Well, of course I couldn't resist it, despite my pessimism :-(

We've the game on live here on Singaporean TV, so I'll be posting and I'm officially checking in now 8.20pm. local (S'pore) time.

How about some optimism, this is getting like Hereford United v. Newcastle United, and who won ;-)

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Answers

Any Positive postings?

Come on we have a chance!!!

Betting people? I can even give you the score before the game kicks off.

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Looking back in a few years is it going to be? : "we had a much better than expected year - reaching the 1/4 finals of the FA Cup & 6th in the league which meant a vital place in Europe, thanks to Arsenal winning the FA Cup", or could it be? "what a great year - the first domestic trophy for 47 years - and 2nd in the League to boot"

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Well, I'm still waiting for a reply, but if the weather in Newcastle is anything like the weather in Consett, there WILL be a postponement. Hasn't stopped snowing for about three hours.

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Ah yes - the year we won the double - starting our dominance of European football which is still with us today. It looked all over after we'd lost at Liverpool but the lads played out of their skins for the rest of the season - it was unbelievable.

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Snow? It's almost sub-tropical up here inPOwburn. Hmm - just right for a trip to the Mid-est if it is snowing. Keep us posted Dougs.

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Jonno, I take it you know I've got your ticket> Assuming the roads are open, I'll see you in the pub.

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

It all points to a Toon win.

McClen's 100% win record for the first team

My brother's mate's unbeaten Newcastle record as a supporter at SJP

I've got my lucky trousers on.

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

No team pick comp; however, I really believe we have to do something different to have a chance today - I have a very negative feeling about playing a m/f of Robert, Acuna, McClen and Nobs with CC/AS up front. I'd play the following:

Given

Hughes.....O'Brien.....Dabz....Distin

Elliott

Solano....Acuna....Bernard

AS....Robert

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

I like the idea of Elliott in midfield, local lad, knows what it would mean to win. Have a shout at Robert now and then. By the way, no-one even thought of getting Bassedas back from Tenerife did they to solve the midfield crisis?

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Nol was on Football focus blowing his own trumpet. Played "Yesterday". Hope it wasn't an unfortunate prevision of what could happen ".. all my troubles seemed so far away, now it seems as if they're here to stay". I've never heard him interviewed before, and he came across very well. Bobby was on too, and apparently Nobby phones him up now and then and plays the trumpet down the phone to him, no talking, just a little tune. The pitch behind Mark Lawrenson live looked OK - no sign of snow, but it's raining hard.

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Well Ben is shattered from going to Liverpool and hasn't been able to make it down for the game, so there will be two empty seats. If we win I won't be able to agree to this being a precedent for future games, if we lose it will be because we weren't there

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Great article in today's Torygraph (a tear-jerker for us expats), excuse my non-existent html:

http://www.sport.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2002/03/0 8/sfnnew09.xml&sSheet=/sport/2002/03/09/ixsport.html

"Geordie Nation on March" - that's not you YBR mentions, is it Ciara?

Bollox to MY pessimism, HOWAY ME BONNY LADS!!! :-)

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

I thoroughly enjoyed that article over breakfast this morning Bud - it was great!

OK - we CAN do this!!!! We have pulled out some stunning performances when it was thought we had not a chance - so with a hearty HOWAY THE LADS, I shall finish my chores, open a bottle of Brouilly - go through my pre-match rituals, and settle down for what I hope will be a fantastic game.(:o)

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Blackburn have beaten Wham 7-1, could be the end of Roeder (can we have Dicannylad please?)!

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Which year was that then, Bud? Only League game I can find today is Leicester and Charlton drawing 1-1.

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Good question Barry, now where did I get that from - I think it was November last year, can't be sure?

Glad somebody's awake on here today, where is everybody?

;-)

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Bud I suppose everyone's either at the match or they're going to watch the BBC. With it being the FA Cup, Metro won't be webcasting it.

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Bud, I'd be very grateful for any commentary you can provide. Once the Charlton webcast cuts off, I'll be without anything until after our match ends. No telly, no webcast....aaaaaaaggggghhhhhh!!!

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Anyone know if there are any other matches on at the same time as us? Scottish league? 1st, 2nd division in England? In other words...someoen not blacked out by the FA who might be giving score updates? ;-)

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Sporting Life Live will have live updates, and BBC 5 live, and official Arsenal website, and Reidy to Go too, if things go their way.

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Richard Wright 24 Sol Campbell 23 Lee Dixon 2 Gilles Grimandi 18 Igors Stepanovs Edu Bisan Lauren Fredrik Ljungberg Patrick Vieira Nwankwo Kanu Sylvain Wiltord

Pires & Bergkamp on the bench.... come on... we could beat them.....

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Teams just been put on Sporting Life Live
It's the Arsenal 2nd team, but look at the first three sitting on their bench :
Newcastle v Arsenal Newcastle: Given, Hughes, Dabizas, O'Brien, Distin, Solano, Acuna, McClen, Robert, Cort, Shearer. Subs: Elliott, Harper, Lua-Lua, Ameobi, Bernard. Arsenal: Wright, Dixon, Campbell, Stepanovs, Lauren, Ljungberg, Vieira, Grimandi, Edu, Kanu, Wiltord. Subs: Seaman, Pires, Bergkamp, Tavlaridis, Kolo Toure. Referee: M Halsey (Welwyn Garden City)

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

JOnathan Pearce was having a cow about Pires and Bergkamp being on the bench. He was phoning in team updates during the Charlton webcast. They were carrying on like it was the worst thing Arsenal could do, they weren't taking the game seriously, whinge whinge moan whinge. They need to get a grip!

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

If you want to hear a biased webcast it seems that despite what was an FA ban on webcasts, Arsenal are doing a subscription one at http://www.arsenal.com/membership/unaccessibleworld.jsp

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

BBC has just shown Ronnie Radford again in the starting titles. See you later.

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

I hope 5 Live remains online during the match. They usually black out webcasts when there's a match on. I'm hoping sports.com has text updates. Sporting Life's updates crash my computer. I'm resigned to 2 hrs of massive stress! I've even considered putting in my tape of the Leeds match and pretending. ;-)

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

As expected 5 Live is off, and there's no Arse webcast....which they helpfully tell you after you register at their site. :-PPPP

Maybe i'll go attempt to get World Service on my radio. Rarely have much luck, but it beats chewing on my nails for 2 hours. ;-)

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

COME ON LADS!!!!!!!!!!!!! FINGERS CROSSED (:O)

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Hi Ciara, yeah it's finally started.

A**hole commentator, "Newcastle have only ever won this competetition ONCE before, way back in...." :-(

Canny pressure from us on the left (Robert & Distin), misunderstanding by Dabs and Cort....:-(

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

sports.com say we're doing alright so far. Robert tackling and playing well with Acuna.

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Dougal, what ya doin in CONSETT? Thats me home town. Do you live there? David.

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Shearer, magic free kick (won by Robert) just tipped over, then a wild shot from...............Robert.

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

oooo......Cmon lads!! Get us a goal!!!

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

David & Dougal,

Another kid from Consett - in Kansas City at this moment.

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Good play from Robert, 'goal' by Cort (offside Shearer) $h!t :-(

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

1-0 ARSE!!!!!!!!! :-(

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

B****KS!

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Just popped back to let you know we're doing great. Ball in the Arsenal half all the time. Shearer free kick on edge of pen area well saved by Wright. Good dribble by Robert forced Dixon to foul him. But now Arsenal are in our pen area. And it's a goal. Arsenal leading Edu. First attack they had.

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Robert just hit the post!!!!!!!!!!!

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Robert just hit crossbar.

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Cmon, LOLO!!!

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

And anpother fantastic long-range shot by Robert bounced off Wright and away

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Ahhhh.....gotta love RTE Radio 1. Just gave a live update from SJP. :-) Nice to hear a bit of the atmosphere.

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

$u@k, headed off the line from Robert's corner :-(

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Fantastic crowd noise. Corner great by Robert, Shearer I think header but blocked on line. We're really going at them

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Keep it going, lads!!!

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

we need a goal from this pressure, dammit.

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Ken, ya not the chap I met in ohio last year are ya? When the toon came over and you came down from Canada? Its a small world when ya bump into people from Consett of all places. Howay the lads!!!!

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Aahron Hughes booked now :-(

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

David,

Yes it's the same Ken, working for a month just outside of Kansas City, it's freezing here today.

Cheers

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Cool! I met you as well in Ohio. :-) How's your son? Any luck with his football?

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Oh and, I mean this in the nicest way Ken....get yerself on a plane going somewhere NOW...the Toon needs you! ;-)))

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

We're pressuring them again. Solano on left, robert on right - they've switched. With a bit of luck we can get back and win. Robert did a pretty rough tackle on Dixon before, to loud cheers.

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

70% of possession, lousy free kick from Robert, 2 mins. later, lousy cross from.....Robert.

Carl Cort close with a header.

Come on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

From BBC: Foul by Gilles Grimandi (Arsenal) on Alan Shearer (Newcastle). Free kick crossed left-footed by Laurent Robert (Newcastle) from left channel, clearance by Unknown Player (Arsenal).

Who is this chap? Is this a ploy by Arsene to play an extra man??!! ;-)

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Dabs, great header, inches wide (from Robert's cross!).

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Robert free kick wondeful delivery to Dabizas power header low and left just scraped past post

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Ciara & David,

Yes, we seemed to have some luck when I was fly from place to place - no chance today - I getting well paid for working right now :)

My son David is still playing football in Canada & hoping to get a scholership next year!

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Tough and successful tackling by Acuna right throughout the game. Doing really well. Solano break down right (switched back) good centre, headed off line again. We can't do much better without scoring

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Seems like I've read this before. Oh yeah, I have. Last week.

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Dixon yellow for tackling Robert. A few more close encounters like that and it could be 2 yellows for Dixon. 3 corners in a row. One must go in soon

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

We must have had 12 corners (3 in a row just now) and umpteen free kicks, they've had one chance...deja vu :-(

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Any chance Arse will tire out or give up? I'll just sit here counting these straws, will I?

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

bloody hell. this is so irritating. we've got to score another goal at some point this season- why can't it be today?

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Ciara, clutch them don't count them!

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Well I gotta do something with them. I'm too nervous to sit here just clutching them! ;-)

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

is anyone still watching the game? what's happening?

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Sky website is just way too slow with its text update, this is doing my nut in!!!

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

H-T (0-1), a much better performance today (so far). If we keep this up surely we can score - must always be aware of Ar$e on the break, of course.

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Hiya peeps! Fantastic pressure from us in the first half - defensive error let the goal in for Arsenal. More of the same (minus the defensive error) in the second half please. I`m really proud of our boys tonight - they are totally going for it! (:o)

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

David, try sports.com. They seem to be updating fastest. Usually they're blatantly biased against us, but so far today haven't been too bad.

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Thanks, Bud! Fingers (and everything else!) crossed we'll get some goals in the second half

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

I am following the BBC teletext- which,if accurate, gives us all the possession and them the goal. But Arsenal have always been ale to soak up pressure and it seems that today is no exception -- AS YET, hopefully. I couln'nt bring myself to undertake the 150 mile round trip to Ft Lauderdale -- but, Like Ciara, I seem to have an even greater feeling of helplessness than when I am watching on TV.

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Gal's right, it was a poor goal to concede, Wiltord skinned Distin, got a low cross in and Edu beat Dabs to the ball to poke it past Given at the near post - not dissimilar to Murphy's first for L'pool on Wed. :-(

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

This feels like a cup final - I so want us to beat Arsenal. Stats BTW give us 67 percent of the possesion. It will be hard to keep that pressure up in the second half AND be ready for their lightening breaks. But we look as thought we are up for it, and I`m sure Bobby will keep them fired up while they have their half oranges! (;o)

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Second half just about to start - HOWAY THE LADS!!!!!!!!!!! JUST DOOOOOOOOOOOOOO 000000000 000000000 IT!!!!! (:O)

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Supermac's just been on and thinks we're going to get back into it. And even Lawrenson and Alan Hansen are supporting us; If we can keep going, but they think we're going to tire... They think Arsenal have been poor, but took their one chance. Though actually Vieira had an even better break away chance but then he was swallowed up by FOUR of our players. We're certainly playing our hearts out and socks off.

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

ROBERT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

YEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!! WE`VE SCORED!!!!

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

...with his right foot, great lay off by Big Al!!!!!!!!!!!

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Robert 1-1 Right foot hammer shot from Shearer flick on

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

YEEEEESSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Can this be our day? Another corner. Whatever happens, we've shown the whole of UK that we're as good a team as Arsenal on our good days (like today). Even Lawrenson admitted it at half time. Let's go for it

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Whatever brand of rocket Bobby put up Robert's @rse, I hope he's bought plenty of them! :-D This off sports.com text update:
Robert is leading their charge and Arsenal are struggling to cope

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

As for Shearer and Robert not celebrating each other's goals, I just saw them give each other a big hug (on the big screen)!

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Sounds like a classic case of whichever teams wants this more. Sounds like it may well be us today! HOWAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Oh-Oh hear come Pires

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Pires & Bergkamp on :-(

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

oh-oh here come Bergkamp

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

F***********************k! Cmon lads we can do this!!!!!

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Carl Cort open goal, just needed to touch it :-( Great move, involving Robert & Ditin.

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Another chance for Cort, right in front of the goal, he's being subbed by Shola.

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Cort missed a tricky chance after great break down left by Robert/Distin. Camped in Arsenal half. Shola on Cort off

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Cmon Shola! Get us a goal-a!!

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Improbably, McClen and Acuna are winning the battle against Vieira. A great performance

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Shola, way too slow off the mark, twice :-(

Disgusting dive by an Ar$e player, frre kick, no worries :-(

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Good to hear about McClen. He was by far my biggest worry in today's match.

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

yeah, mcclen makes me VERY nervous-- glad he's been good so far.

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

How much time is left? I can't take this!! We've GOT to score again!

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Unbelievable, Wright picked up the ball outside the area, not penalised :-(

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

3 mins. + whatever left...

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

sports.com say it was flagged offside, but the ref waved play on. So in that case, shouldn't Wright have been sent off?? Arrrgh!

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Dixon booked now, Ar$e old boys' trick.

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Wasn't Dixon booked earlier?

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Pires booked too!

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

jesus we've had 15 goal attempts to their 6. COME ON LADS!!!

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

the arse are sounding almost desperate-- handballs and fouls in frantic extra time...

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Cheating barstewards!

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

All over 1-1

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Well the good news for us if this goes to a replay is that we always win in London. :-)

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Well done Bobby Robson, you can be proud of your team tonight (I am), we had so much of the game but it's goals that count.

An extra game for us and an extra game for the Ar$e, I suppose Manure and the Scousers like that.

We can beat them at Highbury, we ain't got no London problem ;-)

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

i AM SO PROUD OF OUR BOYS TONIGHT! WE ARE THE ENTERTAINERS AGAIN!!!! FANTASTIC GAME - MAN OF THE MATCH FOR ME (AND I STAND TO BE CORRECTED) WAS LITTLE CLARENCE - HE JUST NEVER STOPPED TRYING! ALSO, ALL HAIL OUR WONDERFUL KEEPER!!!!! right - I`m off to open the second bottle of Bruilly to celebrate!!!! I LOVE MY TEAM!!! (:O)

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Theres lots of good news here - McClen and Acuna for a start were mint for a change. Shame about Cort, need a striker with a bit of pace and instinct - bit of a mare really. Aside from the goal and a bit of panic in the first half the defence was good, Robert actually tried, Nobby drifted in and out a bit and Shearer was Shearer.

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Any idea on the date of the replay??? Hopefully, we may have Dyer & Bellamy back on time.... should we??

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

I thought I heard them say the 23rd - (great, I`m having kittens that day - literally!). First litter of British Shorthairs due on the 23rd - no prizes for guessing who I will be naming them after!(:o)

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Good news... Henry will still be out if the replay take on the 23rd.

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

sweet. no henry is a blessing and half. exepecting bellamy back by that time is asking a bit much though, isn't it?

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Replay is on a Saturday. Just can't remember if it's next week or the one after.

Glad to hear we did so well. Arse didn't want to have a replay so we've potentially got the edge there. Better still we may have Dyer and/or Bellamy back by then! The future is bright...

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

Do you know, I am exhausted. That really did feel like a cup final. I really, really didn`t want to be knocked out by Arsenal. It will still be tough, but boy is public opinion with us. Even wor Gary on the tele was talking about `we` should have won. Pete went down the pub to watch it, cos it can`t cope with the stress levels at home when we are playing, and he said that the pub was packed and totally behind United. (:o)

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

The lads have gone crazy tonite... they have given their 300%... what I mean is all the 11 players... You can't believe Robert headed insides our own box and then run straight for another assist... What a brilliant team performance. I would rather take Acuna as the defensive midfiled even though Speed is available again...

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

thanx one an all for the breathless commentary ..... sooo pleased we played well, an exciting game

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002

The game's on Sat 23rd, just two Saturdays away. I think this means that Henry will still be on his 3 match ban, HA HA. And that Dyer and maybe Bellamy and maybe Speed will be back. But will they get a game? Probably if fit. But everyone was good tonight. Acuna a real thorn in the side of anyone he got near. He got just about all his tackles in. And he wasn't the only one - McClen had his best game. Robert made a saving header in our own pen area and got in a couple of dirty tackles on Dixon, who didn't like it all. In fact I thought Dix had been booked in the first half for getting fed up with Robert, but he must have been just given a long telling off, as I thought his card in the 2nd half was going to make it a red. All the defenders got in some crucial tackles. Only slight disappointment was Cort who looked a bit out of touch and slow to react - Shola looked better when he came on. Great performance and a good launch pad for the rest of the season. We proved to the country at large that we deserve to be where we are - we are a worthy member of the Top 4.

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2002