Rich

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.

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 don't even rate Oba that highly and I've defended Allardyce to the hilt as well, so there's no agendas here.

correct. What handed the initiative was putting Owen on by himself. The Duff/Viduka substitution should have been made at the same time. Aye, that's what I meant. If he was coming on, it had to be in a 4-4-2 with Viduka/Martins alongside. didnt change when viduka came on, needed the pace, pressing and wide movement from martins to keep them on their toes. soon as he went off the game changed. Viduka would have held the ball up though, which could have been equally as vital/effective as Martins' pace. More than one way to skin a cat, etc. Owen offers neither searing pace or the ability to hold the ball up, it was baffling.

It was the baffling free-kick given against Owen a few minutes earlier that set that whole phase of play up as well, I was still complaining about that decision fucking us over when they scored. Typical.

correct. What handed the initiative was putting Owen on by himself. The Duff/Viduka substitution should have been made at the same time. Aye, that's what I meant. If he was coming on, it had to be in a 4-4-2 with Viduka/Martins alongside.

Load of shit man, they've battered us with their reserve team and with their fans singing at their manager "you don't know what you're doing". 2-1 is not an unjust result at all. Battered? A total exagerration. Last 15 minutes I mean, and the majority of the first half. I actually thought we might nick it when we equalised.

Load of shit man, they've battered us with their reserve team and with their fans singing at their manager "you don't know what you're doing". 2-1 is not an unjust result at all.

Owen coming on for Martins has killed the game for us, if Owen plays it has to be in a 4-4-2. Surely everyone must see that's where we handed them over the initiative?

Or, put on one of our strikers who does have composure in front of goal... Thing is though, none of our other strikers would have even got in a position like Martins did in those two instances as it was pure pace which got him the time/space. Problem is though, Martins gets there, then doesn't have a f*cking clue what to do when he gets there. Change to 4-4-2, and go for it. You're not wrong, definitely not. He's bound to stick one away though, surely? If it stays like this until 65 minutes, then I think you'll get your wish, but Smith won't be one of the players to make way. Martins + Faye/Butt.

Of course it "could" work, but I have to say that I think an upheaval of that nature mid-game would be suicide. Faye has been a rare bright spark in this performance so far, he's been excellent. It is the sort of game a player like him thrives in, though.

Or, put on one of our strikers who does have composure in front of goal... Thing is though, none of our other strikers would have even got in a position like Martins did in those two instances as it was pure pace which got him the time/space.

If N'Zogbia did get moved up, which he won't, are people advocating just swapping him with Duff? SWP is having enough of a field day as it is, he'd murder Duff. No Enrique on the bench, either.

............ resisting the temptatino to turn that into a "board thing" .......... I honestly don't know how you can be arsed

shame about the starting 11 Well aye...

Geremi not even in the 16, either, although at least Allardyce has picked an attacking bench.

Can't believe he's changed the defence again, personally.

Given Beye Taylor Cacapa N'Zogbia Faye Butt Smith Milner Duff Martins I'd put good money on that. Faye/Butt has the potential to be the least creative central midfield we've ever deployed if he does go 4-4-2.

He's good mates with Allardyce though, much like Phil Brown is (who has also made comments defending him.)

I'd love to see a "team" goal, more than anything. A goal with a few passes, a nice move... Have we scored one yet this season away from home!?! Just some flair in there. Just some moments of actual football, I think, would be enough to appease some. I don't believe he's advocating a 100% long-ball game, he didn't even employ that at Bolton. I'd love to see some of our lads with the shackles off (N'Zogbia, Milner, Duff, Emre in particular) just given license to hurt the opponent. Score some fucking goals, take the lead, THEN play organised football.

Spence, you are being a bit short-sighted here mate. We're 11th, still got more points at this stage of the season than we've had since 2003... I know the performances have been really poor at times, but things aren't as bad as they're being made out to be and Allardyce certainly isn't an idiot. In my head I know Sam needs at least until the end of the season, but I fear that too many attitudes like yours (which may be right, of course) will drive him out before then... I can't see how he can turn this around, unless we take 4-6 points from our next two games. But we won't.

Probably one of the few injuries he hasn't had yet.

Don't say that within earshot of Parky, man!

Amen agree 100%. SOmetimes I really hate the suporters to the club. I'm impressed with that, I must say. My patience is waning, but I agree with your stances. Just wish I could bury my head for a year or so and hope everything's better when I emerge again. The worst thing, for me, about times like these is not being able to do anything about it.

Same here, a taxi driver told me that Cho said something about "arse" and "rocket".