Graffito

Agree with this approach.

He hasn't fallen out with them lately if that's what you mean.

Oh yeah, Cortese's fabled mastery of the press. Forgot about that.

Cortese isn't a fool. If you and I can see that we are a good side but were beaten by a better squad then I'm quite sure Cortese sees it. Which begs the question why you made this post.

With the move to Stratford it would be disaster for them if they go down. He'd score the goals that would keep them up. Bargain at £8m. How would we replace him. Tell 'em to stick it where the sun don't shine.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/west-ham/10543161/West-Ham-manager-Sam-Allardyce-continues-search-for-striker-as-Southampton-put-8m-price-on-Rickie-Lambert.html £8m.

Except that somebody used his loaf, did some research and told the forum what would happen.

I liked the one where he suggested a demo march from the pub to the ground, but not actually going into the stadium but turning round and marching back to the pub. Bit like the Grand Old Duke of York.

On that basis you might think he has more reason to give decisions against Chelsea following the Mikel allegations but Chelsea have been willing to have him officiate. Picking and choosing refs and even applying rules about a referee's place of birth, place of residence or allegiances is a can of worms, as is making them answerable in public. If anything, he may have been swayed yesterday by that being his first appearance at Goodison for 6 years, having been prevented from refereeing there due to poor performance in a derby match. It's possible he's simply someone whose judgement is poor and who should be demoted to the lower leagues. Harsh on the lower leagues but at least we wouldn't have to put up with him.

"Gaston has to play more". I imagine that's what the manager has been telling him.

Is he wasting money on the academy that could be used to buy these players?

FWIW, as I think it's not particularly relevant, he's a declared Newcastle fan who therefore is not permitted to referee Newcastle or SunderLand matches. Refs are given the option to declare allegiances when they become FL or PL refs.

Everton are strong down the flanks. By and large the team did a good job of limiting their opportunities to cross from the flanks. On two of the few occasions they did get down the wings they scored, one from the right and the second from the left. Baines is class and Coleman had a good game. How many times did Baines whip crosses in? Both our fullbacks did ok against them.

I doubt that was much consolation to Everton though I'd imagine today's aberration may have been. With the master penalty taker in our side that's two points he's paid back.

He's been prevented from reffing at Goodison for 6 years due to an abysmal performance there. Today was his first game back.

There"s a danger of being overly critical. I know you are not being so and not everything was right with today's performance (cutting edge and a couple of costly defensive lapses), but let's not forget we're a good side and showed it again today. Clattenburg definitely cost us, as I feared he would. Gave a pen for a minor shirt tug at Arsenal and failed to give a blatant pen today.

Worth a point. Should have had a penalty. Their goals were well taken but we didn't defend them well. Interesting game tactically. We played deeper than usual. Irrational, but I just cant stand Everton.

Link from post 104 explains all. http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/everton-v-southampton-mark-clattenburg-returns-to-goodison-park-six-years-after-merseyside-derby-controversy-9027667.html I'll be watching that any shirt tugging in the Everton penalty box is penalized consistent with the penalty he gave against Fonte at Arsenal.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/everton-v-southampton-mark-clattenburg-returns-to-goodison-park-six-years-after-merseyside-derby-controversy-9027667.html Clattenberg again. Any shirt tugging in the box and it will be a penalty of course.

Really looking forward to this one.

When I bought 6 a few hours ago there were still plenty left in P4 but at this rate they won't take long to sell out.

Surprised you said this.

If he goes to United or anywhere else I think it's much more likely to be in the summer, probably after the WC. We struggle to create anything without Lallana. Letting him go in January we'd be shooting ourselves in the foot.

High quality global journalism requires investment. Please share this article with others using the link below, do not cut & paste the article. See our Ts&Cs and Copyright Policy for more detail. Email ftsales.support@ft.com to buy additional rights. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/7b6f0490-6347-11e3-a87d-00144feabdc0.html#ixzz2oROhNgvQ While the leaders on both sides rejected a Christmas truce, when the day came soldiers took matters into their own hands. On December 25, along the western front, the guns fell silent and men emerged, cautiously at first, from their trenches to meet in no-man’s-land. Some sang Christmas carols, others played football. “It was absolutely astounding,” wrote a British captain, “and if I had seen it on a cinematograph film I should have sworn that it was faked!”

He had a poor game today by his standards. You are seriously overreacting.