Scottish Mag

Aberdeen 1 up also. Get in there

But good news for us. From what I have seen of Cacapa I think he is class and whilst many were raving about Rozenhal it was always Cacapa that stood out for me when they player together.

Just been sent this by e-mail - "This is an actual off-sales on Copland rd, Ibrox. Bottle of buckie, 20 mayfair and skins............."

SAM ALLARDYCE is banking on his Brazilian international Claudio Cacapa being ready to return to the Newcastle United side against Everton at St James’ Park on Sunday. The former Lyon central defender missed out at the City of Manchester Stadium on Saturday and there is no doubt he was badly missed as the United defence fell apart in that 3-1 defeat. The 31-year-old, who has taken out French citizenship, limped off late on against West Ham on September 23 with a groin injury and failed a fitness test in Manchester last Saturday morning. The Hammers game was the last time Michael Owen wore the black-and-white shirt and, if the little striker does not make Sunday, then he will have been out of the United picture for exactly a month by the time Spurs come to St James’ Park on October 22. And, bearing in mind the Owen situation, Allardyce told me very much tongue-in-cheek today: “Claudio has a groin injury but he doesn’t need a hernia operation.” However, Big Sam was deadly serious when he added: “We gave Claudio a test on Saturday morning. He wasn’t ready. “That, for me, was a big miss because he brings a huge amount of experience, as we’ve seen. “The last time he played, we beat West Ham 3-1 and we didn’t see that type of defending from anybody against Manchester City. “I think he’d have taken a grip of them with just Emile Mpenza up front. He’d have been able to read the situation much better, but it wasn’t to be. “However, he should be OK for Everton.” If Cacapa has suddenly emerged as a key United player, he is certainly being missed at Lyon, where he spent six successful years. For since Cacapa left to join United in the summer Lyon have let the water in, never more so than in their 3-0 Champions League defeat at the hands of Rangers in France this week. Meanwhile, Allardyce would love to pair Cacapa with fellow Brazilian international Edmilson, who is now nearing fitness at Barcelona following knee surgery. The Chronicle revealed in the close season that Allardyce had made a secret trip to Barcelona to talk to the man who is expected to be the Brazilian Wold Cup captain in 2010 in South Africa. This impressed Edmilson, and United went to the front of the queue for his services. But if Allardyce does not get the backing from the United hierarchy he will lose out on the Barcelona defender to either Inter Milan or Seville.

SAM ALLARDYCE has warned Charles N’Zogbia to make sure he keeps his feet on the ground. The young French midfielder has probably been Newcastle United’s best player this season along with new boy David Rozehnal, while Oba Martins and Steve Harper cannot be faulted. And there is no doubt Allardyce is a big admirer of N’Zogbia and will turn a blind eye to the fact that, along with every other United player apart from Shay Given and Martins, he had a poor afternoon in Eastlands on Saturday. N’Zogbia’s form this season has earned him a deserved international call-up by France at Under-21 level and the United midfielder hopes to be involved at home to Bosnia-Herzegovina a week tomorrow and in Romania four days later. When I asked Allardyce today if he was pleased N’Zogbia was now making progress at international level, he replied: “Yes, but as long as that doesn’t affect him in the wrong way. “That can happen to young men when all the other boys start talking to him about this, that and the other. All of a sudden, he’s disgruntled again. “It can be a good thing, but it can also be a very destructive thing. “You know, I saw a player play once for England, and now I think he’s now playing at Oldham Athletic. He’s called Michael Ricketts. “It affected him that badly. He let himself get carried away by the situation, and his career ends up declining.” N’Zogbia has had to stand in at left-back for most of his games this season while Jose Enrique has edged to full match fitness. But the Spanish Under-21 international got in the full 90 minutes against Manchester City Reserves on Tuesday night, giving Allardyce the option of pushing N’Zogbia into his preferred midfield role or giving Emre his first start of the season in the Premier League. And what price Joey Barton being on the bench on Sunday? Meanwhile, Allardyce will take the opportunity to check on Everton as their UEFA Cup first round, second-leg tie with Metalist Kharkiv is going out live from Ukraine on Channel Five tonight.

Looks like I may be going as Scooby Doo. I just need a recipe for some special Scooby Snacks to take along. I'm sure Alex must have one

Marketed bullshit or not I am a true Scotsman too..

I know Fish why don't you do a couple of articles on any of the following topics.. The disproportionately high expectations of Newcastle fans The Replacements V. the Replaced Owen V Martins Geremi's captaincy

Yes please do

Matt and some of the N-O lads will be there I would think.

I hope I am wrong but its looking like Snakehips may be putting the name RobW down in the alias thread...

No one else coming?

You really have taken your love of all things ginger too far now..

Thats the difference with the kilt. I will continue to get use out of it at other weddings, ceiledhs, black tie events etc

...until Christmas

Working on a project. Trying to complete a kiddie's puzzle book more like. It was for an Annual Report and I have just got it back from the printers and it is looking rather good even if I do say so myself... Cheers guys n gals.

Was best man at my mates wedding in Annan and we both wore kilts - thought it would be a nightmare but got to wear a dagger (Dirk I think) in me sock and a sporran to keep me tabs in - liberating experiance imo At my wedding just went for the formal gear waistcoat, cravat n all that - nee top hat and tails though Forgot how much I spent but they always take your eye balls out in the wedding shops Good luck for the big day That would be a Sgian Dubh ("skee(a)n doo")

Help ma boab! Aye they don't come cheap

Was curious as to how much the groom usually spends on his threads as well. My kilt will most probably be £800+

Dunno about "all" invited, but yes some will be. Cliquetastic

And you have the cheek to try and mock us..

tbh

As a Scot who is getting married I am currently looking at kilts but for those on here who are married what was your wedding attire? What is the most common worn south of the border? A suit? Tuxedo? Top Hat and Tail?

DAMIEN Duff has become Newcastle United’s forgotten man because of injury, but the Irishman is keen to prove a point in his second season at St James’s Park. Duff has not featured for the Magpies since he picked up a nasty foot injury in the 2-1 defeat at Portsmouth in April and has been largely overlooked when it comes to discussing Newcastle’s objectives this season. But the winger is gradually edging closer to a return to action and his international and club team-mate Shay Given has revealed he is desperate to rebuild his reputation after a largely frustrating and ineffectual first season on Tyneside following a £5m move from Chelsea last summer. Duff was widely regarded as the best of former manager Glenn Roeder’s signings, but a series of niggling injuries led to a worrying loss of form for the 28-year-old, something Given believes is inspiring his colleague. “Damien feels he has a point to prove,” said Given, who was speaking at an event to show his support for the Gateshead Crossroads Young Carer’s group, which offers support to young people who care for relatives with cancer or other serious illnesses. “He admits that people haven’t seen the best of him at Newcastle because of fitness and injuries and he wants to put things right. He wants Newcastle supporters to see the real Damien Duff and that’s a quality player who can be one of the best wide players in the division. “Damien has been forgotten about a little bit because he has been out injured for so long, but when we signed him I thought he was a magnificent signing and he will feel like that again when he gets back to full fitness.” Given was thrilled when Duff decided to turn down offers from Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool to sign for the Magpies last year and he does not see any reason why he cannot rediscover the form that once made him one of the most feared wingers in the top flight. And having seen Nicky Butt re-ignite his United career after a poor first season at the club, supporters will also hope the former Blackburn Rovers star will be able recapture his best form after so long on the sidelines. Given added: “I was over the moon when we got him because I know what a good player he is because I’ve played with him for a long time with Ireland, I don’t see why he can’t get back to that level again. “He has a bad injury and he is working extremely hard to get back as quickly as possible and it will be a huge boost to the team when he does. “I know he is desperate to get back on to the pitch. He is extremely frustrated at the moment because he wants to play again and he hopes to be fitter and stronger than ever.” United’s midfield has looked short of creative spark and pace in recent weeks, but Given is confident the return of Duff, along with England international midfielder Joey Barton, will add that to Allardyce’s armoury. Barton is still hoping to be on the substitutes’ bench against Everton at the weekend – even though Allardyce has suggested he will not be ready for the first team until the start of November – and Given is looking forward to seeing the former Manchester City midfielder in action in the Premier League. He said: “Joey was a very good player at Manchester City and he was a very good signing for us, but obviously we haven’t see him so far because of the injury in pre-season. He hasn’t really been training with us, but I’m sure when he does join in, it will be like another new signing. “It’ll be his first game for the club really because friendlies don’t count and we know he has got some good qualities. He’s willing to give his all for the team and his tenacity in midfield will be a great asset.” When we signed Damien Duff he was a magnificent signing and he will feel like that again when he gets back to full fitness