Wullie

You're right like, there's no consistency.

Motson: "was he taken from behind?" I can't be the only one that giggled.

have we played better when he's been out ? At least we're winning when he's out. Krul Taylor Taylor Kadar Enrique (have we got another LB?) Geremi Butt Vuckic LuaLua Ranger Donaldson the performances should prove that it's not "because" he's out though. Really? The attacking performances have been very hit and miss but generally speaking, our defence has been very mean in terms of both goals and chances other than the Blackpool game, which is really what Butt should be judged on given that protecting the back four is supposed to be his job. Obviously more to it than simply "it's his fault", but I think he is a liability.

He's done OK when he's played, no more. People raving about a forward who hasn't scored or even looked like doing it is pretty daft. As I said a few months back, when he finally plays and doesn't do too badly the f***ing roof will come off. Absolutely embarrassing By all accounts against Blackpool he was our best play when he came on, he completely changed Carroll's play against Plymouth, was MOTM against Leicester and was decent again against Cardiff. He deserves the credit he's getting. Alternatively, he was poor in the first half against Leicester, good in the second, the change in formation was the difference yesterday & he played OK against Cardiff, and didn't do much at all against Blackpool (not his fault mind). All in all, he's done OK. He did have a last minute header cleared off the line at Blackpool tbf, not bad for seven minutes work.

4-4-2 is attack, attack, attack? What?

He made three changes from the team beaten by Blackpool; this included dropping Butt. Which big players is he accommodating? Nolan. He could play 4-4-2 and accommodate Nolan. What he did was play 4-5-1 or 4-4-1-1 (imo it was 4-5-1) for 60 minutes and then made the changes that got the win; can't see much wrong with that. They're only good substitutions if you haven't got the selection wrong in the first place imo.

They'll be on the bbc website from Monday. Thanks , thats what i was looking for They're already on now via the iPlayer but I don't think any BBC video is available to you mate with you being abroad. I could be wrong though.

You must be joking.

Danny Guthrie? I agree. We were talking about Joey Barton though.

Being played out of position is no excuse for constantly misplacing passes and being caught in possession. Using the "on paper" argument and saying Barton's our best midfielder based on his Man City form is as relevant as saying it of Butt based on his Man Utd days.

Haven't seen the game tonight but Barton's been terrible so far this season and Real Radio said he was awful tonight.

The last few are mint, actually that goes for the whole thread.

Next season at this rate.

Cunt.

Dave man, please. Stop it. Sorry about that. 'Average' okay?

Dave man, please. Stop it.

Aye I think he's done well so far.

This thread might be the best we've ever had.

I thought Barton was shite again. Doesn't look a cut above in this league, something even Ryan Taylor is managing ffs.

Sorry but no they're not, at all - and to say so is purely succumbing to the ridiculous bumfest he receives on this board. I mean for isntance, on a couple of occassions in the second half... he was holding the defender off on the edge of the box - admittedly with his back to goal - but with a good yard of space between him and his encroacher. A turn and shot is hardly against the rules from these situations and i saw him score a similar sounding goal for England the other day. I can't understand it; it's almost as if he's compelled to pass in those situations in the first team, where he'd shoot in the reserves or England team. It's not bad like - and i'd largely put it down to confidence... and the midfield not being that great does make him look wasteful when he isn't as such, but a bit more striker's instinct definitely needs kicking into him. He's nowhere to be seen from set pieces, either. Carroll's the more rounded striker at the moment and i'd definitely have him in the side ahead of him; especially in a 4-5-1. Comparing him infavourably to Carroll doesn't do your argument many favours imo. One of Carroll's biggest flaws at first team level is his lack of willingness to have a shot. Inevitably looks to check inside or pass even when he's clean through.

Exactly. I'd have been extremely pissed off with what happened with regards to Modric and not getting someone in the centre of midfield. Not to mention the promises he made to the fans after Milner was sold, that the money would be spent.

couldn't care less Good for you. Try to enjoy it a bit. By me posting 'lucky win' you deduce i haven't enjoyed it? Sorry but you're clearly an idiot if you think that. I tend to use the forum to express opinions on the football. We were outplayed for most of the second half and the Taylor handball / Smith sending off were pivotal moments that we should have been punished for. So i thought we were lucky. No offence, but it just sounded like you're a right miserable t***. that's basically what you said to me when I declared my pessemism after the Boro game in April........ Aye but that was a magic performance though and it looked like we had finally got it together. Slightly different circumstances. Also, now am on this tip for some bizarre reason (cos i said 'lucky win' ffs), i'll repeat the salient and long-term view that there is fuck all point in us winning this league if we perform like that every week. There's fuck all point anyway if Ashley's still here.

So satisfying to upset this little shitbag again.