Altamullan

More in hope than belief, I am thinking Rafa/we could be playing CPFC/Fat Sam/& AT by lining up and being seen to pursue an alternative (meh). Can't imagine the former two having any motivation to do us a reasonable deal and the latter (though I would be delighted to have him back) has probably got an overinflated sense of his own value. If we can get him for what's he's worth (relative to others) then great; welcome to centre stage. If not, then he can fuck off and wallow in the shadows.

Think they might prefer him to Shelvey. http://79.170.44.132/chewits.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Strawberry-Slide.png Which I know is a bit like comparing The Empire State Building to Barrow-in-Furness Bus Depot... (one for the oldies).

Can't expect a man with a dodgy ticker to stick around for Evo...

Ha! Classic. Is that Mr Shelvey throwing some shapes in there? (Think I may have committed some kind of 'baldism'. )

Not very creative, but something simple perhaps to tune of No Limit (2 Unlimted) might work: Ciaran Ciaran, Ciaran Ciaran, Ciaran Ciaran Ciaran Clark!

Played 90 mins today in tough Yorkshire derby; must be great experience playing in game alike that. Nice assist for first goal.

We are in a competition. I want us to win it.

Imagine Swansea getting out of it and CP and Sunderland joining Hull in Championship #whatgoesaround

Yes.

Heading to Newcastle (unexpected hospital visit) visiting finishes at 4pm. Is match on in Shearerd/9 bar??

After last night's 85th minute winner for BHA, thought I'd check how often they've comeback to win/draw. Fulham away were getting beat, won 2-1 (74 & 75 mins) Birmingham away won 2-1 (83 and 90+5-jammy bastards) Fulham at home, win 2-1 (52 & 79) Villa away 1-1 were losing (45). Burton away 0-1 (88 pen). 6 comebacks. Could say 11 points clawed back, 8 of which in last 11 mins. Impressive,tenacity/self-belief.

Also linked with Benteke. Wonder who FS's Palace have in mind as a replacement...

I don't know if Reefatoon frequents these pages, but he's just the man to put him in Red & White stripes

Good on ye HTT

I am still haunted by some footy fuck-ups. Missing out on very real prospect of wining the league in 1995-96 still, over 20 years on, on occasion genuinely still bothers me. Also, for some reason the 1998 (rather than 1999) FA Cup final can get under my skin, I think because I went to all bar one game, and was convinced this was the year and despite Arsenal's league form (typical luck to get to two consecutive FA Cup finals and play the Champions each time) they hadn't been playing that well in the cup run. Relegations, other cup 'could have beens', and defeats to the Makems, don't really stick for long with me. I imagine that if local rivalry and a battle against relegation are the main things you've had to focus on, for the last 40+years/ever then it is easy to assume that is also true for your local rivals, and that derby defeats/draws which contributed to relegation would haunt them in the way they would have haunted yourself. Or, for the less intellectually challenged, it is just a convenient source of banter.

Add a young potential worldy no.10 OR very experienced Beardsley type signing (hen's teeth, I know) plus a proven more defensive CM (though not necessarily pure CDM) to alternate with Hayden or Shelvey and I think that is enough to comfortably consolidate in the Premier League and to build upon. I can see Hayden and Townsend getting better with continued use, Rafa coaching and the confidence that comes from being relied upon.

Real captain's performance last night. Would be tempted to let him keep the arm band. Different class of player (at the mo) IMO than Lascelles and I get the sense the faith in him, as well as reliance on him, would up his game a notch.

Just the four. You fucking cracker.

When I told my 8 year old who was playing tonight, he piped up with: "Ahhh El-Mhanni, he's cracking! He's just like Messi!!" Turns out this level of 'optimism(?)' is based on this:

"When a get fateeged a do quite sloppy passes" Self-assessment I can get on board with. As well as the natural nervousness/unfamiliarity of being interviewed, you could hear what it meant for the lad, from Gateshead and at the club since he was 8, to play for the first team tonight Can't tell whether in picking out the quote above you're: 1. your taking the p*ss out of his Geordie accent; 2. slating him for his birthday performance:the highlight thus far of 12 years of football 4+ times per week; 3. Saying you do the same. 1. Do you really want to do that? 2. Very harsh. 3. You & me both (... oh and David/everyone else).

Ando hates life itself. Him and Gary Birtles would be brilliant Who would win a fight between Chris Sutton and John Anderson? Feel sure it would end in fisticuffs if they commentated together. Ritchie!!! Phew.

Hayden at RB?

"It's gone through Matz Sels." Kin hell.

Had to search to remind myself that he had been acquitted of the previous charges against him (trial collapsed).

Only when he's having his turd turd of the day. Ha! :gm's patter: :gm's patter: :gm's patter: