Altamullan

Went to see a friend play in a semi-final over in Wallsend. He had been a great player as a kid, and was a bit of a Mark Hughes character. Big strong lad but quiet and gentle off the pitch; bit of a beast on it. He broke a bloke's leg, not a foul (ish) but went through ball and player. Just as the ambulance was arriving he launched into a 40-60 challenge and scythed down a stocky bonehead (who, to be fair, had been persistently fouling him/diving in since first injury) said bonehead sustained a horrible-looking floppy snapped tib and fib. Straight red, minor fisticuffs all round, and a two for the price of one ambulance call out !

Probably deserves a .... Ahem.... long debate regarding the pros and cons of negatively versus positively focussed questions and how a reasonable and equitable position can always be found the realistic mid-ground. Either that or wants bent over and fucked up the arse.

Fingers-crossed the lunatic fringe (from all three teams) stay away and the 'not-usually-that-psychopathic-but alcohol-has-disengaged-their-frontal-lobes' (is that a place in Wales?) types drink themselves into a stupor rather than a fight/random assault/riot. However, does seem like bad planning/setting the scene for trouble.

£29m outlay on five players, with four free transfers and two loans. According to: http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/middlesbrough-fc/transfers/verein/641/plus/0?saison_id=2016&pos=&detailpos=&w_s=s Also like the look of Traore as a wing option from them. Very powerful and saw him leave Aguero standing (no slouch) in a flat out sprint for the ball when they played at the Etihad.

Punch in the face? Dent his clock with a mace! Push down a staircase and put in a neckbrace?! It's the level of violence which is a disgrace... Too mild by far; he types with a red face.

Shirt sales through the roof when smear of shame is removed, red numbers added, plus commemorative crest. Hope they copy an old design. A good one obviously!

I like Sigurdsson off to Google Begovic. Did Sigurdsson play with Shelvey at Swansea? Are they not too similar?

I've been thinking about who we might be able to get, who could play 'Rafa's way', and would improve what we have now. Priorities, for me, are no.10, striker, left wing, centre mid, centre back, left back. But also versatility, i.e. Cover for more than one position. No.10/left wing: Marcus Coco (24, Guingamp). Appears to have everything to make a top class no.10. Can play left, right and forward. Presume he's right footed but seen good goals and passes with both feet (latter a good sign). Rafa to Coco, as Wenger to Henry?? what a thought.... Centre mid: Tom Cairney (26, Fulham). Looks a class act, stats have him as most effective central midfielder this season (meant to be from Toon supporting family, which might help). Doubt Delph (27) is available now, given recent resurgence in 1st team, but would have him from Man City if he was. Centre back: Ben Gibson (24, 'Boro). Recent taste of senior international football might trigger a move after relegation. It might also appeal to get out from under his uncle's shadow and not to have to uproot his home/family. Or, Pontus Jansson (26, Torino on loan at Leeds). Big lad who has been solid this season and can see him forming an effective partnership with Clark. Left back: Enda Stevens (26, Portsmouth) a late bloomer, solid, committed who could provide needed competition with Paul Dummett. Striker: can't see anyone who is a good fit. Thought the Spanish second tier might have a couple of interesting options, but the three top scorers (Roger, Levante; Joselu, Lugo; Angel, Zaragoza) as far as I can tell, don't look the part. Of the above, I would be most excited by Coco, Cairney, and Gibson.

It really was utterly dreadful. Just seen on SSN. f*** me, if the shame of that doesn't get him back in the sherry then nowt will... Oh, well maybe a (sore-arsed) player revolt and seven defeats on the trot may make it even more likely.

1-0. Please. Glancing backwards heeder, in off Atsu's Mohican.

Pennas? Bombs? Gifs? Michael Flatley-stylee jigs? All of the above

Yep. A few pics further on (and a number of years on/early 80s I think) there is one which shows the back of the scoreboard and seems to show four.

I fancy Hayden to make the step-up next year (all being well), but it would be foolish to rely on him. Given the needs in other positions, and being realistic, I'd be confident if we have a choice of three decent central mids (Shekvey, ?Delph/McCarthy/Cairney?, and Hayden) plus another back-up/utility player.

Not the only 50 something. Who still thinks he's one step beyond ... http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/03/23/22/3E92814D00000578-0-image-a-18_1490309493720.jpg

Big Tone of the Alhambra... Who would have imagined.

I'm sticking with the obvious plus Hull; appreciate they have picked-up but think they may blow-up now.

thanks man. Some great pics. The old ticket office! Mira's ill-fitting off the peg white jacket Where there only four turnstiles at the Gallowgate?? I don't remember it like that.

Well done to the lad. Nice way to end a tough year for him (this plus promotion). Don't know how it works, but stinks if Ritchie and Shelvey weren't nominated.

I still reckon this might be the end game, I.e. with one of the six played we have one defeat (SW away was always most likely). We're likely to win three and either lose one more and draw one, or draw two. Unfortunately, Leeds at home looks to me to be the game we are most likely to lose. There will be an endemic of arses going if we lose two in a row (self included, mainly as I am desperate to win the Championship, again).

I think he had earned his place yesterday, with Wednesday's performance. He brings a bit of attacking purpose and unpredictability. With the confidence that can come from regular starts and feeling relied upon, I think there is a very good player in there. Suspect Guoffran is seen as a safer more positionally savvy option. Sometimes you have to just take it the opposition, get right into their faces; preferably when there is more than 10 minutes left (E.g. Mitro & Murphy, even with limitations, really rattled their defence). I think Atsu may have provided this, or at least had more likelihood of doing so than Guoffran.

It's Newcastle for ya, One defeat could easily put pressure on us Keep reading this, but our last 3 seasons at this level, we've p*ssed promotion. Last 3 seasons?

Down with the kids... the ol' suave hipster

Navas has no end product. Wouldn't fancy my on that list really.

this made me laugh far more than it should have ...

Really? Think of the implications of that if you applied the same rule to all sports.