NJS

Are we now in apartheid SA again where people are racially categorised to the nth degree? His dad is a Kenyan - he's the very definition of African-American.

I think the only way he would use "Muslim" appeal to Muslim voters would be in the way my Mam would still have described me as a Catholic even though she knew that I didn't believe and from what age - an implicit "he's one of us" even if he isn't really. I too was moved by his speech but then I remember being moved by Blair's speech in 97 - unfortunately being in the same camp as SpongeBob I've been disappointed by what has happened since from a left wing perspective - I hope Obama can do a bit more.

It's funny he's played an interesting game with that. He's denied it enough to wash with the mainstream vote (he isn't, although he has family members that are), but not enough so that the majority of American muslims don't still think he is a muslim too. Well played by him on that one. As I understand it his Dad obviously came from a Muslim background but was an Atheist as an adult as was his Mother. That has given me hope that his christianity is "convenient" or at least moderate (as is McCain's). Despite all the understandable rhetoric about this being a victory against the last bastion of prjudice it isn't - he would have failed miserably if he'd been an Atheist.

He's trying to undo the shit by saying they'd have been livid if it had been given against them - does that excuse the theatricals then you scouse twat?

I hadn't realised previously that Bush beat McCain in 2000 in the primary - I read this week that a key strategy which tipped the balance was revealing McCain had adopted a kid by woman (A Vietnamese one I think) he'd had an affair with. Typical Republicans and I'd guess why he was uneasy with Palin's attacks on Obama.

I always separated McCain from the Republican Party machinery and agree he's a decent man.

Bowyer scored a cracking one against Bolton a couple of years ago when he'd started the move on half-way - dived over the top of Dyer iirc. Not strictly the "daisycutter" of old but the nearest one recently I think.

Arsenal were obscene, Man U good but an off day - the rest were shite.

I stand by that, that we would be 5th now - however given a "normal" season of injuries etc I think we'd have finished no higher than 10th even with Keegan. My view has always been that prudent and successful squad strenthening a la Ashley missive would lay out a "plan" something like 13->10->8->6>5->4 etc. I think a modest initial spend this summer would have cut out the 10 and the 8 which I think isn't expecting too much. (All approximations of course).

Not really - I'm saying Keegan would have "inspired" the similar teams that did play in the 3 or 4 games I mentioned to better results. That doesn't blind me to the difference between that and 38 games for which I think the squad is weak. But then surely with the better players coming back in, we would have consolidated the better position we would have been in. Yes - until more injuries/form loss would have taken their toll. And other teams won't suffer with injuries or lose form? Or are you saying the likes of Everton, Villa, Portsmouth and Hull have more strength in depth than us? I think Villa have for one - Man City will have. If every team could play ther best 11 give or take 1 or 2 players in nearly all their games I think we would have a really good season - my concern has always been squad depth which is where the fundamental lack of understanding of the regime floundered imo.

Fuck me, you mean you actually did what you are getting paid to do and didn't just wait by the phone for calls.

Not really - I'm saying Keegan would have "inspired" the similar teams that did play in the 3 or 4 games I mentioned to better results. That doesn't blind me to the difference between that and 38 games for which I think the squad is weak. But then surely with the better players coming back in, we would have consolidated the better position we would have been in. Yes - until more injuries/form loss would have taken their toll.

I'm going. What is Spartans capacity? Why are you going to start claiming they are better supported than Spurs and Villa? As a kid I went to the cup replay at SJP where Blyth got more than Spurs get now.

Too many - I have petty grudges going back 25 years against lots of shitty teams like Cambridge and Notts County. Apart from the Mackems my premiership of hatred is Liverpool and Man U then followed by the usual suspects already mentioned. There is a special place for Sheff Wed who I associate with Wilkinson's football murderers of 83/84.

Not really - I'm saying Keegan would have "inspired" the similar teams that did play in the 3 or 4 games I mentioned to better results. That doesn't blind me to the difference between that and 38 games for which I think the squad is weak.

With Keegan we'd have 7 or 8 more points and be about 5th. So Keegan was wrong to walk then since he had the first squad capable of challeging for 5th in years? 5th now - the lack of squad depth would have (and will) cost us over the season. The first team (last night + Owen/Viduka) isn't bad - I've never denied that - the squad however is weak imo.

With Keegan we'd have 7 or 8 more points and be about 5th. Any chance I could borrow your crystal ball? Hull have done well but were there for the taking but for the atomosphere/off-pitch events = +3 We'd have beaten Man City +2 Kev always wins derbies +3 Would have probably gotten something at West Ham as well.

When we played them in about 81 or 82 there was something that caused great hilarity among everyone ho used to go by train - one of NUFC's top lads got laid out in a bar in Shrewbury in a nothing incident prompting much piss taking along the lines of "Shrewsbury, who the hell are they". Don't know about any friendship though.

With Keegan we'd have 7 or 8 more points and be about 5th.

Stick to the original idea - new owners = new managere imo - until then okay.

My thinking now is that given the equality of the league, we should be okay even muddling through but a better manager and a productive window could easily see us push for where we should have been aiming for all along.

If they have serious money then as long as its by mid Jan it should be okay - see Man City as an example. Of course I'd presume if they knew it was going to be tight they'd have a manager sorted and he would have a shopping list.

I've been following the polls at RCP for the last couple of weeks and it looks to me like it would take serious fraud for the Republicans to win now. They might be able to fiddle one or two swing states but not enough imo.

Almost what I'd have - except Cole for Shearer (awaits mild abuse).

One that doesn't get mentioned is one Peter scored against Everton in his first spell - he started from a standing position about 10 yards outside the box and started knocking the ball from one foot to the other then continued as he approached the defence. He kept the same thing going to dance around a couple of defenders and then in the same motion knocked the ball past Southall. Unfortunatety it wasn't on TV. On away goals and related to the ones above he scored one at Sheff Wed where he chipped the keeper almost from the byline and in the post match interview modestly stated he meant it as a shot. Trevor Francis stated he didn't believe him and it was a cross - this is why I despise the twat to this day.