James

I'd say it was the other way around. Good going forwards, but error-ridden defensively. Would be cut to pieces in the Premier League. Same for Bosingwa.

Sagna Corluka G. Neville Beye Brown Jagielka Zambrotta Sagnol Anyukov Miguel Hutton all better right backs than Ramos. I'm sure there are plenty more that slip my mind this time of night...

I reckon I could name ten right backs who are better defenders than Ramos.

Though he was not shite through the entire tourney, which imo earns him a place in an EC XI. I'd say Capdevilla was very solid defensively and got forward well without overstretching himself. A faultless tournament.

If Germany had played a better defender there tonight, Spain might not have scored.

Lahm was a defensive disgrace the last two games.

Contradicting yourself. You said a few posts up a defenders main job is to defend, so by that logic a strikers main job is to score.. and Villa scored the most, so he was hardly mediocre. Better to score a goal a game in four games than it is to score a hattrick in one, one in another, then not score in two games. Fact is that Villa didn't step it up in the latter stages. What is the name of that Yugoslavian striker in Euro 2000? I thought Villa looked excellent throughout the tournament despite his goals - had real flair about him and contributed greatly to Spain's overall play. Your comment about Villa not stepping up in the latter stages seems a bit rich imo for somebody with Arshavin in their side who played blinders for two games then stumbled when it mattered most; Villa was unlucky with injury against the Russians and was far from their worst player and could do little against the Italians' 11 man behind the ball defence. Arshavin stepped up against the Dutch. Beyond the group stages, the contribution of Torres and fabregas bettered that of Villa, even though Villa is a good player. I just think a hattrick that was just as much down to his team has elevated Villa ahead of more deserving candidates for individual praise.

Have I imagined a game in the Euros when Yugoslavia won 5-4 and someone scored 4 goals? Can't find it anywhere.

Contradicting yourself. You said a few posts up a defenders main job is to defend, so by that logic a strikers main job is to score.. and Villa scored the most, so he was hardly mediocre. Better to score a goal a game in four games than it is to score a hattrick in one, one in another, then not score in two games. Fact is that Villa didn't step it up in the latter stages. What is the name of that Yugoslavian striker in Euro 2000?

Villa had a mediocre tournament in my opinion. Excellent first game, flashes of brilliance second game but went downhill after that. His injury and the switch to the 451 probably helped Spain to step up a level.

At the end of the day, a defender's main purpose is to defend, and for the level he was playing at, he made too many errors, got beat by the winger too often and gave away too many silly fouls. Best right back on the ball, but a real weak link worth exploiting. Same goes for Bosingwa. I'd have Beye over those two every day of the week.

Ramos was pretty poor tbh, if Titus Bramble had made some of his errors, people would have had a go. Casillas Anyukov Pepe Puyol Capdevilla Iniesta Senna Xavi Silva Arshavin Pavlyuchenko

Perhaps its all part of the masterplan. Shepherd becomes Mallorca chairman and gives us Guiza for free becoming a Geordie hero for ever more.

No, Bent is a pretty limited player. With Guiza you've got the hold up play and aerial ability as well as the pace, power and finishing. so you don't suppose he's came on when they've been playing well and the oppsosition asa chasing the game ? At the end of the day, the 45 minutes I've seen for myself are enough. You see what he is good at, and you can learn about his style of play, and then you can consider his status both as a Spanish international, and Spanish league top scorer, you can tell that he is good enough.

No, Bent is a pretty limited player. With Guiza you've got the hold up play and aerial ability as well as the pace, power and finishing.

Looks canny but he's 27 (assuming we are rigidly looking at young lads) and apparantly on the way to Turkey. No older than Arshavin, and like Arshavin pre-Euro 2008, I believe that he is the best option for his particular position on the market. dear me james...when you grow up it's only going to take a short skirt and low top to impress you isn't it. Name a target man striker, whom we could realistically sign, whom is better than Guiza.

Stop worrying about Allardyce guys. You all know that he'll be sat in his armchair, thinking: "Spain played Silva and Iniesta on opposite wings at times and won Euro 2008. I did the same with Milner and N'Zogbia. I was obviously right. Wasn't my fault I got fired. Top club awaits you Samuel."

Looks canny but he's 27 (assuming we are rigidly looking at young lads) and apparantly on the way to Turkey. No older than Arshavin, and like Arshavin pre-Euro 2008, I believe that he is the best option for his particular position on the market.

Keegan has already tapped up Thierry Henry tbh.

I'd be interested in taking a look at Dani Guiza. In his cameos in the last two games, he showed just what we are looking for in a stiker right now.

I was one incorrect substitute away from the highest possible score this matchday. Up from 13th to joint 4th. Well done Walking in a Waddle Wonderland who won the League with an extremely good score.

Average £ for every goal, per season: Martins: £359,259 Viduka: £557,142 Owen: £868,000 Smith: £Infinity Shola: £202,222 So not bad for Viduka considering how much investment is going towards other goalscorers. Counting a pre-season goal to remove a mathematical anomaly, Newcastle are currently investing an average of £1,250,000 per goal for an average 38 goals per season. Replacing Smith and Shola with a £6m striker on a four year, £40,000 pw deal who averages 10 per season would change the investment to £550,000 per goal for an average of 47 goals per season. Less money spent, more goals scored, and all totally irrelevent to whether or not Viduka plays enough games.

If anyone is wondering whether O'Neill has always been this mad, type "Williams O'Neill" into youtube.

I can remember it well, Wadsworth got the blame for us going after some right shite although I don't remember who. Bassedas, Cordone and Fumaca.

http://www.newcastle-online.com/nufcforum/index.php?topic=46267.0