Rayvin

Seriously, how have they NOT found this plane yet? I reckon something Parky-esque probably has happened to it to be honest...

It's either going to be worse than the papers are saying, or not as bad. The FA tend to make a point of acting in a totally contradictory fashion to the public clamouring, probably in an attempt to assert some authority, knowing no one can do anything about it. And then not explaining the decision in any way. 4 or 5 games or 15, I think.

Serious question...kinda... If Russia decided to launch a 'warning' Nuke at Newcastle, and wiped us off the map. Would that trigger nuclear war? I'm not 100% sure it would. London would be terrified of being nuked, and despite all the posturing, they might not let it escalate. Or do we reckon that all bets would be off and nukes would be flying everywhere? I'm in a whimsical mood, humour me.

If this puts them under it's no less than they deserve. Everyone and their dog said this would happen when they started panic buying. 'Course, they could just pump more money in I suppose.

Although she was working in the US office mind - would have been braver had she been in Moscow. Fair enough though, as you say.

Yeah I dunno actually - forging relationships with political figures can be helpful for businesses, the one I work for does this frequently. More importantly though it's what this gesture represents. She is an elected figure, representing the people. Mike Ashley rejected her approach, despite the concerns about bad PR. We all knew he doesn't give a fuck, but this is really on the nose.

I think they're reactive, so unfortunately stuff like this has to come out before they do anything about it.

Dunno, I'm not hugely opposed to Western meddling as long as it doesn't stray into bloodshed (and I have opposed it each and every time it has). Ultimately we're all the playthings of politicians regardless of the stripe, and I'm not really convinced being owned by Russia is any better for Ukrainians than being meddled with by the West. War on the other hand is bad for everyone, and the only side threatening that is Russia. If being owned by Russia, an authoritarian regime with a facade of democracy is not preferable to the constant capitalistic meddling of the US, then that's the Ukraine's choice.

The real risk with the Russia-Ukraine crisis is that Russia doesn't have a 'soft power' option. It's all stick with Putin, he has no carrots that carry as much weight as US money. That means any escalation will be war. With that said, someone mentioned earlier that we need to find a solution that involves both sides not losing face. I think that would only apply if Putin charged in without expecting the international reaction. So far there's barely been a coherent thing said about it internationally. It's encouraging that China isn't backing it, but then they never would given their domestic political situation. Not sure where Russia goes from here... or anyone for that matter.

Wow, I... I think I actually feel bad for them... God that's gotta hurt. Doomed now anyway, City are going to stick the knife in...

Wouldn't an Islamist horde be a rallying point for most major world powers (both the US and Russia are anti-islamist in a number of their policies). As such, how would the Ukraine have any impact on the Islamist invasion. Moreover, how would this invasion work logistically? How would that many Muslims get over to the US to invade it without being destroyed en route? Moreover again, Islamist fundamentalists are a minority - where do they get the people to form this horde? Most ordinary Muslims won't join them... I'm just keen to understand your thinking, I just can't see it.

This is typical of Man City, this... clearly the best team in the league, but lacking in the mental strength to win anything (aside from that league title).

That's very progressive. I suspect too progressive for some. I agree though, although only from a very top level - I couldn't actually watch and support them play, but the principle of benefits for NE football is agreeable.

The club can't sack him now, they've issued a formal warning. The matter is closed from NUFC's point of view. Fastest disciplinary process I've ever seen though, probably to avoid having to sack him once the FA are through with him...

Krul is one of our best players... He has his weaknesses as you rightly say but he's definitely better than Harper!

I think he was quoting the film there, mind you..

Actually, this is probably the opportunity Ashley has been waiting for to ban all journalists full stop...

Even if the FA throws the book at him? Who fucking knows what this'll turn into, the press are going mental...

There was about as much contact on that as the one on Vertonghen midweek... it's a bit gutting actually, some part of me still thinks Pardew must kind of know what he's doing as a manager (it can't all be luck), and now he's probably looking at the sack - Ashley can get him on gross misconduct and fire him without compensation. Will we get someone better? No.

Is it actually any worse than a player doing it though..? I'm not sure it is to be honest, they're all adults.

Could quite possibly get a very lengthy ban though... rest of the season perhaps?

The BBC seems to think Newcastle might sack Pardew over that... ... As if.

How often do we score four goals in a game, let alone win 4-1 away... and Pardew got sufficiently worked up to be able to do that

Haha Pardew, what in the damn hell...

You know that the UK based search engines will be submitting data to GCHQ, who will be in turn passing it on to the Americans, right? Surely you're wanting something like Tor anyway. Why not try that?