toptoon

He played at LB against Birmingham directly after, and had a shocker. Mind you, Huntington/Taylor didn't exactly cover themselves in glory either. When he came on at CB against Aston Villa he was once again excellent. We didn't just "drop him" right after the Man Utd game, is the point I'm getting at here. I do agree he should play ahead of Huntington/Ramage based on form. Every outfield player bar Milner had a shocker against Birmingham in all fairness. A freaky game id preffer to forget. I don't think the Man u game was a one off fluke and given another chance could prove that so glad you agree with my main point. I'd be shocked if Glenn sees it the same way and actually picks him! Picking Car would be disgraceful!

100% Agree about Edgar. It should be him or Duff playing LB imo. Baba's not as bad as some think he is imo although he has been poor at times, but if Car plays there we deserve to lose from the start for being thick. Edgar had an unbelievably great debut, where he holds his own + more against the best team in team in the Prem, scores our equalizer and gets MOM! .....Then we drop him!?........... Crazy really. Best LB performance of the season imo Defence should be: NOBBY TAYLOR HUNTY EDGAR imo ( i know some would have Bramble as he's played wellish last few games for Bramble, but not me, his next gaffe is just round the corner against a quality team who puts him under pressure).

His performances and goals tally under Roeder say otherwise.

You feel more positive now than a year ago when we were climbing up the table under a caretaker who according to Shepherd was to make way for a world class manager at the end of the season and slot back into a developing academy and reserve setup? Blimey. At least I felt the club had a chance of attracting such a character back then, now I wouldn't be so sure. That doesn't strike me as a positive step forward. I agree with Hindu Times, as long as we keep improving under Roeder, he should be given till the end of next season as he's laying strong foundations and once we are a little more settled with the likes of Owen and Emre we should be up there pushing for the top four. The only thing that pisses me off at the moment about Roeder is his team selection, i.e. against Wigan and the fact he keeps picking Bramble who should have been booted out of Toon years ago. Improving in what ways ffs? Some of the fooball we are now playing is the most negative soul sapping s**** I have ever witnessed. We have decent players playing well below their capabilities and a manager all to willing to blame anything but those players or himself. And yet the only problem you have with him is picking Bramble who (while may well be not good enough due to his propensity for the odd ricket) at least has had some decent games recently? Come on. 4th spot with Roeder if Emre and Owen stay at the club? Now there is some hardcore optimism. To Clarify a point: We will NOT be pushing 4th spot this season (ffs that would be a miracle), but trying to get in the top 4 should be our aim for NEXT season for sure. This season Everton are in 6th only 6 points above us that should be our optomistic aim (other than the UEFA cup), although 7th or 8th is a more likely realistic prediction given our form in the last few games. I feel (as do many others by the looks of it) a fit Emre and Owen combined with the players we already have, plus a few summer additions (defenders hopefully) should have us pushing for fourth next year. If we are not improving next season then yes give Roeder the Boot, but we shoulden't pull the trigger to early unless we have a far better replacement, which to the best of my knowledge we do not have.

You feel more positive now than a year ago when we were climbing up the table under a caretaker who according to Shepherd was to make way for a world class manager at the end of the season and slot back into a developing academy and reserve setup? Blimey. At least I felt the club had a chance of attracting such a character back then, now I wouldn't be so sure. That doesn't strike me as a positive step forward. I agree with Hindu Times, as long as we keep improving under Roeder, he should be given till the end of next season as he's laying strong foundations and once we are a little more settled with the likes of Owen and Emre we should be up there pushing for the top four. The only thing that pisses me off at the moment about Roeder is his team selection, i.e. against Wigan and the fact he keeps picking Bramble who should have been booted out of Toon years ago.

God seems to hate West Ham this season!

That won't happen, mate. Taylor RB and Hunty LB is how it'll go, i'm afraid. Oh, and 2-1. Martins 2 and Viduka (he'll get the first). I fear your right. Not picking Nobby at RB and playing Bramble over Taylor at CB is criminal.

The Zog didn't start this season well. Hopefuly now he's been out for a bit he'll be firing on all cylinders before too long. Excellent player if he keeps up his progress.

If Roeder picks a decent line up we'll win 2-1 or 3-1 If he doesn't, probably draw or lose. Key is pick: Given Nobby Taylor Gooch Duff Milner Butt Parker Zogg Dyer Martins NOT BRAMBLE BECAUSE HE'S CRAP!!

Very true Shola scored more than any other player to get us from 15th to 7th, his best ever spell for us.

We have: Owen Martins Dyer Shola Le sib Carroll Not to mention Milner, Duff, Zoggy and Emre who can play up top if needed too. Bloody good strike force, once Owen and Shola are back fit again. Shola's not as bad as some make out, he's got a goal every other game under Glenn. Not bad for a 4th choice striker at all. In easier cup or Euro games it will allow us to take off and rest the Owen's and Dyers from time to time.

As mentioned, someone else will be injured by then (this is NUFC we are talking about here after all). Too many big IF's as Martins and Dyer are our strongest front pairing at the moment up top. Owen has to force his way in by scoring looking sharp in training etc this going to take time. If he does, then it looks like Dyer should make way and switch to either RW or LW. NOT CM he's no good there at all, despite what he thinks. At the moment Dyer and Milner have been superb and would be undroppable for our strongest XI imo, at the present moment i'd Drop Duff for sure and depending on what happens to Emre, perhaps Zoggy will move inside to attacking CM. Not going to worry about it too much as its a great problem to have IF...... it actually happens.

If true, its a shame as he's a very good player. Wonder how much the insurers would pay if any?

Best defender i've seen ever seen play for us. Would love him back if possible. Hopes he has a howler on Sat though!!

I fear your right, i feel Roeder picked the wrong team V Wigan and this cost us a result. Nobby has been a revelation at RB and MUST MUST continue to play there as he and Milner link up very well together on the RW, it enables us to play it out of defence instead of hoofing it, also Milner (player of the season so far imo) gets back very well to help defend when nesscessary. Taylor should always play CB if we want him to get better there, unless in emergency, as playing him out of position does him no favours at all. If Shambles plays i fear the worst as he'll leave his man on a set play allowing a free header. Baba i think isn't as bad as some make out he's looked ok, however Edgar looked great there (what a debut v Man U) for a while and then we dropped him??? Why? For this game its a toss up between Edgar and Duff for me, and i'd start with Duff, with Edgar on the bench on standbye in case of another no show by Duff or Zoggy. Le Sib will get no change from Woody, he's not good enough, but a Dyer Martins combination might do, Dyer is very suspect in the midfield, leaving lots of holes for the opposition to exploit and doesn't pass it well, definately need to play him up top where he is at his most effective for us. Although Woody is fast and reads the game so well he can' t mark them both and over a short sprint Martins or Dyer should better him.

I think we should really go for it. Given Nobby Taylor Gooch Duff Milner Butt Parker zoggy Dyer Martins Subs Harps Hunty Edgar Le Sib Carroll/O'brien/Lua Lua Not much height in the side so half tempted to play Edgar at LB. But **** it lets AV IT!!! Shocked if Glenn went for this as he'll probably play Bramble, Baba and Car if fit. Prediction - Bramble to play and to leave his man unmarked again who scores with a free header.

very much in agreement with you Agreed, if he did hate black people and is a racist why is Oba his best mate/roomate? He can't go round saying what he has been saying, but its accepted in his country and not here, he should be warned and banned/kicked out if he does it again, i hope common sense prevails here because i honestly don't think he realized just how offensive it is in this country, now he does there is no excuse. We also need him back playing at his best ASAP!!

Apparently Emre's not ready yet and Butt's suspended so for Boro it has to be: GIVEN NOBBY TAYLOR GOOCH EDGAR MILNER PARKER ZOGGY DUFF (unless Emre's actually fit, then i'd drop Duff ) DYER MARTINS subs harper Hunty Le Sib Carroll O'brien/Lua Lua

We don't need any more strikers. We have: Martins Dyer Owen Shola Le Sib Carroll And Duff, Zoggy, Emre and Milner can play there too if we are really stuck. Its going to be a bad enough selection headache already once Owen is back imo without another 15m + striker.

Parker is a very good player but his peformances have been very up and down latley. He'll come good though and prove the doubters wrong, i'm convinced this will be the case. He's better off defensive midfield (Roy Keane type mould) not attacking Midfield imo. Butt's suspended next game so hopefully the midfield will be: DUFF ZOGGY PARKER MILNER (unless Emre's fit then Duff should make way).

Time to change my tune....... Butt is our best defensive midfielder, winning the ball giving it quickly and keeping it simple but doesnt get forward much as he knows his place, however can be quite effective when he does (tottenham & villareal). Emre is our best attacking midfielder able to drive forward with the ball at his feet and pick a good pass, he's getting better at tracking back but can still be guilty of just wandering back. Dyer for me is too lightweight and losses the ball too often when he tries to run in midfield, his pace is better used further upfield. Parker looks good as he marauds all over the pitch chasing the ball and putting tackles in and rarely using the ball once he has it. However he tends to slow the game down once on the ball and his chasing the ball often leaves his midfield partner isolated. The team losses a lot of creativity when emre's missing as hes able to take the ball and run or to pick out a pass. Attacking wise Id like to see more of Emre on the ball running forward with Martins & Dyer making forward runs (as well as milner and Zoggy/duff) Agree with Jangles. Big shame that Emre is out as his vision and passing combined with Martins and Dyers running up front should be an awesome combo. I see Parker as a Defensive midfielder (Roy Keane type of mould) although at the moment he's not sure what he is (i do rate him highly, although admit he's not been at his best lately). Butt's out next game so hopefully: Duff Zoggy Parker Milner (unless Emre's back in which case Duff has to make way).

Agreed! Seems very daft!! Milner has to be my player of the season so far, he's consistantly good and occaisionally excellent, works hard getting back to help Nobby and is great going forward, he can beat players with either foot too, he's always looking for the ball, his confidence is growing as is the player, his shooting has been superb second only to Oba imo, his crossing is now good too (shame nobody attacks them), he's proffessional 100% committed, he's still very young and his attendence record is amazing (specially for a Toon player) second to none. Thank God he didn't leave as we'd be screwed without him.

Agreed (at least twice). Kuyt is a good grafter but is very limited in ability imo. I don't rate him personally. If we can get Owen going again, he's a goal machine like Shearer. His record speaks for itself. It would take big money and a fantastic replacement to let Owen go at the moment. Owen's is very injury prone though unfortunately.

Taylor/Gooch definately. Taylor looks in great form at the moment, he's really finding his form now. Back 4 should be Nobby Taylor Gooch Baba/Edgar hunty on the bench. Bramble did admitedly look good over the the last two games (no better than Taylor imo), but we've seen this before against very poor opposition. As soon as anyone half decent puts him under any real pressure he'll be back to the howlers costing us games and points again, especially against the big teams. His history of howlers over the last 5 seasons speak for themselves, its definately time to part company with Titus ASAP.

Luque and Shambles are the biggest disapointments for me. Titus has had two very good games crunching tackes etc, but you know as soon as he's put under pressure by some real quality team he'll be back to the usual costing us the game and yet more points. Duff got better as the game went on (when the booing started i remember thinking), he needs longer, he wasn't that bad last night, quite good near the end. All in all though yes still a let down this season.