James

If he wanted to play for Newcastle he'd have already signed. Time to move on to the next target on the list.

Even if deemed a red, I still think three games is excessive when there is clear intent to get the ball and nothing else.

Colo is on £80k pw actually. Have you seen his contract?

Bringing Tiote on was the right decision from an individual game perspective because we were just hoofing it because there was no midfield support to our defence when they were on the ball and to turn the game around we needed to pass it. Although of course the risk of a suspension/injury may have been too big. There were many other problems today but I didn't think that was one, although it ended badly of course.

If we sign a right winger before this one at least if we don't get justice for Tiote, we'd have the option of Barton in the centre.

Him and Tiote.

First shot on goal.

Made his debut which is probably the only positive for today. So what is his story?

Lack of professionalism has been the problem. I fully expect better next week.

That should be rescinde on appeal. He saw the ball, he could get it without touching the player, he successfully did that. If he's one of those nice English players he's still on the pitch.

Bet Smith scores while this goes on.

nufc.com says Dalglish's first signing was Olof Hellberg on trial. Would that be Olof Mellberg?

Bet Benitez gets the job in the summer!

Glen Johnson just called Paul Merson an alcoholic drug abuser.

No it isn't. It is. There is no such team as Stevenage Borough. Still the same club you bunch of pedants.

Hodgson wins. New Poll.

No it isn't. It is.

Liverpool fans in a jizz because it is happenning on Elvis' birthday. I pointed out to them it is the same day as Stevenage Borough vs Newcastle United.

Definitely remind me of when we had good individuals on high wages but no team spirit and eventually went down. This is probably the Allardyce to Keegan stage, only Dalglish is more short term. I think it will have a similar effect, but they must clear the deadwood and rebuild this summer if they want a good future. That means selling Gerrard and Torres.

No, I am Ziani and so is my wife.

It'd be a dynamic formation. But tactics and discipline it should work no? Someone posted a solid formation with Tiote, Nolan, Barton, Larson, and HBA playing together which would be a great one. Barton Tiote Nolan Larsson Ben Arfa Carroll It might work. Simply Larsson, Barton, Simpson and Tiote can pass the ball around until one can whip it in from the right with Carroll and Nolan getting in the area, and Ben Arfa lurking outside the area to deal with any clearances. If necessary we can switch the ball to the left and let Hatem and Jose do the damage. I have this sneaking suspicion that Nolan doesn't perform playing off a lone striker as well as he does playing behind two. Do the stats and more importantly the results back this up? Barton Nolan and Tiote would continue to play the same role the currently do within the side. So Nolan would not be playing off Carroll. The two new widemen would be playing off Carroll.

I said this in the Larsson thread, but Barton is pretty much a right sided central midfielder at the moment anyway when he plays. Buying a right winger then playing five in midfield would add to our potency on the right, not replace it.

It'd be a dynamic formation. But tactics and discipline it should work no? Someone posted a solid formation with Tiote, Nolan, Barton, Larson, and HBA playing together which would be a great one. Barton Tiote Nolan Larsson Ben Arfa Carroll It might work. Simply Larsson, Barton, Simpson and Tiote can pass the ball around until one can whip it in from the right with Carroll and Nolan getting in the area, and Ben Arfa lurking outside the area to deal with any clearances. If necessary we can switch the ball to the left and let Hatem and Jose do the damage.

If Barton was the right side of a central midfield three, could he continue his current role, with Larsson still playing wide right?

I think his rightfootedness and technique mean that his range of passing is much more devastating on the right wing.