TRC

I disagree with the idea that we can't have better backup in the striking department. We had money to spend there which was proved by bids for De Jong and Carroll. We were prepared to pay double-figures for both. As a team building on 5th place with money to spend, there's no excuse for why that shouldn't have been achieved. I know that's a conversation for another thread, really, but it's relevant here. It's certainly frustrating that we don't have a 4th option upfront, regardless of what other clubs are doing. We threw away Best and Lovenkrands, who weren't special but still experienced players who could score goals. We've replaced that with absolutely nothing. And i'm not laying into Shola. As i say, i love the guy and i think he's a good player. We know his foibles though and i'm just pointing out his failures tonight. Can you really argue that he didn't waste chances this evening? Like i say, good player but that's nowt fresh. Ideally we should have kept Best, I'd love De Jong here or Carrol back, but I can't see either of them being happy to sit on the bench at a club of our stature, or we would have to shuffle the squad to accomodate them which could backfire. I think Shola should have scored, but we was on a tough pitch to be fair and he only learned to cleanly strike a football 2 years ago.

Bear in mind Cisse was ill, or he probably would have started. Shola can't really win can he? Saved our arses a few days ago with a quick cameo. He's by no means perfect but look at what the other clubs around us have as back up strikers. Anichebe for Everton, Harry Kane at Spurs? Liverpool? Arsenal? Chelsea? All pretty light up top. We are lucky to have 2 top class strikers, it would be nice to have a back up striker like Hernandez or Dzeko but we can't compete with that

Commentator over here was comparing Shelvey to Gerrard...

How's that? People wanted a back up striker and Shola was our best player tonight along with Bigi signed this transfer window. We kept a clean sheet with a backup defence pretty much. Eh? If we'd strengthened the squad in the window we wouldn't have to be playing teams comprised of utility players, youngsters and reserves. I absolutely love Shola but he shouldn't be the next best option after Ba and Cisse. It's been that way for years. I'm not criticising the performance at all. In reality we should have won but the weakness of the players on the pitch prevented us from doing so against an inferior side. I think Shola is a decent option for a 3rd choice striker, It's all well and good wanting someone better, but realistically who is going to want to come here to sit on the bench and be behind Cisse and Ba. Especially when both strikers aren't guarenteed a start at the moment.

How's that? People wanted a back up striker and Shola was our best player tonight along with Bigi signed this transfer window. We kept a clean sheet with a backup defence pretty much. Ameobi simply can't score. We knew that years ago. He's not good enough to start games in any competition we play in. He was unlucky tonight, and he had no service at all.

Metalist are decent tbh. Your point is pretty much invalid as the beat City.

How's that? People wanted a back up striker and Shola was our best player tonight along with Bigi signed this transfer window. We kept a clean sheet with a backup defence pretty much.

Does it matter if we finish 1st or 2nd in this?

Shola did look good, considering he had no service.

Better than Cabaye tbh.

Where have you watched Maritimo? Not doubting you, just seems a strange team to watch a lot of.

Over 2.5 in the Spurs game.

He has a lot more maturity to his game than the others.

Seems to have a nice touch and passing, but I wish he was a bit more direct. Our direct players like Obertan and Sammy have no end product.

Santi Cazorla and Yaya Toure double. 185/1

Last year his all round play was superb. We should go for a win vs Maritimo and try and play everything through him.

No.

Needs a goal vs the Portugese. Think he will get it providing we don't hoof it all game or play a ridiculously sloppy game which seems to happen in these slow paced Europa games.

I'm away and can't see the game what formation have we played?

Which shop is cheapest for our top? En route to the metro and I hate shopping

Did Anita play?

Should have got a CB in but, having 3 right backs out is bad luck. If we had have signed a RB Simpson probably would have moved on.

I like him as a 20 minute sub, nothing else. He has a unique style on and off the pitch.

Under Robson we were awesome at it.

Yep. I get lost in these massive threads. Majority of my posts I have no idea where they are. I don't know how to work the internet too good though.