La Parka

A dull 0-0. I hope Martins scores though. It's been a while..

Yup! They need to sort out their defense if they're gonna come up and stay up, though. Last two games of them that i have watched, Palace and Southampton, their defense have been comically bad - a la Newcastle - for periods of the game, and it's cost them goals. They really lack organisation at the back at times. Would love them in the Premiership, though. They're one of those teams that just should be there. Yeah I'd like Derby to come up too. Be good to see what they could do in the prem.

Reminds me of Milner a lot in his play. He made a fantastic diagonal run from the left wing to get 1 on 1 with Keily twice. Unlucky not to score.

Wednesday ftw! I thought about this today too. Hope West Ham stay up for my mothers sake. Poor woman couldn't take relegation again!

Aye he has been absolute toss every time he has played. Lost his legs for sure.

Just started the thread because there are several other important fixtures than ours today. Wolves 0 v 1 West Brom Kevin Phillips takes andvantage from a poor Breen clearnance curling the ball into the top corner from 18 yards. On another note Wolves Michael Kightly looks a quality player hard to believe he was at grays not to too long ago. Wolves 1 v 1 West Brom Deserved equiliser from an Keogh cross after chasing a lost cause headed in by Jody Craddock. Top game!

Don't agree. It seems alot of people don't seem to recognize Joey Barton effectiveness as a forward going midfield player if you look at it statistically he has got 7 goals this season and 5 assists and last season he got 6 goals and 6 assists something this club has lacked for some time since Rob Lee. On your point about helping Obafemi Martins and Michael Owen, Joey Barton can by not only his ability to support the front two with the amount of forward runs he makes but also by providing like he has in the past 5 assists this season and 6 assists last. I agree HTL point about Barton being a better forward going player but thats not our Captain best role his best role is breaking up the play and winning back the ball for the team this is proven by the Opta Stats this season as he has not only had the highest tackling rate this season in the whole of the Premiership but also the 2nd highest tackling success rate in the Premiership. -Back to Joey Barton- the Vital thing if Big Sam does want him is that he can back up signing the bad personality that comes with Joey Barton by getting 3rd, 4th, 5th like Sir Bobby did with the similar personalities in the dressing room (Bellamy), if he can't then signing him could prove to course big problems. I know what Barton is capable of going forward, but he certainly isn't the creative midfielder we're crying out for. Don't agree. It seems alot of people don't seem to recognize Joey Barton effectiveness as a forward going midfield player if you look at it statistically he has got 7 goals this season and 5 assists and last season he got 6 goals and 6 assists something this club has lacked for some time since Rob Lee. On your point about helping Obafemi Martins and Michael Owen, Joey Barton can by not only his ability to support the front two with the amount of forward runs he makes but also by providing like he has in the past 5 assists this season and 6 assists last. I agree HTL point about Barton being a better forward going player but thats not our Captain best role his best role is breaking up the play and winning back the ball for the team this is proven by the Opta Stats this season as he has not only had the highest tackling rate this season in the whole of the Premiership but also the 2nd highest tackling success rate in the Premiership. -Back to Joey Barton- the Vital thing if Big Sam does want him is that he can back up signing the bad personality that comes with Joey Barton by getting 3rd, 4th, 5th like Sir Bobby did with the similar personalities in the dressing room (Bellamy), if he can't then signing him could prove to course big problems. I know what Barton is capable of going forward, but he certainly isn't the creative midfielder we're crying out for. Yeh we shud sgin Karka! Barton although an absolute cunt would improve out team dramatically.

10th and a Trophy please.

I think Sidwell joined Chelsea today, mate I hope Allardayce does use Luque, but i think Luque will move away before he gets to play one game under Allardyce.. Really? What an idiot. Replace Sidwell with Barton then

I'd expect Ben Haim, Anelka and Distin, SIdwell in. I also expect Sam to use Luque. I also expect several squad players to be brought a versitile defender or two as priority. Apart from the obvious I'd expect Dyer and Owen out. ......................Given/Krul..................... Solano/Carr...Taylor/Edgar..Ben Haim/?...Distin/Babayaro ......................Emre/Butt..................... ..............Sidwell/?..Parker/ Zog .............. Milner/?......... Anelka/Shola..........Martins/Luque

Being fair I've been thinking exactly the same thing I don't think Allardyce is gonna sign someone for their long throws if he does I am sure we can get Dave Challinor cheaper! He is at Bury if you are interested sam!

I agree HTT for once I am optomistic!

We arent comparible to the top four clubs though so we cant expect a manger comparible to top 4 managers Exactly.

Isn't that australia's national stadium?

We should snap anyone's hands off who offer us 4m for Milner. He's the new Lee Hendrie, mediocre in the extreme, but willing and hardworking. You are looking for bites lets be honest. Milner has been our player of the season.

To be fair FM has charted the rise of many players look at Higuan and Gago both highly rated on FM now playing for real madrid. Previously Messi, Saviola, Diarra have all progressed and moved to big name clubs. A hell of a lot of scouting goes into the game (probably 100000x more than our scouting network) therefore it is pretty accurate. Obviously this depends on those rating the players and people have many opinions on the players ratings. I wouldn't base an opinion of the player just on the game obviously.

Defoe.

Shit tbh.

Died Got paid in Big Macs got up to 30 stone at age 14 then died of a massive heart attack! Too many pirouettes and sideways passes I think... He learned the pirouettes in Maccy D's on those stools IIRC.

Tap that.

Some responses in this thread are amazing. I can't believe people are criticizing the possible appointment of Sam, who was a candidate for the England job at the beginning of the season. The same Sam who has pulled Bolton up from nothing much, on a very small budget, with some very very average players into a position where they are better that "top 4" us. His team was a hard-working, fit and defensively sound basing their success on a resolute defence. Perhaps, at times going forward they had a little to be desired however Sam had only a little to play with and he turned this to his advantage. It is a large myth that they are a long ball team and at times play some good football. Their set pieces are well worked and often deliver. A backroom staff with actual jobs using the latest ideas to get results. Now lets look at us. Huge crowd, large finances, big name INDIVIDUALS but no TEAM. Defensively a joke and have been for a long, long time. Going forward we have been impotent at best. Watching our "football" has been hard for a while, players lumping it long to a front line of midgets, oba leaping like a salmon, winning it, then nodding it to no one. Midfielders playing in "positions" but never fulfilling their role. A couple of great individual moments have provided our goals this season, Martins/Milner catalysing anything good we have to offer. Set pieces often not making it past the first defender(Especially corners). A Backroom staff of old timers with no actual qualifications or defined role. Now maybe I am getting ahead of myself but I can not wait for Sam to take over and work with this side. We still have potential and Sam is the man to get it out of us. Bringing over Nolan, Tal Ben Haim and Gudjohnson would be a great start for sure. C'mon Sam! :glasses7:

WUM?

Not convinced by Martins!!111 I personally think Anelka has been the best value in recent striker purchases. Benny Mc Carthy was the best buy this season on goals/price paid.