Optimistic Nut

Isn't that the point with Shearer? Do you think if we'd been mid-table like we have been the last 3 seasons (sad eh), he'd have turned down Man U to come to us? Like sh*te would he. He signed for us because at the time we were one of the best 2 teams in the country. Obviously the fact he was a Geordie swung it our way in the end.

Is it just me, or does Ron Howard look the spitting double of Schmeichel?

Anyone got the picture of Cort, Dyer & Jenas dressed up in Baja?

Got sent home by Psycho after 3 days of his trial for walking into training with a tab in his mouth. Now given Roeder's view of Luque, he's hardly going to be impressed by that is he.

Nah, 99.

From Swissmagpie on N-O.

This looks like the one after the Man U Cup Final defeat going by the strips and the Ruud Gullit wig.

Michael Ball? One-cap international wonder, not getting a game for his foreign side, well known over here, in an area we need strengthening.

By "over" he just means "over the Tyne Bridge" and by international, he means Steve Caldwell.

Thuram or Ayala would be a bit dreamy for 5 months. Will no doubt be some one-capped Dutch kid.

Incidentally, that reminds me of when Oliver was at his arse-licking best during the Souness era and kept telling us that Chelsea wanted Souness before they got Mourinho! That was actually true. That Zahavi bloke wanted to take him there.

Neill was also saying that the wages being bandied about were ridiculous and he's within their original wage structure.

Neill said in his Press Conference that "the people that mattered" at Liverpool never spoke to him once, and that had Benitez actually spoke in person to him he'd probably have went there, but Curbs told him how important he was going to be for West Ham. Owen said a similar thing last year when we signed him. We laid down the red carpet for him, with Shepherd, Hall, Shearer & Souness all speaking to the player, while Benitez didn't speak to him once. Seems to me they think just because of their name, they'll sign anyone.

Another reason I hate Liverpool is their arrogance. Like they thought just because they were Liverpool, they were automatically going to get Michael Owen back, and looking at the Lucas Neill press conference they've done the same again. Arrogant f*cks.

Mid-table.

This Weren't you one of Andy O'Brien's fiercest critics Mr Kelly.

Joe Murphy?

My tip is Craig Gordon.

Can't help but think we've missed a trick not signing Carew. Can see him scoring for Villa against us in our next match without a doubt.

Now why didn't I put money on that.

We'll see how far Murray has really progressed in this set fitness-wise. This time last year Murray would lose this set easily. Let's see how he does now.

I've always liked Silvestre actually. Whenever I've seen him play for Man U he tends to do a decent enough job.

Deciding set. Rafa will win this about 6-1 I reckon.

Just stuck £20 on Murray winning Sports Personality of the Year at 3/1. Unless Button wins the Formula One Championship, can't really see how it will be anybody else, unless England somehow win the Rugby World Cup.