OK, OK. I know I'm a bit premature (wot!), but I thought it's aboot time we started talking a bit more about footy on here. We have (possibly) our best chance of the season to get some silverware and a much needed place in Yerp (does the WC still qualify???) in the WC.

So far, YBR has put out a fairly strong side in every game, tho arguably, not his strongest, resting Given, Bellamy and others and giving the likes of Stevie Harper, Sylvain Distin and Oliver Bernard (?) a run out.

Will he stick to this tried and tested formula or can we expect Given to retain his place? Will LKD get a start, and who will play wide left instead of Robert?

Chewsee will also likely be eyeing the WC with similar aims to ourselves, so I would expect them to field a strong side. Can we tinker with the defence with the likes of JFH and Zola Budd around?

Discuss..................please.

-- Anonymous, December 11, 2001

Answers

Harper is a given (so to speak), despite Shay's form, just to maintain two decent, contented goalkeepers in the squad. Not sure Dyer's quite ready to start a game yet, so perhaps LuaLua might get the chance from the off, down the left?

If we've got any ambition to progress, can't see us fiddling around with formations at the back. But I seem to remember saying that last time....

-- Anonymous, December 11, 2001

It would be foolish to start young Kevin knowing that he wouldn't last the match. Better to bring him on later as this game could go to extra time.

-- Anonymous, December 11, 2001

Apparently Robert isn't fit so any of LKD/Bernard/Lua2 down the left?

-- Anonymous, December 11, 2001

Bernie will get steak inn.

Hat...you know the rest

-- Anonymous, December 11, 2001

LKD is injured again. See t'other thread.

-- Anonymous, December 11, 2001

Screach, he's feeling pain again - let's hope that it's just a reaction to his return.

We normally do quite well against JFH but I am worried about Zola - he's a Carbone-type player and the latter is the only player who really has shown up Andy O'Brien's inexperience. Zenden will no doubt play and I would like to have a more experienced RB to deal with him..

-- Anonymous, December 11, 2001

Wozza still isn't in the squad. Didn't he do relatively well against Zenden last time out?

-- Anonymous, December 11, 2001

With what little memory I have left, I recall Zenden doing most of his runs from the right and cutting in on his left.

-- Anonymous, December 11, 2001

He apparently plays an average of 60 mins per game because he isn't "fully fit yet" and is on the Chelsea fans shit list so there probably hasn't been time to establish precisely what his role is ( other than claiming credit for he most obvious own goal of the season).

-- Anonymous, December 11, 2001

Hopefully we'll see Distin and O'Brien (a misplaced pass from Dabs with JFH or Gudjohnson would be Goodnight Vienna) and Bernard can try to recapture that early form he has lost through not playing. Bellamy can absolutely run his socks off with an enforced rest coming up at the weekend but I would hope that Ameobi might get a run in place of Shearer at some point.

In an ideal world Bernard would be replacing Elliott but will have to deputize for Robert instead: anything else would see us back to that miserable lop-sided nonsense from last season. The only variation I could stomach would be Al and Shola up front with Bellamy playing wide left where necessary and cutting in on the break.

-- Anonymous, December 11, 2001

Wasn't Zendon dropped because he was so bad against Charlton? I remember thinking at the weekend how lucky we'd been that he'd thought that he was too big for us.

-- Anonymous, December 11, 2001

Zenden would have put in all the work everyone's whinging about Robert not doing. Quantity or quality.

-- Anonymous, December 11, 2001

Scary that he was our first choice...

-- Anonymous, December 11, 2001

Be nice if Rob Lee could score again. Maybe without Poyet in their side we stand a chance.

Must....stop....this....optimism....

-- Anonymous, December 11, 2001

Yes
Yes
No
Bernard
Yes.

-- Anonymous, December 11, 2001

Hardly a discussion, Mr Traz.

-- Anonymous, December 11, 2001

I saw Bernard for the reserves last week and I thought he was very poor. Still only the reserves...........BTW I am sickened by the thought of LKD being possibly injured again. Typical.

-- Anonymous, December 11, 2001

Who are our penalty-takers? Shearer, Bellamy (hmmm), Solano, Speed (took that Troyes one OK), Lee? Actually, if it went to extra time, I might fancy us to win.

-- Anonymous, December 11, 2001

Anyway, even if we do win, we'll get the dreaded Spurs in the next round or even more humiliatingly, in the Final.

-- Anonymous, December 11, 2001

If I remember right Dougal, Speed made a reet pig's arse of the Troyes penalty as the ball sort of rolled under their 'keeper, it was very close to being saved. Still, at least he put it in the net, not mentioning any munchkin like names of course :)

-- Anonymous, December 11, 2001

We're gonna continue wor unbeaten Lahndaan record. Honest. And we will maintain it for the rest of the year. You just mark my words.

-- Anonymous, December 11, 2001

I've just seen two magpies on my way in this morn. Two for joy n'that.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Chelsea fan in the office has been reading their board and reckons that they think it will go to pens as well. The theory being that they can't score(fair enough) and we don't let many in Hmmmm. If so we have never won a penalty shoot out in our history and we haven't won in LOndon for ages. Imagine the pressure on our pen takers.

Still I reckon we will break both hoodoos in one game

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Just aboot to scrape the ice off the Stealth Astra and point it sooth, by way of SJPTO and Consett. Snowboard in the car and Dougal's Ma's stottie sarnies, we'll be prepared for anything. Well, maybe a win tonight will come as a shock to Dougal, but not me and Peach.

Howay me Bonnie Lads!!

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Wooo hoo. I'm sooooo excited.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

It's bound to go to extra time so that Dyer can come on as a sub and then be forced to play longer than is good for him. If I read it right, BR said that Dyer or Bernard would play in place of LR - but why start with Dyer if you know he can't make 90 mins? Cue Dyer playing 120 mins.
I reckon we'll lose in ET, or on pens. Mebbe 1-1 after 90, Dabizas to score.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

No-one will be suprised to hear that I think we're gonna get spanked 4-0.....

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

I'm not optimistic about this one. I reckon Gav's not far off with his prediction :-(

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Cmon Gav and Kats, be optimistic!

We'll only lose 2-0. ;-))

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Ok, a bit of positivity here chaps (and chapesses) - with apologies to you know who...

Once more unto the Bridge, dear friends, once more;
Or close the pubs up with our Geordie p**heads.
...The game's afoot:
Follow your spirit, and upon this charge
Cry 'God for Bobby, Newcastle, and Saint James Park!'

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

amen!

just had a call from a fellow mag who will be driving me to the pub tonight to watch the game. It worked in the last round... in fact it was the first time I'd ever seen the lads win in Southampton ;-)

Howay!

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

We have won to many games recently so it's really time for a loss me thinks! 0-3.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Pizz off Sudden!

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

5-1 to Chelsea.

Given will get sent off.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

1 hour 32 minutes to kick off

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

"2-1 to the Geordie Boys, 2-1 to the Geordie boys, ............".

Possibly in ET.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Is ko 745p or 8p? I'm getting a massive attack of nerves now. Wish I could get the webcast. Dang firewalls. :-(

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

The fly in the ointment is here.

ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ah aha ha ha aha ha aha ha ah aha ha ha aha ha ha ah aha ah

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

3 - 0 Shearer hat trick!! (;o) Well I`ll be right one of these days!

BTW anyone got a rolled up newspaper? (:o)

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

We haven't won at Stamford Bridge for 15 year, about time we done something about that. Shearers about to lead them out now!

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Webcast not working... Gasps of astonishment.

All I want for Christmas is the home addresses of the ******* at .cock who do this to me every week...

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Has anyone got the webcast up yet?(:i

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Chelsea: Cudicini, Melchiot, Babayaro, Gallas, Terry, Lampard, Jokanovic, Dalla Bona, Le Saux, Gudjohnsen, Hasselbaink.

Subs: de Goey, Zenden, Stanic, Zola, Forssell.

Newcastle: Given, Hughes, Elliott, Dabizas, O'Brien, Solano, Lee, Speed, Bernard, Shearer, Bellamy.

Subs: Harper, Dyer, Lua-Lua, Ameobi, Distin.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Im on the Chelsea webcast !!!!

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Le Saux getting some TLC for his head after ROB Lee almost stepped on him

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Wow, no Harper. Bobby isn't fooling around on this one. Feel bad for Harper though. Poor guy can't get a break.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Hmmmm...text updates on Sports.com up to their usual standard:
Twice Gary Bellamy has got round the back of the visitors defence, once Carlo Cudicini did well the second time he was offside.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Try http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/foot/audio/live/schedule/index.html

for the chelsea webcast. You've even got a choice of Realplayer or Windows Media.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Geez, hasselbaink and Jokanananavovidivenivici nearly through at the other end. Shay staking further claim for player of the year.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Metro man is on top form again...

"Chelsea are the draw specialists, with draws against Newcastle, Leeds, Middlesbrough, SOLANO and Sunderland"

Solano? Did he single handedly take on Chelsea?

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Crap.

Jokanovic hits the bar...

nothing comes of it fortunately.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

LOL!

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Chelsea currently dominating, they've had a few good chances already.

Toon Army seem a little bit quiet as well.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Chelsea commentators claiming probs with Toon fans refusing to sit down. Police getting involved.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Oh fer crying out loud. When do away fans ever sit down?! Barstewards :-|

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Bellamy is getting around their defence quite often.

Bellamy is going to be sent off probably if he doesn't watch himself

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Sent off for what? Getting past defenders? ;-)

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Only a yellow

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Bellamy going mad - had a yellow and still mouthing.

Is anyone else getting wound up by the Chelsea commentary?

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Terry took Bellamy down with a two footed challenge and Bellamy kicked out. They then went head to head (literally) but a booking for both of them was all the referee made of it.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Terry took Bellamy down with a two footed challenge and Bellamy kicked out. They then went head to head (literally) but a booking for both of them was all the referee made of it.

1-0 to Man Utd as well, 6 minutes gone, Solskjaer

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Is Jonathan Pierce doing the Chelsea commentary? I'm getting wound up by exceedingly slow text commentary.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Gudjonsson scores!

(for Stoke)

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Biased commentators. Who are they?

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Saw that on the sporting life text commentary and nearly had a heart attack until I saw he's playing for Stoke

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Roy Keane scores for Man Utd

"Rob Lee caught in possession"

"Dabizas with the mistake"

How many times have we heard that?

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Chewseas defence organised but a decent pass could see Bellamy through, the passing isn't as crisp as it can be, Solano looks like he could prove pivotal with the best moves coming from him. Hasslebank blasts free kick at wall

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Confusing text commentary. First they say Dabs is having a moan at the ref after being pushed off the ball by Hasselbaink. Next update says Chelsea got a free kick after being fouled by Dabs, and Lee ran down the free kick.

Am I correct in assuming the text update is more cr@p than usual? ;- ))

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Bernard is sadly sounding like he's out of his depth.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Shearer just over with a header.

Unlucky...

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Ref (Elleray ?) blowing the whistle for something or other every 30 secs.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Shearer header over the bar, close

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

"Dangerous moments as Arsenal get hold of the ball in midfield"

What is this commentator on?

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Anyone listening to the .cock webcast?

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Bellamy's through on goal!

Bellamy must score!

Bellamy's mishit and FAILS to score

Damn

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Bellamy 1 on1 screws it wide, he is working his socks off

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Bellamy / barn door scenario.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Bellamy - Cow's Arse / Banjo scenario

Babayaro booked

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Solano with a canny volley, 30 yards out, just over the bar

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Bernard booked for diving.

Bloody hell are all Frenchman the same?

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Bernard falls too easily and gets a card, but he was fouled,soddit

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Nearly half time now.

We have two bookings, one for dissent and one for diving, we could at least make them work when we get booked.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

But was it really a dive, or the ref not taking chances?

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

A clear booking for 'Barnard', according to Chewsea pillock.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

The referee has obviously been practising showing yellow cards in front of the mirror.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Half time

0 - 0

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

We're ahead 12 - 9 on fouls woo-hoo, this could be the start of a roll. Half time 0-0

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

sports.com reckon it's been a fairly even match so far. Anyone actually watching this on tv that can give a better report?

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Can I just state the obvious and say that between Elleray, a London game and these ****ing commentators that I am being forced to listen to due to the wholesale inadequacy and incompetency of the .cock lot, I am not particularly enjoying this evening?

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

more than me matey,

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

i'm correcting spelling :-)

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Hey, sicknote, didn't know you were here...:)

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Bingo Newcastle web site bursts into action FOR HALF TIME ADVERTS ..no doubt it will crash out when the second half starts

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Morning from Sydney ... hello lads and lasses :-)

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

I'm watching on TV and I agree with the half time wafflers that Chelsea haven't had that many chances. Their touting Zola to liven things up. Our best chance is Bellers, he's chasing everything and even when it looks a lost cause he's getting there, he really is Billy Whizz. Shearers getting stick but you can tell the fans view him as a threat by their relieved jeers when something doesn't come off.

All in all I feel the plan is don't over commit, play for a breakaway goal and it could come off. 2nd half begins.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Jokanovic off Stanic on

The 'ic' brothers

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Well, as previously mentioned, we have found signs of life on .cock. However, as usual, sound quality is reminiscent of the LW radio I built from bits from Tandy as a kid. It's got that '2 paper cups and a string stretched from London to Newcastle' vintage quality.

Does anyone else know anyone as consistently bad at their job as this lot who has not been sacked yet? I thought internet was a competitive sector?

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Morning all. Since it's half time can I just say that I quit my job yesterday and feel fantastic?

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

We've had no corners so far - is this a good omen?

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Just as I say that...

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Solano goes close with a right footer.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Bernarde looks a capable stand in, Solano with adecent long ranger

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Morning ADK, cannit get any work doen while this is on ! Lets have a few beers in the sun if we win this one.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Melchiot goes down in the box - referee thinks its a dive and DOESN'T book him.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Terry and Bellamy are getting close to boiling point.

One of them is either going to have to be subbed off or sent off otherwise they'll kill each other.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Can't today - Christmas party, we're all going to play softball (of all things) then off to dinner. Beats being in the office.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

It was probably far too obvious. ;-)

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Given denies Gudjohnsen. Get in there Seamus!

COME ON!!!

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Given... saving the day again. Go on lad...

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Catching up on posts on this thread....congrats on your new freedom, ADK!

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Chelsea are getting far too many chances for my liking.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Never done this before, hey each time I hit refresh me heart nearly flies out onto the desk. No good for the norves. Anyone mind If I just type sh1te to make the time pass? ADK Softball .. marra as I look at the harbour bridge and harbour Im thinking Id rather be anywhere than in this damn dealing room :-(

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Cheers Ciara - means I'll be leaving the Sydney clique though, probably for Japan.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Gallas or Melchiot tackled Bernard round his head, but no booking. This ref needs his head looking at

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Never mind Sting, the weekend is nearly here!

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Ok, I'm now convinced the person doing text for sports.com is smoking bad crack. Here's a sample of their commentary:

56 Lee is working like a trojan for the Magpies, he's up and down the park appearing much younger than his age.

54 Gudjohnsen hits a superb 12-yarder but Given makes a great instinctive save.

53 Terry just nudges Bellamy into the hoardings - he's a whining little beggar Bellamy - chipping away all the time.

52 Melchiot appeals for a penalty - pathetic attempt to earn a spot- kick his dive was fortunate not to earn him a booking.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Sounds like a different game on Metro from on the Chelsea site. They really were totally biased. It would be good to do an experiment and play both at the same time and see what the difference is. The crowd's making plenty of noise, but I think it's Chelsea's.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

O'Brien and Bellamy in a counter attack.

Now we have no defence for Chelsea's attack.

End to end stuff

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

thanks Als dodgy knee ;o) I was on the wrong thread. I thought it was quiet ;o)

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Always a good idea to move on if things aren't right Al. Anyway, you can make a Japan clique with (I think) Kegsy...

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Just in tiem for the world cup -- oohh how fortunate ;-)

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Better than nothing, I suppose. ;-)

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

No worries Limey, I was sitting there for about 10 mins myself wondering where everyone was!

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

"Bernard was prowling there, just waiting"

We have a corner out of it anyway

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Just over the bar from O'Brien with a header

Crap

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Yer Metro lads are consistently awful but that Chewsea lot were boiling my piss. Compare and contrast with the Ipswich commentators this weekend - I kept listening to them even when Metro came back on. Top job.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Gudjohnsen with a head high challenge - again no booking.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Keep the updates coming please. sports.com have apparently gone out for a pie.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

The Metro idiot has just described an entire move without mentioning who the player was. I haven't got a clue what's going on with this game. It's as if he's commentating to a partially sighted spectator sitting next to him.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Time to get the drinks in I think.....my round!!! (:o)

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Zenden on for Le Saux

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

shay saves our ass again!!!!

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

I thought the Ipswich commentators were excellent too - it was the BBC local radio whereas the Chelsea one sounded like two they'd just trawled in from the shed. Are we doing well really - we seem to have been getting plenty of chances. Also Bernard seems to be doing a great job in place of Robert. And Given of course.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Shearer half a yard away from Glory.

OOH Given miracle save again.

Player of the Season for me. Making up for the last Chelsea game...

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Irish coffee for me please Roz - this is doing my heed in!

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

With a double shot? (:o)

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Dyer on for Bernard

Bit worrying if we go onto extra time

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

I'm having a can of Guinness - possibly inspiring Shay in some type of uncanny cosmic shared vibe. I'll keep drinking till the penalties have all been taken !

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Dyer on - Bobby taking the risk then!

Evening all by the way, I've been stuck in the web-cast thread till now...

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

12 pints of guiness for steveT, cyanide for me please

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

I'll have meself a bottle of Brown. Inspire the lads to play like they used to with the brown ale on the shirt.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

wot? if its a draw, its penalties??

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Not for me Paul....I`ll be onto my second glass of wine by then...and past caring! (;o)

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Who would be our pen takers?

Shearer

Bellamy (straight at the keeper) Solano Dyer?

and...

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

steve, i swear i wrote that before that posting - typecast son, typecast

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Dyer dispossesed and Chelsea counter attack quickly

Hughes saves the day though

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

3-0 to Man Utd

Hasselbaink has apparently "judo throwed" Dabizas, but nothing given.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

i wouldn't fancy any of our crew from the spot like but my 5 would be Bellamy Shearer Dabizas Elliot and Given - after all he's the man

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Bernard did pretty well, didn't he? So Dyer has potentially 45 minutes to play. Plus the winning penalty? I just heard Zenden's name - Has been on long?

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

how longs left?

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Dabizas booked, Hasselbaink with the free kick not that far out.

Headed away by Shearer, Dyer away, his pace beats his man, crosses in but Della Bona gets rid of it.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Zola coming on.....oh dear! :-0

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

who's the star man at the minute? Given?

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

The referee sounds a little biased towards the London team.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

How dare you Swift? Shlander, I say, Shlander...

Hic!...

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

as b·%$·%$d usual

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Where`s Min ....when you need a rousing rendition of the Blaydon Races? (:o)

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

someone pass me that bottle of whisky over will they ?

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Has Elleray got some missing relatives who are keenly interested in Plane-spotting? He seems a tad anti-Greek...

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Zola came close there.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Sliding it along the bar now............oops!(:o)

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

steves drunk it sting, sorry

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

*LOL* @ Steve T

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

ooo...did I hear something about drinks? A couple of Guinn-i (pl of Guinness) over here please Galaxy. Might stop me from chewing my nails. ;-)

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

steve, bell us with the result could you pal, i have to go to and eat - i'm f·$·d...cheers

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Sting, I never drink my bottle of whisky till I've had my 12 pints and Swift knows this...

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Anything with alcohol will do me at the moment.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Galaxy...any chilled Brown available?

Don't you just hate it when ITV1 trail a big ad before Coronation Street to inform everyone that "Chelsea v Newcastle" is about to start over on ITV Sport Monkey Digital, or whatever it's called? I refuse to subscribe to a Monkey. Pg 303 of Ceefax is free.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

LOL Monkey Digital

I bet they would have got more subscribers if their name was that!

4-0 to Man Utd against Derby

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

OK Swift (cough..lightweight...cough).

Nee bother, man.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Anybody for some munchies? I can nuke a bowl of nachos if there's any interest.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Chilled Brown Ale by the crateful.....just the one? (:o)

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Whatever happens, at least we've proved all those Southerners wrong with their 3-1 in 90 minutes predictions. We've certainly come along way since last season.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Shearer has, apparently been 'tugged all night' according to Metro.

Insert your own humourous comment here...

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

See what you`re missing Swift? Nachos! (:o) Yes please Ciara...I feel a World Cup moment coming on! (;o)

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Its days like this when I could kill the anti-smoking brigade .. nae tabs in the office is drving me nuts.. howay lads , howay get a bloody goal . Good news re Dyer BTW .

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

We got a 1-1 only a few months back, so maybe that's the best one to compare with. I agree though, we have come a long way since the 3-1 defeat.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Arrrr.....what....is.....going....on......text commentary....gone...for....another....bliddy....pie....arrrrrrrrrrrrr

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Do you think Rob Lee can last out an extra 30 minutes? If not, who can do his job?

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Erm, if Lee gets tired all we can do is put Dyer in the middle and Luax2 on the wing

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

here ya go, Gal. I'll put on some extra as it looks like none of us are going anywhere for awhile. eeek!

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Corner for us

COME ON!!!

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

How much longer before full time?

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

O'Brien over the bar with an UNCHALLENGED header

What a chance. What a miss

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Thanks Galaxy, much appreciated. Just one Brown for me, of course, as I'm typing tonight. But I'll take the rest of the crate just in case there's any monkey business with the highlights later tonight.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

If Luax2 is on for pens he'll probably try to bicycle kick it...

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

O'Brien just put a free headder over the bar....Bobby doing his nut!

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

2 minutes plus stoppage until extra time.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

ohh header went over bar ;o(

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Another corner

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

SteveT, if it wins us the match L2 can flick it in with his tongue for all I care! ;-))

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

great, 3rd corner....Haway lads

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Oh cr@p - I hate extra time - and I`m not staying if it goes to pens. (:o|

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

O'Brien AGAIN over the bar from another corner

Not an easy chance but it went off nonetheless

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

JEEESSSUSS man !

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Ciara - the Gene Simmons football acadamy?

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

I've got a bad memory - when was the last time we got through 90 minutes with a clean sheet in London?

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Training note: Set up barn door for tomorrow's practice

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

FUCK

Hasselbaink

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Bollox!

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Of course, now would be the perfect time for us to score!!! HOWAY THE LADS!!!! (:O)

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

apologies for the language

London, f**king London

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Won't be tonight anyway

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

COME ON!!!!!!!!

Ameobi and Lua Lua on, we NEED a goal!

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Typical, bleedin typical

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Paul, no apologies needed. The Spanish neighbours have just received a free colloquial English lesson...

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Goodnight, goodbye... *mumbles* F*ing london...

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

On the other hand........we could just let one in! (:o( Un- fluppin`believeable! (:o((((

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

F me , have a good nights sleep all in the UK. Feel like ive been shot .

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Galaxy I think you're right - now would be the perfect time to score, twice.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Game over lads and lasses.

Arse.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

2 minutes stoppage time, do these referees know the rules?

30 seconds per substitute and one minute per goal

That would make erm, 3 minutes without taking actual stoppages into consideration.

Bastard Chelsea, their fans don't deserve this. Hardly even cheered when Hasselbaink scored.

I hope Blackburn are going to get the backlash from this.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Cue my Shearer hat trick prediction?! Please!

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

OK Let's beat Arsenal instead. Let's get into europe the honest way!

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Well it's a crap competition anyway - beneath our attention. Would rather have 3 points on Saturday.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Again it came down to bad finishing.

Can't really blame O'Brien for missing headers, but why aim them for him? Shearer and Speed are both competent headers of the ball - surely they should be at the more dangerous back post?

Referee was a complete tart, should be shot at the earliest possible time.

At least we can now concentrate on the league now etc etc etc

Gutted

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Sometimes I wonder why we put ourselves through this...oh well, I`ll take three points on Saturday over this any day. Off to finish my bottle of wine...bye folks...thanks for the company.(:o|

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Al, what happened to the "I dont care what we win just as long as we win something" ?

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

I cant beleive our lads cant beat this bunch of lazy cockney t***s. O of course its in london and we never win there, NO we fu****g dont why cos this bunch of overpaid fu**wits have an excuse not to every game theres no pressure on them , theyll be cut up about not winning i hear you say , O yes im sure right up untill they open their wage packets they will be. Im fed up to the back teeth of listening whilst we get no better season after season. We have had 2 maybe three good performances this season and we are VERY fortunate to be in the position we are.

KEN----- pi**ed of beyond belief

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Ceefax Pg 103:

"Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink scored in the first minute of injury-time to take Chelsea into the semi-finals. The match seemed certain to be heading into the extra half-hour before the striker volleyed in a left-wing cross from Boudewijn Zenden."

I'll have that second Brown Galaxy, if I may? And a pickled egg. Life is cruel.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

29 games blah blah blah

London Jinx blah blah blah

Capital Punishment blah blah blah

Any original journalists out there?

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

I always clarified that & said it had to be something that everyone took seriously, and the Worthington Cup doesn't count anymore - we might as well win the Northumberland Senior Cup, or get relegated so we can win division 1. If the likes of Bolton are making 8 changes to their team because they'd rather concentrate on the league then it's a poxy cup for nobodies that's not worth winning.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Another typical day in the life of a toon fan. Wor lass isn't happy. She'll have to put up with my grumpiness for about 48hrs now..

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Al, we'd lose the bloody Northumberland Senior Cup if the final was held at Highbury.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

bring back the Texaco cup .....

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

I hope Watford win in the Final with Stephen Glass getting the winner in the 91st minute over Chelsea, so that Vialli can have a laugh too

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Well we've got some tough games to look foward to - Man Utd, Leeds twice, Chelsea, Arsenal. 15 points at stake How about three wins and two draws to cheer us up beyond our wildest dreams. Even 6 points would be quite good

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

I don't know why, but the way I'm feeling now compares quite similarly with after the second 2-1 defeat against the Mackems.

It's the last minute goals that really annoy me after we had attacked them constantly for 15 minutes.

It's a bit like saving up all your money for ages and ages to buy a new car, only to get all of your money stolen £1 short of the final amount.

Bastards

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Saying that, if we hammer Chelsea 7-0 or something special like that at SJP all will be forgotten

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001