Big Onion

Best thing is still we stay up (no shit?) and Ashley sells. Fair correction I suppose. Not just 'sells' though, but sells well (from our point of view).

I'd love to believe Shearer could lead Ashley in a new direction. I'm not convinced it'll pan out that way though as I still don't trust Ashley at all. Nothing would be better for the club than for Ashley to back his manager properly and let Shearer and Dowie get on with it, and I'd love to see it happen. I'll be amazed if that is what happens, however.

I tried a good few single malts over the years but pretty much stopped experimenting when I found Lagavulin, which is fecking lovely stuff. I always keep a bottle.

On reflection mind, if Shearer stays who at the club would dare tell big Al they'd accepted a bid for his best defender?

*cautiously re-enters, feels slightly more comfortable*

I regret to say I think we'll struggle to hold on to Bassong beyond this season. I can't believe how strong the fucker is. Any kind of collision the other player comes off second best, while Bassong doesn't flinch, and when he puts his arm across a player trying to get past it just stops them dead. I think he's made of granite

If I was Ashley I'd put them all on a massive win bonus for this match. They don't deserve it, not by a long way, and it's cynical really but I'd do it all the same if I were him. We're now in a position where a single win will almost certainly save us and any advantage that can be gained is fair enough in my book. Footballers are mercenary fucks by and large.

Viduka's sudden re-emergence is a big boost. I know his contract's up and it's probably connected, but it also pays something of a compliment to Shearer and Dowie's man-management skills I reckon. I'd not have had a penny on him kicking another ball for us six weeks ago.

Aye, I remember applauding that tackle because it was a very smart foul to make. Butt might not have had to make that tackle had Duff not spent five minutes whinging on his arse instead of getting back in position (although otherwise Duff did have a good game). True, was a blatant foul though Oh aye, and smart as Matty says.

Aye, I remember applauding that tackle because it was a very smart foul to make. Butt might not have had to make that tackle had Duff not spent five minutes whinging on his arse instead of getting back in position (although otherwise Duff did have a good game).

Hopefully the players will see it as an opportunity to put this awful season to bed. Two home wins against the smogs and Fulham isn't that much of an ask, and if they can pull it off we've just about got away with a season of almost unremitting garbage. We're fucking lucky to have the chance if you ask me. I'm now very hopeful we'll win this game. Home win for me

Goal came at a good time as well. The atmosphere was fantastic but I thought it had just started to drop off slightly by that point, as frustration crept in. I got crushed as well. I sit next to this seriously big unit from Bishop and he (totally unexpectedly) gave me a full-on rib-crushing man-hug when Martins scored - fucking scary

As it's obvious Guthrie is our best ball-striker, can anyone suggest a good reason why Butt was on fucking free-kicks last night? That did my head in and I like Nicky Butt.

The trouble is as soon as he makes a rick the knives will be back out. I know I had a go at Colo on here yesterday but that was based on about three months of consistently poor, error-strewn performances not the odd mistake which all players are liable to make. Taylor's a decent player and one of the few we've got who'll stand up and be counted when we're under it. He needs to improve in a couple of areas certainly (I'd like to see him attack his defensive headers with the same conviction he has in the opposition box, for example) but at any rate he's well worth his place currently, either at CB or full-back.

I can see us beating Fulham now. Their away record is poor, the atmosphere should be great and the players are bound to draw some confidence from last night. It's no foregone conclusion but I make us favourites on Saturday. First time I've felt hopeful for months

Just had a quick read of this thread and: 1) Get the fuck in! 2) Gutierrez was shit 3) Harper froze about five times and he scares me shitless 4) People who are saying Butt was shite know nowt - he was carrying fucking Nolan for an hour 5) Viduka, Bassong and Steve Taylor were all excellent, and Taylor's goal was superbly taken and I love him!; Duff did well at left-back; Guthrie's industry and good delivery made a big difference tonight 6) I'm an Owen fan but he was gash tonight and thank fuck Martins came on when he did 7) Get the fuck in! 8) I'm massively pissed and have no idea why I'm enumerating my points! 9) Goodnight you cunts!

He's the right-footed version of Wayne Quinn. Same money as well if I remember right.

I predict umpteen thousand trampy mackems sat in front of their tellies, drooling and excited, cock in hand, praying we get beat. 'Tis very grievous to be thought upon.

I believe so. If we get beat tonight I expect he'll be in drag for the Fulham game

Little wankstain could have at least sat on the bench and given Shearer the option of playing him for half an hour. Fuck off Martins.

I'll probably get bladdered and make a cunt of myself in some pub or other at some point.

Maybe, or it may have just as much to do with opponents having worked out his weaknesses as anything else. Whatever though, I'd rather see Edgar at CB than Coloccini and I'm not kidding.

I had hoped he'd turn into the clever, ball-playing CB to complement Bassong's no-nonsense strong defending. Unfortunately, he ball-watches, doesn't read the game well, has got no pace, is as weak as piss, and gets turned at will (I can't remember a CB who let players in behind so easily and often). I think he's got progressively worse and is now a far bigger liability than Bramble ever was, for example. I hope he is dropped tonight.

I'm taking some hope from the smogs' away form, which is shocking - even worse than ours. Just praying we get the breaks here and manage to scramble a win somehow. Viduka did well the other day and I'm clinging to the hope his impending out-of-contract status will spur him on to bag a goal or three over the next couple of games. That's about all I can squeeze out of it as far as optimism goes. Truly desperate stuff.