Altamullan

"Mitrovic absolutely flattens Curtis Nelson... the referee has to do something there!"

Interesting take from a neutral on everyone's second favourite team... http://www.footballfancast.com/opinion-2/why-dull-uninspiring-sunderland-deserve-to-go-down

A link for the international brethren: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/sep/11/your-favourite-street-football-games And for my Bradford brother, KINGO (Felling stylee) was 'Wally' in the article, only you started with no letters and whenever you failed to hit the wall (one touch/shot) you picked-up a letter. Fifth letter (KING-O) and you're out.

Me too actually, or not much in it. Though if playing to the strengths of what we have in the squad, rather than religious adherence to the system, I'd like to see a prolonged run of Hanley flanked by Lacelles and Clark with two wingbacks--or maybe Lascelles (or Mbemba for that matter, also not convinced there's much in it) in the middle so he could bring the ball out Tony Adams style, from time to time.

3 pots in, around our way (5 pots could have lasted for ages). Plus always loved KINGO (in old terraced backlane with cobbles--great for reaction times! And in carpark, against back wall of Co-Op--easier, but had to avoid moving cars!)

' Torn between two lovers, feeling like a fool...' Everybody sing! Oh. Just me then...

Hope it doesn't have much to do with him, but any manager saying 'I am not going to use him, may as well get shot of his (no doubt substantial) wages.' Versus wanting to keep him/saying he will feature, must have influence.

Certainly not expecting any favours or even reasonableness from FSA to Rafa/NUFC.

Nice. Darlow, Gouff and Yedlin setting the trend that others follow. And surpass tbf...

You're the expert, Gallows. Is Barrow better than Atsu? Is Atsu staying?

It is such a great word, that I quite like the idea of being a cockwomble. I guess that in itself probably makes me one. Smashing

Wonder whether we could (over two games) have got past Jose's Man Utd?

Gabriel Appelt Pires (clearly isn't Cordone...) only appears to have 17 appearances in La Liga, for Leganes, remainder in Segunda Division, on loan (to same) from Juve (before that another full season on loan in Serie B). Seems to be an up and coming (hopefully) central midfielder (defensive, but can score think Fenandinho).

Bright and breezy in here today... I am not sure that Barrow is a good choice, but then what do I know. Most seem to believe we have a couple of positions (LW/M & CM) which if strengthened now would make us more confident about automatic promotion, myself included. Though there seems to be a bit of extreme reaction to the importance of this, IMO. Of course the 'jury is out' re promotion, I.e. it is not decided yet. However, if you look at the evidence we have to go on it would be remarkable if we did not achieve promotion (of course not impossible). Maybe the closeness to preseason 2015/16, when it seemed obvious to quite a few in here that we needed another CB and another CF to be safe, we got neither and were relegated, stokes the frustration/worry a little, but we really should be fine as is. If we can add premiership quality, great. If not, then no panic required/indicated.

We've got the best GD in the football league (92 clubs). Canny. The top teams in the National League North and South (Fylde and Maidenhead have better). God, I am soooo getting bored/want a transfer.

Anybody else getting twitchy? Sign someone man, FFS.

Surely helps and may lessen demands if they're concerned about the wage bill/balance sheet (they will be, especially given their vulnerable position).

Chocolate? No more. http://www.risecomrades.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/augustus-gloop.jpg

Handling pressure is largely about confidence/where your head is at. Confidence comes with doing, and he has made some excellent saves this season, really top rate reaction time and agility. Long may it continue.

I still wouldn't be surprised at us getting the top two, or a complete surprise. All depends whether the deals are piss takes or not. Don't think Rafa is anybody's fool and he will have a firm view re what is reasonable and what is not.

Not that I have any inside info, but I imagine that Rafa, I.e. a good manager, would be just as reluctant to pay over the odds re fee/wages in Jan if he doesn't think it's good business. It can potentially unsettle the existing team spirit and waste/use funds which may be available and go further in the summer. Personally I don't buy into the manager always wanting and the chairman always refusing 'drama' that seems to be taken as granted.

You might have just saved somebody getting their tyres done...

All of these 'stay but don't play' money grabbing fuckers make me sick. Irrespective of the club they are at. What a shameful waste of talent, you're a long time retired and I sincerely hope the slightly more comfortable financial position they secure does not in any way compensate them for the regrets they have about the additional games/seasons they could have been a regular first team player (somewhere).

Darlow is a keeper (ahem) and will get better still. See him as comfortably a mid-table Prem standard. Which, is where I hope we will be for the next couple of seasons.

As soon as FSA left, they looked dead certs to me. Most things that have happened since (rate Moyes, but pity the fool) have simply increased the likelihood. They will be relegated, as will Hull and frankly they both deserve it.