acrossthepond

They've been having a go at him all game, trying to get that second yellow. Credit to the little thug he's kept his head this game though.

Really can't understand how we've failed to score. They're practically throwing their bodies at the ball.

How they've failed to score is beyond me during that scramble in the box. We recovered quickly and almost had one on the break. End-to-end isn't even in it.

He's got the same thing Cacapa's got, whatever it is.

Absolute blast by Bentley. It's 2-1 and Sam'll be left wondering how in hell we're down in this game.

Truly agonizing miss by Martins after another Rovers defensive error. We should've had this game won already, they look woeful at the back.

And now we've muffed a clear-cut chance to take the lead, some kind of chaos in the six-yard box and we've contrived not to score SOMEHOW. Suicidal pass by a Blackburn defender but Barton couldn't make it count.

And instead it's 1-1 off Bentley's skillful freekick. Like I said, losing concentration. Giving away dumb fouls. This is how NUFC blows games.

Shocking control by Martins there, wouldn't have counted if he'd scored as it was offsides but all the same. Need to keep concentration.

Missed it, friggin stream was down. This always happens. But anyway, GET IN!!!!!

Half-time impressions. Defending has been good as a rule, some shocking errors by Rozy and Butt however. Midfield has looked greatly improved, even Barton, although Geremi has served up the same old tripe. Attack has been passable, Smith is miles better as a striker although he's still not a world beater, Martins has looked dangerous after a slow start, Milner has unfortunately flattered to deceive. It seems he just can't get round defenders. IF the defence keeps their concentration I actually think we might win it.

And some comedy defending there by Rozenhal, we're lucky to escape level after that error.

Surely one of the worst freekicks I've seen this year from Geremi, that was an embarassment.

Audacious chip attempt by Butt, I don't think it was the right choice with Martins and Milner alongside him but it must be said we look like we've gained confidence and composure here.

Not at all imo. This has been attacking football. Martins especially has turned up his game in the last 10 minutes and has put Smith through who tried some ridiculous (and unnecessary) bicycle kick. Check the possession stats, I'm sure we have the lion's share.

And Carr to come on. Lord...

Butt surely our worst player so far, which comes as a surprise. Faye & Beye have been holding up well. Barton anonymous after 20mins.

Free kick on the edge of the box after some good play by Milner.

Too simple. He has to use some kind of special formation that no mere fan could think up, otherwise what in hell are we paying him for? I will say our fans have been in fine voice so far in this game.

I stand by my prediction of 1-1. We'll scrape it but it won't save Sam's job. Milner will score. Smith and Martins will be nonexistent.

And in under twelve hours I have been utterly trounced. Consider this an official speech of concession, Leazes - you have won the title. But seriously, Celtic (KELL-tik) vs. Celtic (SELL-tik)...I've known this since I was a kid. Celts are Scots, Irish, Welsh, Cornish, and a couple of others previously mentioned in the thread. Since all the participating nations are of Celtic heritage, I don't see how it's bigoted to call it a Celtic Cup. If Panama, Paraguay, Mexico and Argentina all played each other and called it a Latin Cup, I don't think there'd be much outrage - since they're all Latin countries, as opposed to the States/Jamaica/etc. EDIT: Also, Celtic culture is alive and well, with revival movements in Scotland, Ireland and even Wales bringing previously dead/dying Celtic languages (Gaelic, Scots Gaelic, Welsh) back to life. Do you mean to tell me you don't know a different language is spoken in Ireland?

What price Milner to pitch up with a case of the ebola virus next week? Is this before or after Cacapa recovers from the bubonic plague layoff he's been suffering from?

You'll forgive my ignorance, but is it just me or are those tickets extraordinarily cheap?

I see that my title of "most hated member" is now in dispute. Welcome back, Leazes. Lots of good sense in that last post by the way, if you could just drop the personal disputes with people then you might find them more amenable to what you have to say.

Looks like Sam isn't totally clueless after all, then, if we're to believe the Sun.