OTF

Thinking of him most definitely, but there's no way the game should be called off - our game that is.

Pretty crappy that we've let his contract run down. He'd command a decent fee if he had some time to run on his contract. Can see why he'd want to go somewhere where he will be able to hold a starting place.

I'd definitely start Guthrie ahead of Perch in midfield if Tiote isn't fit. Guthrie had a poor match last time out, but prior to that had been quite impressive.

Williamson has his weaknesses but a pairing of him and Coloccini is so much better than Simpson and Perch that it doesn't bear comparison. We were also missing Tiote. The goals conceded against Norwich were embarrassing. This should be a completely different match, if they play with the same tactics Williamson and Colo should more than hold their own, and we should dominate possession.

Hope you have an awesome day mate. Stadium tour capped with a win will be a great experience for them. Very jealous.

Fulham 1-0 Swansea Wigan 1-2 West Brom Wolves 0-2 Man Utd Newcastle 2-1 Norwich Aston Villa 1-0 Bolton Blackburn 0-1 Sunderland Man City 2-2 Chelsea Tottenham 1-0 Stoke Everton 0-1 Arsenal QPR 1-2 Liverpool

I've never heard the 'media' refer to Manchester United as manure. I only refer to them as that online, mix between that and ManU. Likewise call Arsenal arse online only. Really that springs from my resentment at the fixation by people at those particular clubs over here. Liverfool is shite, would never use that. Don't give two hoots if anyone else finds them cringeworthy, in fact it's probably more incentive to use them just to annoy the knob ends who get upset about something so utterly trivial.

The media are so ridiculously biased towards the usual suspects that the name with which they refer to Manure is the least of my worries with them. Most commentators want taking out to some distant paddock and shot. One eyed morons would believe half the shite they spout, which makes it worse as they should have a responsibility to inform those who know less about the game and the associated rules. I've taken exception before to people referring to manure as 'United' by questioning them as to whether they were talking about Sheffield, West Ham, Newcastle etc despite obviously knowing who they were talking about. The problem is that with the media spouting it constantly those whose primary exposure to the game is through them don't know any better. In the end though there's no intentional malice towards Newcastle United, so I've let it go. It does annoy me if a Newcastle United supporter (or player) does it mind you. For me when I think of United, it's all about Newcastle.

I don't care. The other contributing factor is the two teams in Manchester. We can be called Newcastle and need no further description. With ManU the united part needs to be added to separate them from man City. Likewise now you seen Man City just referred to as City.

Ultimately he's paid a lot more, to do a lot less.

My boots arrived, they look a little space age. Think I'm going to either have to re-invent myself as a creative midfielder or find a muddy pitch to play on to cover the specially designed doo-dahs so they just look like normal boots.

Bravo sir.

And CT makes his move in his own inventing the other person's point (AKA Straw Man argument). And like I'd be botherd to do that - Affy is probably already putting one together. I can't have a discussion with you, it's not fair. You're the man who wants Jonas taken out of the side and ridicules our second highest scorer who's just come back from two lengthy spells out due to injury. You've never played the game and it's likely that you'll never understand it. Support the team by all means, but stop trying to impart your own idiotic observations as if they're anything more than the rantings of a wind up merchant. Ok, do you've bottled that one. Jonas then, how much did he crate tonight? Assists, crosses ???? I forsee you posting more shite not relating to the point. Jonas didn't create a lot getting forward, but without him assisting in protecting our defense we would have been ripped apart down the side. When he did have the ball he was better than most at keeping it/winning a free-kick which helped to relieve the pressure of their posession in our half. Playing Arsenal in form at their place is not the time for bursting forward at every opportunity trying to create. He's technically deployed as a side midfielder and not a winger, but in this game was more of less required to play as a wing back.

Both Tiote and Cabaye didn't look very good TBH. Tiote was more influenctial than Cabaye when they had the ball that's for sure, but Cabaye dropping back when our defense had it was vital in us keeping a semblance of possession. Shame that when he did get it he most often peddled it back off to a defender and it invariably got shifted back to Krul.

And CT makes his move in his own inventing the other person's point (AKA Straw Man argument). And like I'd be botherd to do that - Affy is probably already putting one together. I can't have a discussion with you, it's not fair. You're the man who wants Jonas taken out of the side and ridicules our second highest scorer who's just come back from two lengthy spells out due to injury. You've never played the game and it's likely that you'll never understand it. Support the team by all means, but stop trying to impart your own idiotic observations as if they're anything more than the rantings of a wind up merchant.

Brilliant. Take away Krul's arms and he's a shite keeper.

If we'd won tonight we would have been two points off a champions league place.......What dont you get? And if your Aunty had balls she'd be your uncle. But in all seriousness I hope we draw Liverpool in the first round of the Pretending to be in the Champions League Running League.

Johnny, you are a signed up fanboy and you know it I was hoping for good things from hatem tonight and the goal was great. Other than that he was shite. CT winding winding winding. Cabaye had a much less infleuntial game than HBA. Had to drop back a lot to help out the defense in posession but didn't do anything with the ball all game andd Arsenal players were skipping past him left right and centre. HBA was good in possession, could have helped out more in defense and scored a great goal. Cuntrary Twat strikes again.

Centre back is first priority. Taylor is a handy player, but is too frequently injured and certainly has his weaknesses on the pitch. Ultimately someone with some pace and height would be the perfect combination with Colo. Next priority would be to get a proper left back in, with Santon shifted to the right. Simpson's heart is in the right place, and he goes through patches where he plays well, but ultimately he lacks the defensive nous to inspire confidence. That would be stomachable if he was particularly good at getting forward, but alas sadly he is not. Amazingly with just that little bit of business we'd have improved our side a hell of a lot. We have a bit of quality in depth in other areas with Guthrie and Marveaux to return. All of the above of course is without any departures of key personnel - if any of thes were to go they could upset the balance of the side and could in some cases necessitate major changes. Those who I consider key personell are as follows (not in any particular order) Krul, Colo, Steven Taylor, Santon, Jonas, Ben Arfa, Tiote, Cabaye, Cisse, Ba. This next batch would need to be replaced with like if they were moved on: Simpson, Shola*, Ryan Taylor, Gosling, Williamson, Obertan, Sammy, Vuckic** * - Won't be going anywhere. ** - Would hate to see him go, has something about him. Anyone else could leave without having much impact on the team.

Bolton 1 QPR 0 Aston Villa 2 Fulham 2 Chelsea 2 Stoke 1 Sunderland 0 Liverpool 1 Wolves 1 Blackburn 1 Everton 0 Tottenham 1 Man Utd 2 West Brom 0 Swansea 1 Man City 3 Norwich 1 Wigan 0 Arsenal 2 Newcastle 1 Liverpool 1 Everton 1

Comes across as incredibly French in that interview ...But we have a good insight into his headspace. The return from the injury only to be subsequently reinjured must have been incredibly hard.

Do a better job please. Running as smoothly as you could expect given we've had to make do with a substandard central defender and a right back who's more comfortable defending in reverse. On top of that three influential players were missing for a period on international duty. The expectation that we'll go out there every week and continually see the attacking best from all of our players is wholly unrealistic. Like going into a boxing match only concerned about the punches that you're going to throw.

Papis Cisse I think in particular could benefit from Ben Arfa's inclusion. Very early to say it, but he likes to play into space and Ben Arfa has the ability and vision to pick out the right sort of pass to find him. Jonas will drift across from his side towards the middle and will provide a nice short pass option for Ben Arfa, with Cabaye and Tiote the out ball options behind. Jonas is at his best IMO making short sharp passes as his crosses from the left don't have enough movement or pace and consequently are too often picked off by the defense. He does hav ethe ability to get in behind which is where Ben Arfa's instinct and touch could serve them both well. Arsenal are a good side, in good form but their defense is nothing special. If we can maintain enough posession to build some attacking impetus any result is possible. I do worry about marshalling van Persie, particularly if they're able to isolate him against Danny Simpson or worse Mike Williamson. Tiote should be tasked with protecting the defense... but alas I have gone way off topic.

Aye, cos there's a massive prick in them.