Jonas

The very best players once in a blue moon can shank a side-foot that he has a real penchant for, take their eyes off it for a split second, though it is the safer shot selection - the amount of unimpressive side-foots efforts in great goalscoring opportunities is unimpressive. Some will be down to confidence, suspect plenty isn't though

Wasting time an energy even discussing or thinking about it its that certain to never happen. We'd not be interested. He'd not be interested. It would never work. They'll not go down anyway.

Prophetically accurate. Seemed a meltier than usual meltdown today - and the usual descends into nonce, beheading, 9-11 and paid off referees/opponents/var/pundits craic. Just add how the commentators are up our arses, biased and perpetuating "paid propaganda" (not joking) for commentating on dramatic sporting events as if they're dramatic sporting events. And their new crying themselves to sleep trick of how just because we've won a game we've not won a trophy - a sobering thought, one that would make you question why you bother watching football but luckily conveniently forgotten every time they or anybody else wins a game.

Its had a lot more late than ever before so that's probably natural

Absolutely. Being rubbish for a big period if not most of the game is a feature of these games. We had the recent example of Man United the other week, most of that game they were flat and rubbish, most of the Arsenal 4-4, Leicester 5-4 and 4-3 comebacks we were - its what made them what they were that it came from nowhere. Some people seem to only be able to handle City-esque 3-0 cruises.

Pattern of the goals was exactly the same as the Leicester 4-3 comeback in 96/97 but, grab your hose and socks and pull, our three second half goals on each occasion were scored in the exact same minute (and at the same end) 77, 83 and 90.

No fan of Southgate but that's England no matter who the manager is since forever pretty much.

Great pics. Remember walking down that alley (if its the one behind the executive box only stand) after the cup game, first time I've seen it from such an angle since, and could only imagine the amount assaults that took place there in the previous decade or so.

That's something that's come to the fore and boils me with FFP. The logistical factor. You could, and do, have clubs in the north far bigger than clubs in the south with whom they cant compete with simply because of that. Sheffield's, Boro and Mackems wont make as much as Fulham. How's that fair? Though wouldn't be surprised if it was factored in and only sweetened the deal for those behind all this.

The few times I've watched them (Portsmouth, Derby, here) goalscoring definitely seems the issue. Games dont reflect how much better we are in other areas.

What'll it be, the 9th time we've been runners up since last winning something. Need that curse broke.

Clubs cursed

There'll be misgivings if they weather this

That would have been nice, like the Brazil goal (Socrates?) against Italy in 82

Going to ruin some of those manes that weather. Seen a couple with the black and white scarves and pink letterin in the Galleries yesterday, wonder if they're away down now, never realised the significance

Shoyte

Gowel

Yes, I was there for the 1994 cup game and probably less than 2years later there was talk of moving from it. Its a mess but entirely unique and I'd miss those sort of stadiums and always recommended it to people on that basis. The top half of the home end was terrace and the bottom end seats then, just to be even more weird.

I only really rate two of those, well one really and one's okay.... bit like your seasons here gaffer

Just to confirm, its on iplayer with just the usual minute or so delay?

So clubs only won titles because of breaking FFP rules and other clubs only won/will win titles because of FFP rules. So everyone's cheating. Triffic.

Just for a bit of research I've looked through a few old fanzines and they're literally having the same discussion in there in 94/95 that we are now re atmosphere. First time I was shown in there it was like Crocodile Dundee in New York trying to suss out the lav. I couldn't quite believe it. Just felt weird with no roof and, well, no toilet. That would have been 1989 so not like most public toilets were like the ones on Demolition Man or anything. Only used the facilities at SJP about four times in about 900 games. See the ability to eat and piss during 2hours at a match as in case of emergency rather than part of the 'experience'. Same as at the movies or something.

In an FFP world where chasing the dream is forbidden, collapse theoretically impossible and everything pretty set and stagnant, its reassuring that ticket prices will still continue to go up and OAP concessions (Spurs) will still be scrapped. A lose lose for the legacy fan.

Doesn't seem all that to me. Very different situation at Coventry with the stadium ownership issues but that's purpose built for these things and I cant imagine if the club owned the stadium it would have made any more difference to them than it has Sunderland.

Reckon, now I think about it, I've bought food twice tops at SJP since 1991 where I had a brief penchant for the new club branded fudge.