That we had to wait until stoppage time for the winner to come though has probably shaved a few weeks off my life.
It was Papiss Cisse who once again popped up with a late winner in much the same way as he did against Stoke and Anzhi few weeks back.
The number nine kept a cool head as time was running out and gave United the lead with a well-worked goal to seal three points for the Magpies, but for so long it looked as though a goal just wouldn’t be forthcoming.
United huffed and puffed for most of the match but were unable to break down a stubborn Fulham backline who marshalled their defence well. Aided by the crossbar and the post, Fulham had probably thought they’d done enough to take a share of the points back to Craven Cottage but Cisse’s late show put an end to that and sparked joyous scenes on Tyneside.
As strange as it sounds United had the bulk of the game in the first-half but rarely threatened the Fulham goal aside from a trio of efforts from Papiss Cisse, none of which really troubled the Fulham goalkeeper. Fulham weren’t without threat either though and Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa had to be on hand to block an attempt from Bryan Ruiz before Tim Krul blocked from Stanislav Manolev on the resulting corner.
Neither side could break the deadlock however and the scores remained level at half-time, with the the United treatment room gaining another recruit in the shape of Davide Santon who looks to have pulled his hamstring.
Half-time: Newcastle 0-0 Fulham
The home side continued to press in the opening exchanges of the second period but it wasn’t until the 53rd minute that they managed to muster an effort at goal. Vurnon Anita saw his 25-yard shot deflected onto the crossbar leaving a stranded Mark Schwarzer breathing a considerable sigh of relief.
On the hour mark it was the woodwork who was to be Fulham’s saviour once more as Yoan Gouffran and Papiss Cisse struck the left upright in quick succession following a corner from Sylvain Marveaux. TV replays showed that Sascha Riether has perhaps used his arm to deflect Gouffran’s effort onto the post but the appeals from United were muted and referee Kevin Friend probably wouldn’t have given anything had the complaints been more vocal anyway.
Shola Ameobi and Adam Campbell were introduced as time started running out, and the former could have given United the lead on 77 minutes had he managed to direct his header on target and not wide of the Fulham goal. Papiss Cisse was next try with a headed attempt and although he managed to direct his header on target Mark Schwarzer managed to dive down low and tip the effort round the post at the expense of a corner.
The game looked to be heading for 0-0 but deep into stoppage time Cisse managed to trap Cabaye’s mishit shot at goal before turning and volleying on the slide sending the ball past Schwarzer and into the back of the Gallowgate net.
The celebrations were outstanding. Papiss Cisse dived into the Gallowgate crowd through sheer elation and earned a booking for his troubles which I really don’t think he cared about, while Alan Pardew took part in some close up fan interaction of his own by jumping into the fans behind the dugout showing just how important this win was for us.
Full-time: Newcastle 1-0 Fulham
There were some fantastic performances out on the pitch that are worthy of a mention. I thought Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa was outstanding next to Steven Taylor who himself played pretty well. Jonas Gutierrez was excellent also, as was Sylvain Marveaux who tried to make things work for us. I also thought Papiss Cisse had a good all-round game. He could and perhaps should have scored earlier than he did, but he got into the positions he needed to be in, chased things down and held the ball up when he could despite being shackled by Brede Hangeland.
That win sends us up into 13th place in the table and we’re five points clear of the relegation zone. It’s been called a week of destiny for United with three important home games within the space of a week and we passed the first test, just. Benfica are up next and, although unlikely to progress, we’re not out of that one just yet and if we can beat the Mackems next week we’ll go eight points ahead of them with only five games remaining. In fact if Wigan lose their game in hand away at Manchester City and lose the fixture immediately after that away at West Ham, we’ll be eight points ahead of them with five remaining also.
I’ll not get too far ahead of myself though and instead I’ll just enjoy this win, although I would prefer it if we could maybe get games wrapped up before the final few seconds as it;s just altogether better for our collective health!
Howay the lads!
Newcastle: Tim Krul; Danny Simpson, Steven Taylor, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, Davide Santon; Sylvain Marveaux, Moussa Sissoko, Yohan Cabaye, Jonas Gutierrez; Yoan Gouffran, Papiss Cisse
Subs: Rob Elliot, Mike Williamson, Vurnon Anita, Gael Bigirimana, Gabriel Obertan, Adam Campbell, Shola Ameobi
Fulham: Mark Schwarzer; Sascha Riether, Philippe Senderos, Brede Hangeland, John Arne Riise; Stanislav Manolev, Eyong Enoh, Giorgios Karagounis, Damien Duff; Bryan Ruiz; Dimitar Berbatov
Subs: Neil Etheridge, Aaron Hughes, Kieran Richardson, Emmanuel Frimpong, Urby Emanuelson, Kerim Frei, Hugo Rodallega
Attendance: 51,847
There you go Aussie. I posted it at this unearthly hour just for you 😆
toonsy(Quote)
Nice post Aussie
Decent win though it should of been by a bigger margin. Tim Krul made two world class saves to keep a much needed clean sheet. I think all the defenders played very well Jonas being the standout defender. Marveuax shaves it for MOTM though just for the laugh i got seeig him sitting on his **** during the goal 😀 If that ball had hit him i would have been livid 😛
Its so ironic how last minute goals have become are trademark recently. With a team full of Frenchies 😀
I am a bit worried that people think we are safe now. We lose next week and we are right back in it. We have a pretty hard last five games aswell.
Santii(Quote)
Santii-re the last one, not sure Remy would command such wages anywhere else, I don’t think anyone outside the top teams would pay him 80k as QPR are the cash ****** and are rightly going down for it. Arsenal could pay it, but would they go for him? I’m not so sure…Arsenal already have Giroud who has found himself, Podolski who wants to play up top and not on the wing and Gervinho who’s best position is now, apparently, up front as well. Doubt they need another striker…although Remy could be a winger I guess. Would still definitely be tempted by him, you can cite the money but i’m not sure we have a player who would ignore the wages purely to play for us…
Newkie(Quote)
Well if we could get him in on our wage structure i would take him in a heartbeat. Loyalty in football is dead, its all about the money these days. So i hold no grudges over the fact that he went there instead of us.
Santii(Quote)
Was a top match though and I loved watching those celebrations on MOTD. Would agree that Marv/Mbiwa competed for MOTM. Although Krul did exactly what we needed and came out with a wondersave, Jonas was brilliant as well. Santon was one of our best players earlier this season although he still made mistakes, it’ll be interesting now how quickly he can get back into the side…
As for Cisse, everyone will have a little moan at strikers. Cisse is frustrating because of his sheer lack of composure, he doesn’t want an easy chance, he doesn’t want options, he wants the ball played to his feet so he can smash it towards goal, sometimes without even looking up. That’s just what he does. He should have scored earleir I thought but Pards defo took a risk showing him the chance he missed-but it worked out in the end as we got another cheeky late winner. Plenty more of those please, love em !
Newkie(Quote)
From the Independent match report (Martin Hardy)
“When the moment came, when drama engulfed a region, Alan Pardew ran. An explosion of energy took place in the body of Newcastle’s manager as Papiss Cissé, three minutes into injury time, weaved late magic, and meant he had to move, quickly. So he ran. He ran with the wild abandon of a happy child, arms outstretched, screaming in relief, over an advertising hoarding and into the arms of supporters who were delirious. Not happy, delirious. He was engulfed, and he did not move.
Further down the line, in a corner of St James’ Park, Cissé also ran, jumped a barrier and hugged a man, and then another man, and then more men. Moussa Sissoko, from Le Blanc-Mesnil on the outskirts of Paris, raced to join him, as did Adam Campbell, from North Shields. Sylvain Marveaux lay prone in the penalty area with cramp. Yohan Cabaye limped to join the celebrations that were everywhere you looked after whacking his foot in a tackle. In the stands, energy crackled like lightning, a roar from the well of the stomachs of 51,000 Geordies, creating a cacophony of noise.”
M(Quote)
Cheers Toonsy 🙂 🙂 Santi – cheers mate Toonsy needs the credit for this one 🙂
Very happy with the win – Jonas & Marv were our best but I reckon everyone played well.. 🙂
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
M@6……I like that mate, sums up the whole occassion brilliantly 🙂 Superbly penned …!
Well done Martin Hardy !
Munich Mag(Quote)
In regards to all the Cisse talk from the last thread. I think some people are expecting things from the lad that are just not there. Cisse is a predator that has an eye for goal and not much else when he is in or about the box. I think he is a great striker but I don’t expect anything more from him other than effort. He is not going to hold the ball up like Drogba, he hasn’t got silky skills like Benny but he is always ready to pull the trigger when given a chance. That’s how he plays and it has to be recognised that he will frustrate. But to say he is ***** is off the mark, he is just a little different than most other strikers 🙂 🙂
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Since Ba left and Cisse has got the chance to play up front he’s scored 5 goals in 12 Premiership games.
Two in five Europa games and had once chalked off.
Basically, despite not being at his best he’s scored 1 in two.
For the season he’s got 12 and I wouldn’t be surprised if he reaches 15. Not bad for someone whose been aweful.
Despite scoring his last two games he’s taken a pounding from the critics.
He had a pass success rate of 100% against Fulham and has also struck the post/crossbar three times in the last two games.
There were some idiots saying he missed two sitters?
I agree he was selfish with one effort. But really, do you expect him to put every chance away.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I’d rather have and out of form Cisse that an in form Shola up front any day of the week.
JJ(Quote)
Newkie and Aussie agree re Cisse. He never stopped trying to get into the right positions and having a go. Eventually it paid off although how late was that? He’s getting to be an expert at these late minute winners. RVI need to be on alert for an influx of people with dodgy tickers next Sunday if we have the same thing at the derby. 🙂
Geordie Deb(Quote)
I agree with the colonies 😉
Cisse is not above criticism but some of it is way out of context, maybe the worst thing he could have done was to start his Toon career the way he did, he was the same in Germany, missed loads of chances, made wrong decisions but keep setting him up and he’ll also score lots of goals. Carr will have known that before signing him 😉
richietoon(Quote)
Krul for MOTM for me. Reflex saves.
Sounds like Santon may be out for the rest of the season. While sorry for the lad, I feel safer with Jonas at LB for a few reasons.
Jonas is better defensively than Santon and it allows us to have another attack minded LW in the team. Actually there is another, it reduced Jonas’ propensity to carry the ball, and in so doing, get taken down blind alleys and draw fouls. Jonas seemed to play a lot more of a passing game yesterday and the team was the better for it by playing the ball through the centre.
As for the Cisse debate, it was frustrating for me as well. Especially his decision-making. Can’t complain at his results however. I do wonder if it is the pressure that is placed on the players to produce that is leading to the lack of key passes on the floor into and within the box. Crosses don’t seem to cut it.
griff(Quote)
Toonsy ,Full marks for posting that up at such a late hour 😀 You must be trying to get in wombats good books 😆 .
So pleased with the win , I feared we would fall to a late sucker punch there for a minute, that it was us that delivered it was sweet. MOTM for me a toss up between Marv,Jonas and Krul ,with honorable mention to Cisse’s late show 😀 😎 That he never gave up and kept getting in a posistion to take a shot is to his credit ,I think the lad truely loves it at the Toon .
M@6 ,What a brilliant bit of penmanship that is wonderfully summed up 😎
Well the jobs not done yet still need another 3 or 4 points so one win and a draw should see us ok I thinkdepending on other results .Now for the Europa game ,keep another clean sheet and grab a couple and who knows .Then hopefully put the Scum to the sword HWTL. 😀
KIMTOON(Quote)
Kim, 😥 don’t you start being mean to me like Richie – Big Dave – Ice – B&B – JJ – Newkie – Sharpy and most of the others do….. 😆 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Aussie would I do that to you 😆
KIMTOON(Quote)
Good read, we were the far better side imo, have to agree with some saying the amount of stick Cisse is getting is well over the top, yeah fair enough he misses chances and strays off side but sure do all strikers not do that, but for one to lable him as *****, we should flog him, and that he’s only championship is way ott.
Aussie don’t let them get to you 😀
Big Dave(Quote)
Kim 😉
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Aussie
You attention grabbing again 😆
premandup(Quote)
Can you imagine what great vibe there would be if we managed to turn over Benfica and then secured Prem safety with a win over the Scum all in one week!
JJ(Quote)
Great that so many players are being put forward as man of the match. A word on Mbiwa. What a good player he is. Sometimes he sets about his game so quietly and undemonstratively that you could miss how much good work he really does. Fantastic timing with his tackles. On the recent criticism of Cisse, I’m with Toonsy. Although no player should be beyond criticism it has been way over the top so far as Cisse is concerned. I have even seen him criticised for playing with a smile on his face. Where would we be now in the league without his goals?
Groucho(Quote)
Prem – moi? 😉
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Good read. I would say Mbiwa or Marv followed by Jonas for motm
Mbiwa reminds me of Albert with his coolness and passing from the back.
I think next season we’ll see him dribbling out of defence more which he likes to do.
.
mark(Quote)
“Robert Martinez, the Wigan manager, claimed Gomez was fortunate to escape serious injury following Zamora’s challenge.
He said: “It’s a shocking challenge. It is a red card. It’s unfortunate because I know Bobby Zamora is not a dirty player but the full boot foot on Jordi Gomez’s face.
“His studs were at his eye level and unfortunately it was a red card. Jordi is okay. He was lucky the stud didn’t catch him in his eye.””
Pity the ***** can’t make similar comments when his own players make worse challenges.
JJ(Quote)
Must say Marv had a good game, and Jonas seems to have upped his game alot over the last two games, but over all all the players can hold their heads high along with Pards, on Pards he must have been feeling a lot of pressure as I have never seen a manager show so much relieve as he did, though he was really lucky he never ended up on his face as he just about made that jump
Big Dave(Quote)
I feel I can enjoy the Europa game more now that wehave those 3 points in the bag but we mustn’t get carried away we still need 3 or 4 more and I hope Pards is drilling that into the team too as the job isn’t quite complete yet .
KIMTOON(Quote)
Dave @25 ,Aye 😆 his old bones were showing there.I know the feeling well 🙄
KIMTOON(Quote)
@KIMTOON
we’re safe, i believe..
mark(Quote)
Phew what a relief cisse scored yesterday! We deseeved it and fought for it! Jonas is at his best at defensive positions these days – be it LB or cm. Also marvueax was great to watch – he and ben Arfa should prove a handfull for opposing teams in next season.
Also great to see a victory before heading for Afghanistan so will miss the slaying of the mackems and the Europa league final 😉 yeah I said it! EL final 😀
AlanPardewProject(Quote)
APP…Have a safe one mate and keep ya head down 😉
richietoon(Quote)
APP@29 Stay safe out there.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Excellent match report in the independent
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/newcastle-1-fulham-0-match-report-papiss-cisss-late-goal-sends-pardew-into-delirium-8563447.html
stevep(Quote)
@lee_ryder: Hatem Ben Arfa in training all week and targeting return for #nufc v #safc
3hourswasted(Quote)
Hatem Ben Arfa will be given the chance to play his part in the Tyne-Wear derby on Sunday.
The French playmaker’s season had at one stage been written off by Alan Pardew after hamstring problems looked to have got the better of him.
However, the Toon star was up and running at St James’ Park as the Magpies tested the water to see how he is progressing from his latest injury comeback.
He did not end up landing a bench role against Fulham and is doubtful for the clash with Benfica on Thursday night.
However, Pardew reckons he has a chance of being involved against the Wearsiders.
He told the Chronicle: “What has happened with Hatem is the scan has shown he has scar tissue still in the hamstring.
“He is showing no ill- effects from it.
“We have sent him to three experts, mainly a French expert, who have been looking after him.
“He thinks he is now 100% and we are now treating him as that. “
Ben Arfa’s appearance as St James’ Park was filling up yesterday before the win over Fulham sparked excitement he was in with a late chance of playing against the Cottagers.
Yet he was merely brushing up on fitness work.
Pardew added: “He is running.
“There could be a cameo as soon as Sunderland – he has a week’s work.
“If he gets through that work, then he could be involved.”
Considering it looked as though the contributions this season of Ben Arfa – linked with a move to Liverpool in recent days – were over, even talk of his return is progress for Pardew.
The ex-Marseille man did not require an operation and has responded well to rest and recuperation back in Clairefontaine.
Pardew says: “It would be a massive bonus for us, but it is still too early to call.
“After the last time, we said he would not play again this season.
“Half of me thought he might, though.
“I just wanted to clear his mind and see how he reacted.
“Hopefully, we will get a nice bonus.”
Pardew hopes to recall Massadio Haidara for the Tyne-Wear derby next Sunday and, after Davide Santon’s injury against Fulham he will need him at left-back.
Derby hero Ryan Taylor, though, faces a race against time to be ready against Paolo Di Canio’s side.
Pardew added: “Sadio trained on Monday.
“There is a good chance he could be involved on Thursday if we think he is OK.
“Ryan is still two or three weeks away, we think.”
3hourswasted(Quote)
Dave @25-Can you blame him? He’s taken as much unfair criticism as Cisse lately, you can see what it meant to them both. 😉
Newkie(Quote)
thanks lads! Will do and hopefully get to St. James’ Park sometime next season.
AlanPardewProject(Quote)
So hatem could be back now? Jesus christ I’m confused now…Still if it’s genuine I won’t be complaining. No offence to Campbell or Shola as I feel they did alright when they came on, but if things aren’t going well and you need to unlock a defence, Benny is your man.
Newkie(Quote)
Alan Pardew Project, keep safe. Such a shame you will miss the mackem slaying
Geordie Deb(Quote)
After the game yesterday I had to drive the daughter to Carlisle. As I was driving she asked “Are you alright Dad?” “Pet I feel I’ve done 45 minutes in the washing machine and then 45 in the tumble dryer.” “Oh” she said,”do you want me to fold you up and put you away?”
Don’t think I can handle any more late dramas!
georgio(Quote)
Aussie – @15 – I’m shocked and hurt to see my name in that list of scally wags 🙁 😛
Well I woke with a bit of a thick heed this morning like (and was shown no mercy by the rips).
First half we were very disappointing. I can understand the nerves but we should have been at them from the off IMO. Half time I was think, I’ll happily take a point right now.
Second half we played with more purpose and whilst they still had a couple of chances, defensively we looked solid enough but the longer it went on the more I thought of the chances missed against Benfica and worried it was gonna be another one of those games.
But to be fair to the players, they never let their heads drop, or settled for the draw, and to see 2 of them on their backsides when we did score just showed how exhausted they were.
I read afew people having a pop at Cisse last night and couldn’t believe my eyes to be honest.
How any toon fan had a thought in mind to question and player last night is beyond me?!. Personally I was on cloud nine and I’m not suggesting that the players shouldn’t be questioned but the timing of it was bizarre to say the least – celebrate last night, pick the bones this morning.
As for my thoughts on Cisse – brilliantly frustrating is how I would sum our no. 9 up. Offsides, poor touches, wayward passes, spurned chances – yet capable of a moment of sheer brilliance.
The lad never gives up, he never hides despite the stick he gets – from fans and manager alike by all accounts.
To see his reaction to the goal yesterday shows how much it means to him, and for him to go back into the crowd to give his shirt to a young kid at the end is another example of just how much of a thoroughly decent bloke he is.
As fans I think we may just have to come to terms with the fact that he may need 5-6 chances before he gets his goal – which will probably be the most difficult chance of them all 🙄 😀
Sharpy17(Quote)
Dave – good job Pards didn’t jump in the section of fans where B&B sits, he would have celebrated with him then stuck the knife in when he turned his back 😛 😆
Agree about Jonas and Marv. Jonas was class yesterday and against Benfica and my opinion on Marv has completely changed. Superb passer of the ball and has upped his workrate loads too – really pleased with him now like.
He’d keep his spot when Benny returns and for me it would probably be Gouffran who made way just now.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy,
That’s exactly it. There aren’t many strikers who need less than five or six shots at goal to score. In fact most class strikers have a convertion rate of around one goal per six shots.
Demba Ba’s had a great season. He’s scored one goal per every 7.5 attempts.
Cisse has scored a goal per every 8.5 attempts.
Suarez is at one goal every 8 attempts.
Christiano Ronaldo only scores on of every 7 attempts.
Messi is the best on the world at one goal every 3.5 attempts.
Last season Cisse average a goal every three shots at goal which is just phenomenal and probably part of the reason he takes criticism now. Because he was too good when he arrived.
Overall for Newcastle, Cisse is still averaging a goal every 4.8 shots at goal which is a better conversion rate than anybody (including Alan Shearer) has in the Premiership for the club.
Apart from this he runs his socks off every game and still he gets abuse from “the clueless”. Amazing.
JJ(Quote)
Just one correction Sharpy…
“Cisse’s wayward passes” – he was the only player in a Toon jersey to NOT misplace a single pass in yesterday’s game.
JJ(Quote)
JJ – it was an overall observation of Cisse not just based on yesterday’s performance.
I think Cisse has been the victim of his own success. The level of expectation on his shoulders is based off his fairy tale start with us last season.
The simple fact of it is that if he had continued to score at that rate, he would likely be playing his football elsewhere anyway.
I do understand where the critics are coming from because it is soooo frustrating at times, but we have to keep a sense of perspective about his performances I think – and lets be honest, all he needs to do is score the winning goal this weekend and he earns legendary status.
Sharpy17(Quote)
What most impressed me about Cisse yesterday was his work rate. The lad ran his heart out for US! Amazing.
georgio(Quote)
I’ve tried to keep out of the Cisse debate, because I’m bias and dont think I can give an honest assessment. he can have a **** game and I still love him. but here goes.
Cisse sits on the shoulder of the back four most of the time, he makes his runs when the midfield get the ball on the assumption of a first time pass, the trouble is our midfield take two/three or four touches then pass, by then he’s already gone offside.
If Cisse had peter beardsley along side him like andy cole did, he would get 30+ a season. one touch into the box for cisse to run on and slot. If we played more one-twos around the edge of the box he would get a boat load. To many people running with the ball all the time and getting closed down, but I’m hoping that gets better the more they play alongside each other.
kev(Quote)
APP – safe trip mate, hope to see you sorting a toon shirt on Soccer AM one Saturday morning maybe. 😉
Georgio – I get the feeling yesterday wasn’t the last of the dramas this season TBH mate. This is the toon remember 😀
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy,
I think what annoys me more than anything is that those being critical of Cisse don’t have an answer of who they would like playing up front in the centre.
He is basically our only option, so why get on his back so much? If we had another quality striker, then fair enough, lets see if he can do better, but they go on and on about how poor he is when he is the BEST we have by a long way.
JJ(Quote)
Danny Graham’s name was floated on here by some as a good striker option back in January 🙂 🙂 🙂 what does that tell you 🙂
Sharpy sorry mate, my bad 🙂 🙂
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
JJ – you’re right, but even if we had an option – he’s still not *****! (I know you aren’t suggesting he is by the way). People are raving about PEA and yes he’s a very good player and has an excellent goal record – but there’s nee guarantee he’ll do it in the premier league or that he would immediately oust Cisse.
Cisse never gives up, he’s as desperate to score in the last minute as he is in the first. He never hides or doesn’t make the run. Yes he’s our only attacking option at the moment but when we sign another in the summer that shouldn’t spell the end or immediately put Cisse on the bench IMO.
I think he knows himself that he’s better than what he’s shown this season, and that can only be a good thing for us next season I hope.
Sharpy17(Quote)
http://bet.unibet.com/football/premier-league/2013/04/08/say-hello-ultimate-modern-centre-back/44
Anyone else seen this, an interesting perspective on our new CB. His use of similes and metaphors are brilliant 😆
Andymag(Quote)
“Shola Ameobi’s introduction in the 69th minute added further attacking impetus and the big cult striker instantly gave Newcastle more presence up front.”
Is that a typo… 😉
In all seriousness everything about yesterday pleased me, We didnt panic and resort to route one, We kept on passing and moving it trying to play through them or get round the back. The starting 11 was spot on, The subs had an impact. The goal was a thing of beauty when it came and the final score from stamford bridge was glorious. Three points needed and i reckon we will get them before the week is out… 😎
CC(Quote)
Well I have finally caught my breath! What a finish!
Have to say I thought Mbiwa was absolutely brilliant as he was against Benfica. Marveaux was also excellent and I think he’s probably the nearest we have to HBH at running with the ball. He’s really starting to get to grips with the game now.
Bring on Sunderland, although I know we do have a little game to think about on Thurs… 😉
Stuart79(Quote)
Good link. Thanks Andy
Premandup(Quote)
Thatchers dead
CC(Quote)
Oh my bad then sorry toonsy your first post left me with the impression that Aussie wrote this article. Great article toonsy 😀
Would we rather Beat Benfica 2-0 and go through in Europe then lose to Sunderland or lose to Benfica but beat Sunderland?
Can’t believe no one has mentioned this. I don’t think Cisse was caught offside once yesterday 😀 Miracles do happen 😛
Santii(Quote)
Ben Thatcher? 😆
M(Quote)
Santii – he was caught offside. And Sharpy@47, as if I’d forgotten.
georgio(Quote)
@56
I think i’d rather beat Benfica 2-0 and lose to Sunderland than the other way round. I think we will be ok in the league even if we do lose to Sunderland and a little bit of embarassment would be worth it if it meant going through to the next round. As long as we don’t lose to Sunderland and go out without a fight in Europe i’ll be happy enough.
Paulos(Quote)
That was a win worthy of the celebration and what a f**kng S**t FA’s are.
when they should punish a player on the field 4 breaking/ending a players season they warn them like MC(HBA) and @Wankers (HM)
but then Cisse gets a yellow card for his celebration…. Things like that makes me to go and watch the game in cold/wet and windy days.. ****g jokers….FA
Max-T-Million(Quote)
I completely agree with Kev.
Cisse needs perhaps to adapt his game to suit our midfield. Or we need to adapt our midfield to suit his game. But Cisse’s always looking for an early pass, and he almost never gets it.
He can’t stagger or check a run forever, and some of our midfield just don’t release the ball quickly enough.
blip(Quote)
Santi-Would rather keep europe alive I reckon. It’s our only chance of winning summit so…I think we will get another win, after beating the scum anyway 😉
Newkie(Quote)
Never ever would I consider a loss against the Mackems. Especially not this season where us beating them could leave them deep in the ****
toonsy(Quote)
Toonsy-the way I look at it we’re safe but the mackems are in trouble and in all honesty I wouldn’t want them relegated. It would be nice to get our own back a bit, but the league isn’t the same without the derby games and there are just as deserving sides in Stoke, Wigan and Villa to go down, although as I said at the start of the season I think Villa have too much quality to go down.
Would much rather keep the europa dream alive…with haidara and benny getting back soonish we won’t be that thin on the ground, hopefully..
Newkie(Quote)
Newkie – completely agree mate. I hate no other half as much as I hate the mackems and whilst I wouldn’t be gutted to see them go down, I would miss the derby games. Hate QPR, Wigan and Villa but playing them doesn’t hold the same feeling as playing the scum – and no victory tastes quite so sweet 😉
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy-Exactly mate. And when we’re pushing for the CL next year, we could really use the 6 points the mackems will give us year on year, when they aren’t boosted by missed penalties or dodgy refs anyway 😈 😆
Newkie(Quote)
As I have said before Cisse needs players with a quick footie brain to see his run and release the ball early enough, HBA and Marv are the ones that can see it, but it’s not Cisse’s fault they’re not always there.
Big Dave(Quote)
I hope the mackems stay up , in 17th place on goal difference.
To even suggest they should win at SJP is nonsense. We desperately need those 3 points . A loss could leave us only 2 points from a relegation spot.
On top of that we would have Kimtoon still needing the 4 points to reach her magic target of 40 points for the season and Munich Mag may just about wear out his relegation worry beads before the season ends.
sidekick(Quote)
Sidekick-I don’t think anyone here is suggesting we let them win mate…just some would take a victory in the EL over a victory over them..in this case that’s what I prefer, but i think we’ll go out and beat the scum instead. Of course I might be wrong and we might win both 😉 We only need to stay ahead of the third team, looks like that could well be wigan as while they usually pick up at this time I haven’t been that impressed by them, they seem to have just fluked a few recent results tbh.
Newkie(Quote)
Sidekick@68….nice one mate .. 😆 😆 😆 😆 The worry beads took some hammer on Sunday… 😆 😆
Munich Mag(Quote)
Can see us beating both Benfica and 5under1and to be honest.
Munich Mag(Quote)
He’s grey, he’s proud, he’s jumping in the crowd, Pardew, Pardew 🙂
Munich Mag(Quote)
MM stick with me mate and you can throw your beads away 😉 ye of little faith 😆
Newkie I would take a win on thurs over Sun, but then from the window closed I haven’t been bothered about relegation as even with our **** striker well get enough points 😉
Big Dave(Quote)
Sharpy ,Happy belated birthday wishes mate . Did you have a good one? see you got the 36 you wanted 😀 😎 .
Sidekick @68 Yes mate I’ll be happy with another win and a draw ,I think that’s ok though havn’t worked out all the permutations tbh.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Munich, you couldn’t see us beating fulham either you **** negger
😆
Newkie(Quote)