Dokko

Again set pieces rely on everyone knowing their job (position, marker, zone, and where everyone else is positioned), and when you've got wingers as right-backs, centre-backs at left back and the whole back line consisting of teenagers, then its going to be hard to get them organised against attackers who knows where they need to be and have been doing it for some years at top level. We are easy picking because of that, but that might change with Gooch and his height helping out, but still we need proper fullbacks that know what there doing as well.

Still cant believe boro paid all that money for him after he had one decent game against England. Nice parting shot, as parting shots go, that ranks up there with anything anyone has ever done before. His agent is denying it, but he should be proud of his client. Boro have fuked him over and over again, he should of been let go years ago (just like what were doing with Luque tbh)

It might of lasted longer without so many injuries and having a new back line every game. Thats hard for anyone to work with nevermind someone trying to stamp his authority. The best defenses in the league are the ones that dont change much. Good on the guy, future manager for someone.

I think Milner deserves a look in more than Dyer. Dyer burst back on the scene, but is playing below par in most games since, but is having his odd moments which is probably why he's been called up. I just think Milner is having more of those moments and playing really well for himself and the team. Was saying the other day Milner would be called up for the next England friendly, i didn't realise one was round the corner, but if he keeps up this fomr hopefully the next one will see him capped.

Typical American tosser with no brains and no football education. (Sorry to the good USA based posters in here) But that is the typical tripe you'd expect from an American. I'd have thought this one may have more of a clue living outside of America, at least he knows there is a place called Belgium, i should give him that much credit. He has a dig at the strip FFS, what a total clueless cunt. Style over substance, again, typical American. I just wonder if the article is put up, i wonder if he's not trying to be the typical brainless, ignorant American 'soccer fan' we all love to hate. Just a thought.

Not happening flash in the pan, now there true quality is showing.

Doing well, i think they've got the momentum, the squad, and the manager to finish in the top two. Birmingham have pulled it back from their pretty poor start, and will fill the other spot. The play off should be interesting. I wonder if Sunderland will make it into them? Can't see them fending off WBA or Preston if they make it in there. Hopefully Cardiff will get back on track & Southampton have a good young squad doing well this season. Very good year this year in the Championship, some really good teams, and some good teams doing utter shite, Leeds couldn't go down again, could they?

Haven't been following it that closely, but I was under the impression that that was just a rumour spread by bitter Evertonians. Was there actually some basis in it? I don't know actually because I never read an article to that effect or anything - most of what I heard was on 5 Live, and was that they saw it as a short term investment and planned to divest within 7 years. You might be right like, cos the profits that were being talked about sounded pretty much impossible within that time period. I wouldn't mind 7 years of no debts, big investments and hopefully some trophies and then being sold on. No problem with that whatsoever.

Hunty is capable at fullback, and provides the cheap cover im talking about. Same with Ramage, and possibly Edgar. I've heard Edgar can also play in mid as a holding man, this was a while ago mind, he might have phased himself out of that position to concentrate on being a defender. With these three players, which cost nowt, and very little on the wage bill, we have capable cover. We need to sign two new LB's, one of great stature such as Baines, and another (young, cheap, hungry) to challenge him, dont know who though. This will then leave those 3 covering the centre and RB position. IF Bramble stays, and Gooch is good, alongside Taylor we've got some options at the back. I would however like to revert Nobby back into mid, and have him as back up to the RB position and Milner on the right next season, this means buying another player of good stature in the RB position. If we do that, were sorted at the back for next season. LB: Baines or £5m+ player Young natural LB £1-2m Edgar Hunty CB: Taylor Gooch Bramble Ramage Hunty Edgar RB: New £5m+ player Ramage Solano Hunty Thats the cover we need, and its not costing fortunes. As this season shows, its worth having.

Horton: No bids in for Barnes By Steve Nicholson Derby County say they have not received any offers for midfielder Giles Barnes. The 18-year-old was left out of the 16 on duty for last night's 1-0 Championship victory over Burnley at Pride Park. This has sparked further speculation over his future at the club with the transfer window set to close at midnight tonight. Barnes has continually been linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur but Rams managing director Mike Horton said before the Burnley game: "If the number of people who have been reported as being interested in Giles phoned me, I would be a very busy man. "We have still not had any serious phone calls about him." First-team coach Julian Darby said Barnes had been left out because of squad rotation. "We have strength in depth. There will be changes and players will be rested," he added. "Giles played against Bristol Rovers on Saturday, as did Seth Johnson and Richard Jackson, who were also not involved against Burnley." Derby have made five signings during the January window, splashing out around £3.7m on David Jones, Craig Fagan, Gary Teale, Stephen Pearson and Jay McEveley. Manager Billy Davies would also like to add West Ham United full-back Tyrone Mears to his squad, possibly on loan, and is keen on bringing in another striker. But Horton said he did not expect "fireworks" on the final day of transfer business. He suggested one or two may come in and one or two could leave, adding: "I can't see there being any huge revelations but the window means one phone call could change all that. "If the price is right and the opportunity is there, we will always look to take advantage of it." The official close of play today is midnight but the funds or deposits for significant transfers must be lodged within normal banking hours. Glad tbh. £2-5 to 3m was way too cheap. Nothing less than £5m, if promoted much more. Hopefully Derby push for promotion, i reckon spending close to £4m themselves is them taking a chance, and i hope it pays off. I'm surprised more teams in the Championship didn't take a chance especially with the news of the extra £20m per club next season. I also believe they have bought very very well. Some good names there, those 5 players should make an excellent squad for Derby to finish the season with.

So where did Barnes end up then?

GR is deceivingly tall. I thought that when he brought Carroll (6ft 4") on a few weeks ago. Confirmed in that picture. (if thats him, i think it is)

Well we either did what we did, or get in one or two special signings (Baines, Bale, Barton, Barnes, Bridge, Bent or Davies, that kind of mould) and make sure we bagged Europe for next season. But hopefully somewhere the money we didn't spend has been paying off something else, or saving up for the summer, i just hope its not going to FS & the Halls to fund their happy lifestyle, which is probably where its going. Make profit = the board make money Make a huge loss putting the clubs future in balance = the board get a pay rise.

I'd keep them at the club tbh. They dont require loaning, just more games at this level, and can be the back-up to the expensive signings we need (baines, Davies) Better having them on the bench than Carr, Baba or Moore. And no one decent is going to sign to play second fiddle.

I think we have defended bravely in many of those games, i.e. throwing bodies at the ball, player, off the line etc. which had this been a team fighting relegation or for the title, would be seen as good defending, moments that win titles or keep you up. I know what you are saying though and agree, I'm just not too concerned, I mean it's not as if we have a good defence so I'll take these brave bits of defending as a bonus because I've seen us collapse to manic defending far too often. I think Pearson has had an effect in that respect because earlier on the season we were very standoffish and just allowed things to happen, ala Bolton at home. Today we think, well yes they're through and there is danger, but they're gonna have to trample all over me to get in, or I'm gonna hurt myself here to keep them out, ala Taylor nearly crashing his head off the bar las night, or Bramble nearly getting his head taken off had things went the other way with that stooping header. That is probably also a sign of good character in the team, we fight more, we look uglier and defend uglier, all positives anyway IMO. HTT man, we've been thoroughly outplayed in 3 of the 4 league games we've played in January and we've got lucky to end up with results. Not a lot positive in that imo. Great results, but when the luck runs out (and the luck always runs out) we're gonna get humped off teams. And this is at home too. Teams like Villa and West Ham are coming to SJP and putting us on the back foot. Not good. Not to mention Birmingham. Villa & WHU are tricky games, even at home though. Both teams will feel they can come here and beat us (which means they'll play very attacking and go for the jugular), and probably think they have the right considering our season. I dont think the Brum game was true reflection. We deserved to get beat, but not 5-1, and wouldn't if Taylor hadn't been a muppet.

But the media are already trying to paint a poor picture of him. In the stands last night he was, and what clip do they show? The one where he's txting, ask daft questions like 'is he asleep' no, he's txting someone 'why have i come here?' Fuking arsholes.

I hope he is. I'm about 65% certain he will be. I'm sure he can make the step up, and i get the feeling he can cope with the mental pressure of being a NUFC central defender, thats really the key, and where he'll shine or fail.

Its worse than that mate. Obviously what you've said his true, but whats more - the board clearly didn't want him to do the job, the fans didn't want to take the job (I certainly didn't, and a poll on the Manchester Evening News website said 80% agreed). But he's accepted the job anyway - he's even tried to engineer it with his comments after the game at the weekend which the club had to come out and deny. Its totally disrepectful. > And as for the supposed "benefits" of him taking the job - They're all pointless. Gives him a chance to work with the best young players in the country with one eye on signing them - Whoopee? They're all out of our price range anyway - I doubt you could buy any England U21 player for less than £5m. Gives him a chance to scout the opponents in the summer tournament...he could do that from the stand. He could do a better job of it if he wasn't involved in the coaching setup - he won't be able to see games between other sides if he's looking after England (Not sure what time of day the games will be played at). All the while he's away from City not signing anyone. Pearce Out > I feel for you, but look at the silver lining, Pearce has just put his job in the balance. The fans are not happy, which is now a huge burden to carry, and the board are not happy he's taken this job. Pearce has just given the City board a cast iron excuse to sack him whenever they see fit, and the fans wont kick up too much of a fuss. You wish could come true if you dont get a decent league finish this season.

Agree with that, i'd also try and get Owen & Dyer off the books. Hopefully Dyer doesn't pick up another injury till the end of the season, continues to play well, and clubs start to ask questions again. As for Owen, one big expense we dont need. If someone would take a chance then great, but i feel we'll have him for another season at least, lets just hope he comes back flying and is worth somewhere near the money we paid and pay him. Parker & Butt are two other players who again i wouldn't be too bothered about letting go for the right price. But the ones you've listed are priority to sell. If we sell all the players you mentioned then in the summer we will need to buy at least 10 players I think that Owen,Dyer,Parker are the leaders of this team alongside Nobby and Butt is getting old so its necessary to find him replacement in the summer I have to agree with you guys about Emre.He is big disappointment to me.He has scored only 3 goals for us since joining and i think that Taylor has more then him and only this season+he is another injury prone and always looking for a scandal.But if we sell Butt and Emre we will need another 2 players for the CM.I doubt we will find the founds to buy so much players!!! As long as we get good prices for these players then we'll have money to replace them. £12m Owen, £6m Dyer, £6m Emre, £10m Parker, £8m Duff, £3m Luque, £1.5m Butt plus £3m for the rest of the shit. Not only would we raise funds, plus have an extra £20m from the new TV deal, but we'd get rid of all our daft high earners who are not worth the money. Potentially £70m there to spend, just hire a better manager to spend it Its all pie in the sky talk, and its not going to pan out like that. We'll be lucky to get rid of Carr, Baba, Moore and replace them with proper players. If we do that then i'll be happy enough for next season.

A very very very positive view for the rest of the season. It could very well happen, but its got to go our way, which means needing more luck.

If Martins, Sibbi, Dyer, Duff & N'Zogbia were hit by a bus tomorrow, while Ameobi & Owen were lost at sea, Luque still wouldn't make the bench.

But luque agreed to be paid less meaning we weren't picking up the remaining, thats what i heard anyway. Were not going to play him this season, so we might as well had the financial break (£800k) for 5months. The guy is clueless.

Agree with that, i'd also try and get Owen & Dyer off the books. Hopefully Dyer doesn't pick up another injury till the end of the season, continues to play well, and clubs start to ask questions again. As for Owen, one big expense we dont need. If someone would take a chance then great, but i feel we'll have him for another season at least, lets just hope he comes back flying and is worth somewhere near the money we paid and pay him. Parker & Butt are two other players who again i wouldn't be too bothered about letting go for the right price. But the ones you've listed are priority to sell.

He's a fat prick that doesn't deserve to support the club never mind trying to run it.