steve_69

It is NOT the last thing anyone should do to sack the manager...where do you think NUFC would have finished up in 1992 if they had continued with Ardiles instead of bringing KK in ? They would have ended up in Div 3. that's where..we CANNOT afford relegation again. There is no purpose in firing the manager if you can't get someone better - but if you can, then you should - not only that, but as a director/owner, it is your DUTY to do just that. You are living in fantasy land - if Hughton cannot be replaced by a better manager, then he should stay ; if he gets the club relegated, then we might all as well go home because the message is that nobody better will take on the job. That also applies if Ashley intends to stay as owner and not invest, even if a new guy was appointed. Yes, Hughton has had his hands tied on transfers but those were the terms on which he accepted the job ; failure to win crucial home games against potential fellow strugglers will get him the sack...end of story. is sacking a manager a handful of games into the season bad timing though If you're top of the league and playing well, yes. If you're bottom of the league and playing shit, no. we're somewhere in the middle at the moment

According to Fergie, Rooney told David Gill that he wouldn't be signing a new contract, back in the summer.

Because he's f***ing brilliant! It's not our defensive play that needs work, it's our craft, creativity and guile that need serious polishing and Zola was one of the most gifted players the Premier League has seen, so I reckon he'd do a top job. He has all of his coaching badges, has managed in the Premier League and seems like a cracking bloke as well. Must have missed this craft, creativity and guile at West Ham. That actually strengthens my argument to be honest. He didn't do a great job as a manager but the players all seemed to love working with him. A coaching role might suit him better and he'd probably be more open to it given his relative failings at West Aaaaaaaaaa- aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaam

Because he's fucking brilliant! It's not our defensive play that needs work, it's our craft, creativity and guile that need serious polishing and Zola was one of the most gifted players the Premier League has seen, so I reckon he'd do a top job. He has all of his coaching badges, has managed in the Premier League and seems like a cracking bloke as well.

Dream choice - Gianfranco Zola Likely choice - Dave Bassett

The problem is that the more 'easy' home games that go by without us picking up 3 points, the more likely it becomes that we'll have to pick up points in some of the more difficult games in order to stay up. I'd rather not go into a game against a team in the top 6 knowing we have to win to stay up.

Play the two big lads up front and R Taylor on the right and we might be in business. ..............................Krul Simpson........Colo........Sol.........Enrique R Taylor........Tiote........Barton.....Jonas ....................Ameobi.....Carroll Come on Chris, you know it makes sense!

It's the glaringly obvious tactical issues that worry me about Hughton this season. Continuing to play Nolan and Perch when neither are performing anywhere near the required standard, persisting with one striker who is clearly isolated and lacks service, overlooking Jonas as a right-sided option when Ben Arfa was fit, constantly leaving our best crosser and set piece taker on the bench when we have a 6 foot 5 inch striker up front etc. I know at times he hasn't had alternative options but that isn't the case now. Perch is costing us a goal a game and offers fuck all going forward. I'm certain Ryan Taylor or Colo could do a better job there. The Premier League is ruthless and new managers have to learn very quick in order to succeed. IMO this is where Hughton might fall down - he seems to react to the team's weaknesses and failings a lot slower than he should.

As much as I rate hughton and don't want him replaced, my loyalty might be tested if we had the chance to get Martin o neill.

Good managers make changes when things aren't working. We've been performing well but not winning games, which means something isn't working. If Hughton persists with the same players and the same system, based on the fact that we played well enough to win against Stoke, Blackpool and Man City, then we have big problems. I think Hughton is a good, perceptive manager and I have faith that he will make changes.

Lovenkrands in a withdrawn role and Carroll messing around by the corner flag? I have to say, it'd at least give us the element of surprise.

If you're going to drop Routledge, the only person they should replace him with is Ryan Taylor. He is flawed in many ways but he is a genuine goal threat and can deliver a set piece like no one else in our squad. IMO Carroll is far more likely to score with Taylor whipping balls in for him. Given Perch's complete ineptitude i'd stick Raylor at right back - just having him on the pitch gives us an added dimension.

This is Ian wright's view on it: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/sunsport_columnists/3175090/Ian-Wright-If-FA-wont-act-put-Nigel-de-Jong-in-court.html

That is fucking awful! It looks like a string vest

For all we know it could be a private joke between Macheda and Rooney and he delivered it in a tongue in cheek way, and with a massive smile on his face. The problem with any media is that they portray it as a cutting remark. Macheda probably calls him a chav every day in training for a laugh.

Just like the 'we might bring in one or two quality additions' or 'no new capital outlay' etc. I'm even more confident we'll bring someone in now, having read that

Elmander from Bolton?

If Martinez has any sense, and if he has watched re-runs of our last few games, he'll play him on the left against us. I reckon N'Zogbia would tear Perch a new hole

I pray to God that either Gosling or Guthrie take Nolan's place in the team, when fit. This is getting beyond a fucking joke. I started the season quite optimistic and that was further fuelled by our performances in the first 3 games but I genuinely believe we are a realistic candidate for relegation if we don't get Nolan out of the first 11. Ideally we'd play with 2 strikers up front but if it has to be 4-5-1 then stick any fucker but Nolan in the more advanced role. He offered absolutely nothing on Sunday. You can't afford to carry a sub-standard player in any game in the Premier League, let alone every game. I hope that Hughton is only playing Nolan there until more options become available but i'm not holding my breath

YES

Personally, I don't think he's good enough for this league but i'm pretty sure he'd be more effective than Nolan

I can't understand why Lovenkrands isn't getting a chance in the team. He was excellent throughout the second half of last season and his pace is always a threat. I believe Nolan has a role to play but second striker simply isn't it. He isn't quick enough and he and Carroll do not compliment each other's play at all. Carroll is being nulified at the moment. Unless he scores from a set piece he is redundant because most of the work he does goes to waste. What's the point in flicking the ball on when there's no-one there to get it? Why bother holding the ball up when no-one is running past him? I would actually rather see Lovenkrands playing up front on his own if that's the formation Hughton is going to continue with.

Nope, I thought they worked too. The subs definitely made an impact when they came on but I was a bit disappointed that he took off Ben Arfa instead of Routledge, who was virtually anonymous for the whole second half. I can understand taking Tiote off because Stoke were becoming more and more direct. There was no point in him standing there watching the ball sail over his head, and he was very little use defending set pieces because he's a midget.

I don't think Routledge is offering much at the moment, in terms of creating or scoring. He seems to be doing more defending than anything else. Jonas looked decent when he came on yesterday but I can't understand the insistence on playing him on the left, when he is clearly more comfortable and confident with his right foot. James Perch is not Premier League quality. I appreciate that yesterday's own goal was an unfortunate accident but he looks like an accident waiting to happen most of the rest of the time. If we're going to play a sub-standard RB i'd much rather see Ryan Taylor in the first team - at least he offers something going forward and is a genuine goal threat from set pieces. This is what I want to see: .................................Krul R Taylor.....Williamson.....Colo.....Jose Jonas.........Barton..........Tiote.....Ben arfa ..................Carroll.........Any fucker