toptoon

hmmm yes like it " Hey Benty, fancy coming to play for the Toon, up top with Carroll"? or "Excuse me Mr Bent. Would you prefer to play for newcastle united with Andrew Carroll? You'd make a great partnership". Could be a bloody good partnership thinking about it. Bents more consistant, less injury prone and well just better than Shola.

Your not bothered Shola's out? Who would you rather we have up top with Carroll than Shola then ? You're forgetting the goal-machine that is Xisco. ha ha ha Hmm yes that lovely fellow who admited delibrately not playing well for us to engineer a move. Very tempting but i'd pass on that one personally. If he was banging them in for the reserves or biting at the bit for another chance in training then maybe. But as has been said he's seemingly dropped off the radar and probably considers the reserves beneth him. This doesn't fill me with all that much confidence and it'd be a real shock if he started. If he was decent in training then the bench maybe in case the wheels come off with Ranger. I doubt he'll even make the bench though. He seems quite transparent. Nufc have put their foot down and not letting him go for peanuts as he'd hoped. He can impress in the reserves and re-earn his chance or rot in them or their bench. Its his decision.

This is how I think Hughton will go too. This team would have its merits and could be playing it safe i suppose. It would be nice to see guthrie given a chance in the middle and we could play Ranger off the bench if needs be. It'd expect a tight game and i could see us probably geting a low score draw with that. Maybe some stability is what we need. However we also seem to start on the back foot on a 451 formation and not offer nearly enough up top, our play is also very predictable. Shame to pack in our exciting two up front formation that worked so well against West ham, the mackems and Arsenal before the wheels came off against fat sams anti football brigade though who seemed to second guess our every move. I'd be tempted to stick to playing two up front which makes us much more of a threat, puts teams on the back foot and go for the win and take the gamble on Ranger. We need another option up top other than Carroll heading at goal or down for Nolan. Ranger in a free role switching from being level with the last defender to working the channels to dropping deep when needed should cause Fulham added problems at the back. They usually go 442 as well. Even if he does give the ball away or whatever, whilst he's up top it shouldn't matter so much. Ranger must be impressing CH in training to be considered behind AC and Gola. He got the talent, he just needs maturity, guidance, the games and the experience that goes with it. The fact he sometimes fluffs easy chances and scores harder oppourtunities is worrying but i'd give him the chance to improve now we are down to the bare bones up top anyway.

Your not bothered Shola's out? Who would you rather we have up top with Carroll than Shola then ?

I hope your right. CH will probably start him. Assuming he does he's got an apparently weak left back to run at. So he may never have a better oppourtunity to prove he's better than some of us think. At least against weaker opposition anyway.

Think your probably right, and CH will go with this. We are not blessed with our Right wing options now both Ben Arfa and now Barton are out. Routledge is fast and thats about it. Seemingly can't cross a ball and even with his pace in his last few games seemed reluctant to take players on. Guthrie i rate in the middle and he can cross and pick a pass but he's been tried on the wing before and been terrible most of the time. Offered very little (and that was in the championship). Arguably not in this new formation of ours to be fair though where all he really has to do is aim for one of our big men in the area. Ryan Taylor has a chance too. Like Guthrie isn't particularly quick, but probably the best crosser out of the three. Has an incredible free kick (best at the club ber maybe ben arfa) and an absolute screamer of a shot on him as proved again this season in the carling cup where he was trying his heart out for us. Now Ben arfa and Barton's out we will need him or Guthrie to take free kicks corners and for their crossing ability. We could have done with a Ryan Taylor screamer against Blackburn. I'd be tempted to start him if he's still as up for it as he was the carling cup games. Then try Routledgte second half when legs are tired. Up front with no Ben Arfa or Shola, although still an extreamley raw talent. Ranger's unpredictability, skill, pace, strength, height and natural talent is in my opinion still is more of a danger to other teams than the likes of Lovenkrands. Who although more level headed and experienced, his attributes pose no real notable threat at this level. It is worrying though as Rangers finishing and passing is currently as erratic as his temperment. Opposition teams maybe aware of this and take advantage of his suspect temperment. A judgement call and a perhaps a throw of the dice required from CH here. I'd personaly be tempted to throw the dice here and take a chance with him, the kid has the raw ability. If we can give him the experience he so obviously needs and mould him into more of consistant team performer we could have another really good player on our hands here. A goal or two could well do his confidence the power of good. Keep Lovenkrands on the bench in case things do not work out with Ranger. Saying that i'd probably put Nolan up top and Guthrie in midfield first. Lovenkrands offered precious little the past few times i've seen him play.

Barton has been excellent so far this season, more so now he's on the right. Ok so he gave that divy pederson a jab in the belly. A Lapse in judgement. Give him the deserved 3 game ban and lets get on with it.

Yep, and rightly so. No-brainer for me. Agreed.

Agreed Carroll's loss would undoubtably be a big blow. But Tiote arguably would be a bigger blow. We'd then probably have a central midfield of Smith and Nolan. There is just no way we would have beaten Arsenal etc with those two old cloggers. We can afford to carry Nolan in general play as long as he's chipping in with the huge amount of goals he's currently scoring. Something he's luckily for us very good at as long as he's getting the oppourtunities. I always thought Enrique would be the biggest blow and maybe he would be. But the more i see of ferguson and Kadar the more i feel they could do a job if needs be. I do not feel the same way about Smith covering for Tiote. Whilst Ranger isn't as good as Carroll or Shola yet he's still a decent sub and looks to be improving.

Same team please. I trust CH not to make any changes unless forced by injuries. This next game could be very frustrating as we all know Fat Sams horrible tactics of 9 men behind the ball and try and nick one on the break. I'll go for a frustrating scrappy 1 - 0 win to us, Carroll or Nolan in the last few minutes. Could be a good game for Nolan this one as can see us being camped in their half and the ball landing at his feet to poke home.

TP is spot on like, for those that don't have their Nolan-tinted glasses on. He played well against Villa, Everton, West Ham and Sunderland. He was terrible against Man U, Blackpool, Stoke and City. When he doesn't put the graft in, he's useless. Absolutely useless. I agree Nolan has been completely useless in some games thus far this season as opposition have starved us and him of oppourtunities and take away Nolan's goal scoring and his overall performances are not all that good. Especially if we are playing Carroll up front on his own, that does limit us. But goal scoring seems to be what his game is all about and i just haven't got that before. No one can deny his positional play is superb and he's such a natural goa scorer. However this new formation CH has formulated seems to accomodate him (and everyone else) quite well... so far. Not sure if its 442 or more of a 4312 but it looks to accomodate everyone and our best players seem to be thriving in it....so far. Arsenal away will be the ultimate test really. Time will tell if it works or not. If we don't try we'll never know so lets give it our best shot. If we get trounced we'll have to come up with something else for similar away games.

Just watched the game again. Each time i watch it Barton's performance in particular really stands out more and more. He surprisingly has really thrived on the right hand side of midfield as he's not particularly pacey (like lennon or walcot) or skillfull (like waddle, milner, joe cole etc). He very intellegently knows when to defend, when to drift in and when to stay on the right. But best of all is those absolutely beautiful early beckham like crosses he puts over to feed Caroll, Shola and Nolan (who thrived on them) are just incredible. Its very important to have variation to our game and the fact we not only bombarded them with great airiel crossing but also took people on on the floor on the left and right to get crosses in is brilliant. Very excited about this team and formation. early days but so far looks very promising indeed. Arsenal away is about as tough a test as you can get for it. We should definately go for it again. Arsenal should struggle to cope with it in my opinion. Mind you does leave us slightly more exposed. Opposing managers will either have to stop us delivering the crosses or have some superb defenders to deal with the crosses.

Just watched the game again. Each time i watch it Barton's performance in particular really stands out more and more. He surprisingly has really thrived on the right hand side of midfield as he's not particularly pacey (like lennon or walcot) or skillfull (like waddle, milner, joe cole etc). He very intellegently knows when to defend, when to drift in and when to stay on the right. But best of all is those absolutely beautiful early beckham like crosses he puts over to feed Caroll, Shola and Nolan (who thrived on them) are just incredible. Its very important to have variation to our game and the fact we not only bombarded them with great airiel crossing but also took people on on the floor on the left and right to get crosses in is brilliant. Very excited about this team and formation. early days but so far looks very promising indeed. Arsenal away is about as tough a test as you can get for it. We should definately go for it again. Arsenal should struggle to cope with it in my opinion. Mind you does leave us slightly more exposed. If i was an opposing manager you'd either have to stop us delivering the crosses or have some superb defenders to deal with the crosses

Agree with pretty much everything you've said bar one small point. I think he's the only player in our first team that can play very well as a traditional winger if needs be. His crossing does let him down at times its true (most wingers crosses aren't perfect all the time), its not as nearly as bad as some on here make out. But he is such a great door opener the way takes the ball out of defence beats a couple of players and puts teams on the back foot. His crossing could be better. Where as if it wasn't for him teams would have found it far easier to pen us in to our half isolating our striker(s). As it happens this new formation looks the way forward for now and we both seem to be agreed on that and that Jonas should certainly be in it

Unchanged team. They haven't been playing all that well at home, lets have a real go at them. Carroll and Shola up front are a real handfull as they are either bigger, stronger and better in the air than most center backs or usually quicker than the few their not. It really puts teams on the back foot as they struggle to cope. We hold the ball up so well now with the twin towers and bring others in to the game very well too. Carroll strugled to do it all on his own. Shola is playing well for the team and shares the responsibility, its worked brilliantly thus far. The up and coming potentially good Nile Ranger has to be on the bench as the understudy imo, Lovenkrands clearly isn't up to this level from what i've seen thus far. Barton against all expectations seems to be thriving in his new spacious role on the right and drifts in well, Nolan is suddenly twice the threat and twice the player playing behind two big strikers, Tiote is playing brilliantly, Jonas, Enrique, Colo and Willy as good as ever and so far even Simpson seems to be doing well as is Krul. The talk about getting rid of CH is laughable as what he's achieved thus far is a minor miracle. We could have got a top european manager and its doubtfull they could have got the results CH has thus far. Then again this is NUFC we are talking about so anything is possible. MA messed it up with Keegan, he could do it again.

Agree with pretty much everything the original poster said bar his comments regarding Jonas not being an effective winger. Have we two players called Jonas .......because they must be watching a different player to me week in week out. If he were to be injured we would undoubtably miss him hugely and we have no one to replace him. He's great at carrying the ball out of defence, defending, linking with Enrique, tracking back and pretty much the only player to regularly take opposition players on. OK his end product isn't 100% perfect everytime (whose is?) but it is often good/creative too. Jonas disagreement aside. Agree Carroll and Shola up front are a real handfull as they are either bigger, stronger and better in the air than most center backs or usually quicker than the few their not. It really puts teams on the back foot as they struggle to cope. We hold the ball up so well now with the twin towers and bring others in to the game very well too. Carroll strugled to do it all on his own. Shola is playing well for the team and shares the responsibility. The up and coming potentially good Nile Ranger has to be on the bench as the understudy imo, Lovenkrands clearly isn't up to this level from what i've seen thus far. Barton against all expectations seems to be thriving in his new spacious role on the right and drifts in well, Nolan is suddenly twice the threat and twice the player playing behind two big strikers, Tiote is playing brilliantly, Jonas, Enrique, Colo and Willy as good as ever and thus far even Simpson seems to be doing well as is Krul. The talk about getting rid of CH is laughable as what he's achieved thus far is a minor miracle. We could have got a top european manager and its doubtfull they could have got the results CH has thus far. Then again this is NUFC we are talking about so anything is possible.

CH has some tough decisions in picking this team and its even harder to predict. As mentioned Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Spurs all out if we beat Arse then Man only really good team left and they are not looking all that strong at present. If we went for it we coud with some luck and good performances win it. But a big gamble, staying in the premiership is our priority The team above looks about the right mix to me and agree that five players you mentioned ideally won't start. Although Colo and Jonas started against Chelski. Think he'll probably start Smith though. Shola has been on fire in this competition so far, so may want to play, but he is also really needed for Sunday, so its a big decision and will be interesting to see if he does or not. Ranger also has performed well in this competition and should play. Trust CH to get it right. If the likes of Routledge and Xisco have been sulking around the place he may want to play those he feels are really up for it and out to stake a claim.

krul 7 Good when he needed to be Especially claiming high crosses. simpson 5 got skinned too many times williamson 7 Good colo 7 Good most of the time enrique 8 Fantastic as always Barton 8 Didn't think he'd do well on the right but did. World class cross and drifted inside well. Tiote 9 What a player Nolan 7 good goal. Jonas 8 Aconstant threat. Shola 7 Pretty Good Carroll 7 Poor at times but good at times, made one and scored one. Well done CH for playing Carroll and Shola together!!! This must continue as really puts teams on the back foot.

I don't understand those that do not rate Jonas. He works hard, plays well, tracks back well to help out Enrique whom he links up very well with and is our only real creative outlet which puts even more pressure on him. He's a good player. He'd be even better if he had more decent players to play with and if we had a more attacking threat down our right hand side.

Jonas and Enrique are easily our best players thus far this season imo. There the only ones who seem able to create anything at all. We need a more balanced team though as opposition teams can see this defend their right side and attack our right which is poor to say the least. We need more creativity down our right (and center midfield) as well as better RB defensive options. Colo, Willy, Shola, Sol and Tiote also looking good thus far. Carroll and Barton disapointingly have gone off the boil after good starts. Routledge, Perch, Lovenkrands, Nolan, Smith all piss poor. We need a vast improvement in personel here.

Why? Beacause Routledge, Perch and Simpson have all had a good crack and are all clearly pants. Tavernier and more so Ferguson are unproven at this level but looking promising which is a lot more than can be said for Routledge Perch and simpson. i.e. Simpson, Routledge and perch are a lost cause. Ferguson in particular looks a real talent and can cross a ball (i.e. he shone against Chelski etc) why not give them an oppourtunity to stake a claim? What do we have to lose?..... or we could continue with proven crap players who lose us games.

When the alternatives are Simpson/Perch who can't defend and Routledge who can't cross a ball they deserve a chance in my opinion. If they flop what have we to lose?

They deserve a chance before Perch/Simpson and Routledge Take it you didn't see young Ferguson shine against Chelski and others this season then? Shame as it was the best game of the season thus far. Oh yes and Simpson and Perch are both s**** if you haven't noticed, Raylor can't defend well, so perhaps Tavernier who was playing there earlier this season deserves a crack.

100% agree. Perch and Routledge need a spell in the reserves until they can play effectively for us our right side is appalling and we need to sign players in January. Barton was piss poor yesterday too and Lovenkrands completely anonymous Time to give some up and coming youngsters a chance. Shane Ferguson has been impressive and seems to have a great cross on him. As Routledge seems so poor ferguson deserves a try. Tavernier has looked ok at right back and again deseves a chance as Perch is a liability at the moment. Our left side looks good but we are so predictable that all our attacks start there (largely because no one else on the pitch was capable) and we have next to nothing coming from central or wide right positions. I'm reluctant to tinker with the left but our hand may be forced. We need a good suply line to Carroll and Shola, a team like: Krul Tavernier Willy/Sol Colo Enrique Jonas Guthrie Tiote Ferguson Goala Carroll Guthrie should be playing centrally, he is a very good passer of the ball and should create as well defend well. Ferguson unlike Routlege looks from what i've seen of him pretty bloody good and often crosses early (suiting Carroll and Goala) and Enrique will no doubt assist him both defensively and offensively. Jonas is right footed so should be able to naturaly provide from the right and will help Tavernier defensively. I do not agree that we will just resort to hoofing it (although we admitedly be pretty awesome in the air). Shola has good movement and his finishing is good at the moment. Carroll holds the ball up well and bring others into play hopefully with a proper strike partner it takes pressure off him and he can start finding the back of the net again. Ranger off the bench if needs be. If it doesn't work, then Jonas back on the left and someone else RW.

Neither Carroll or Goala are good enough to play as a lone striker and need more support. Having both of them should give opposing teams big problems. It certainly put Wigan on the back foot yesterday once Goala came on.. Perch and Routledge need a spell in the reserves until they can play effectively for us our right side is appalling and we need to sign players in January. Barton was piss poor yesterday too and Lovenkrands completely anonymous Time to give some up and coming youngsters a chance. Shane Ferguson has been impressive and seems to have a great cross on him. As Routledge seems so poor ferguson deserves a try. Tavernier has looked ok at right back and again deseves a chance as Perch is a liability at the moment. Our left side looks good but we are so predictable that all our attacks start there (largely because no one else on the pitch was capable) and we have next to nothing coming from central or wide right positions. I'm reluctant to tinker with the left but our hand may be forced. We need a good suply line to Carroll and Shola, a team like: Krul Tavernier Willy/Sol Colo Enrique Jonas Guthrie Tiote Ferguson Goala Carroll Guthrie should be playing centrally, he is a very good passer of the ball and should create as well defend well. Ferguson unlike Routlege looks from what i've seen of him pretty bloody good and often crosses early (suiting Carroll and Goala) and Enrique will no doubt assist him both defensively and offensively. Jonas is right footed so should be able to naturaly provide from the right and will help Tavernier defensively. I do not agree that we will just resort to hoofing it (although we admitedly be pretty awesome in the air). Shola has good movement and his finishing is good at the moment. Carroll holds the ball up well and bring others into play hopefully with a proper strike partner it takes pressure off him and he can start finding the back of the net again. Ranger off the bench if needs be.