Tales from the Toon. The ups and downs of an NUFC supporter....

[mondatoo]

I'd be happy to have Carroll back.

[pleno1]

i really like him too, but he wouldn't fit in the current shape and Ben Arfa definitely isn't suitable for 4-4-2.

But having good depth and options is good.

[Cf]

I wouldn't say the current Chelsea team looks better than Liverpool/Spurs.

We accelerated 5 transfers this transfer window that Ashley would never have done previously. But it will hopefulyl pay off. We really need a $10m striker in Summer though.

The good thing though is that although we got 5 players in we didn't pay silly money for them. If Sissoko carries on the way he's started he'll be worth more than the combined fees before long!

[buzzharvey22]

no cisse in that line up paddy?

[Cf]

no cisse in that line up paddy?

Not based on this season's form...

Although his link up play with Sissoko has seemed good. He needs to remember how to put the ball in the back of the net though.

[mondatoo]

Great result obv.

Chance of a sweat hopefully with us being at home for the 2nd leg of the next round, gettttttttt.

[pleno1]

whens the draw?

[Cf]

A two-legged tie against Russian club Anzi Makhachkala awaits after they drew 1-1 in Germany, prevailing 4-2 on aggregate.

We are scheduled to play in Russia Thursday March 7th and then back at SJP on Thursday March 14th.

[Cf]

Horrific challenge in todays game. Seeing as the ref "didn't see it" in the game means the FA can take action?

[kinboshi]

Should have been a red, and the FA taking action won't help Newcastle. Was handball in the build up to Wigan's winner as well. Certainly didn't get the rub of the green today.

[mondatoo]

So I read Dave Whelan saying it's not reckless, yeah ok blah blah talk complete bullshit to back your own players, absolute waste of time talking about football with these jokers.

But, then I watch his interview:

"I hope he's fit to play next week"

Is that some sort of sick joke ?

Also, taking from NUFC.com

"I am not going to criticise Norman Deeley - these things happen in football. He came over the ball, but he didn't do it with the aim of breaking my leg."

That'll be the same Dave Whelan who told the Lancashire Telegraph in May 2010 that:

"Norman Deeley came right over the ball. Today he would have been sent off and banned for a long time. He came six inches over the ball, he came for me not the ball."

Whilst it would put a lot of people in the press out of business, I wish they'd just do away with all these post match interviews as it's just a complete waste of time, massively insulting, and just adds to the lack of any kind of integrity in football.

[Cf]

WTF FA?

I'm pretty sure the ref was quoted as saying he didn't see it.

"In the case of McManaman, it has been confirmed that at least one of the match officials saw the coming together, though not the full extent of the challenge. In these circumstances retrospective action cannot be taken."

What bullshit is this?

I understand not wanting to over-rule referees but

1) They say even if it wasn't seen properly. Surely that's fine? Ref wasn't in a position to make a judgement. Hardly over-ruling.

2) They say ANY of the officials? Surely 99.999% of incidents will be seen by one of the officials in some capacity.

They're basically saying "As long as someone was looking in the right general direction we won't do anything. Furthermore it is fine to tackle players jumping through the air studs first."

[Cf]

Oh and surely the ref/linesman (whoever they judge to have saw the incident) should be sacked for being a danger to players. Seeing as the FA are acknowledging that they saw the incident.

[david3103]

There is precedent for acting even if the incident was seen. Ben Thatcher got a ban despite having been booked at the time

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xh17rw_ben-thatcher-elbow-on-pedro-mendes_shortfilms#.UUjiGxyePoI

[Cf]

And apart from anything else... surely when you stud someone in the knee you stop and check they're ok? I mean how can you not know what you've just done?