Rich

Fuck me, that's depressing. EDIT: Compounded by this thread leading to me searching for "Emre" on one of them famous video websites and marvelling at the results. Now before people mention Luque, I still reckon he looked bollocks for the most part on those highlights He could kick the ball hard, aye, but technically he still looked poor.

ITK-tastic - I heard he was fat as fuck when Allardyce arrived, and was training like a bastard to try get fit. I remember him having plenty of "extra sessions" to get fitter, it was in a few videos on Newcastle World and particularly during the now famous Austrian Training Camp. Maybe I just like him because he's got a bit of flair, who knows, but he certainly stands out amongst the current dross we deploy in the centre of the park. I exclude Nicky Butt from that, because he's been excellent recently.

Moreso than that being Emre's natural game, in the teams he's played in while at NUFC I think that's been his main hope of getting the ball at his feet. Because our centre-halves have been so inept with the ball at their feet in recent times, we've consistently seen the likes of Emre, Parker and Dyer having to collect the ball from their toes and try to start attacks themselves (leaving us overrun in midfield on many occasions). I simply think Emre is a good footballer, for what that's worth these days. Like if you put the squad into a 1-v-1 tournament, he'd be right up there because of his ability and nouse alone. I know that doesn't particularly count for much in some people's eyes, but the more football we play the better in my eyes. I do think he'd perform well in a team that plays it on the deck and plays pass and move, unlike a lot of our players.

He has no excuse for certain decisions he's made, like Taylor after Citeh and Rozehnal previous to that after one blunder, but for the most part he's struggled because 3 of our centre halves have had some pretty sizeable injuries over the season so far. I'm not sure if I'd call it a "weekly basis", but you're certainly not wrong. I still reckon he's trying to figure out his best back four, and that he'll only have more of a headache after Faye's performance as the anchor against Chelsea. Then there's the bloody ACN coming up, as well... Interestingly, what would people go for, if they had their say? If you could pick the back four in the knowledge that they'd play together from here until the end of the season: Beye, Faye, Rozehnal, Enrique would probably be mine. The season's a write-off as far as I can see now, it's mid-table, why not just try and get the players adjusted to the league in time for next season? I genuinely just hope some of them will do an "Evra/Vidic", though do appreciate it's a hell of a lot easier to settle in at Man Utd.

There must be a reason why none of the managers since he came here have used him consistently in that central attacking role. Because none of them have really utilised such a position? I'd also be weary of trusting the judgement of Souness and Roeder Emre has looked at his best when partnered with Nicky Butt in a 4-4-2, I think that's generally accepted by most on here. There's also his injuries, Allardyce's favourites/own signings and a plethora of other things to take into account as well. I'm not totally relieving Emre of all blame, but I'm personally happier when he's on the team-sheet. Fair enough, all I'm getting at is that if it's so basic most of us can see it, it's bizarre that three managers (however rubbish they may be) cannot see it. It's an interesting angle, for sure. I do think he is overrated by many, especially when he's not playing (like Martins, Taylor and N'Zogbia have been at varying times), but from what I've seen of him he puts a lot of effort in, does a lot of closing down, has scored some very good/important goals for us from midfield (which Geremi and Smith certainly haven't done for us, at least) and has genuinely looked no worse than most of his direct competition for a starting place. If anything, based on David James' recent column and Sam's previous comments about getting Emre "fitter so that he can perform to his right level over a longer period of time" I think he could be the main one who wouldn't be selected because of fitness more than form, under Allardyce at least.

I see what you're saying, but at Bolton Allardyce usually had a solid, settled back-four. He hasn't had that here. Stuff like this is where I can give Fat Sam some breathing space, because I believe his "excuses" about injuries and the foreign players needing time to adapt make sense and can be justified. In my eyes, in the Premiership, you live and die by your central defensive pairing above all else. We haven't had a central defensive pairing, per se, for bloody years. If Sam can limp through until next season then I would hope to see our defending improve as we go, if it hasn't done so to a degree where we can see it in the performances/stats then I'll start criticising him for it.

I think you're basing this on games where we're usually chasing and in need of a winner, which is when Emre is usually used. It's only natural in such games that we're on the front foot more that he'd look better. You said the same about Viduka, though, and in his next game he scored 1 goal in both halves, so let's hope Emre starts against City and does something similar! He would be our best central midfielder, if used properly. Something I agree with Janitor about. Not sure what to make of that, personally... maybe I'm wrong about Emre after all

There must be a reason why none of the managers since he came here have used him consistently in that central attacking role. Because none of them have really utilised such a position? I'd also be weary of trusting the judgement of Souness and Roeder Emre has looked at his best when partnered with Nicky Butt in a 4-4-2, I think that's generally accepted by most on here. There's also his injuries, Allardyce's favourites/own signings and a plethora of other things to take into account as well. I'm not totally relieving Emre of all blame, but I'm personally happier when he's on the team-sheet.

Sounds more like a Jose Mourinho training session to me.

I think you're basing this on games where we're usually chasing and in need of a winner, which is when Emre is usually used. It's only natural in such games that we're on the front foot more that he'd look better. You said the same about Viduka, though, and in his next game he scored 1 goal in both halves, so let's hope Emre starts against City and does something similar! He would be our best central midfielder, if used properly.

No worries mate! I hope this is Ashley's line on things too, for better or worse, I still have faith in Allardyce's ability - my main worry is that he's already past the point of no return with a sizeable chunk of our fanbase.

Thought Richard Dunne had more to do with that, personally. We're going to struggle to score here, 1-1?

Your posting that for the Ronaldo bit more than anything, aren't you? Lovely read, though.

Aye, I'm sure he'd accept that. He's more suited to the DOF role with all his backroom charts and gizmos etc..I don't think he'd be too unhappy as he could still be a part of our success and build for the future etc...Stuff he seems to love to chat to the media about. The man, like most top managers, also has a monumental ego, which I'd assume would usually override all else. What you're suggesting would never happen, not at least until Allardyce feels he can't hack being the "main man" any longer. I can only see him going into that sort of role well into his advanced years.

Yorkie: Same here! Although it still has N'Zogbia at LB... If Smith and Faye are out, then he doesn't have too many other options! Just like Glenn Roeder, we could get our preferred team due to injuries more than anything. I'm not sure if Owen is fit enough to start, Rozehnal would appear to be out of favour, Enrique getting on the bench this time would be seen as progress... Geremi is the key, along with the fitness of the players who've appeared in 90 minutes of all our Festive games, could see him selected ahead of Milner or Emre.

:lol:

Given Beye Taylor Cacapa N'Zogbia Milner Butt Emre Duff Viduka Martins SUBS: Harper, Rozehnal, Enrique, Geremi, Owen. Assuming Smith and Faye are both out, as is expected at the moment. Ed: (This is what I would expect to see selected.)

The Mole strikes again... "I know Sol (Campbell) from England and David (James) from my time at Liverpool and they're both good friends of mine," added Michael.

Pilates.

Jesus He would be my choice. Not so good on crosses apparently. I thought he was famous for his cross, personally.

I wouldn't be as disappointed if I didn't genuinely think Chelsea were there for the taking after we equalised, we let them off, and worse they actually beat us. I also keep reminding myself that they were without Cech, Terry, Lampard, Drogba, Makelele, Cole, Carvalho, Shevchenko, Malouda and Cudicini... which ticks me off a bit, as well.

You don't really.

Have to say, I thought Faye was exceptional. Height and power in the midfield, something we've been crying out for a long time now. He was absolutely paggered by the 75th minute and looked knackered twice, but still managed to finish the game.

Ironically he did f*** all when he become a LW. It was when Martins was taken off and our wonderous manager ridiculously decided to play for a draw, actually. Owen was a positive move. Martins was poor. We didn't lose because of that move. If you genuinely believe that and aren't just trying to defend the gaffer, then you were watching a different game to me. I'm not defending the manager, we did not lose the match because we brought Martins off. Oh and hindsight is great... Did you even watch the game, or were you listening to it on Radio Newcastle? The whole style of our play changed/had to change when Owen came on, we went from looking likely to score a 2nd to sitting back behind the ball with absolutely no outlet at all. If you watched the game, then how the bloody hell can you not see that?

Duff had fucked off altogether. Charlie was running the left side himself second half, forward and back. Fucking hell man Wull, go and have a cold shower! James is right, actually, it looked to me like Duff and N'Zogbia had switched.