ohmelads

Let's not forget just how good Owen is. I don't believe he should walk back into the team and I don't think 4-3-3 would be the best use of his talents, but he's still the best goalscorer in the squad and I'm very happy that he'll be on the bench for Villa. His movement and ability to take precious chances make him a very useful option coming off the bench because he can punish the slightest mistake from tiring defenders and will always find space. He proved at Real Madrid what a good impact sub he can be. Not to mention his return will keep the rest on their toes. Big boost for us ahead of the game.

http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/76077009.jpg?v=1&c=NewsMaker&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF1935F875963FC567DB1C52E760880E823E6 I'm guessing it didn't go in, as getty haven't mentioned a goal. Cacapa warming up: http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/76076710.jpg?v=1&c=NewsMaker&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF1935F875963FC567DB19E1B455287723018

Well I'm highlighting the worst case scenario, that if we're getting raped down both flanks we do have options to switch it around with Enrique and Geremi. N'Zogbia's pace will help him in a race but his defensive abilities look a bit suspect. Like many wingers when they're trying to defend he seems happy enough to stand off, giving the winger enough time to look up and pick out a dangerous cross. You can see he's a makeshift left back but if he does play hopefully this won't affect him, and I certainly prefer playing him there over someone like Ramage any day of the week. Giving Enrique his debut is a definite possibility, but a midfielder would have to be dropped and the way they've been playing, I don't think that'd be the best thing to do. Seeing Ashley Young getting the better of Finnan on the highlights did make me worry about Carr, but I'd still start him. I think starting the same 11 that controlled the game against Sampdoria and against Bolton would be the sensible thing to do, switching to 4-4-2 if need be.

This is my main concern. They will surely look to exploit our full back positions, where we'll probably have N'Zogbia, a makeshift left back, and Carr, who can be a liability at times and isn't the quickest. Hopefully Rozenhal can deal with Carew whose aeriel threat caused us problems here last time. If N'Zogbia is having trouble I expect Enrique will be on the bench to replace him at left back, while Geremi can always go to right back if Carr is getting murdered down that side, so we do have options. Enrique is said to be very quick and handled Messi no problem according to the Villarreal fans, so he might be the man for this game if Allardyce feels he's ready.

Struggling to think of a reason against this. As you point out, it'd be very handy to be able to put someone like Andy Carroll or Paul Huntington on the bench in case we unexpectedly hammer a team 4-0 and can find place for them in the last 15 or 20 minutes. With 5 subs, we wouldn't risk putting them on the bench (short of an injury crisis), and as a result they get no minutes on the pitch. I'm sure Chopra would have got more appearances for us if there had been 7 subs available for every match.

I think we'll see the same team but a different bench with Enrique and possibly Owen this time around. As with the Bolton game I think it's a case of getting at them early. With a new manager, first home game of the season, the players will have all the motivation they need. I'm quite confident about this one, but Villa are a decent side and have proven they can be a hard team to break down. With height in Carew and pace in the likes of Agbonlahor they have ingredients to give us problems, I just hope we'll have too much for them at home. It's tempting to go 4-4-2 and try to open the game up, letting our superior attacking players and home advantage do the talking, but I'd be happy enough to stick with the team, players and formation which have served us well in recent weeks.

According to .com: Change of thread title?

For once there are selection issues popping up all over, it's great to see such competition for places after almost an entire season of the whole team picking itself.

I didnt On the radio, he was definitely mentioned during the Man Utd match but I didn't hear what it was in relation to.

0-0. We're top of the league for a couple of days.

Think I just heard them mention Sam Allardyce on the match commentary.

Each seems as likely or unlikely as the other to be honest. Mort going to watch a match which has nowt to do with us because he's in the northwest? It's hardly a major trek to the north west is it. Has it been confirmed they are actually there?

2-2 Kapo.

2-1 Arsenal. Hleb.

At the end of the day I think fans up and down the country are more likely to keep on chanting/singing in defeat if they have any sort of reasonable hope that things can be turned around. I remember under Bobby Robson when we went 1-0 behind at home to Mallorca (Eto'o played that day) with only half an hour to go and the whole stadium responded by saying "f*ck this" and raised the roof to support the team. The side responded and overwhelmed them, banging in 4 goals and finishing the tie there and then. But the fans had belief in the team back then, we had come back from behind many times before under the guidance of a competent manager. This year we haven't scored at home since February 10th, that's 8 hours without a goal at home. Some of the fans had lost hope, and in the last few weeks we had nothing but pride to play for. I don't think that'll be a problem this season, we have more depth, a better manager, and surely nobody can ever pick up that many injuries again? I think everyone'll be fully behind the players against Villa.

Bent will do alright and get them a fair few goals, but I reckon most the goals he'll get will be ones Keane, Berbatov or Defoe could score anyway. I think you're right there, Spurs would have been much better off putting that money into their engine room, which was in bigger need of improvement.

It wasn't a free-kick, Villa were hard done by there. Inch perfect from Gerrard though, brilliant free kick.

It tends to be the case that when a team (or player) is overrated by the press, people react to that by underrating them. I think a lot of people feel Spurs are a canny good top 6 side who are only being touted for the top 4 because of the money they've spent, rather than the actual players they've bought. Today doesn't show how the season will pan out, but it shows that Spurs can and will drop points on the road, even to weak teams, because they haven't got the depth to cover a couple of injuries in key positions. I don't consider Spurs to be significantly ahead of the rest of the 'chasing pack' but I do think they're a decent side and I'm confident they'll finish in the top 7.

It must be a bitter pill for Bolton to swallow, but how they can behave the way they have done towards the man who contributed so much to putting them where they are is ridiculous. Everyone from their chairman down to the fans, it beggars belief. They deserve everything that's coming.

Good point. It was a silly goal to concede on several counts, we were 3-0 up and yet we threw everybody but two players forward for a corner. No need. But in normal circumstances I agree with you, if we're leaving two players back then it should be players with a bit of pace because if they're needed it'll be to stop a quick breakaway. Besides, one of Carr's (few) strengths is he can hit a ball with real power, so I wouldn't mind him being one of the ones standing 30 yards out ready to leather anything that comes out of the penalty area.

So is Carroll going out on loan or not then?

Suppose you're right. Man City, Spurs, Villa and Everton will be the teams we'll watch for, it's no coincidence we have fans from those four teams contributing to our boards as they probably feel the same way about us.

Was hoping Liverpool would drop some points here, looks like they've got out of jail with that free-kick.

Gerrard goal 2-1. Free kick.

Not happy to see them picking up 3 points but looking on the bright side Spurs have got off to a poor start and they could be rivals of ours this season.