Rich

It's picking the same defenders more than anything, that's what I'm getting at. Steven Taylor has had far too many injuries in his short career here, even Faye's had two knocks while he's been our player. There has to be some stability in the defence, especially in the centre, it's imperative. I just looked up those statistics on Man City and ourselves now and they've shocked me, to be honest, we've scored more at St. James' than they have in 9 WINS at the CoM Stadium. That's bizarre. Then you look at the "against" column and see 5 versus 15, then things become a bit clearer. I know defence and attack go hand-in-hand, but something isn't quite adding up here. I don't think we've got bad defenders really, but like you said some need to gel and I think some need to stay fit and form a partnership. My money is on Faye and Taylor at the moment, or one of those with Cacapa. It has to be Faye/Taylor together or with one of Cacapa/Rozehnal, but of course they need to be fit (which they all are now, apparently.) If we can have a settled partnership in there for 10-15 games then the difference will be large, I'd put good money on that. I think it could be more important than signing a "number 10" and hoping for the best.

Aye, all the hype around Elano and us needing a player similar to him, and the real foundation of success has been the partnership of Richards and Dunne (wildly underrated player in my eyes, especially these days), especially at the CoM where they've only conceded 5 goals. These two lads have played 19 and 20 games for Man City this season, respectively, that's practically 100% from both of them. A central defensive unit like that cannot be underestimated. I know people are sick of the injuries thing, but I reckon keeping Faye and Taylor fit and regularly playing could be a real difference maker. Cacapa and Rozehnal don't entirely convince me, I have to say. Apologies for diverting the thread a bit, but I'm merely saying I think this view of a playmaker as our "saviour" is not much more than wishful thinking. Sorry if that pisses on some chips, but it's how I feel about things. The defence still needs sorting first. We've only scored 1 less goal than Man City at home this season... but we've conceded 10 more. That's the difference. (We've even scored 2 more than them away from home!)

I think Brummie hit in on the nail when he said many had us up there back in the mix of top 6 no problems I knew this season and possibly even the next was going to be tricky. Alot more clubs out there have become alot better there is now a pack of teams from 6th- 12th that all seem to be swapping league positions. I think many myself being one feel rather let down when we seem to play so badly against the "lesser teams" I think you're right. I had personally hoped for a run at the top six this season, which is looking increasingly unlikely, (even though we're only 4 points behind 6th place now). It's funny how raised expectations lead to increased feelings of disappointment... anyone who says anything this season is worse than losing 1-5 to a Championship team needs a lobotomy, in my humble opinion. Today was massive really, and unfortunately Allardyce and the players have blown it. 2 points behind Everton/Portsmouth, 1 point behind Villa and still only 5 points off Liverpool and things look miles better. Of course it's only 2 points dropped, in the grand scheme of things, but Sam will know how important a win was here. Wigan takes on huge importance now, even more than it had previously. Let's hope for a Bramble disaster or two.

For the record, I'm afraid I don't have any answers (as usual!), but I do have faith that we will improve if Allardyce is given time. I stand by the fact that if Man City weren't doing so well under new owners/a new manager then it wouldn't half as bad as it is on here - which really makes me want them to start crashing and burning very soon. Oh how we could do with Richards and Dunne as our central defensive pair - bet they'd have made a fucking huge difference this season to us - more than Elano would have.

People's memories are very short, it's mighty amusing. I was talking to my brother about this last night and mentioning some of the recent farces we've witnessed at NUFC, not just pertaining to results. Names like Rossi, Sibierski, Onyewu, Luque, Moore, Johnsen, Amdy Faye, Lee Clark, Huntington, BERNARD, SRNICEK. Results like 1-5 against Birmingham, 1-2 against Sheff Utd, 1-2 against Fulham, 0-0 with Charlton last season, some of the disgusting results under Souness as well - Clark saving him at home to 'Boro, Barry's penalty miss for Villa at 1-1, the financial state of the club, the constant injuries/lack of any real set-up at all levels of NUFC. Are things REALLY that bad now when you engage your brain and remember what we've put up with since Robson? I'm personally far happier than I was under Souness and Roeder, because I can see visible progress (not just as far as results go, although we're higher in the table at this point in the season than we have been for a few years), the cloud has been lifted... am I the only one? Today wasn't great, of course it wasn't, and it's not the only time. But it's still very early days for all concerned.

Yes sadly. I give him a few games after the Jan window to see whether he reacts to what he's watching. Nate's point is a good one, and one I've mentioned before. All this clamour for a creative maestro means nowt unless Allardyce wants one, unfortunately. His preferred central midfield of Nolan, Speed and Campo at Bolton was hardly brimming with flair. People will always mention Okocha, but that was a long time ago now when you look at it (in regards to him being their fulcrum.) Personally I feel these midfielders we're discussing are in demand simply because it's a glamour position and people are crying out for a bit of magic (Parky in particular). We don't have a proper number 9 anymore, we don't have any real focal point to the side, and we do probably need one. I'm not sure the likes of a Diego/VDV is the real answer - especially under this manager. It's all a bit FM-ish. Are there any true central playmakers (classic 10's) in the PL outside of Elano at the minute? Man City have a lot to answer for this season as pertains to us.

Maybe because we're playing his team in 3 days? (Wigan)

Look who's back from under his rock... and in this thread as well... who'd have thunk it? Parody.

Have to agree with that, too. It's a really surreal coincidence that we've been at our best this season with Mark Viduka on the pitch... Which probably isn't saying much, but he does give us a real outlet that nobody else can - and he scores goals too. Needs to stay fit though, obviously. Hope he's starting tomorrow, personally.

This is correct.

Bought this from Back Page today, quite a good interview as far as I can see, can't disagree with much. Milner himself prefers playing left-mid, apparently, and Allardyce reckons he's better there than on the right.

I reckon Barton will get it and would have gotten it in the first place if it wasn't for his injury.

MOTD was doing that whole thing on Sunday night, it should be tasty.

Aye, 2 legs. I hope Arsenal win it with their kids, will make me feel better about them beating us.

Carragher is a wanker though, so fair play to him.

Giraffe?

Does he? At Chelsea he was used mainly as cover at RB. I have saw play twice for France & in both games he seemed to be playing deep. Unless he fills out, I would not bother with him. I am sure I read Charlie also believes his best position is AM/CM, I would rather save dosh on Diarra & give Charlie a crack there. This may mean playing the Spanish left back we hav signed I think the lad is better than N'Zogbia, personally. Whatever position I've seen him playing in, no matter the opposition, the lad has looked authoritative and composed far beyond his years. He's got a real touch of class about him with the ball at his feet and can pass it as well as anybody we have in our squad. The difference between him and N'Zogbia with the ball at their feet is massive, completely different sorts of player. N'Zogbia will never be an effective CM/AM in my eyes, he's far too explosive/hurried. With Charlie being a great mate of his, we do have a shout of getting him here, and if it was possible then I believe he'd be a great little signing for us. No doubt your concerns about his size/presence are valid, especially if he is to be used as a DM (I prefer those players to be built more like Sissoko/Diop as well), but I'd hope that he wouldn't. But if we're playing this 4-3-3 thing, then surely Geremi's current role is the one for him? You have one of them holding (Butt/Geremi/Faye/Rozehnal?), one of them supposedly box-to-box (Diarra?) and one of them supporting the strikers, first and foremost (Barton?). That's how Chelsea played when they were at their best under Mourinho, using Makelele, Essien and Lampard. Or even at Bolton, Allardyce used Campo, Speed and Nolan in these roles, all of whom have a fair bit of size/aerial ability about them, mind.

Aye, that's the NUFC.co.uk version innit? That's the base copy, then Oliver gets on the blower to Craig Hope to ask what he's been told today, the Hopester passes on the info, then Starforth gets on the blower to Oliver and so on... It's great how they all "exclusively reveal" and put "Big Sam told me today...", as well.

Would you look at that! I wonder how much Oliver and Starforth earn and how long it has taken them to write that article today in their respective rags... 5 minutes? 10 minutes? Jammy gets

I'd just be hesitant about changing a defence which has kept our first clean sheet in ages, personally, especially when the two centre-halves and left-back involved were also in the last starting 11 to keep a clean sheet in the league as well (Rozehnal/Cacapa/N'Zogbia vs. Wigan at St. James'). Continuity can't be underestimated, but I can certainly see the argument for bringing Enrique into this game. It's still a big, big gamble, even if it is Derby. Another clean sheet could do wonders for our back four.

He's not technically a DM, though, considers himself an AM more than anything. I could see him playing the Essien role, rather than the Makelele role, if Barton is our poor version of Lampard.

I'm not so sure about the "speedy striker" bit, either, as I can see Duff taking Martins' role when he returns from injury. I'd also like to see N'Zogbia given a go in that sort of role at some point, too. It will be interesting to see what formation Allardyce uses at SJP after the recent results with one central striker up there.

It's very unlikely to happen, isn't it? Diarra alone would cost a fair whack, being only 6 months into a new contract. I'd be happy with Diarra + nobody, personally. Reasonably unlikely I guess, but I think Diarra only cost them £2m and has declared he wants out. Seems like he'd be the right signing at the right time with Butt looking seriously on the decline. Creativity is what we crave more than anything, imo, but it depends who's available. That's my ideal scenario though. Oh undoubtedly, I'd be dancing if we bought Diarra and somebody of the quality mentioned elsewhere for the AM role (Arshavin, etc.) We live in hope, of course. Diarra on loan could be a good shout, but would he even get a regular game here? Despite how poor it has been recently, the centre of midfield has a few of Sam's favourites in there (Butt, Barton, Smith, Geremi). I do think people crying out for creativity are going to be disappointed though, which is why I've kept quiet in those sorts of threads. Emre is by far our most technically gifted/creative midfielder - he's also got a high work-rate and battles - but he barely gets a sniff!

6 games up front, for the record.

It's very unlikely to happen, isn't it? Diarra alone would cost a fair whack, being only 6 months into a new contract. I'd be happy with Diarra + nobody, personally.