Shame for those travelling down to the Midlands for that. Just shows the gulf in class.

(03 Jan 2015, 4:51 pm)aureolin wrote Shame for those travelling down to the Midlands for that. Just shows the gulf in class.

That it does, i must say,I never expectsd defeat to be that heavy

On way back from West Brom now.

Believe it or not, Gateshead were absolutely tremendous.
Genuinely, the difference was the finishing. West Brom took their chances, Gateshead didn't.

Some of the touches, passing and movement from Gateshead was tremendous and for 42 mins, they took the p!ss out of West Brom.

Just for you lot, a photo of me in the away end.

(03 Jan 2015, 7:33 pm)Andreos1 wrote On way back from West Brom now.

Believe it or not, Gateshead were absolutely tremendous.
Genuinely, the difference was the finishing. West Brom took their chances, Gateshead didn't.

Some of the touches, passing and movement from Gateshead was tremendous and for 42 mins, they took the p!ss out of West Brom.

Just for you lot, a photo of me in the away end.

Where???

You gonna show us or is the game 'Find the picture to find Andreos'

On way back from West Brom now.

Believe it or not, Gateshead were absolutely tremendous.
Genuinely, the difference was the finishing. West Brom took their chances, Gateshead didn't.

Some of the touches, passing and movement from Gateshead was tremendous and for 42 mins, they took the p!ss out of West Brom.

Just for you lot, a photo of me in the away end.

Wheres Wally, The Fencehouses Edition

While Blyth and Gateshead undoubtedly put in sterling performances against higher ranked teams, Newcastle's efforts in the FA Cup leave a lot to be desired. Even listening to the match on the radio was hard work. It seemed neither Leicester nor Newcastle were 'in it to win it' and, given Ashley's attitude towards cup competitions, it was probably the result he wanted.

It is clear that supporters still cherish the FA Cup and, for some, a decent cup-run is just as important as an uninspired mid-table finish. To treat cup-competitions as an inconvenience is a slap in the face to fans. If certain Premier League clubs continue to treat cup-competitions in this manner, I believe the FA should be able to levy fines or impose sanctions.

I don't know how it would work, but it could give clubs a kick up the arse if their precious PL money was taken away from them.

(03 Jan 2015, 11:05 pm)MurdnunoC wrote While Blyth and Gateshead undoubtedly put in sterling performances against higher ranked teams, Newcastle's efforts in the FA Cup leave a lot to be desired. Even listening to the match on the radio was hard work. It seemed neither Leicester nor Newcastle were 'in it to win it' and, given Ashley's attitude towards cup competitions, it was probably the result he wanted.

It is clear that supporters still cherish the FA Cup and, for some, a decent cup-run is just as important as an uninspired mid-table finish. To treat cup-competitions as an inconvenience is a slap in the face to fans. If certain Premier League clubs continue to treat cup-competitions in this manner, I believe the FA should be able to levy fines or impose sanctions.

I don't know how it would work, but it could give clubs a kick up the arse if their precious PL money was taken away from them.

Could League related prize money be taken from clubs, The Premier League have nothing to do with the organisation of the FA Cup.

What could happen, is take away prize money earned through a cup, place a bar on them getting a share of the gate in whichever round they blatantly field a weakened side, if they take no notice, then straight disqualification.

One thing the FA could offer, providing FIFA and UEFA agreed would be a Champions League Spot, that would possibly revitalise the interest of 2/3 of the Premier League.

I remember a rule years ago in some cup, teams were not allowed to field weakened sides and bar an injury crisis, had to pick at least 6 or 7 from the last league.

(03 Jan 2015, 11:30 pm)MrFozz wrote Could League related prize money be taken from clubs, The Premier League have nothing to do with the organisation of the FA Cup.

What could happen, is take away prize money earned through a cup, place a bar on them getting a share of the gate in whichever round they blatantly field a weakened side, if they take no notice, then straight disqualification.

One thing the FA could offer, providing FIFA and UEFA agreed would be a Champions League Spot, that would possibly revitalise the interest of 2/3 of the Premier League.

I remember a rule years ago in some cup, teams were not allowed to field weakened sides and bar an injury crisis, had to pick at least 6 or 7 from the last league.

Not directly, no. However, all clubs (and leagues) are affiliated to the FA (and UEFA and FIFA) which means fines could be levied indirectly and sanctions imposed through some of the measures you've mentioned.

Fines and disqualification would maybe not bother some teams as it would be loose change to them, the way to really hurt top teams, I dont know what UEFA would think, is affect there prize funds from Europe, take the Group Match Share away from Utd, City or Chelsea and there left with a very lucrative hole in there finances.

The thing what bothers me, what is the true definition of a weakened team, I bet the Stiffs of the top 4 would do well in the Premier League and to enforce it, rules would need to be in place like what I mentioned before X amount of players from your last league game has to be named in the Cup game.

Another way to do it, would be cut the number of league games over Christmas, just play Boxing Day, with next game after being the 3rd Round Weekend

I disagree with weakened team rulings in either league or cup. As a manager, you have to select a 25 man squad for the league. That 25 man squad would normally represent the 'first team'. So as long as any game played is from that pool of players, it's just a manager using the resources available.

(03 Jan 2015, 11:59 pm)aureolin wrote I disagree with weakened team rulings in either league or cup. As a manager, you have to select a 25 man squad for the league. That 25 man squad would normally represent the 'first team'. So as long as any game played is from that pool of players, it's just a manager using the resources available.

Yes, the rules state a First Team of 25 must be registered at the end of each window, but they dont have to strictly stay within that, the squad can supplemented with an unlimited number of Players U-21...

I need to have a look at the Premier League Rulebook, not read it for a while

(04 Jan 2015, 12:12 am)MrFozz wrote Yes, the rules state a First Team of 25 must be registered at the end of each window, but they dont have to strictly stay within that, the squad can supplemented with an unlimited number of Players U-21...

I need to have a look at the Premier League Rulebook, not read it for a while

Yeah U21s don't have to be registered I don't think. It's a strange one, because at junior level, the rules are adopted to ensure you rotate your squads. Including the use of rolling subs.

(04 Jan 2015, 12:12 am)MrFozz wrote Yes, the rules state a First Team of 25 must be registered at the end of each window, but they dont have to strictly stay within that, the squad can supplemented with an unlimited number of Players U-21...

I need to have a look at the Premier League Rulebook, not read it for a while

I think you're right about the U-21 thing.

Looking at Wikipedia, there are 40 players listed as part of the first team. Many of those, including the likes of Armstrong, Satka and even Aarons, are also listed as 'academy' players.

Has Satka been named in any squad aside from today? Ditto Vuckic? 

Aye, although it was Satkas debut, he has been in the squad.

Vukic has played a few games recently.

Quite gutted 3 NE teams went out yesterday, prob's be 4 today with Sunderland going out!

(04 Jan 2015, 11:49 am)Michael wrote Quite gutted 3 NE teams went out yesterday, prob's be 4 today with Sunderland going out!

Agreed, I really thought Gateshead and Blyth could have created a shock yesterday, Blyth blew a 2 goal lead and by all accounts despite a 7-0 thrashing, Gateshead played there hearts out, I heard a pundit say 'For the first 40 minutes Gateshead looked like the Premiership Side'...

I reckon Leeds will win today to be honest

1-0 Sunderland
Patrick Van Aanholt

Pardews Palace currently 2-0 up

(04 Jan 2015, 2:08 pm)mb134 wrote Pardews Palace currently 2-0 up

Is he in the dugout today???

(04 Jan 2015, 2:09 pm)MrFozz wrote Is he in the dugout today???

Think so aye 

Just had a look back at some posts on BBC sport which would make me believe he is 

(04 Jan 2015, 2:09 pm)MrFozz wrote Is he in the dugout today???

Ye he is, the game is on BT sports.

I see Carver has thrown his hat into the ring for the Newcastle job

John-Carver-to-throw-his-hat-into-the-ring-for-vacant-Mewcastle-manager-job

After his recent history with Newcastle fans and yesterday's performance I would imagine he would not be the Number 1. choice for the job

(04 Jan 2015, 3:19 pm)MrFozz wrote I see Carver has thrown his hat into the ring for the Newcastle job

John-Carver-to-throw-his-hat-into-the-ring-for-vacant-Mewcastle-manager-job

After his recent history with Newcastle fans and yesterday's performance I would imagine he would not be the Number 1. choice for the job

I think it will be some one from Europe... like Spanish, French etc

Although Sunderland won, if I was Gus Poyet or a Sunderland fan, I would be far from happy with todays result, and although I hate Leeds, it sounded like hard lines for them, they could have easily been 3-1 up early in the Second Half, and were probably hard done by not to get a replay...

On that performance, I dont hold much hope for them having a good FA Cup run

(04 Jan 2015, 3:26 pm)MrFozz wrote Although Sunderland won, if I was Gus Poyet or a Sunderland fan, I would be far from happy with todays result, and although I hate Leeds, it sounded like hard lines for them, they could have easily been 3-1 up early in the Second Half, and were probably hard done by not to get a replay...

On that performance, I dont hold much hope for them having a good FA Cup run

Defo, wasting chances like normal, we need a goalscorer asap.

(04 Jan 2015, 3:22 pm)Michael wrote I think it will be some one from Europe... like Spanish, French etc

The word was the other day, Frank De Boer was a favourite, but his agent said he will not leave Ajax before the summer

(04 Jan 2015, 3:28 pm)Michael wrote Defo, wasting chances like normal, we need a goalscorer asap.

They lack creativity going forward and support from midfield, AdammJohnson, while being a decent player, is too inconsistent, as for the strikers, Fletcher is injury prone, Whickham is not much better and Altidore is that bad, if he fell into a barrel of tits, he would come out sucking his thumb...

Sunderland have not had a good attack since Niall Quinn and Kevin Phillips and a solution pretty bad

(04 Jan 2015, 3:50 pm)MrFozz wrote The word was the other day, Frank De Boer was a favourite, but his agent said he will not leave Ajax before the summer
They lack creativity going forward and support from midfield, AdammJohnson, while being a decent player, is too inconsistent, as for the strikers, Fletcher is injury prone, Whickham is not much better and Altidore is that bad, if he fell into a barrel of tits, he would come out sucking his thumb...

Sunderland have not had a good attack since Niall Quinn and Kevin Phillips and a solution pretty bad

Can't forget Bent, he was a goalscorer, had no one since the nob left for big team Villa.... where's he now, the nob?

(04 Jan 2015, 3:55 pm)Michael wrote Can't forget Bent, he was a goalscorer, had no one since the nob left for big team Villa.... where's he now, the nob?

Still preferred Quinn and Phillips, Bent was good, but your right, he is a prick and serves him right...

Since his move to Villa he only played 61 games for them and has pretty much been loaned out ever since, playing for Fulham(getting relegated) then Brighton and Derby in the Championship

Sunderland v Fulham or Wolves in the Cup

Boro got Citeh away...

Both Blyth and Gatesheads conquerors got each other