Jimbo

There was something on the radio about him declaring himself injured then refusing to go on the subs bench when asked. Not seen anything else about it though. from .com: Missing men: A right pair "He was originally on the bench but he didn't really want to be there. "I've no idea whether he stayed at the ground to watch the game. Will there be disciplinary action? That's something for next week. "You can make your own judgements about it but it is very important that everyone associated with the club acts in a professional manner." The comments of caretaker manager Nigel Pearson when quizzed post-match about the whereabouts of Charles N'Zogbia. Meanwhile it's reported that Obafemi Martins declared himself unfit to travel (with a knee problem) when he learnt that Pearson also intended to name him on the bench.

"Pacific" when used mistakenly instead of "Specific" Boils my piss.

Wooo Tribalfootball.com might as well have quoted the Beano.

Hopefully "time being" is about 3 days.

Sam Allardyce’s appointment at Newcastle United will be confirmed at a specially convened board meeting today, but as well as hiring a new manager, the club are eager to bring structure to a traditionally febrile organisation. Allardyce is set to return to Bolton Wanderers, his former employers, in an attempt to bring key members of his erstwhile coaching set-up to Tyneside. Bolton have acted to secure the future of Mike Forde by offering their innovative performance director an improved contract and the newly created position of general manager, but Allardyce is determine to move for the man he took to the Reebok Stadium eight years ago. During that time, Forde has kept Bolton at the forefront of technological developments by studying the working methods of other sports. Visits to NBA and NFL franchises in the United States and talks with experts in tennis and rugby – as well as exchanging ideas with Saatchi and Saatchi, the leading advertising agency, in New York – were regarded as pivotal to Bolton’s ability to punch above their weight in the Barclays Premiership. In total, Allardyce worked with 21 members of staff at Bolton, of whom he also wishes to sign Mark Taylor, the head of sports science and medicine. Nigel Pearson, Lee Clark and Terry McDermott, Newcastle’s present coaching team, are likely to remain in their posts for the time being. “Building the infrastructure was always the most important thing,” Allardyce said yesterday of his spell at Bolton. “It has taught me that, wherever I go, it becomes the essential thing to do, to organise a group who are qualified in what they do, give them the responsibility to do it with me overseeing it, then delivering it to the players in order to make them better and enjoy playing football more than they have anywhere else.” It is a quality Newcastle – with their history of figurehead managers and high-profile players – have lacked; stability, as well as success, is craved. It was something Glenn Roeder, the former manager, always recognised, but it can be argued that he did not possess the charisma to enthuse his underachieving squad. Allardyce should not suffer the same disadvantage, although some Newcastle supporters may view his hopes of signing the trouble-prone Joey Barton from Manchester City with dismay. Indiscipline has long been an issue on Tyneside and Barton’s reputation precedes him. Whatever else, Allardyce’s four-year contract, worth about £3 million a season, will come with high expectations and, according to reports, a £20 million transfer kitty. “The first job for the new manager is to get Newcastle back into the top six in the Premiership and to make sure that the club is playing regularly in Europe,” Freddy Shepherd, the chairman, said. “Where we are in the Premier League this season [13th] simply isn’t acceptable to either me or the fans. This managerial change is about re-establishing Newcastle United as a formidable power both in the Premiership and Europe. Sam Allardyce knows that a club with Newcastle’s support, resources and wage bill must be challenging at the top end of the table.”

Quite a while yet tbh. Let us know when it happens. As I have had a key role in Greg's inability to knock one out, I have taken the selfless and generous decision to provide proxy-wanking, a locum if you will, I have been redoubling my output in honour of Greg's condition. Get well soon mate, please !

It'd be very difficult to get a better keeper to act as backup knowing that Given will most likely be No.1 for the forseeable future. Tim Krul.

Upset ? he picked him to start from the bench, if that is unacceptable he can fuck off.

He's the 3rd French player we're had that's acted just like that. 3 ? Goma Dumas Domi Bernard Distin Ginola

Sidwell's Reading exit confirmed Reading boss Steve Coppell has revealed midfielder Steve Sidwell has officially left the club, but refused to say which side he has agreed to join. Sidwell, who has been strongly linked with Chelsea, is out of contract at the Madejski Stadium having spent over four years with the Royals. And the 24-year-old will now leave the club after rejecting an improved deal. "Steve has gone. I know exactly where he has gone to but I am not allowed to say," said Coppell. Newcastle and Everton have also been linked with the combative midfielder, but it is thought Chelsea now lead the race for his signature amid rumours he has undergone a medical at Stamford Bridge. Speaking after Chelsea's final-day draw with Everton, Blues boss Jose Mourinho refused to comment on Sidwell's future, saying: "I don't think it is the time to talk about it. "It is obvious that we need a couple of players, two or three players. That is the nature of a team like us which is trying to improve. "We need a central defender, a midfield player to make the group stronger, especially a group that will lose Jon Obi Mikel and Michael Essien at the same time for the African Cup, and we need a striker."

I think he is maybe moody, but is also very much right in the head... Decribing this situation as being a case of "prima dona"-ing is ridiculous. Have you not followed developments all season long? He's been the model of pure professionalism hasn't he !

Well what a first ! a moody Frenchman !

1. On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being "Over the moon", how happy are you with this years' performance? 1 2. Your favourite performance of the season? Spurs away 3. Worst performance? Birmingham FA Cup 4. Best goal? Martins Vs Spurs 5. Worst goal conceeded? a dead heat - the two away at AZ 6. Best Player? Nobby 7. Worst player? Bramble 8. Most improved player? Milner 9. Most disappointing player? Duff 10. If you could have one match to re-play again, which would it be? AZ Away 11. What would you consider as our luckiest perfomance? Any of the matches we won 12. Realistic goals for next season? Top 8 finish, anything else is a bonus 13. Biggest suprise of the past season? N'Zogbia's crayon snapping 14. Biggest disappointment? The performance against Birmingham 15. Which player do you see as making the biggest improvement next year? Martins if he stays 16. Which single (realistic) signing would you most like to see us make? Tal Ben Haim 17. Which peripheral player do you see as breaking into the main team next season? if he stays, Luque 18. Which player is most likely to leave? Michael Owen 19. Your favourite (not necessarily the "best") player this year? Obafemi Martins 20. What is the main area the team needs to improve to gain UEFA next year? The back four

Welcome to 1998 ffs Aye but tbf Brock was only about 8 in 1998. Point taken......

Tiger attack http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQSlTCAKucM

Welcome to 1998 ffs

If West Ham had gone down today and been had points deducted, it would have been somewhat of a toothless punishment.

there'll be a shit-storm now, Tevez scoring the winner to keep West Ham up

That was Boothroyd's halftime team talk tbh

No, just sack him.

Be gentle Michael !

Wooooo 7 goals this season, what a return.