Rich

Aye, except for that lad who said he'd be lively in the Championship alongside a target-man, and score plenty of goals. Must be a right genius. /Ronaldo (He's scored a goal every 105.6 minutes this season, in all competitions. 11 goals from 16 starts.) Actually, no. Lovenkrands scored 13 times this season. Besides, he is the club's joint top-scorer, with Kevin Nolan. http://www.nufc.com/2009-10html/goalscorers.html Of course, Shola Ameobi very probably has the best minutes to goals ratio, if you really think that counts. As I said, 11 goals from 16 starts. 13 goals from all appearances (scored 2 off the bench in the 5-1 win over Cardiff). Was basically trying to make the point that when he starts, he usually scores - which is why it has been so frustrating to see him used so little from the outset in the earlier part of the season (and until fairly recently, to be honest). And yes, I know stats don't tell the full story and can be moulded to fit any point of view (as I did there) - but whatever way you take it, his goals-per-minute ratio is very, very good (tends to be a better judge of strike-rate than goals-per-game). Oh, and Shola's ratio is actually a goal every 106.8 minutes. So aye, f*** off. The very fact that you mention goals to minutes ratio, and count only the games and goals when player started the games is bizarre, to say at least. Yes, stats don't tell the full story, they tell the full story to those who know what is relevant, and what is not. Counting only the games player started, and mentioning it in the same breath with the minutes to goals ratio is laughable. And so is this type of speech: Especially for an admin. How did you count Shola's minutes to goals ratio? I hope you didn't incude any last season games. Dear me. I counted it by dividing the minutes he has played this season by the goals he has scored. Doesn't take too long to do. What is relevant for a striker then? Oh enlightened one. How was it relevant that you stated Lovenkrands is joint-top scorer with Kevin Nolan, in relation to my point about games started and goals-per-minute? Surely that was a daft comment as Nolan has played far more games, far more minutes and plays in a different position? Do you see the irony here? I can deal with debating with sensible/even just consistent points of view (which yours definitely hasn't been, even just across two posts), but not people who initially misread the point of a post, then are mistaken about their next daft assumption (Ameobi) and then question the basis of the post with an almighty when it's them who are acting laughably. I've already made it clear that I was using goals-per-minute to support my assumption from last season that Lovenkrands would score plenty of goals at this level and that I then went on to mention goals-per-start to support the fact that I feel he should have been used from the start a lot more this season. I did explain that in my previous post, if you actually read it. The man scores goals, he would have scored a lot more if he'd been used more. That's the basic gist of what I am getting at, surely that's fair enough? Also I must apologise for my aggressive reaction to you there as well, but you must see why your post frustrated me. You absolute mong.

That is a tremendous story.

Cliff Byrne, meant to be their best defender. Suspended as he was sent off this weekend. (Shearergol feel free to amend this) So really our best form of defence for this game will be to attack them. Considering they have the worst defensive record in the league, then that's probably not a bad shout whatever team we put out

I would appreciate Alan Smith if someone came in for him this summer and he kindly took his leave. He's on far too much wonga for what he offers.

Aye, except for that lad who said he'd be lively in the Championship alongside a target-man, and score plenty of goals. Must be a right genius. /Ronaldo (He's scored a goal every 105.6 minutes this season, in all competitions. 11 goals from 16 starts.) Actually, no. Lovenkrands scored 13 times this season. Besides, he is the club's joint top-scorer, with Kevin Nolan. http://www.nufc.com/2009-10html/goalscorers.html Of course, Shola Ameobi very probably has the best minutes to goals ratio, if you really think that counts. As I said, 11 goals from 16 starts. 13 goals from all appearances (scored 2 off the bench in the 5-1 win over Cardiff). Was basically trying to make the point that when he starts, he usually scores - which is why it has been so frustrating to see him used so little from the outset in the earlier part of the season (and until fairly recently, to be honest). And yes, I know stats don't tell the full story and can be moulded to fit any point of view (as I did there) - but whatever way you take it, his goals-per-minute ratio is very, very good (tends to be a better judge of strike-rate than goals-per-game). Oh, and Shola's ratio is actually a goal every 106.8 minutes. So aye, fuck off.

Aye, except for that lad who said he'd be lively in the Championship alongside a target-man, and score plenty of goals. Must be a right genius. /Ronaldo (He's scored a goal every 105.6 minutes this season, in all competitions. 11 goals from 16 starts.)

i'm sure you'll think of something to pass the time. :colo:

Very impressed with him on Saturday. Just good, basic wing-play for the majority of the match. Looks massively inconsistent and erratic but was a proper handful. Certainly not as shite as made out previously.

Gutted that Routledge isn't playing like, would like to have seen both flanks in full working order with Jose returning.

I'm already pitching a tent in anticipation of this summer.

Almost 2 1/2 years since this thread was made and he's still there. Unbelievable.

Ended up winning the league with 94 points for me, 4 points clear of WBA. That'd do nicely.

Can always rely on Crumpy for some positive thoughts.

Excited for this like, first home game I'll have made it to since early October! Shocking support. Seen more away than home this season.

He must be hung like a baby elephant to slip it in from there.

Agree entirely. If it's a choice between him and Downing and both are fit and playing for their clubs then there's not even a choice to be made. People are quick to forget.

...or James these days.

At least he's honest, in regards to salary. Still, a cynical part of me can't help but feel he deserves everything he gets for leaving us in the summer...

Aye, pure waste of a squad place that like. I'd just take the one. How often do keepers get injured? I reckon it's daft taking 3, especially when Rooney can play there if need be Touché, sir.

Aye, pure waste of a squad place that like. I'd just take the one.

More problems than solutions after last night like. Particularly in the midfield. Carrick made a really good case for being paired with Barry as the two deeper central midfielders, but then that means you're fitting square pegs into round holes in a 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1 as far as Rooney, Gerrard and Lampard go. However, I still think there's a case for Rooney to be the focal point of the attack (as he is now for Man Utd) and then you'd be able to keep Gerrard and Lampard in (which I think is inevitable unless injury occurs) and slot someone else in one of the attacking midfield positions - hopefully Joe Cole if he's still fit and back to form. Loads of options from the bench then with the likes of Crouch, Milner, Lennon/SWP/Walcott, Beckham, etc.

Do you think Hooper could do the business at the top level, Gol? I think he's fantastic at this level, especially in how he combines with Hayes and uses his body against far bigger defenders, but not sure if he's really cut out for the PL. Personally I think he perhaps just lacks that classic "yard of pace", especially over a short distance, to really be able to push on. He is still improving at an impressive rate though, so he definitely has a chance. Needs to improve his conversion rate from good chances particularly, but that should come with form and confidence in time. He still scores enough of them. Agree that he's better than Best as well, by the way, but would have cost us 3 times more (at least) as Scunny know he's probably their key to staying up.

Decent little player, should fit in very nicely down there.

That bit in bold is wrong, in my opinion. Sorry mate. I can't be arsed to go any deeper but I massively doubt group of professional footballers - some of whom are on upwards of £50,000 per week - basically "can't play football". It's a massive cover-up/cop-out for Chris Hughton to say that these lads don't play good football simply because they aren't capable of it, we have seen glimpses of some great stuff this season - a real quality manager would have meant those glimpses were more the norm.