Bibble

The most depressing thing about this match was the in-fighting among the toon "fans" . There were 50+ yo geezers who should know better fronting up and giving it "see you next time" verbals and then about 15 mns from the end there was a lad who was got in a headlock on the stairs above the centre line in the E Stand surrounded by about 6 other guys, at least one of whom was holding on with one hand while throwing close body punches with the other for what seemed like ages - I'm not talking handbags here. Took the stewards ages to wake up to it. I thought it was bad enough when I thought they were picking on a Manure imposter but was told afterwards it was a toon fan domestic. FFS.

This whole thing all felt vaguely distateful to me even before the EDL added their steaming turd. It's not been problem for the last 90 years and feels as if it's got more to do with being seen to do the right thing, rather than doing the right thing for the right reason. True story - My dad was injured in the war and hospitalised. He told a visiting general's wife that his injury was caused by a shell. She then became so gushing that he never got chance to clarify that his septic foot was caused by standing on a broken shellfish.

given how bitter stoke seem about Ba not signing for them I have a feeling the knee was an excuse on their part if he came and wasnt impressed enough to sign harsh on Krul there tbh, he had no real saves to make and against stoke he had to command his area a lot against some big strong bullies and he did so admirably, as well as any other keeper could've tbh, he dropped one ball which he shouldnt have but thats it really, always did enough otherwise Didn't think he was poor myself. Not his best game, sure. He played too deep which is something he tends to do in games like this, especially when he can't rely on his midfield partner defensively like he can with Tiote (as in he and Guthrie have hardly played together). Agree Krul was generally excellent esp in his 5 yard box dealing with all of the incoming air bombardment. But apart from the one mentioned there were a number of handling errors and some poor decision making in the first half - particularly remember a dodgy 'after you' moment with a team-mate (Raylor?) on the edge of the box. Also some pretty dodgy kicking. Not slagging either of them - imo they both performed less well than usual and others did far far better than expected. Guess it shows what high standards Krul, Cabaye and plenty of others have demonstrated so far this season.

Last night was like some weird parallel universe where Cabaye was poor, Guthrie great, Krul occasionally sloppy without paying the price & Guti a defensive hero. The towel thing was hilarious. If Ba to Stoke actually broke down due to money hopefully the knee knack claims are rubbish - he sure had no problem twisting & turning on the defensive line yesterday. Overall a proper team performance - even by Obertan. Getting excited about Saturday already.

Think its just you. Guti did a great job defensively. But most of the attacking wing play went throught obertan. He covered loads of ground making himself available. Best attitude he's shown since signing. Not just you. I agree that the attacking wing play went through Obertan, but that was because Guti was defending, whereas Obertan still went missing defensively. Don't get me wrong, good cross and good chasing, but I still think the defensive side of his game and the courage to attack the ball when there is someone else within 10 yards is missing. Glass half full, as far as I am concerned +1

Yes he's crap - for our purposes at least. Reminds me a bit of Martins in that he seems to be more of an athlete than a footballer. Apparant lack of any footballing brain, limited team work ethic. Bench him.

Just watched the Steve Harper interview when he calls it "Soccer" at 2:25 on What a Pro! He's looking trim too.

On the Front Page of Th Northern Echo too. I was in the Darlo end as were a lot of Toon fans. I've never before seen fans in the N Stand - opposite the dug out. It was a good night til the second goal went in. Like others have said , too many beers and underprepared small club security were a bad combination. The kids, all hyper on alcopops or Sunny D and high spirits seemed to lead the invasion, followed by others who should know better. The longer it went on the more i cringed. About the time of the second wave a few Darlo fans appeared from the SE corner and weighed in too, taking the whole thing up a notch. The Darlo fan who kicked the dugout steward, retreated and then went back for a second pop then showed his true cowardly colours by taking his bairn from his lass before walking out. Meanwhile, in the midst of all the bedlam in the centre of the park, a young Toon invader (12 yo?) heads off on his own towards the W stand goal. He calmly places his inflatable beach ball on the penalty spot, takes a proper run up and wellies it. It balloons off to the left past the post. Hilarious contrast.

ewerk's bang on. I was astonished to hear on Radio 5 tonight that Warner was allegedly responsible for the sale of tens of thousands of tickets for matches over the year but got away with it because he had a bloc of a couple of dozen (North, Central & S) American votes behind him.

that was brilliant - was shouting at the telly by the end. Cracking drive by JB.

the end of the week...

it worries me that this is (the start) edit - further evidence - of the previously predicted pattern. The 10 year fixed price season ticket deal provides a useful fixed monthly income but rising market costs will lead to a long term operating headache. Assuming our Chairman keeps his wallet shut our premier league status can only be preserved by being a selling club. Bastards!

They took waaay too long to come back out. I waited, waited some more, got sick of waiting and fucked off.

Can't. Anything with a clutch is too hard on his knees. Oh alright then, if we''re talking old buses Shay Given. Could be wrong but seem to recall he drove the bus to his wedding. Old enough to understand double de-clutching... ..which obv has nothing to do with fondling large bosoms

Owen Hargreaves!

A week in Dubrovnik early next month. Train to London on a newspaper deal - £20 pp return. Flying out of Gatwick - a cracking £125 pp return. Got to be down south anyway for a gig. Croatiaaah!

Good Owen Article by Scott Wilson in today's Northern Echo. "I could give dozens of examples of Owen being objectionable, but I think this one sums it up best. Ahead of a derby game with Sunderland, we discovered that Owen had played in the same district youth team as Danny Collins. I headed off to North Wales and interviewed the pair's teachers and some of the coaches who had guided them through their careers in youth football. A few days later, I spoke to Collins, who could not have been more helpful as he reminisced about his youth, dug out a few personal old photographs and conveyed a great respect for the volunteers who had helped him as a youngster. The hope was that Owen would do the same. Three interview requests went in to the player, his agent and Newcastle's media office. All three were turned down. Even when we promised to ignore anything relating to the derby, and offered to only ask questions relating to his time in the same team as Collins, our pleas were rebuffed. A day before the piece was due to run, my colleague, Paul Fraser, spotted Owen in the car park at Newcastle's training ground. He introduced himself to the striker - four years on Tyneside, and he still didn't know who any of the local reporters were - and outlined the piece we had prepared. "We'd just like to ask you about some of the people who worked with you at that time," he said. "Do you remember a guy called Cledwyn Ashford who managed your old Deesside football team? What impact did he have on your career?" Owen looked Paul up and down. "No impact at all". And with that, his car door slammed shut. That's why the booing on Tuesday night was one of my favourite moments of the season so far.

Well I didn't need me mittens - that was better than I expected. First half we matched them - Krul's save after 2 mins was the best thing he did all night. Solid at the back, closing them down so they had no space to play. Second half they dominated but we did enough to hold on. I really thought the ref had blown for a pen when Hernandez went down. Cracking atmosphere. Ireland showed good vision for his attempt but was a waste of space after that - knackered in under 5 mins. Ranger should still be banished to Doncaster for a season but otherwise it was a good team performance - lots of errors but more than enough skill on display to cheer the heart. More than once I had to remind myself that this was the Ginger Troll, Giggs et al we were playing. They misfired. Our back 9 performed. One unusual thing was Hernandez, on his knees praying on the half way line just before kick off. Can't remember seeing that before at SJP.

right, I'm off to the match. I have hope in my heart. ...and mittens in my pocket - so I can't watch thru my fingers.

My vote's for Tiote because he's made such an impact in his first season but like others have already said, Nolan & Barton have been just as important. I wouldn't have Jose in my top 5 for this season. Still tends to admire his own work before getting rid of the ball and has gone missing on occasions.

Perch, clinched by the number of "fish out of water, floundering, being tackled by a wet fish" idioms that suit his play perfectly. Ranger & Krul have been less than impressive, too.

I've deleted the match highlights so can't check back, but what I saw from the opposite side of the pitch I was expecting Nolan to get a red and relieved when he only got a yellow.

Pretty sure that FIFA rules don't permit appeals against yellow cards.

Agreed. The cobbles might have been getting a bit wonky in places but it's another bit of ground related local history gone. How many fans have trod on them over the years? Wouldn't be surprised if they dated from late 19th/early 20th century.

and in other news from the environs of SJP, the cobbled alley that runs from opposite the Strawberry up to the East Stand (see post 245) has now been covered in tarmac.