loonyTOON

I think the fact that some of the biggest clubs in the world are looking at this lad says it all really. Not complete? So he has bags of pace, scores with both feet, oh good in the air, scores headers too. Up there in the Ligue 1 goalscorers. Sounds like a canny lad to me

Imagine our entire team fit, with this lad and a new striker in.

Corporate Package - an extra £130 for 5* and a guaranteed match ticket. Ridiculous money

Here is my conversation with the reservations rep: 16:42:10 Me: Okay. I'm just curious, how do you have 23 tickets when the allocation has not been sorted by Newcastle? I'm a season ticket holder there you see and I'm trying to find tickets. 16:43:27 Jenni: The benefit of purchasing in the secondary market is that even when those tickets are sold out/require a club membership, we often still have them available. 16:44:08 Me: Do you receive them from Newcastle once they get tickets? 16:44:44 Jenni: yes exactly 16:44:47 Jenni: they are prearranged 16:45:09 Me: okay Unbelievable really.

What I don't understand is how this website has 23 away tickets for sale before we even have an allocation sorted? And at an extortionate £275! http://www.onlineticketexpress.com/sports/football/sl-benfica-vs-newcastle-united-tickets-04-04-2013

According to the Thomas Cook site, it says "Match ticket may be subject to qualifying criteria set by the club." So I'm guessing that will mean the number of loyalty points season ticket holders have. i.e. if you booked the Thomas Cook package and you don't have enough points before they all sell out, then you don't have a match ticket. Package deal is off the site now, guessing fully booked. Looks like tv viewing for me :-(

Will it reach around 5 loyalty points or will they all get snapped up before?

The good news: he wants to play like Ronaldinho (hopefully when he wasn't fat or lazy) The bad news: he hopes to be playing at Arsenal within the next two years

My French is sketchy but apparently his brother is at Coventry City, and this lad signed a pre-contract with us back in 2011 so he could then gain citizenship to allow him to play for Canada.

He is absolutely rapid!

If I sign up for the Thomas Cook package, am I guaranteed a ticket? or do I end up in a queue?

I'd rather see a completely revised England side full of young potential, and write off the next tournament in aid of building something rather than relying on the usual suspects of Terry, Lampard, Ferdinand, Gerrard, Rooney, Cole et al.

I hope Ashley has sent his cockney mafia round to re-stage the tackle on Whelan and see if he manages to walk by Saturday!

Dave Whelan is a complete wanker: "I know there were some bad things said on the line. But the referee took charge of that and dispatched two of them. So, hopefully, the lad (Haidara) can start playing again next Saturday. Hopefully he will be okay and not be too seriously injured. "But you are going to get injured if you play football professionally. It is a tough game."

I've been brushing up on a few phrases: Onde é o lugar mais próximo que eu posso tomar uma cerveja de grande porte? and Obter seus peitos para fora para os Geordies!

watching the videos again and again, Haidara has the ball, it's not a 50/50 challenge. Their is a slight deflection off McManaman as Haidara moves it on though. If it were the other way round, the Wigan fans would be sharpening their pitchforks like we are. Standard football fans

You watch, it's all he'll get.

Sack that, just read they're going to study it after Mark Halsey's report is received

How long does it take for fans to hear anything from the FA? I thought normally by now, there would be an article saying that they're investigating it further.

Never given two shits because they're one of those 'nobody' football clubs. You go anywhere around the world and ask a football fan who Wigan is, 9 times out of 10 they won't have a clue. As for McManaman, doesn't sound like a nice honest lad after he did the same to Gai Assulin. I think the punishment in these cases should amount to the lay-off for the injured player. And if Haidara never plays again, then I firmly believe McManaman should either hang up his boots willingly or be given a lifetime professional ban.

http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/130318/exclusive-mark-halsey-urged-quit-premier-league-referee-after-missing-ho-1938

http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/130318/exclusive-mark-halsey-urged-quit-premier-league-referee-after-missing-ho-1938

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez said: "It is a contact sport and these things happen but there was never any intent." BBC Sport I wish for once, a manager would just be a human being for one second and forget about everything else. Would have a lot more respect for a manager like Martinez if he said: "It was a nasty challenge and our thoughts are with Haidara. McManaman is a lovely lad on his first full debut and I'm 100% sure that this was not intentional." My load of bullshit but you get my drift. But his actual comments seem a bit shit to me.

I think he's ready, esp after Anzhi