Portugal too- should be nailed on now.

Given that these fake solicitors shenanigans were ended over 4 years ago, I'd say the revelation doesn't make them any more or less suitable to sponsor us now. Still a shabby shambles of a company mind- not surprising Ashley sees something in them he likes. Must be like looking in a big fucking mirror.

Also first real do-or-die night for my group forecasts acca need Croatia and probably Spain to win.

£10 freebet from 888sports stuck on Holland, Croatia, spain-Chile total goals over 2.5. Returns £25 without stake, obviously.

I took that up and stuck a fiver on Argentina -0.5 goals, at 11/2. Just hope there's nowt against that in the small print as couldn't be arsed to read it all. It's the Iran game where we'll really cash in mind. The Persian bus might disappoint you. http://images.forum-auto.com/mesimages/510049/Renault%2016%20Borat%20_06_.jpg http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d191/Koulis/misc/dacia.jpg bring it!!

He's made a total arse of himself there. Embarrassing. Nearly as bad as his complete surprise at a red card being shown to palacios moments after the second yellow. Them's the rules, feller...

I took that up and stuck a fiver on Argentina -0.5 goals, at 11/2. Just hope there's nowt against that in the small print as couldn't be arsed to read it all. It's the Iran game where we'll really cash in mind.

bit disappointed couldn't get in play odds on player (palacios) to be sent off, but that's probably why- he was walking a tightrope. took 4-0 benzema first goal 40/1, it's on now.

Yep. The old guard of Gerrard etc. weren't good enough in their prime but they're doing a nurturing job and like you say 2016 onwards should be even better. If this squad is being thrown together for 2016/2018 in mind then Gerrard shouldn't be in the squad. You would run the risk of ruining the young uns without an experienced nucleus guiding them. It's why Lampard is there. And it's why Ashley Cole should've been there. Also, Cole wouldn't have been done up like a kipper for the second goal

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I wouldn't mind those hosting again tbh, their fans were great last time to be fair. I'd rather they got it than Australia or the US. England would always be my first choice though. It's a crime that they haven't held one since 66 ffs. Definitely a country that'd be ready to hold it tomorrow if they had to. Its never going to come here for a very long time, if Sepp Blatter stays in power th WC will be going to countries where stadiums need built and can be changed easily... I think France, Turkey, and Italy will all host a world cup before England gets a chance again. Assuming that 2022 stays in Qatar, and again assuming FIFA stand by their "principle" (I know, I know) that no confederation gets it twice in a row, I'd be gobsmacked if 2030 goes anywhere other than China.

Done and paid. Ended up with the same semi finals as Italia 90. Didn't like the look of that so backtracked and started again. Basically pinned everything on holland, russia and colombia not making the second round.

the opposition will be quavering in their boots...

joey man, shhhhhh

using the old 'some of our best mates are black' defence...