Only 22 hours 16 minutes and 44 seconds to go!

-- Anonymous, February 23, 2002

Answers

22 hours 16 minutes and 24 seconds to go!

-- Anonymous, February 23, 2002

21 hours 39 minutes and 32 seconds to go!

-- Anonymous, February 23, 2002

Do you have to put it like that? I'm going to have to buy some incontinence pants at this rate.

-- Anonymous, February 23, 2002

calm down, calm down, calm down, on second thoughts if ya want to get excited `Awa ye Go`, TOON Toon,Toon,they can`t take that away from me oh no, they can`t repeat

-- Anonymous, February 23, 2002

If it helps us win I'm sure you wouldn't mind

-- Anonymous, February 23, 2002

Let's start the pre match drinking now...

-- Anonymous, February 23, 2002

21 hours 33 minutes and 51 seconds to go!

-- Anonymous, February 23, 2002

I'd sell my soul to Jamie Oliver to win tomorrow....

-- Anonymous, February 23, 2002

Just checked the markets, Nissan are doon 3pts on the Nicky Dow, is that the an omen ? BTW if you did not know already but the pre-match entertainment tommorrow will be a line dancing display by the Sunlun Smack Theatre Company

-- Anonymous, February 23, 2002

and furthermore local celeb `The Tantric Farter`, sorry Metric Martyr will be introduced to the crowd at half time, "Monkey nuts tanna a bag," or for the benifit of the dim Geordies, "Groundnuts,2.5p for 100gramm

-- Anonymous, February 23, 2002

Dougal , stop stressing yersel oot gal, its only a game after all, what you need is a swallee of PBH??? and its `UP UP UP ` after that, according to my Irish trainer that is!, what is it he is advertising anyhow, great till he descibes the product.

-- Anonymous, February 23, 2002

Zoom Zoom Zoom - Follow the Toon.

-- Anonymous, February 23, 2002

re-write, should be Zoom Zoom Zoom - Toon Toon Toon

simple topical, a chant for tomorrow - royalties please and donation

if any to authors fav charity, "RSPB Support the Magpies Fund"

-- Anonymous, February 23, 2002

Buff what are you on?? Can I have some please?!

-- Anonymous, February 23, 2002

Most of the stuff I've seen posted around the internet is from very confident Makems who reckon we're in for a stuffing (!) Hmmmmmmmmm. Alot of hot air blowing around in Wearside.

-- Anonymous, February 23, 2002

Steph, how ya doin pet, just the water of life, tomorrow I will up the ante, (shh cos she dont know yet!)

-- Anonymous, February 23, 2002

OK game plan, we have been awarded more corners apart from Man U, Distin/Dabs/Brian/Speed/Al will confirm my theory that Jocky Bjorkland and to a lesser extent Moby Haddock have not got the dominant ariel to deal with quality crosses into the box. Do not sit on de-fence

-- Anonymous, February 23, 2002

Got to agree Buff. For this game above all others we must play to our strengths, and not change our style to accomodate theirs.

Be confident, go for their throat, and bury them in wave after wave of attacks.

-- Anonymous, February 23, 2002

Spot on Clarky, but I bet we have predictable long balls to whoever from Elliott. Although this might actually work against Sunderland with Bellamy.

-- Anonymous, February 23, 2002

I think Bobby knows that we need to play to ourstrengths now, take the Spurs game as an example, where it appeared that he lulled them into a false sense of security, making it easier for us to attack them.

-- Anonymous, February 23, 2002

It's 22 years since we lost on weird side. I can't see that changing in the forseeable future. Slumberland are in the worst state they have been in for several seasons while we are in the best for years.

Maybe not a foregone conclusion but my money is on 3 points to the Toon.

-- Anonymous, February 23, 2002

Bliddy Hell Buff. Isn't "up the Aunty" against the law? Or are things different t'other side of the border??

-- Anonymous, February 23, 2002

But I agree with you. We must play to our strengths and let them worry about us. Hit them with pace and command in the air. Mind, they might turn nasty and start niggling and kicking, hoping to get us a card or two. If ever wor lot will have to mind their tempers, it's the morra.

Still, we're gonna get yet another double for the season.

-- Anonymous, February 23, 2002

I'll get in my HOWAY THE LADS now as I'll have to stay off the computer until after the tape-delayed broadcast here tomorrow morning. Here's to hoping it's worth the wait!! And now back to watching watching the Olympics. :-)

-- Anonymous, February 23, 2002

It's about 8.45 am. Been awake for ages. Something happening today?

(This match thread is going to be long)

Once more into the breach me bonny lads!.............

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

Aye - it's Mackem Day at last. Final preparations being made. The Stealth Astra © is fuelled up and Screach is in the process of being fuelled. We all need to be fully prepared for the battle ahead.

Off to SJP to meet up with sundry other BBSers, including stalwarts Clarky and Pit Bill (no, I said stalwarts not Hogwarts) where we will all swear our allegiance to Bobby before joing the rest of the Toon Army, setting off like Christians into the land of the unwashed to teach them the ways of attacking, entertaining football. Football that only European travellers can play.

It's gonna be a long day, but one I fully expect to end with another three points towards our ultimate goal. Howay me Bonnie Lads!!

PS. Only 4 hours to go, Paul :@)

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

"Onwards, onwards rode the 4,000. Into the valley of the shadow of death.....".

Final preparations being made before the Stealth Astra picks me up for the start of the journey to La Stade de Merde - actually my first visit to that most awful of places.

I've oiled and donned the chain-mail, honed the vocal chords, and am by now mentally attuned to the upcoming battle - I only hope our heroes are similarly prepared.

Go to go - the battle lays ahead. The Toon Army will not be found wanting - Howay you bonny Lads!! Talk to you later.

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

Just got a text from Screach - they have set off. Can we have a moment of quiet prayer and contemplation for the bravery of these lion-hearted footsoldiers?

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

Morning all!

Just got a very over excited phone call from my Mum, from the Gosforth Park Hotel - where she has just seen Bobby and the lads! Bobby reassured her that he is 'going to do his very best for us today'!!! She managed to wish them all the best of luck!

Oh God, I'm sooo nervous about this one - HOWAY THE LADS!!!!!!!!!

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

52 minutes to go!

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

Woo hoo, Yelli! Hope it brings us some luck.

EEEEEEEEEKKKKKKKKKKKK! I feel sick. Me mam is cooking a pork joint and I would rather have pins put through my eyes than eat it. It's about -15 in Consett and a brave lad has just walked past with his Toon top on.

Screach texted again: the bar at the SOL hasn't opened yet!

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

I'm off to "The Snug" in Waterloo (south of Brussels) to watch it on Sky. Let's hope the spirit of Wellington and Blucher is with us as we go into battle and that our Napoleonic turncoats Distin, Robert and Bernard do their duty for England, St George and the Toon.

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

Of course being 'doon sooth' all the talk is of Hoddle and how the Worthington Cup victory is only just a platform for bigger things.

Infact the many spurs fans around here sem to have forgotten that the game has not been played yet as they are already confident that they are the new Liverpool

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

Evening all from a warm West Australia. 8-30 pm and 30c so the beer is on ice. Just rang me mate in Heaton and he tells me most of the Mackems at his work have taken Monday off! Wish I felt as confident. Games on live but will still be around for the webcast. Anyone not got live coverage??

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

Team News -

given/distin/Obrien/Dabs/Hughes

Solano/Speed/JENAS/Robert

Shearer/ Bellamy

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

yeah, we've got it on delay here in the US. i was planning to not check the result and then watch as if it was live, but i'm far too nervous for that...

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

nice-- i'm glad to see jenas in there instead of mcclen. here's hoping he has a stormer.

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

Jenas?

Oh dear. I'm not too sure that it's fair on the boy.

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

Bobby on SKY claims absolute faith in the lad

Come on JJ

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

Talk about a baptism of fire. All the luck for the lad. Go on JJ!

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

I felt no nerves until about 5 secs ago. Just coming on the telly and I'm shitting bricks. Suddenly I don't feel jety lagged any more.

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

so are you all actually going to be here during the match or will you be in front of the telly, leaving those of us without a live broadcast in the dark? (:

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

I'll do my best to keep you informed but can't promise anything

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

OH GOD, I'M SO NERVOUS!!!!!!

HOWAY THE LADS!!!!!!

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

Ref speaking to Bellamy before the game. Hopefully won't need to do that again.

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

thanks, kegsy. is there a (working) webcast today?

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

Bellamy almost put Distin through but the keeper came out and covered. mackems had a corner in the first minute.

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

sounds like we've had the majority of posession so far.

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

10 mins gone. We're slightly on top but no real chances for either side. We are passing the ball in well and they are getting stuck in.

Sunderland had a chance then but O'Brien cleared

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

oh god that sounded scary. get it OUT!

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

Phillips missed a sitter from 6 yards. Put it about 10 yards over

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

is jenas holding his own thus far?

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

Yeah he's doing alright. Sunderland are having a go at Bellamy trying to get him to lose his rag

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

Bellamy 1-0

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

Bastards. off side. AAAARRRHGGGGGHHH

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

hell.

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

It started with a great ball from JJ down the line to Hughes. He does seem very skillfull.

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

McAteer booked

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

wasn't mcateer a blackburn player? when did he go to sunderland? or am i remembering totally wrong?

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

you're right. He moved in October or thereabouts

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

About four months ago.

Bollox re the offside. SHIT. Anyone know whether it was offside?

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

it was Bellamy, was about a yard off. It was agreat move though

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

the webcast guys apparently don't have a tv (?!) but they said the flag was up really early.

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

Bellamy just over with a lob.

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

F...K ME, THIS IS SCARY.

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

Bollox. My nerves, which had just subsided, have come back..

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

Shearer just let the mackem fans and the keeper know that he's playing. A nice little unneccesary nudge. Got to love that man

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

solano held in the box? webcast says bobby is livid...

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

It was outside the box. But my first impressions were it was a foul, I was waiting for a replay before I commented and still am....

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

is jenas as involved as the webcast makes him sound?

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

thank you, shay. god i hate kevin phillips.

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

Great save by Given from Phillips. He got through 3 of our defenders. Come on lads, sort it oot.

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

Afternoon all

Definately the better side although Philips just had a great effort brilliantly saved by Given.

Don't agree with you Kegsy about Bellamy---when the ball was played he was level, Good goal ruled off by a wrong decision

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

Sky text feed says it was a poor decision...

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

Shay is a God..........

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

H-T 0-0. I'll watch that disallowed goal again and let you know.

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

kegsy, what happened with bellamy's booking?

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

H got penalized for a foul and gobbed off about it - for a change.

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

Half time

Another great save from Given when Kilban (He is crap)actually had a good shot on target.

Motor mouth managed to get himself booked which is really dissappointing as he is having an excellent game.

Robert pretty quiet

It all bodes well for the second half

HOWAY THE TOON

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

Does this mean he's suspended, the stupid little get. Also, has Robert done anything yet?

Strangely, the longer this gose goalless, the worse I feel. Dunno why? Got a feeling that if the scoreline is 1-0, it won;t be us on the winning side.

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

Good morning from Kansas City, USA!

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

hey ken-- i'm over in balmy st louis, listening to the webcast and waiting for the game on pay per view...

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

Have you seen the replay yet Kegsy?

He was definately behind the ball which constitutes on side.

Bellamys booking quoted as being for "taking an aggressive stance"

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

I've watched the offside a number of times ad he probably was level with Hughes when the ball was played but both were half a yard a head of the defenders amking it look clearly offside. It was tight and I've seen worse given

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

Yoooooooooooooooo Hoooooooooooooooo

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

They are up for it we are losing all the 50/50 balls.

Bellamy is being kicked all over the park by Kilbane and others, before he was booked, he won the ball, raced away he was grabbed by the arm by one player, 2 others tried to trip him and lost the ball to a 4th. When a foul was given against him he accused the defender of diving and got booked.

This referree is alowing the game to go with advantage but he is not going back and cautioning for the foul.

This is what causes the frustration. Bellamy should know better but this time I for one cannot blame him!

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

Gotta go game back on!

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

Our man at the ground says that it has been dead scrappy but he was also optimistic about the 2nd half.

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

Brilliant save by the mackem keeper from Dabizas.

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

Dabizas shot kicked off the line by Sorenson

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

Dabizas hit the angle from a corner. Come on

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

Dabizas hits the bar

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

Aapprently the Macs are well on top here. Where has our defence gone?

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

Get i Dabizas

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

Nah Dougal

Mbomba who replaced Quinn has definately improved Slumberland (just booked for diving in on Hughes) but

Dabizas at last

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

DABS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

He deserved it amd so do we. I'll take the f-t whistle now

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

Me too.

I hope we manage to concentrate for a little while now..

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

I'm actually more nervous now than at any other point in the game.

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

Sorry Dougal

slight distraction there 1 - 0

I was about to say that although Sunderland have had a couple of opportunities they are definately second best.

Goals that count though Now we can go on to help the goal difference

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

Newcastle are rampant now - according to the commentator

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

I've just been sick. Me mam's going mental. Just don't concede, lads! 1-0 is no margin for error!

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

Given is Brilliant

Great shot from Philips superbly turned away by Shay

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

Given has jusyt pulled off a cracing save from the munchkin. We need a second and as I've said before we desperately need someone to sit on the ball.

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

According to Sky, Mboma is playing a blinder.

Holy Mary, Mother of God.

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

Maybe it's time for Bobby to bring on subs just to slow the game down.

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

COME ON LADS! we need another.

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

This is TERRIFYING.

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

how much more time???

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

Robert coming off - Ameobi coming on. Strange.....

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

Game carries on around a streaker.

Shola coming on for Robert

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

30 secs plus stoppages - I reckon 2 mins

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

3 mins

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

2 mins stoppage time left

Toon army sounding good

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

Full time - wahey.

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

BLOW THE WHISTLE!!

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

You can relax now Dougal.

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

We are 2nd

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

ahhh. thank you, shay.

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

Phew. We always win 1-0. Well, in fact we almost never win 1-0. So who's going out to print a 1-0 tee shirt? No one? Thought so.

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

thanks for keeping us up to date, kegsy.

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002