Who´s in here today? I´m feeling a bit fragile this afternoon (paying heavily for last night...) and I don't think I could take us throwing away what should be a comfortable 3 points.

Funny old game though and all that. I'm actually more nervy about game like today than I am the likes of Leeds.

Howay lads, it´s games like this that can win Championships.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Answers

Alcohol Poisoning

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Off to the pub to watch Blackburn stuff the Manc's.

-18 deg C here in eastern Canada this am

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

I agree, Steve, although I was sh*tting bricks about Leeds, too, if I'm honest..

I think our history of allowing relegation candidates back into things and generally f......g up against "poor" opposition is part of it, but also because three points at places like this gave us a cushion when we play to go to places like White Hart Lane etc..

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

I'm not at all confident about this one. Leicester won't let us play football, they'll just hoof it up the pitch to Brian Deane hoping for the best.

Let's try to remember the other teams that did this against us... Liverpool, Chelsea, Brentford, two bad losses and an almost embarrasing defeat.

We should walk this one but it's never that simple.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Hell, it's 10 to 2 already, I thought it was only about 12.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Paul, if it makes you feel any better Brian Dean is out today!

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

according to the Leicester site

Distin in OBrien on bench

Isset up front in place of Deane

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Deane is out? That's great news, half of my mouth is beginning to smile now :¬]

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

We do struggle against sloggers...A draw is my current thinking, which wouldn't be a disaster but would put a real doubt over our CL credentials.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

I'd have much preferred Dabs on the bench...

Izzet up front sounds a bit scary..

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Distin is actually a pretty good idea. If they start their long ball shenanigans, then he will win virtually everything in the air.

As long as we don't let their wingers get down the line too often we should be OK.

Bellamy won't be bothered by Savage as they are apparently good friends from Wales. Robert against Savage could be dangerous though, even if they play on opposite wings.

We are the only team playing away today in the Premier League who are favourites to win the match.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Mika from Finland tuning in. Currently visiting my parents in Rovaniemi, Lapland. Yes: Santa lives here too.

Scrappy 0-1 or 1-2 methinks. Distin scores his first. Header from a corner.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Evenong all.

Dougal, Izzet is no where near as scary as Henry, Viduka or Smith. We should be alreet.

But if we don't win today we can forget about the top 4.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Team = Given, Hughes, Dabizas, Distin, Elliott, Solano, Dyer, Speed, Robert, Bellamy, Shearer.

Bench = Harper, Acuna, Ameobi, O'Brien and Bernard.

The only thing about Lua Lua being away is that he keeps Solano on his toes...

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Paul, I agree with your points about Distin although I'm not sure that the Dabs/Distin partnership is as good as the Distin/O'B partnership.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Hello all!

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Morning from snowy Baltimore where my back has decided to go into another spasm. The only cure is that we score lots of goals today! Well, maybe not a cure, but it'll make me forget the pain. :-)

I also wish Dabs were benched instead of O'B.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Good Morning from cold and breezy Milwaukee, which comes from an Indian word meaning "Meeting place by the water," not "The good place" as the movie "Wayne's World" would have you believe.

In past years I also would have been nervous about games like this, but not this year. I think we are legitimite this year, and we will prove it by walking away with three points. 2-0.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

!!""FFTYJKHK&&&**($$)(*&%$"!!!!!!!!!!!!! Floods!

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Good morning all from Ontario (where are you in Canada, Ken Postle?), I see the Manc tw@ts are on all the tv stations here :-(

Look forward to some interesting comments from my fellow BBSers, howay the lads.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

PS. I'm nervous.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Bud, that's normal in North America. Home of ManureTV. :-/

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Hve to admit I woke up in a panic this morning. haven't felt that way about one of our matches in quite some time. Hopefully it's a good thing.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

F....g hell, Sir Les has already scored...

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Sir Les just scored for Spurs.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

The thing is, with Dabizas you have someone who will shout a bit and get things going. Neither O'Brien or Dabizas are anything like a centre back captain.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Weir equalised for Everton

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Which is better for us? A semi-crocked Walker or a fit Flowers in Leicester's goal?

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

1-1 Spurs - Everton

1-0 to the Scousers, Owen. Probably 85 minutes of defending at Anfield now

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Heh...yeah, you think ManUre fans are bad in England, you should see them in North America. The look of shock on their face when they find out that you like English football but support a team other than ManUre is amazing...

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Sounds like the travelling Toon Army are in good voice today...

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Savage booked - what a surprise (not!)

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Definitely a crocked Walker. Flowers is a good keeper and would possibly get into a few other teams in the league. It's probably the only place they have strength in depth

I reckon Speed and Dabs will score today

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Savage booked for Leicester

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Cue a chorus of One Lily Savage.... ;-)

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Savage booked for a foul on Robert

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Difficult Ciara. Flowers was MOTM against us at SJP last season and Walker was their MOTM against us this year at SJP...

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Cr*p, Dyer limping. :-(

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

"Savage by name -- savage by nature". Good lord..

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Dyer limping...... oh sh**

:(

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

I would love Robert to score as I think an issue has been lack of confidence recently.

Dyer sounds like he's in a bit of pain.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Fulham 1 up at SOS

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Ah, bollox: losing Dyer at this stage (of the game and season) would be nothing short of disastrous.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Dyer has apparently run off whatever the problem was. We'll see.

The Metro boys are truly atrocious aren't they?

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Morning all ;o) I am running a bit late this morning, no score yet but plenty with the other teams playin today huh? I guess I am the only one with HOT weather down here in sunny Florida. The AC is blowing hard and I feel a bit of a chill if it makes you feel better!!

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

'not much in the game'. We're playing Leicester ffs. We should be in control. I know they need the points but so do we.

Come on lads

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Steve, I can't listen to them: they raise their voices the second the ball goes over the halfway line and generally exaggerate everything so a defensive error becomes the biggest schoolboy error ever made in the history of professional football.,

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Walker off and Flowers on, not too keen on that!

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Walker off for Flowers

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Flowers on for Walker

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Distin booked for a high challenge.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Morning, David! So weather back to normal down there? Heard you guys really did have cold weather a few weeks ago. Temps down in the 40s?

Re the Metro boys, I give up on getting an accurate picture of the match from them. The post-match reports from bbsers are inevitably completely different from what this lot make you think of the match. I only listen cause there's not much choice and it's better than nothing. ;-)

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Silly challenge from Distin - yellow card

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

And....why are WE doing so much fouling??? Shouldn't we let THEM worry about US? It's sounding the other way round.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Have we created anything yet. I know we expected them to be "spoilers" but...

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Hmmm...nevermind. It appears the ref is calling us for everything and them for nothing. It's ok if Leicester kick us from pillar to post then.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

where wat that foul in the box? outside the box? This commentators crap

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Got to be said, so far, the goals aren't flowing anywhere..

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Yooooooo Hooooooooooooo

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Predictable stuff so far.

I would have left Dyer on the bench and brought him on in the second half.

They will close down EVERYONE and really tire themselves out. A raring to go Kieron Dyer with no fatigue in the second half (or indeed Lua Lua...) could make a difference.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

yeah but Paul. You're best XI should win the game for you. If we had started with Acuna we could have been 3-0down at h-t and Dyer's not that good

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Would you prefer us winning today and getting Bellamy and Dyer injured from going in to hard to win tackles for the cause, or losing but having Dyer and Bellamy in mint condition for Spurs?

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

WHat the bloody hell are we doing? Leicester could and should have scored twice in two minutes. SORT IT OUT

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

The scary thing is that, assuming we don't create anywhere near the chances we normally do, we will have to have our scoring boots on when we do..Can't see us scoring unless we get a pen or Robert-range FK. We still have Bernard to come on. He can make a small difference. I'm surprised Leicester are playing for a draw when they have to win games.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

what's the diff? Win today and lose to Spurs or lose today and beat Spurs? We are most likely to get three points today than against Spurs aren't we. Go for the (supposed) banker and anything against Spurs is a bonus.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

We've got another 10 days before playing Spurs, so I would rather see us go all out today even if it means a few knocks. Those players can be rested in the FAC next weekend.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Afternoon all

bit late, but only a mmatter of time before we go ahead.. Must win games like this. Doesn't sound like we're as much on top as we should be -- apart from the singing.

Good news about Sunderland - Fulham

Blackburn holding Manure so a win here could put us back on top

Oh Dear....Well done Shay Given!!!!???

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

We seem to be up against it a bit. Sort it out, lads. A draw would be a slight disappointment but losing would be dreadful.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Whelan scores for Boro..

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Wish it was HT so Bobby can give them a good shouting at.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Kegsy, I meant long term, not just for Spurs but for the rest of the season. Take Dyer AND Bellamy out and watch us slide.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

I don't think anyone expects to win thumpingly every week but it's so long since we failed to score that our current lack of creativity is nothing short of astonishing.. The defence sounds wobbly, too.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

At least Man U are playing crap as well - with Blackburn looking the home team

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Maybe if Leicester had scored after two minutes, it would have woken us up...

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

I think our side thinks it is top of the league on merit and the other team will let us score.

I have not heard of Robert, Solano or Dyer for ages.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

But Paul you can't wrap them in cotton wool. I agree that them and to a lesser extent Robert are our key players BUT they have to play when they are fit. We don't have alternatives and they have as much chance getting injured in any game.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

..or on the training pitch.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

VN scored a penalty for Man U

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

I think we are being way too critical, you know. Maybe we aren't able to get the ball to Dyer, Solano, Robert and Bellamy. It may just be a sterile day. We have been scoring in spades recently. We won't always do that. Man Utd have just gone 40-odd minutes without scoring!

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

That's my point though, they have MORE chance of being injured in a game like this, with Savage and the like flying around with hard tackles left right and centre.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

We CANNOT let Akinbiyi score!! Of all people! Get it together, lads ffs!!

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

If we were playing a lower league team in the FA Cup, they would play the same way as Leicester would, and we would probably play a below strength team against them, so why not Leicester?

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Yep, but we'd only moan if they did back out of tackles..

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

1 Speed header from a corner for us, about 6 chances for them, if we were playing anyone else it would be all over bar the shouting.

13th place here we come!

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Perhaps, Dougal, but we should still be able to put at least 1 past them and keep them from scoring. Still, we've got another 45min to go and I seem to remember seeing stats where our highest percentage of goals are scored in the last 15min.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Need HT badly. I can't see where a goal is coming from. This has all the makings of just not being wor day!

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

That's right Ciara, we generally didn't score many in the first half of games, but scored loads in the last 10-15 minutes.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Paul, we don't play below strength sides in cup competitions. Even if many of us sometimes wish we would. ;-)

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

I hope we don't. I fully expect us to play a full team in the FA cfup. It is the only trophy that we can realistically win and look what Cardiff did to Leeds. And surely they are more likely to be injured against thugs like Leeds than anyone else. You can't pick a team thinking that someone may get injured.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

We do play under strength sides really though, like Ipswich at home, Ameobi, Distin, Harper, players who weren't starting regularly.

Man Utd have scored, dammit

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Oh my lord, WHO is this screaming loony reporting on the Blackburn match???? Just about blew out my speakers!

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Any reason why a Leicester Match thread part 2 is not started?

Wouldn't half speed up my refresh.

Might even make the 2nd half better than the first

BAs********** scored against Blackburn last kick of the half

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

The main thing about playing a second choice team is that the players who step in have an extra incentive to perform well, playing for a place if you like. Robert may not be as motivated for this one as he would be against Man Utd.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

I thought you were kiddin' there kegsy, the tv's 10 mins. behind here! And was it a penalty?

Effing Manure dead on h-t, typical :-(

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Teh server seems to be running slow today. I'm having problems with refresh and when trying to post. Don't think another thread will help that one.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

I just about punched my monitor when listening to the manure summary. They scored from a pen, the commentator says they deserve to be in front even though they have been playing bad and said they only had 1 other chance. THEN he goes on to highlight 3 or 4 chances Blackburn had.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

IBut the Ipswich game was the worthless cup. Everybody plays understrength sides - not the FA Cup. You have to play your strongest team in the FA Cup, no matter who you play. Remember Stevenage (I'm not old enough to remember Hereford).

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Fortunately I was deafened by his screaming so didn't hear a word of what he actually said. ;-)

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

This business of playing a weakened side can backfire. Man Utd beat the Makems with their second team, got giddy about it and played their third team against Bolton. And lost. Continuity is key. I think today may highlight why we aren't realistic contenders: we don't have the subs to change the game.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Second half has kicked off now.

COME ON NEWCASTLE!!!!

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Newcastle weren't doing too bad at the start of the season, but the real improvement came with the return of KD. If he can kick a ball he has to play he is so important to us.

Southampton equalised at Anfield..Good for us

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Afternoon all... now come on Lads!

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

idiot commentator: Shay Given is down and can't get up
Mick Martin: He won't be able to get up while Scowcroft is sitting on him.
ic: Oh..yeah..hehehehe.

Tosser!

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Southampton equalising is a very good thing :)

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Ipswich score....

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Robert might have been close, it depends whether you trust the commentator.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Go Ipswich!

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

I am hearing "Ball over the top for Dyer" and "Long ball for Bellamy" far too often for my liking.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Not as good as Blackburn equalizing

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Sky say it's "all Leicester"

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Blackburn 1-1

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Or us scoring.

I think we will be v v lucky to take 1 point never mind 3

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Cmon lads, shut the Leicester supporters up!

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

ANOTHER Long ball.

Play some football man Newcastle

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Hignett for Blackburn, come on

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

GO Blackburn!!

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

It's looking that way, Gus. I think I'd be inclined to take the risk of bringing on Bernard for Elliott..

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Evening all. Doesn't look like I've missed much!(cue goal)

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

This is our chance to top the league! C'mon Lads!!!

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

I'm sure Bernard will come on in the last 15min, but probably for Robert. :-(

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

DEEEEE-FEND!!!!

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Come on Toon, if we can sneak this one and the Manc tw@ts (& Uriah) fail to win!!!

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

You really don't need a commenator to say ' ohhhhhhhh'. erm, hello, aren't you the one that's supposed to be describing the action?

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Afternoon gang - can't stand this.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Robert's in loads of space - Impey closed him down
Savege wins the ball but Dyer get's there first

And he gets paid for this?

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

AS misses with a free header!!

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

ARGH!!!!!!!!!!

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Bloody Hell!!!! I thought Shearer scored...

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Anybody else want to punch this commentator?? Really getting on my nerves!

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

... apparently great cross from Robert that AS should have put away. Bugger.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

I think you have to join the queue Steph

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

CAn we start a Sack the Tosser Commentator campaign? I'd rather have Mick martin on his own, at least he seems to know what he's talking about even if not the most exciting speaker.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Shearer Just wide with free header..

Come on the Toon.

Ps Kegsy Webcast doesn't use commentator do they. I thought they got the first passer by off the street willing to talk?

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Come on Shearer, a penalty, anything...........

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

We AREN'T going to score today, lads n lasses. It's got that feel about it. Sadly, we are looking very much like conceding.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Unfortunately Metro gave taht passer-by a contract!

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

ha ha bob

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Ciara - I normally want to throttle Mick Martin as well. 90mins of him would be every bit as bad

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Trevor Sinclair may or may not have almost scored an og at the end of the first half. I'd take an og at this point! I'd take one going in off the ref's bum at this point!

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Blackburn fans out-singing Manure 'fans' lol ;-)

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

sounds like we've woken up at last

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Good pressure from the boys - CB gets to the by-line but his delivery into the box is poor.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

FK to Leicester in a dangerous position. 5man wall at thee dge of the D. Shot against the wall, cleared by Robert.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

The feeling is starting to change Sounds like we are coming back into it more. Shame Walker went off Flowers is ten times better than him.

Slumberland partly repreve Monkeyhead 1 all

So 2 goals to us in last 15 minutes

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Good shot from Robert - over the bar.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Damian Duff does a CB, one-on-one with Farthez :-(

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

go for the win boys.... 1 point is nowt... pile on that pressure

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Corner to us - (68 mins). Another corner, Robert to take it. Nee good.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

I think we are not really interested today, maybe getting alittle jaded or just plain taking the opposition too lightly.

They have had more chances and seem quicker to the ball and want to win. We have discussed this at length, we need to be so arrogant and blast teams like this 5, 6 and 7 nil

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

you'r eonly 5 mins behind in the secoond half bud :-)

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Agree, gus. Unfortunately this is one lesson we've yet to learn and it's exactly what worries me about the rest of this season.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Are you watching clarky? Or retyping from one of them update sites?

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Gus, Leicester drew with Leeds 2-2. They only got beaten 2-1 at OT. They aren't THAT bad. The players may be jaded or just not on their game but they will be motivated: they want to go top.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Maybe someone should let them know the Manure score, that might motivate them. ;-)

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Dont disagree with me dougal, its still me birthday!

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Kegsy, that was canny from Van the Horse, I must admit.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

apart from us 0-0 and Ipswich 2-0 up at Derby every other game in the Premiership is 1-1

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

howay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! keep this pressure on

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Robert is playing well by the sounds of it, but nobody can get on the end of any of his crosses. COME ONE MAN, there's only 15 minutes left.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Toon Army in good voice. Robert fouls Izzet!!

CB beats two defenders, corner conceded. Speed Header, Robert shoots, blocked. Another corner - c'mon

Corner cleared.

Another corner won by Robert. Mad scramble, Distin miskick - still not in.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Dougal I can see what you mean, however tell me over the last few seasons how many times in games like this have we been beaten or just managed to hang on for a draw.

There is something missing tactically from our team AND management.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Come on gus, it's past midnight in W.A., how was your b'day anyway?

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

We have tpo make this pressure count! HOWAY LADS!!!!!! Come ONNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Bud, see the "Ricketts" thread

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

yeah Bud, that was a slightly decent overhead kick. Thank goodness the paint is a bit thicker at OT

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Gus, I'm personally not interested in the last few seasons. I'm bothered about this one and we are being grossly unfair slagging anyone off for a poor 90 minutes in about ten games.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

As long as this time stamp says 19th Jan its me birthday, RIGHT!

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Why don't we practise corners??? We have so many every game and we never score

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

One for Derby and it'll be all draws this afternoon.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Robert shoots - straight at Flowers with CB and AS open on either side!

Hughes cross, deflected out for corner.

Robert takes - headed away.

Time is slipping away.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Agree with that, Kegsy.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Fucking hate this twatt of a commentator!

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Even from the webcast it sounds like we are well in the ascendancy

Last 5/10 minutes Ho way the lads

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

We never put away anywhere near all the chances we create so it's not that surprising that we should struggle with so little time. Robert sounds like his game deserves a goal.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

gus, you're way behind the times! So I can get slagged for (slightly) criticising SGE but you can do it to wor Bobby?

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Has anyone noticed this commentator appears to be echoing whatever is being said by another reporter nearby? I hear the other guy going faintly in the background, then our idiot echoing his words a second later.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Keane 2-1 Man U.

We have to get something now

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Effing typical Manure, although a little earlier than usual :-(

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

phew!! Akinbiyi over the top

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

In general, we are pretty useless at corners - no one but Speed seems to attack the ball.

FK to the Toon. Solano to take. Flowers saves at the near post.

Breakaway!!!! - Akinbayi misses good chance, knocks it over the bar. Phew.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

@##$%#@!!! CMON LADS!!!!!! ONE goal! Uno!! Eins! Let's GO!!!!!

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Dougal, if eavery year we play we do not win against lower sides, basically because they are grafting and more interested than us in winning the hard balls, don't you think the team and management should do something to stop this?

You should learn from the past so you do not make the same mistakes in the future. We do not have the tactical ability on the park to alter our style to combat what we thought would happen starting at 1500. At HT changes can be made, but if the players are the ones at fault the manager can do nothing. I have not slagged anyone off, just stating the bleeding. Today the players have not been mentally prepared for today or most of them are having an off day. If you are top of the league neither of these are acceptable.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Mark Hughes, useless to$$er deluxe - I reckon he did that on purpose :-(

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Only 4 minutes left +ET - we must be careful not to be hit on the break.

Breakway - Dabz screws it up with Solano wide open on the right.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Gus, exactly how many "lower" teams have we lost against this season? Fulham and West Ham (who have talent in buckets on their day). I'm afraid a side that consistently comes back from a goal behind isn't lacking motivation and since none of us are actually at the game, we can't know how seriously the players took this challenge.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

"ET" in a league game, Mr. Clarke?

;-)

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Pleasssssssssse God-----Just one goal will do

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Besides which, we don't really have the players available today to make a difference (other than Bernard arguably).

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Speed limping. Last minute - that's it.

Not great, but one point is better than nowt.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Come on!!!! ATTACK! sod losing one point ..... BOLLOX!

poxy draw

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Too late God

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

I was not slagging you off Bud, nor YBR.

You said SGE should get a wake up call, why? Does he need one? Only because someone has said he will only pick from the top 4 clubs.

The inability of our team to change during the game, including after HT is well chronicled here.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

BAH! Though I suppose a point is better than none. Still frustrating, though. I'm looking forward to match reports from those at the match to see how we really played.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

I agree, Clarky.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Grim. Still, a point is a point. Could have been worse.

Manure ARE going to win the league though...

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

0-0 Bollox. Bad result especially with Man U winning. A game we had to win and win well to keep the momentum going. Very disappointing.

Good night all

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Two points lost, not (only) one, now we badly need the Scouse to beat Manure on Tuesday.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Liverpool have drawn at home to Southampton. Tottenham have drawn at home to Everton. Boro are drawing at home to Bolton. Sunderland have only drawn at home to Fulham.

Sh*t happens, lads and lasses.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Sh*t may happen, but no matter how you look at it, it still stinks. ;- )

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

There are no easy games in the PL - let's not forget that gang.

John Anderson (Metro) reckons Robert got in quite a few decent crosses in the 2nd half, that we created a few chances and half chances but simply weren't able to take any of them. End of story.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

....actually, it was Mick Martin, not John Anderson on Metro.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

And that has been the bane of our existence all season. This season in particular it may be goal difference that means a difference in winning the title, getting into the CL or any Euro comp, etc. We have to work on finishing our chances.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Spurs too. Yes they are all good teams on their day, however they all have their day against us. It cannot and is not a coincidence, we do not play well against teams that close us down quickly.

Manure and pool and Arse do not have that problem, (usually) that is why it is big headlines when one of them is beaten by a lower side. When it happens to us people tend to say, well they always had a chance against Newcastle. We are technically and tactically less developed than these teams. That is why I think YBR reckons we will not win the league. The size of the squad will not matter if you cannot compete tactically and technically with all the teams in the league, not just the ones that give you some space etc.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Well goodnight all, only another 364 more days to my birthday!!

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Come on man, it wasn't that bad, a point is better than none in every case, and we kept a clean sheet.

On the up side, nearly everyone else drew. Let's face it, Man Utd will walk the title so their result is irrelevant really. Liverpool drawing is a bigger surprise than our result. Spurs should be different as they will try to play football at home and attack which is what suits us.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

ciara - just out of interest, only one team has scored more goals than the Toon (ManU), and only two have a better 'goal difference' (ManU and Arsenal).

Let's keep a sense of perspective.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Gus I can't believe that you think Newcastle are 'technically and tactically niave'!!!!!!! This is a team who is second in the league and has won games against the odds. This is not the sign of a team who is tactically and/or technically niave.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

You fickle lot! :)

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Perspective...if we were putting away the chances we're creating, we'd probably be above them. As I said, goal difference may well be a factor this season. We're doing well, but we can do better and need to do better.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

I'm a bit sad about some comments here, Paul. Christ, we get a draw away from home against a side that HAD to get three points and you'd think we'd lost to bleeding Seaham Redstar.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

ciara - every team creates chances, and misses most of them. That is football.

The facts are that we have scored more than anyone bar ManU - and believe me that is not bad going.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

So far. But my point is that we may rue these missed opportunities at the end of the season when it may make the difference between getting into Europe or not. It's games such as today where we have to gain as many points/goals as we can if we're serious about being up among the top of the league.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

The only place where I'd wish we'd make real improvements is in the execution of corners: we apparently have had loads more than any other team and almost never score from them. This needs work, but I don't see how we can do anything about missing chances in open play, other than continuining to work on finishing in training.

-- Anonymous, January 20, 2002

Lynda, why is it so hard to believe? On one of the other threads someone has pointed out that ok it is not the end of the world and luck was against us. They go on to highlight our luck so far. (Sorry for forgetting whoever it was). Offside at Bolton, deflection at manure etc.

I am not a pessimist. I am just pointing out where we are week. Hands up all of those not embarassed at our performance at spurs ala 3-5-2.

We were tactically great that match were we not? OK it was only one match, however when we had to change tactics during any game we have been sadly lacking. The comebacks from behind and the other wins did not involve changing what we were doing, rather than modifying our approach. Breaking down 8 man defences etc. We lack the tactical changes required. How long did we play without anyone on the left of midfield? It was so long it is still hard for some of the current players to pass to the left now!

Regarding the technical side, our passing is not great, our most succesful passes are either square or back. Any team that will run and close down players will give us difficulty. Charlton, Leicester, Derby, Southampton and the makems.

Arsenal and manure do not usually have the same trouble, because their players are technically better than ours. Their problems appear to be more mental than anything else.

I was only trying to bring things into perspective. I think these two things are why we will not win the league. Until we get 2 or 3 more players of a better standard we will struggle to maintain our position. Sorry to upset so many people.

-- Anonymous, January 20, 2002

Don't fret! It's an age thing Gus :>)

-- Anonymous, January 20, 2002

Gus, I think you have to distinguish between games where we don't break down the opposition and games where we don't score. I can think of only one game where we haven't broken down the opposition at all and that was Liverpool at home. We created enough chances yesterday to win but didn't put the chances away. Those days happen in football. Arsenal and Manchester United are technically better than us but Arsenal actually only managed to put away one of the myriad chances they had against us. That isn't us being lucky: football is about putting chances away on any given day.

However, what I was really saying was that not a single person on here had been at the match, but from the detail of the observations about our ability to break down the opposition/defend etc and the generalisations about our technical ability, you'd think we were all sitting in the dug-out (and I include myself in that, BTW).

-- Anonymous, January 20, 2002

Must be Metro's commentary. Even better than being there. ;-))

-- Anonymous, January 20, 2002