Scottish Mag

Is this the thread/guy you are talking about? http://www.toontastic.net/board/index.php?...p;hl=sunderland

JOEY BARTON today revealed he is desperate to help Newcastle United revive their season following a mini-slump. The England midfielder could only watch on in agony as United were dumped out of the Carling Cup at Arsenal a week ago. And then the Scouse midfielder had to swallow the bitter pill of losing to his old club Manchester City on Saturday. Now, after pulling on a black-and-white shirt for the first time since shattering his metatarsal at Carlisle in pre-season, Barton is feeling good again but knows he will have to take things step by step. The Everton game at St James’ Park on Sunday is likely to come too soon for Barton, with Allardyce insisting he is still some way away from a Premier League return. But he underlined his desire to conjure up some midfield magic on his return to first team duty. Barton showed glimpses of what he is capable of last night and got through unscathed as he covered almost every blade of grass in Newcastle Reserves’ 2-2 draw with Manchester City at Sport City. And in response to the concerns of the Toon Army that the Magpies are lacking creativity in the current side, Barton told the Chronicle exclusively: “I suppose that’s why I was brought to Newcastle. “I certainly hope and feel I can bring energy and goals from midfield. “Hopefully when I come back I can get to a level where I do myself justice and get off to a good start. “I am desperate to get involved and desperate to make a good impression with Newcastle United.” Barton’s next slice of action is likely to be the second string’s clash against Wigan at Kingston Park on Monday night. But the Huyton-born star says he is taking things one step at a time and doesn’t want to return too early. He added: “I am still a little bit away from being fit to start for the first team. “It was important to play 45 minutes. I had three training sessions before this, but playing a game is a bit more competitive. “There was a little bit of contact, but it is always enjoyable to play again and I have come through it with no knocks. “I got what I needed from last night and enjoyed every bit of it. The lads worked very hard last night. “It is massively disappointing to join a new club and then not be involved. “I don’t know if I am ahead of schedule or not. It was meant to be six weeks to start with, but the break was worse than we first thought. “It is just important that we take things step by step and I don’t rush back too soon. “I am doing everything I can to get back and hopefully get back in contention as soon as possible. “The body always lets you know when you are ready and it will tell me when it is ready to go. “Hopefully that will be sooner rather than later.” He added: “I will see how I feel in the next few days. I have a few aches and pains but that is what you usually get in football. “I will train with the team Friday, Saturday, Sunday and then just see what happens from there.” There is no doubt that Barton would loved to be involved against his boyhood idols Everton on Sunday but the £5.8m man says he isn’t prepared to risk his fitness for sentimental reasons and hopes this will be the end of his injury problems at Gallowgate. He went on: “I am gutted to miss Everton, but you are governed by what your body tells you. “I don’t want to come back and miss more games. “If you rush back you could end up out for a significant amount of time, and if I have to miss Everton to make sure I am fit for the rest of the season, so be it. “Hopefully this will be the end of my injuries at Newcastle United.” And reflecting on the loss to his old side Manchester City at the weekend, Barton was philosophical. He said: “We were disappointed after Saturday, but it isn’t easy to go anywhere and get good results these days in the Premier League. “Although we are disappointed that we lost, because we see Man City as rivals for a European place, we can bounce back against Everton. “It will be tough against a team that are also going for a top-six place but I am sure the lads can do it.”

JAMES MILNER has capped an “unusual season” by being named as the Prince’s Trust North East Young Player of the Year. And at the awards last night Milner saw his former United and Leeds United colleague Jonathan Woodgate named as the North East Player of the Year for 2006-7. Sunderland were named as the Team of the Year for gaining promotion to the Premier League. Watched by his chairman Chris Mort and manager Sam Allardyce, Milner told the audience: “This has capped an unusual season for me. “The season began in Martin O’Neill’s office at Villa Park where I got a call saying I was going back to Newcastle. “And I’m happy I got that call because Newcastle is where I always wanted to play my football. “Now I have this award, which is not really about me but the rest of the team, and a new contract and I could not be happier. “I know we have had a couple of disappointing results but I am confident we will soon turn things round, starting with Sunday’s game with Everton.” Milner is now the most capped England Under-21 player and he knows that Steve McClaren has been a regular visitor to St James’ Park. He adds: “As far as England is concerned, all I can do is to keep doing my best for Newcastle and let other people decide whether I can step up to the full international picture.” Alan Shearer judged the goal of the season and decided that this should go to Eifion Williams for his great effort for Hartlepool in the derby match with Darlington. Oba Martins was second for the piledriver against Spurs at White Hart Lane, while Milner’s goal against Manchester United at St James’ Park on New Year Day was third.

NEWCASTLE United’s Turkish ace Emre has vowed to fight his way into Sam Allardyce’s plans and says he is ready to face Everton on Sunday – should he get the call. The former Inter Milan star played the full 90 minutes for Lee Clark’s second string last night at Manchester City and capped a polished performance with a wonderful free-kick. There’s no doubt United could benefit from the flair Emre has to offer at the moment, but the diminutive Toon midfielder says he is willing to battle for his place in the side. He said today: “My aim is to get in the first team. “It has been a difficult four months for me because we have had a lot of good new players here who have been transferred to the club. “I will work very hard in training and respect everyone. Everyone wants to play but only 11 can get on the pitch at one time. “I respect all of the players and the manager but I will do my best to win a place in the team.” Emre has been dogged by shin and ankle problems since the end of last season and has so far managed just three brief United appearances. The player was caught up in controversy in his last game for Turkey when he gestured to the media after criticism in the Press and unfounded talk that he wanted to leave Newcastle to return to his old club Galatasaray. But he will be back in the fold as the Turks face both Moldova and Greece in crunch qualifiers in the next round of international fixtures. He added: “In terms of match fitness I have played two games with Turkey and three games here at Newcastle. “Maybe two or three more games and I will be perfect. Training is good but games are different in terms of fitness. “I want to play, all players want to play. “In the last two years I played over 65 games and I want this year to be the same. “I will try everything to be fit for Newcastle.” Emre told Newcastle World: “I feel OK. Myself, Jose Enrique and Abdoulaye Faye have not played much in the last few weeks. “For us last night was a good game. I have two days off and then I will be ready for the Everton game.”

Too slow

Stevie you have confused me there? You are talking about the guy who is going to a Wrestling party and often posts about his computer/arcade games?

God just imagine how depressing your articles would be? We would need to send out free prozac to anyone who signs up

As I pointed out to you in the Owen Wilson thread this is something you yourself are more than guilty of. And tbh Crimson and that other fud whose name has escaped me at the minute are the new posters the majority of the time.

Whenever the international breaks pop up there are always the posts where people argue they would rather see Newcastle win a corner than England win etc. I was just wondering how many on here go to (or go to some) of their nations international matches. I go to the Scotland matches and can honestly say the atmosphere is so much better than that at St James Park, what have people on here found the atmosphere at their nations matches to be like?

Joey Barton believes Manchester City's resurgence this season may not have happened without his performances in the last campaign. The England midfielder left City for Newcastle in a £5.8million deal in the summer but is yet to make his competitive debut for his new club due to injury. Barton has been out since breaking a metatarsal in a pre-season friendly in July but played 45 minutes as Newcastle reserves drew 2-2 with his former club in Manchester last night. The 25-year-old had some "playful banter" with fans when the Newcastle first team played at City last weekend and hopes he receives a good reception when he eventually returns to play. "I hope they appreciate the job I did last season," Barton told BBC Radio Five Live. City battled against relegation last term but, following the takeover of Thaksin Shinawatra, are now third in the Barclays Premier League under new manager Sven-Goran Eriksson. "Were it not for myself, Micah Richards and Richard Dunne the club wouldn't have had Shinawatra, the Premier League and Sven. "I think they could easily have gone down last season but for a couple of results." Newcastle were beaten 3-1 at the City of Manchester Stadium and remain in mid-table but Barton has no doubts he made the right move. He feels Newcastle, following the takeover by Mike Ashley, can match his former club and has urged caution on the part of City fans. "It is important they don't get too carried away with a couple of results," he added. "Hopefully we'll get the kind of investment they got at Manchester City and get a similar result. "I think Newcastle can be as big as they want to be. No disrespect to City but in Manchester, Manchester United will always be top dog. As much as they want to believe it, it is not going to be. "The big thing about Newcastle is there is only Newcastle in Newcastle. Newcastle could be a big side and turn it from a big four into a big five." Barton's immediate ambition is to get back on the field. He feels the Tottenham clash on October 22 is a far more realistic target than Everton this weekend. Barton added Newcastle World TV: "Me and the manager have different ideas on when I'm fit because I just can't wait to get back playing. "But I understand he doesn't want to take any risks and my next game will probably be for the reserves against Wigan next Monday. "After that we've got two weeks when I can get some good work done on the training ground during the international break. "But it was great to get back out there against Man City and get 45 minutes under my belt. "The foot is still a little bit sore but the surgeon said that would be the case when I first started playing again. "But hopefully when I do come back I'll bring some goals to the team and I just can't wait."

Thats your opinion and you are perfectly entitled to it. However I do not get the following.. Also as is always argued when this place is criticised I always highlight the point that the posters make the forum including the starting of threads. Thats the biggest problem on here, not enough people actually start topics rather than post full stop. We went through a phase a couple of months back where 2 or 3 of us actually made an effort to start several topics a day and the difference in posts and replys was plain to see, but the forum does need other than the usual suspects to get topics going.

How many of the people in this thread actually work in IT? Very few to my knowledge.

I bet he doesn't wear Adi-Colour... http://www.toontastic.net/board/index.php?...amp;hl=trainers

Spurs ball boy http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=-gUgPkJ76x8

...and its fitba!

I think a major part of it has been the ridiculous transfer fees, many of the teams have ended up giving their youngsters a chance and whilst none of them are world beaters we certainly had a decent crop of players coming through. Rangers and Celtic also whilst not great are benefiting from having a large Scottish nucleus of players at both clubs (especially Rangers where Le Guens army of Jonny Foreigners were just not suited to the game). The standard of football has also changed with several managers up here now trying to play decent football in particular Hibs and Yogi Hughes at Falkirk. As for the international scene again I just think we have a decent crop coming through but I just hope with both Celtic and Rangers signing up a lot of the young talent they do not get wasted away on the bench but on the other hand with the European experience they gain at these clubs it can only be good for the national team. I still do not believe we will qualify for the Euros but this group of players with the exception of Weir could easily play for the national team for the next 5-6 years, even longer for some. I got my tickets for the Ukraine game and cannot wait...

I seen it!

My sister is 7/8 months pregnant with twins at the moment and is so petite both in height and weight. She has not put any weight on anywhere other than the bump and due to her small size has had to purchase tops that are for her size but struggle to cover her bump as due to her small frame anything bigger will just hang off her. And I can assure you both her appearance or lifestyle is far from ASBO-Chique..

I thought he was ok against West Ham and Bolton but awful in the other games. His passing is not only negative but becoming erratic. But especially his lack of pace is becoming a major concern imho. The situation that lead to Elano's great freekick was just a prime example. Butt is too often getting beaten by pace and has then to resort to shirt tugging and kicking after players. In this form he is easily replaceable. Eggsactly...

I'd give him a shot in the holding role going by Nicky Butts performances so far this season.

NEWCASTLE UNITED’S Senegal international Abdoulaye Faye has revealed he expects “no special favours” from his old boss Sam Allardyce. The ball-winning midfield man – who will miss a large chunk of the season after Christmas as he heads to Ghana for the African Cup of Nations – is desperate to earn a run in the team after joining from Bolton Wanderers on transfer deadline day. And although he admits his rapport with Big Sam is “excellent” he knows he faces a fight for his place. Faye told the Chronicle: “The manager was a big reason why I came to Newcastle. “I enjoyed my time playing under him at Bolton and I am looking forward to my future here. “I know that just because he is my old manager I am not certain to play so I have to battle for my place here.” Faye also says he will do a job for Allardyce in the heart of defence should he get the call from his manager. The 29-year-old has operated as a central midfielder so far in Toon colours with his only start coming in the Carling Cup defeat at Arsenal. However, after a summer of torment at Bolton – which resulted in Faye going on strike until his future was resolved following Newcastle’s interest in the player – Faye has underlined his desire for a fresh start on Tyneside and is willing to help out Big Sam’s back four if he gets the nod. Faye continued: “I can play in central midfield and I think that is my best position. “But I have also played as a defender in the middle during my career too, like I did at Bolton, so if needed I will play there. “Where I play is up to the manager, but I would be happy to play in either position.” With Brazilian centre-back Cacapa missing out on the trip to the City of Manchester Stadium through a groin injury, Allardyce turned to Steven Taylor to partner David Rozehnal, who appears to be first-choice defender so far in the Big Sam era. And while Cacapa is struggling with injury and United leaked goals at Eastlands, Allardyce may be ready to turn back the clock. Indeed, Faye was the man who Allardyce used as a centre-half for the majority of last season and helped Bolton qualify for the UEFA Cup. And Faye underlined his admiration for Allardyce after rejoining his old boss at St James’ Park following their stint together at the Reebok Stadium, with the Senegalese ace playing a big part in their rise up the Premier League. Now Faye would love to repeat that at Gallowgate. He added: “The future looks good here and I hope that I can help Newcastle reach a European place.”