As far as British players not being as technical as most other nationals, I’d have to disagree. If they generally lack anything, it’s a little flair with the ball. One could argue that a Gareth Barry, probably last to be picked if you were forming a FIFA STREET team, is as technically sound as most players, just maybe not as exciting. You could probably chalk that up to years of academy training with coaches who stress that the Premiership is the league where you have the least amount of time on the ball.

Fat Sam gets two seasons from me. He’s earned that. The only causes for concern so far are his apparent favoritism towards Michael Owen despite an otherwise strict form-over-reputation selection policy, and a tendency to field too many similar midfielders who obviously don’t mesh well. Want to really grade him though? See what he does when we lose Beye, Faye, Martins and Geremi to the African Cup of Nations in January. Now that’ll be a test.

From what I’ve seen of Newcastle this season, N’Zogbia has often looked far more dangerous than Milner – could it be an example of how British players are not as technically good as those of other nationalities?

Part of me thinks that perhaps Big Sam has been hyped a bit too much and he’s not as good as people think he is. He could very well do a Martin Jol – take the club to Uefa Cup but not beyond.