Howay

Aye although I do think SEW might be on to something when he said they probably rescinded his red to look impartial here. I genuinely hope they have some evidence btw because to ban a bloke for 5 games on his word v theirs evidence is a bit absurd even for the FA, what he supposedly said isn't even clear either like it normally is in situations like this (the Suarez case comes to mind) there's the 'couscous nonce' rumour and also rumours that it was 'learn to speak English' both of which can definitely be deemed offensive but I think it's really stretching them to say the bloke felt racially insulted. Maybe it was more and maybe they do have evidence in which case it's fair (although I still think leg breakers should be on a par punishment wise) but I hope they do as opposed to them just sort of hearing word of racism and hoying down a 5 game ban.

Agreed, from what I've read it almost seemed pretty much his word against theirs and the fact he got the minimum ban suggests they didn't have much evidence. I also find it a bit much to give a 5 game ban for it when you consider horrific challenges like Agueros recent one only get 4 game bans. I know they want racism out the game but it's not like leg breaking challenges are something they want in it either. Hopefully we just let him serve it now as I'd rather have him around for Brighton.

Aye definitely, has to be a wind up that.

If you do switch with him you better realize he'll be downing ouzo in relative warmth and choreographing the next stavros flatley performance with his dad, as Gemmill says, while you're getting up shivering your knackers off to cover him at work. You should not only take the days off but you should tell him how excited you are to have the extra two days off as you needed to vacuum the house.

I saw nightmare on Elm street when I was about 6 or 7, remember acting like it was nowt afterwards when I was playing in the street then slept on the floor for about a week because of the scene where Johnny Depp got pulled into his bed

3-0 win to Rafas lot.

Imagine if the prick had to support a side where the players really were a 'disgrace' and he'd never seen them win a trophy. What a monumental wanker, it must be so tough supporting a side that basically never comes lower than 4th and wins a cup every few years.

It actually suits him, he should consider it. Then the entire male population of North Korea will have to grow beards as well.

I particularly like the bit at the end where "Ty" yells at the other bloke asking if he thinks he's "more committed" than him, since Ty is wearing an Arsenal hat, headphones, coat, zip top, and I'm assuming t-shirt, track pants, socks, shoes, and glasses, there is no way anyone is more committed than him.

They're fucking ridiculous tbh. That control Messi showed in the goal Tooj put up was unreal, it really is as if it's glued to his foot a lot of the time. I remember watching him play Chelsea a few years ago and Chelsea just sat deep with 10 men back and Messi would dribble around 3 players before he realized he'd get crowded out and lose the ball if he pushed into the box (and there were no options due to the amount of Chelsea players back) so he'd dribble it back out away from goal back past 2 players, turn towards goal and assess his options He must have done it on 3 or so occasions during the game.

It should be the Gazza version of fog on the Tyne tbh.

Isn't it J Lo that HMHM prefers? "yeah yeah, c'mon"

It seems PL was conflated by the crowd calling out Diame for going missing but not Jonjo.

Cracking post PL. I think these last two wins were the most telling for me of our ability to win the league, not particularly at our best, against sides who were up for it (particularly in Burton's case), away from home, both in the same week and coming away with two wins. The turnaround under Benitez has been phenomenal when you compare the spirit of the team and desire among the players to that of 18 month ago. The team also has a plan to tackle games and it's evident on the pitch, Anderson was moaning the other game about how we're passing the ball around our defence but that is the game plan, it's just nice to see a team have a lot of possession in games but also be meaningful in attack when going forward rather than looking stumped around the opposition box. I also agree regarding Shelvey, he's one of my biggest worries for us going up. I know the defence isn't particularly up to snuff but I think that's clear to Rafa and he'll improve it but Shelvey has been such a key player for us this year and I worry that he'll be exposed more in the PL, of course I hope we're completely wrong on that point but as you say he is often in and out of games and while we get away with it at this level it's a bit harder at the PL level and those type of players tend to be more common further forward than at CM. As SEW added I just hope it continues as I definitely don't put it past Ashley to fuck it all up once we're back in the PL.

Aye he did pick up German quick, especially for a bloke who said he'd not speak to clubs who had a current manager 9 days before Bayern released he was going to be their next manager much to Heynckes' surprise.

I wouldn't say it was very poor, it's all opinion as there's no way we'll really know but it always seemed convenient to me that after close title races the two prior years he announced he was leaving shortly after losing to Real at home and falling 7 points behind not for a job elsewhere but for a sabbatical. He secured another job only 6 month or so into the sabbatical and spent much of the time apparently picking which job he wanted. It just seemed like he rushed out of Barca as the pressure was building on him after losing the title (like I said before about the medias ridiculousness working both ways they were effectively saying he was a busted flush) and then was looking for another job rather than his explanation that he needed time away.

Fucking hell Brighton scored in the last seconds. Deserved mind as they were all over Birmingham for the last 15mins at least (all I watched).

Brighton equalize as I said that. Sorry lads.

New manager bounce helping us out for a change hopefully.

Two wins this week despite not really playing well in either, important to be able to do that if you want to win the league. Get a bit of a rest now until boxing day so hopefully they perform a bit better then. Hope Birmingham do us a favour so we get a bit of breathing room.

I've got the mackem match on tv in all while listening to ours, it's total fucking dross. We have nothing at all to fear from the bottom feeders of the PL.

Well Boro are winning too so it's a good day for you.

Absolutely, how on earth is that ludicrous? He's lunged in with both feet

Geet up Diame, sounds like he's really starting to figure out how he works in the team sounded like another powerful charging run and goal. Sissoko should watch Diame play.