ChezGiven

If I played once a month I'd be in the most expensive boots money can buy. As I run 4 times a week my running shoes are top of the range. I don't graft myself to an early grave each week to look like some wanker in a pair of £30 asics. Full support from me Ant, been interested in these new google running shoes that are meant to be in development that do all the things the apps do but also accurately measure distance and energy etc. In fact I'm not entirely sure what they do but I was sold the moment I read about them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RSA0sXayLw

Worth hearing the break on 3.18

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQPTK574qVQ

Miaoowwwww

Newcastle is one of the most affordable football clubs to follow. Prices last night were cheap. I dont buy the cost argument since wages have risen in line with prices. Not seen anything to suggest Gemmill isnt spot on with his question on the whereabouts of this mythical superior breed of fan. The change is societal, its not even football specific.

This is the plane

Watched it and managed to not interpret everything that went on through MYM and Tiote giving 2 shocking balls away in dangerous positions. We were lucky not to have been punished for those mistakes. We were only shite if you try to imagine that we are the bestest team in the world and we should be beating these peasants from Dagestan.

Depends on the draw.

All you've let us know is that in your assessment of a game you completely ignore the role of the opposition. The idea that our ball carriers were just running into the opposition players rather than being intelligently closed down reveals a massive lack of perspective on last night's game. We were not that good because they were very good. For those (on NO mainly) complaining about the aesthetics of the game, imagine being an Anji fan. They play to win, not to please the eye. What we achieved last night was probably the hardest task of the 8 teams who qualified for the Quarters. I am not going to go overboard about our performance because i agree we were lucky but to cast the whole game as us playing shit is a nonsense. You do understand what they were doing last night, how good they were at it and subsequently what that meant for us when those tactics are implemented so effectively? If we had played free flowing attacking football, Hiddink would be considered a shit manager.

I'm sure you're right it was just the turn of phrase that made me laugh. Times have changed, for good and for bad.

Its a football match not Crufts you daft get.

Delighted with that result. I have had the most ridiculous 2 days. I spent 7 hours at Newcastle airport yesterday with my 2 year old (without mum) before my flight was cancelled which was obviously knackering and stressful. (Incidentally saw this Anji lot landing yesterday afternoon on their Russian jet which was literally the highlight of the day). Had to go back to my parents and start again today with flights being cancelled and delayed all over the place in Europe. Managed to get back home but the bairn was tricky today. Telling her we are seeing 'maman' and goodbye to grandparents, then not seeing her and going back was all a bit confusing. She was fine but not that happy about getting another plane today. Anyway after a few delays etc we get the flight. She falls asleep just as we are getting off the plane. As she missed her nap yesterday she needed a kip. I order a car waiting for the bags and when we get in and then have that horrible realisation i've left my wallet on the plane. I ask the driver to wait spend 20 minutes (with the meter running) at the airline desk sorting details out. Our lass rings her dad, he gets money out, i pass by their place pick up the cash whilst cancelling my 2 personal bank cards and my work credit card. I couldnt take the risk of knowing that the cards were missing but not reporting it. As soon as i reported it the banks obviously cancelled them. 3 hours later, the airline calls me to say they've found the wallet. The worst part is, we are going on holiday on Sunday but the good news is the flights and hotel are paid for. I just need to go to the bank to withdraw loads of cash. As i settled down to the match tonight i was thinking there is no way this day can get any worse. When that free kick hit the bar, literally couldnt watch.

I think he is getting better, was less of a fanny tonight. When we signed him i was chatting to a lot of the lads here about him and he was an 'espoir' for them, meaning a player who was talked about as a strong possibility for the national side but not quite there. I think Pardew has done a good job on him given the injuries etc. Certainly a player who has shown great technical ability across his stop start career.

Well done Alan Pardew.

Bit unfair, made some mistakes and could have done better with a few crosses but he wasnt too bad.

I only report on the restaurants i go to in Newcastle in the 'recommend a restaurant in Newcastle' thread.

The one in Blyth is canny enough, great value if thats what you are looking for. Was there on Saturday. Went to the Marco Pierre White place at Hotel Indigo last night. Service was a bit slow and one of the waitresses seemed to be a bit unhappy about something but food was good. Wine was good, the French was over-priced but the Spanish was good value (we had the 95 Rioja Gran Reserva with the starters and it was lush). The steaks were great but you'd expect them to be at 20 odd quid.

That just the same as saying Marveaux doesnt have the same ability to beat players and therefore will look for a pass more often, Doesnt mean his passing vision is better because in a black and white shirt, it clearly isnt.

He celebrated a goal going in against us. No room for that even from principled libertarians like myself.