Bhahahaha!!!


Go on Bellamy!


The longer Drogba stays on the bench, the happier I am too.

Ok, so the sig is...




with the text (in this size): Hi, I'm LJB. I enjoy watching old episodes of Friends. This makes me extremely gay.


For a week, as usual.


Enjoy

loool.

Poor old LJ. 0-5

Well played sir. F'n Chelsea, this never would have happened under Mourinho!

I'm in uni just now so will change when I get home. I'll keep it 'til next Monday.

Come on LJ, get it done you little weasel.

Big Sam. Absolutely terrible idea. I'm up for a wager. I say they go down.

I disagree. Just out of interest, who would you have chosen? Or.. more importantly who would they be able to get, bearing in mind where they are now, of any quality... that you'd think was a good appointment?

He did a great job with Bolton, and if you look at his record with Newcastle, he only lost 6 out of 24 games.. not bad at all, esp considering what's happened since. Newcastle fans seemed to think that they deserved better, but you don't. You're a very average side and nowhere near the top teams, with a fan base that is 90% genuinely delusional.

If Blackburn want a manager to give them a decent chance of escaping relegation, by organising a team properly, starting with the defence... then I think he's a good choice. Creativity may not be his strong point, but that's really not what Blackburn need right now.

I wouldn't bet that they won't go down though.

The Newcastle issue. I am not in one bit delusional. I'm happy with not being relegated..but we have top players that are paid better than basically everyone outside the top 4. We have and had a lot of quality players. We fill 56k every home game. Its a big club.

Noone is complaining about not winning the league. But with the above mentioned assets, we should not be in a relegation battle, like Big Sam put us in last year, and trust me, you didn't watch the 0-0 matches against the relegation teams, I did, under Sam it was some of the worst football I have ever seen. He did not get a bad deal, he got what he deserved. We should not be finishing 13 two years in a row.

Everyone likes to say Newcastle fans are delusional but its Bullshit, not one fan complained when we were finishing 5th or 4th with Sir Bobby, most fans would be happy with top 8. Outsiders are not getting to see the horrible football that has taken place and then to finish 14th. With what we have, the money, the fans, the players, it is not acceptable and I think people who label the fans delusional have not got a clue. Its not like we are finishing top table. We're a bottom half club and we have been for a while. There is no way Newcastle should be a bottom half club.


The reason I think Sam is a bad choice is because Ince is a good manager. Blackburn are a good team. They don't need some tactital genius or new fitness regime.
They need a good kick up the arse and a charismatic leader. When Big Sam came to Newcaslte he could do none of this. Blackburn are in a pretty bad slump with their good players probably just hoping for a transfer.

Its hard to pick but I reckon a Gordon Strachan Martin O'neil type manager is the only one that will work. If Sam was coming from Bolton I would be optimistic but after the shambles at Newcastle I have no faith in him.

Given, Beye, Bassong, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Gutierrez, Butt, Guthrie, N'Zogbia, Martins (Ameobi 79), Owen.
Subs Not Used: Harper, Cacapa, Duff, Geremi, Taylor, Viduka.

Thats the team that beat Portsmouth.

Please tell me which clubs in the premiership have a better team sheet than this.

I agree they are an average side at the moment but with this team there is no way in hell they should be.

I disagree with much of what you've said, but whatever... that's your opinion. I think Newcastle fans are still living at least 3/4 seasons ago, some a lot longer back to the Keegan days. You've slipped down, football teams are cyclical and you don't keep winning based on past performances or reputations. The slide started way before Allardyce, so I think it's totally unfair to pin it all on him, which lots of Newcastle fans like to do.




How are they a good team (and I don't even neccessarliy mean the players as individuals... I'm talking about the 'team'), and how is Ince a good (Premiership) manager?? Look at their position. Put yourself in the position of Blackburn chairman... do you really just leave him in the job, and not change anything? And if they're gonna do it, they must do it now, to give themselves a chance.

You said Strachan or O'Neil, and I'd agree that they'd be better... but my whole point was that they can't get someone like that, no chance... so who would you have?

Ince did really well in his last jobs managing. Everyone was pipping him to do well. He didn't he did terrible. I can only say they are a good team based on the individuals. Otherwise we have to bring Ince to it, and obviously he did poorly.

Why can't they get Strachan? He was linked with the Sunderland job. I'd take Curbishely if Im forced into it.

I think we might be slightly arguing about different things, but I do not see with the team above how fans can be delusional when they are upset over worrying about relegation and bottom half finishes. We were able to bid $25 mill for rooney for christ sake.

If the above is a very average team, then who outside the top 4 has a better team sheet than the above.

Our back 4 is really good these days. Well the individuals

Dammit

I think the chances of getting Strachan, right now, would have been close to zero. I gather he's very happy at Celtic, plays CL football, currently top of the SPL, and life is good for him. Why would he want to join a club sitting 2nd to bottom of the Premiership, with 13 points?

As for Curbishley, he's probably the only other realistic name in the pool. And it's really not a very big pool of names to choose from, for Blackburn as they stand. Maybe they did approach him, we don't know all the goings on... maybe he turned them down? But, if I was a Blackburn fan today, all I know is I'd be a lot more confident of staying in the Premiership now, than I was yesterday. It's really not an 'absolutely terrible idea' as you said.

He will need to prove it. I was delighted when he came to Newcastle. But after watching about 6 completely hopeless games I have no faith in him.


I always liked him but I have no faith, as i said I'm willing to bet on my absolutely terrible comment although that may have been a bit exaggerated

Ok, well what would you like the bet to be?

I honestly think that Blackburn still have a great base to work with.. from the Mark Hughes era, and need someone to just get it out of them, get them organised, and get them back to playing decent again. Big Sam, imo, is one of the guys who can do this... and esp after all the unfair criticism he's had (again, just my opinion) after Newcastle, he'll be out to prove a few doubters wrong.

I have to go, But could you answer this.

I got a bit ruffled from the "very average side" comment:)

You've had some injuries, you've had managerial upheaval, and you've had major problems in the board room (still looking for a buyer, I think). This is not good for confidence to the team, so as a result, you've been performing like an average team.

If everything at Newcastle right now was perfect, and with everyone fit... you'd be performing better, but it's not. You've got a few decent players, and a few that used to be very good but are now either getting on a bit, or always injured.

Didn't Keegan (the Geordie messiah!) want to get rid of Ameobi? He doesn't seem to be up to the standard of a top Premiership club by a long way. So, if Owen is injured, where are the goals coming from? Gutierrez, Butt and Guthrie are more industrial type players. Solid, but not going to carve teams apart really. Same with N'Zogbia... I think you need some more creativity in the team if you want to be really challenging for Europe.

Look on the bright side though... you're only 6 points behind 7th place! That's the same distance we are behind Liverpool. It's a long season, who knows where you'll be come May.

Apologies. Crazy busy time at the minute. I've only been in the lab/library or bed. I can't change my FCP stuff from uni computers, only home and I genuinely haven't been on it. I'll keep it for 10 days from when I change everything to appease you.

Re: the Newcastle chat. It's Newcastle's defence that lets them down and an inability to play together. I agree they should be great going forward and are at times. But tell me who, Given apart, with defensive duties at Newcastle would get in any of the teams above them? Christ, Cacapa would struggle to get a game in the Unibond!

Coloccini Beye and Enrique have been playing really well, I'm sure at least two of them would easily get into all teams below the top 4

And yes Ameobi is a donkey.

lol at Gutierrez not tearing anyone apart. Have you seen any of our goals lately? All from excellent passes, well, basically tearing a defense a part. He can beat players and has done so.

We have Owen Martins and Viduka. Ameobi is there because of injury.

Coloccini and Enrique got put into Garth Crooks team of the week last week. Ok I hate Garth Crooks but Im desperate.

Hey Slap you didn't reply to what you want the bet to be, about Sam Allardyce at Blackburn.

I propose, bearing in mind you think he's a terrible appointment:

Blackburn currently have 13 points after 17 games, so, I bet that after a further 17 games (34)... they will have more than 26 points (27 or more). Therefore, he'll have done a better job than Paul Ince. How's that?

you expect me to bet that out of 51 points they'll only get 13 points. i could get 13 points in the next 17 games, they have pederson, robinson, santa cruz, benni mccarthy, dunn is coming back from injury. and they will be rejuvenated from a new manager. i'll bet they go down or if you want to do bets that ridiculously sized in your favour, we can discuss odds of some sort

Done. Apologies for the delay.

And don't bet with him Slap - he's some kind of magician!

I'm not really understanding your logic, when you said Big Sam was an absolutely terrible idea, and that Paul Ince is a good manager.

So, are you admitting that Allardyce will do better than Ince? If so.. how's it a terrible idea? If you honestly thought what you said, you'd take my bet... surely?


Ok, I'll edit the bet in your favour if you like. I bet that Blackburn will get 30 points or over.

a lot of miscommunication between us.

I think Ince will be a good manager, he has proven he has skill and everyone was touting him as the new up and comer, go getter whatever. Blackburn was just a disaster.

I felt Sam was a terrible choice as he showed a complete lack of charisma at Newcastle. And no need to defend him, I'm delighted hes back in the league. Watching his reaction when asked about Wenger saying his team were too physical was priceless.

I said they will get relegated. The 13 games etc etc threw me off a bit.

Its a long time but I'm up for the relegation bet. Although Im doubting my comment more and more as I read all the media hype but i'm still up for a bet.

What the winner gets I don't know

Hmmm.. Can't do it.


All their remaining games against the big 4 are away. They've also got away games against some of their fellow strugglers (Stoke, Sunderland, Man City - who will be strengthening in January). I think they'll just fall short of staying up, but I'll say now that Sam Allardyce will improve the team's performance, and at least give them hope. If Ince stayed in charge, it would have been over for them by the end of January... they had to change.

Well when I said Sam was a terrible choice, it basically meant Blackburn would be relegated. Which is a terrible thing and therefore decision. Which was my whole point.

So maybe I'll backtrack as quick as possible since they just got the perfect start.

This was funny, from BBC:
1716: As Ricky Sbragia is speaking to the BBC after Sunderland's 4-1 win at Hull, Sunderland players wander past on three separate occasions and shout "give him the job". It's going to be hard not to give it to him now...

Arsenal/Liverpool to grind out a 1-1 draw... I would give the edge to Arsenal and back them to win, but I guess Liverpool's away form this season should be given some respect.


Also, thought for Newcastle. I heard today Jimmy Bullard was stalling over signing a new contract at Fulham. If Owen goes in January, I think he'd be a great signing. He's the type of player I'd imagine Newcastle fans could relate to more than someone like Owen... he wears his heart on his sleeve and gets stuck in, honestly I think he's a great player.

Nevermind

What a horrible kit/colour combination between the teams.

Duffer and Viduka made my day yesterday.

And Keane scored.

So quite a good day yesterday

so a huge day in the premiership today with all 20 teams in action. villa/arsenal is probably the biggest game of the season thus far for both sides - villa to try and establish themselves as a legit contender for the top 4 and arsenal to try and keep their feint hopes of the title alive. injuries and suspensions on both sides so i expect a 1-1 draw. elsewhere chelsea and united have teams promoted last season so i expect wins there and liverpool play a bolton side sitting in their highest position since megson took over which could provide a potential bananaskin - should have enough about them to scrape out a win though.

tomorrow i'm gonna write up my mid-term grades for each team. come on the gooners!

Im starting to really like Kinnear. His personality anyway.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/e...rem/7787593.stm

check out his interview middle page, trying not to curse, just seething with anger. Its hilarious

No way Pool finishes behind Arsenal now without some sort of complete collapse. I think they will have a hard time holding off Chelsea and Man U.....two teams that are just too loaded for words.

The EPL has some of the same problems that the MLB does.

Yea, that was over a month ago, I was wrong, I'd never put liverpool 4th now

Nah, the Premiership doesn't have a steroid problem.

I'm trying desperately to think of a way Newcastle can beat, or at least draw, against Liverpool.

Here's what I've got so far... Newcastle have scored 2 goals in their last 6 home games, and they haven't lost at home for 6 games. They should be fired up after their disappointment against Wigan. Owen will be looking to stick one on his old club.


Who am I trying to kid though? They're gonna get badly beaten... 3-1 Liverpool. Newcastle have even more injuries now, and Torres is back on the bench too.

Disaster written all over it. Beye Bassong Viduka Martins and some one else out from wigans match.

So tilted Israel doesnt celebrate christmas AND works sundays, can't watch my team get destroyed

Like you, I was a Newcastle fan today. Luckily it was only for 90 minutes... I don't envy you


However there is good news on the horizon. Anything Liverpool can do, we can do better, so on that basis look for us to beat Middlesbrough 5-0 in a complete masterclass tomorrow.

Gerrard filling the captains shoes and giving a great example for the young players at Liverpool to follow once again. Out drinking at 2.30am and charged for assault. All because the DJ wouldn't play Phil Collins. Nice to know the club are standing by this sort of behaviour though.

Football's rich list

No surprises, but LOL at Ashley AND Cheryl Cole!

Thats pretty funny. How much are Newcastle paying Owen and Duff:(

I was listening to the guy that complied the list (it's from 4-4-2 magazine) on Sky Sports this morning... Owen's wealth is higher than others because of his property portfolio. Along with Robbie Fowler, and a couple of others that have invested fairly well. Better than you'd expect the average footballer to, anyway.

Today, Benitez lost Liverpool the mental edge in the title race... and has clearly let Ferguson get to him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGZCtUlDAM8


gg Liverpool, it's all over now.

I don't get it. Why does this matter at all?

Well James is a Man United fan so pretty sure hes mainly having a laugh.

He's basically also referring to in the 90s when Newcastle had a 12 point lead, Ferguson made a pretty low claim about Newcastle(Nottingham Forrest would let them win) and Kevin Keegan went crazy on live television. "I WOULD LOVE IT!!" and Newcastle went on to collapse and Man United won the league.


I guess it could affect the players etc but I'm sure it won't as Benitez always goes crazy.

It matters because the psychological mind games are very important in the title race, and my immediate reaction after seeing Benitez was that he's feeling the pressure, and it won't help his team in ANY way. There's no point trying these games with Fergie and Man Utd... you're onto a loser there.


And no Slap, not having a laugh. I mean it... bad move by Benitez, because it makes him look weak and nervous imo. Fergie does it differently, by making little comments about how everyone is against United. This fires up and unites the team in an 'us against the world' type way. Benitez's rant just makes it look like he's obsessed with United and worried about them... similar to Keegan's in that respect, so no help to his team.


Oh, and Stoke 0 - 0 Liverpool. I will enjoy watching Liverpool's demise from here on in!




*edit - We will destroy Chelsea tomorrow. Man Utd 3 - 0 Chelsea.

I can see your point but I doubt it really. If Liverpool mess up I don't think it would be fair to use this as any part of the reason. Remember when Benitez said "I am the manager, I will train my team" over 15 times in a press conference after the owner made a snide comment about him. He is regularly pulling crazy stunts in interviews.

Not starting Keane or Torres...the guys a wacko.