Wullie

I'd give anything to have another Laurent Robert on our hands. I know what you mean though. The problem is that the opposition know they can double up on the winger because the central midfield offers fuck all creatively. Jonas and Charlie were both beating their man today but found another man behind him because if it goes to Nicky Butt, he won't exactly cut them apart.

I know it's not fashionable to say it anymore but KK did that imo - Viduka's class, Owen's finishing and Martins' pace, with each one compensating for the others flaws, made a lethal combination. I was going to say that "the" formation never got a proper airing against class opposition, then remembered the last home game of last season against Chelsea where we were unlucky to go into half-time level at 0-0 and then had to replace Viduka at half-time with Alan Smith, which subsequently saw us fall apart and lose all rhythm/shape. The negative of that formation was that it would only work with those three playing it (and particularly Viduka) as there is nobody else in the squad capable of playing those roles. Perhaps Jonas could do Oba's role to a degree, but there's nobody who could do what Owen or Viduka were doing in that formation. Spot on. That was the worry I had at the end of last season (which I said on here), that Vids needed replacing, and the only player who could feasibly replace him in the modern game that I know of is Berbatov, which was never going to happen, and there was no feasible replacement for Owen. I trusted KK to solve the problem though... given the chance.

He was canny today but frustrating at the same time. He goes past 3 players like they're not there on the halfway line but doesn't do the same at the byline - he seems scared to cross the ball, which goes for quite a few of our players. Not enough of our players try to drill the ball low and hard across the six yard box. Doesn't cut in enough for me either - Charlie had a few occasions where he cut in at the corner of the box and gave himself either a shooting or squaring opportunity which Jonas almost never does.

I know it's not fashionable to say it anymore but KK did that imo - Viduka's class, Owen's finishing/positional instinct and Martins' pace, with each one compensating for the others flaws, made a lethal combination.

The bloke is total and utter class. If he had the application (and the body) to go with his talent, he could have been one of the best players in the world.

Chelsea did, as you'd expect, but Boro did not dominate. A point was certainly a fair point, the game could have gone either way.

Played well today, the back four. Bassong was outstanding again, Coloccini also impressive, Beye was his usual self at the back but fucked up a couple of crossing opportunities and Enrique was the frustrating one that we've seen all this season - lets very little past him defensively but his passing was shocking and in the second half he looked terrified in possession. I maintain he's a good player because he wasn't as nervous in possession last year and I think he's a very good defender but he needs to sort it out sooner rather than later.

Outstanding today. The way he mugged Alves time after time in the first half was hilarious.

Today was possibly Owen's worst game for us. Totally anonymous and should have been the one to make way instead of Oba, who was doing all the work up front. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Owen cannot play in a 4-4-2, at least not in a side like ours.

A good point as long as we win next week against Stoke.

I'd be inclined to try Geremi in there though I don't have a huge problem with Butt being picked at the moment - it should be Guthrie and Barton though when Barton's fit imo.

Not quite that severe, like, though I will admit he's been winning me over since the back end of last season. He still frustrates the fuck out of me with some of the things he does on the pitch, but he must be a good character to have around the place in an age where we are completely bereft of any talismen or leaders. I'm not saying he should be an automatic starter or anything, but I think he's more than worthy of his place in the squad as it stands (especially considering the current climate we're in.) If these players aren't kept on, can people really see us attracting much better in the state we're in? What planet are people living on? Nerve touched. I've no problem keeping him on but he should be nowhere near the team other than emergencies. I've not seen these "very very good games" I have to be honest. You must have had your eyes closed then. For as much as Nicky Butt is still nowhere near to being one of my "favourite players", I try not to let that blind my assessment of how he plays. Credit where it's due and all that. Which ones though Rich? He was canny (not much more than that) against Villa, Chelsea and Man Utd but I reckon a Premiership midfielder needs to be above average in more than three games after fourteen. I've got nothing against him but this season has definitely been one too far, for me he's been very poor and against other Premiership midfields he's just not up to it anymore. Even he'd admit his legs have gone.

Not quite that severe, like, though I will admit he's been winning me over since the back end of last season. He still frustrates the fuck out of me with some of the things he does on the pitch, but he must be a good character to have around the place in an age where we are completely bereft of any talismen or leaders. I'm not saying he should be an automatic starter or anything, but I think he's more than worthy of his place in the squad as it stands (especially considering the current climate we're in.) If these players aren't kept on, can people really see us attracting much better in the state we're in? What planet are people living on? Nerve touched. I've no problem keeping him on but he should be nowhere near the team other than emergencies. I've not seen these "very very good games" I have to be honest.

Rich's turnaround on Nicky Butt. Akin to me inviting Damien Duff round for Christmas dinner next year.

Aye, and I've asked for a fog jumper for Christmas.

Ugh.

I've said all along that Kinnear will bring Smith straight back in.

I'm much more confident now. I'll take a CNZ special to open proceedings like last time, Alves to equalise before Vids smashes one home to win it in injury time.

You beauty!

Why did I only put 50p on the draw when Ronaldinho scored? Still, can't knock £20.

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or "developing the squad" by bringing young players through, getting new players playing well, old players playing well again etc. But as has been pointed out already, Dennis cleared it up for us leaving no room for silly interpretations like that one.

Fucking hell, Ronaldinho.