Rich

At the end of the day, you think the decision to play Oba for the 90 minutes was right, others think Lovenkrands starting with Oba being used from the bench later would have been the right decision. Your preferred method saw us lose the game 1-0, lose Bassong for 30 minutes of it (and the following match) and found us back in the relegation zone with a game to play. I would add Beye's injury to this list, but I'm not sure whether that was inevitable anyway. Obviously it could have been worse, but it could also have been a hell of a lot better.

They might have been brilliant as well, who knows?

You said we were all happy when he got the chance (and missed it) and then said that was the reason we lost the game. I did understand what you were getting at, but written in the way it was looked a bit odd - basically saying we were happy that he was on the pitch to miss a chance... which then cost us the game. It's just a daft post/belief anyway, though, because who knows what might have been had Lovenkrands started? Obviously you can't say for sure either way but the result might not have been a loss, which was obviously the worst possible outcome (oh, as well as our player of the season getting sent off). Just because Martins fashioned himself a couple of chances (which he missed, for fuck's sake) during the game doesn't mean we wouldn't have had chances had he not played... if Lovenkrands starts then the entire game is different and maybe, just maybe, we wouldn't have lost. I think that's what TRon was getting at (and it's also my belief).

I think I'd like to see Martins come off the bench again. So that leaves Viduka, Owen and Lovenkrands as the possible starters if I was picking the team. That's what should have happened against fulham and I think it cost us. Martins for the last 30 mins can be really destructive, and I also have a feeling that Lovenkrands and Viduka would work well as a pair. Im pretty sure we were all happy with Martins being on the pitch early when he ran though and smashed a clear chance against the post. Thats what cost us, not him being on the pitch. Is it just me who has read that and seen the contradiction? Impressive in a 2 sentence post! Its just you, read over it again & rethink it. Obviously not...

I think I'd like to see Martins come off the bench again. So that leaves Viduka, Owen and Lovenkrands as the possible starters if I was picking the team. That's what should have happened against fulham and I think it cost us. Martins for the last 30 mins can be really destructive, and I also have a feeling that Lovenkrands and Viduka would work well as a pair. Im pretty sure we were all happy with Martins being on the pitch early when he ran though and smashed a clear chance against the post. Thats what cost us, not him being on the pitch. Is it just me who has read that and seen the contradiction? Impressive in a 2 sentence post! Better prepare for a 10 page refutation of that statement Rich. I'm ready for a nap anyway. Bring it on.

I know it is, but as opposed to struggling to be brilliant consistently, he looked as though he just wasn't pulling his finger out. If he just upped the work rate and effort, who knows what could have been? Can't live with "what ifs" man. Not a personal dig, I just hate the whole philosophy. He was what he was. If he did have the attitude/application to go with it (at all times) then he wouldn't have been playing for us in the first place... Still think he was fucking ace.

I think I'd like to see Martins come off the bench again. So that leaves Viduka, Owen and Lovenkrands as the possible starters if I was picking the team. That's what should have happened against fulham and I think it cost us. Martins for the last 30 mins can be really destructive, and I also have a feeling that Lovenkrands and Viduka would work well as a pair. Im pretty sure we were all happy with Martins being on the pitch early when he ran though and smashed a clear chance against the post. Thats what cost us, not him being on the pitch. Is it just me who has read that and seen the contradiction? Impressive in a 2 sentence post!

Hard to achieve that level of brilliance on a consistent basis, like.

One thing I was moaning about recently was the lack of the "Shearer option" from a close-range free-kick. He scored a bucket-load of them in his later years here. When we got that one against 'Boro it was too close for the bender (Nicky Butt), but would have been perfect for the tee-up and smash. Am I honestly expected to believe we don't have anybody in the squad capable of striking a ball properly? Viduka? Set pieces for us are an embarrassment and have been for a while now, it honestly makes me wonder what gets done in training.

It's just a bugger having to select 2 from Oba/Viduka/Owen/Lovenkrands, for me, when they are pretty much the only players we have capable of getting goals. Viduka is the first name on the teamsheet now, surely, it's just finding the right foil for him. I honestly think Lovenkrands would thrive next to him, but I can't see those two being given the nod.

The fact that he could score from pretty much anywhere - and did on a fairly impressive basis - was monumental. Some of his goals were impossible to stop, basically. Who do we have these days capable of that?

That would be my preferred option but I think Al would give Oba the nod again if Owen wasn't fit to start. Personally I'd just go 4-3-3 and have a fucking crack at them.

Ginola was the better footballer, Robert was the most productive and N'Zogbia doesn't really deserve to be put into the same category (despite a few moments of magic). Robert has to get the nod though for time served and contributions during that time. Marvellous.

Seriously lacks pace in all areas, though, which has to be a big worry against a Villa team that isn't exactly pedestrian. Really hoping both Youngs don't make it to mean they need to have player/s out of position again.

Oh I don't disagree man! I said that since the day he signed. Extremely average player with no outstanding qualities, bar the odd free-kick every Boxing Day. There's a few I could say that about though, unfortunately.

I always thought Little Ken looked electric up front. Never stopped moving, made some lovely runs, was only really let-down by his lack of a killer instinct (although his goal record up top was hardly bad). He was a player disliked for his attitude and fitness record rather than his ability, IMO. In time, when people are looking back at the highlights of Robson's best team they'll remember him more fondly when you see just how much good he was involved with.

Could say the same for R.Taylor right back. Funny how he's got the nod as substitute recently though, when needed, and that S. Taylor has been playing at centre-half since he returned as well. Edgar wasn't even named on the bench against 'Boro OR Fulham. Why the f*** would Shearer alter the defence that much on the back of a must-win (or draw) game? It would be mental man. If Edgar is to be chucked in at the very deepest of ends, it will either be at full-back or instead of Coloccini. The latter being far, far more likely, but still not that likely at all. Stoke was 'must-win', Edgar was thrown in at the deep end and was our best defender. He's to slow for RB, that's why his proper position is CB. Using evidence such as R.Taylor has played and been on the bench means jack ****, he's **** regardless of which managers have been playing him. The man who picks the team/squad has selected Ryan Taylor for the previous 2 matches and has used him from the bench when needed, while Edgar has been nowhere to be seen. How the fuck does that mean "jack shit"? It's surely evidence that Shearer favours Taylor over Edgar in regards to the current first-team squad? IF Edgar does get thrown in, as I said, it will be for Coloccini (like it was at Stoke) not alongside him, like you were saying earlier, which would be a fucking insane selection against Carew/Heskey/Agbonlahor. I'd be worrying enough with Taylor and Edgar as a partnership after the barracking they got from Ashton/Zamora down at West Ham last season - got absolutely bullied. Coloccini/Edgar and we might as well not even bother.

Harper R. Taylor S. Taylor Coloccini Enrique Guthrie Nolan Butt Duff Owen Viduka SUBS: Krul, Edgar, Smith, Jonas, Lovenkrands, Martins, Ameobi. Expecting that as it stands, biggest doubt over Owen's place IMO.

Could say the same for R.Taylor right back. Funny how he's got the nod as substitute recently though, when needed, and that S. Taylor has been playing at centre-half since he returned as well. Edgar wasn't even named on the bench against 'Boro OR Fulham. Why the fuck would Shearer alter the defence that much on the back of a must-win (or draw) game? It would be mental man. If Edgar is to be chucked in at the very deepest of ends, it will either be at full-back or instead of Coloccini. The latter being far, far more likely, but still not that likely at all.

Edgar and Coloccini as central defensive partnership. Come off it lads.

Beye definitely out, Enrique back in training since yesterday and looks likely to feature, Owen not expected back into full training until tomorrow but Shearer remains hopeful (SSN/NUFC.co.uk). Taylor, Taylor, Coloccini, Enrique Duff in at left-back turns that into a

So, so many. You could pretty much list 50 players we've had in the PL who I'd rather we had ahead of the current crop.

The media are just praying for it. Fucking bastards. They may get the "after match reaction" of our fans relief at staying up. If we go down the only reaction the fans should give the Sky cameras should be "I'm going to cancel my Sky subscription". Everyone should get over there, appear calm and reflective and then out of nowhere announce "I bet you c*nts are f*cking loving this" Hopefully the more psychopathic amongst our support will just steal/break the camera. Fuck them. I'll be keeping Wullie on a tight leash, so it's fairly unlikely.

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The media are just praying for it. Fucking bastards. They may get the "after match reaction" of our fans relief at staying up. If we go down the only reaction the fans should give the Sky cameras should be "I'm going to cancel my Sky subscription". Everyone should get over there, appear calm and reflective and then out of nowhere announce "I bet you c*nts are f*cking loving this" Hopefully the more psychopathic amongst our support will just steal/break the camera. Fuck them.