Gallowgate End

Its a fantastic point could not agree more.

Agree.

Ultimately you judge a manager on his finishes not his signings. 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 4th, 5th Uefa Cup winners, Fa Cup winners, League Cup winners, Gerard Houllier for me is by far the outstanding realistic candidate in terms of CV.

With the lack of balance in a N'Zogbia - Emre partnership on there own in central midfield I think the formation/selection above is most likely for the next two fixtures with the suspensions of Butt and Smith. Really makes the absence of Joey Barton very frustrating could not be at a worse time.

Nicky Butt is suspended.

Have a listen to yourself you extremely pathetic ungrateful individual. Your getting off on slagging off a man who turned Newcastle United around from a sinking ship of 17th to 3rd, 4th, 5th Champions League football and consistent European football qualification managed Newcastle United to its best EVER points total of 71 points in our Premiership history joint with Keegan's 71 points that came 2nd not only that but a man that loved this club more then anyone I mean the man is 74 years old where was he last Tuesday night at Newcastle United's reserve game his love for our club despite how he has treated him is quite unbelievable. I don't know where the f**k have you been for the last 5 years? and where the f**k were you during the 5 years before Sir Bobby Robson? But I suggest you go get some perspective before spouting your mouth off. One thing is for sure you will be waiting a VERY LONG TIME till Newcastle United hit the heights of Sir Bobby Robson's 3rd, 4th, 5th and consistent European football again a very very long time.

Have to say great words from Mike Ashley. 100% behind him and his sacking of Sam Allardyce. Alan Shearer with a experienced DOF Sir Bobby Robson.

With the rejection of Harry Redknapp I think its very likely Mark Hughes will give us the same answer. Mike Ashley must consider the alternative that alternative is appointing Alan Shearer but with the experience of Sir Bobby Robson as Director of Football to guide him and with all his contacts this partnership must be looked at if the "experience" factor is of such importance to Ashley and Mort in there next appointment.

Spot on.

Could not agree more.

Have to say I don't agree at all. Charles needs to develop as a out and out Winger, holding him back and sticking him Left Back is not only damaging the team but its damaging the progression of one of the best young attacking players at the club. Seeing N'Zogbia get pulled to pieces by Shuan Wright-Phillips was not a sight I enjoyed yesterday nor did I think it was doing him good "in terms of development".

Its not really about "entertaining the fans". Its about Sam Allardyce producing a side that uses some of his methods that has been successful but using our squads attacking talent producing a side that can also contain but actually penetrate the opposition, stretch the opposition, getting our talented attacking players higher up the pitch in the right areas (N'Zogbia, Martins); creating partnerships in the side Viduka playing 12 yards off Martins, Mark linking the play Oba stretching the opposition; Ultimately I think Sam needs to make the opposition think about containing us if he is to get the balance right.

He needs to implement the strengths of his Bolton methods into a 4-4-2 system that will get the best out of our current squad. Using the strengths of his Bolton side with the wealth of attacking talent our squad has is the key; implementing his Bolton methods of containing the opposition for long periods and high percentage of the second balls won into one that can also penetrate the opposition could produce a fine side. Sam Allardyce succeeding at Newcastle United rests on him evolving tactically is absolutely spot on.

Would of made sense Martins and Butt playing if it was 4-4-2. I think its 4-3-3 with Alan Smith holding ala Sunderland away.

Or for being utterly dreadful in Cacapa and Rozenhal's case. At least Sam has the bollocks to drop his back two that completely cost us against Derby.

He was right. Newcastle: Given, Beye, Taylor, Faye, N'Zogbia Geremi, Smith, Emre Duff, Viduka, Milner Subs: Steve Harper, Claudio Cacapa, Jose Enrique, Nicky Butt, Oba Martins Vs Wigan: Kirkland, Melchiot, Scharner, Bramble, Kilbane, Taylor, Landzaat, Brown, Valencia, Bent Sibierski Subs: Mike Pollitt, Emmerson Boyce, Salomon Olembe, Josip Skoko, Julius Aghahowa

He used Alan Smith in this role vs Sunderland away. You could argue it was a effective shield in front of the back four against Kenwyne Jones arial threat for long periods in that match maybe Sam's thoughts are it will be successful against Heskey too. Just another Sam Allarydyce "contain them first tactic" against a bottom 5 club.

Totally agree its clear to see Sam's 4-3-3 does not get the best out of our forwards, Mark Viduka is far to isolated in this system and spends 95% of his time facing his own goal and even when he turns he has nothing infront of him for him to realese. Nor does Sam's 4-3-3 system get the best out of Obafemi Martins playing him deep and wide does not utilize his pace never mind that watching this lad with his talent being used to consistently run back and help out when the oppositions Left Back gets forward is a absolute waste, giving Oba a role to stay static of forward runs and holding his deep wide role is absolutely unforgivable for me by Sam. We need to start getting back to actually penetrating the opposition, getting behind them, having a go at there full backs getting Viduka and Martins both up top playing 12 yards off each other, Oba penetrating the space in behind and Mark linking the play wide or threw to Obafemi Martins getting him back to stretching sides again. The importance of getting our best young attacking talent at the football club back up the pitch to Left Wing where he can provide for the firepower of Viduka and Martins is another issue that needs to happen. "getting the best out of attacking players", "penetrating the opposition", "utilizing his strengths", "stretching the opposition" is what I want to hear from Sam before our game with Derby not "we need to focus on containing Derby", "it wasn't pretty but we dug in we need to continue this" I can't stand him but you don't have career highlight of 8th and winning nothing at the age of 53 for nothing. Completely agree.

Could not agree more.

No I said my opinion, its quite unbelievable the excuses being used by Sam on not having the faith to give HIS £6.3 million a run in the team the most annoying aspect of all this is the absolute waste of our most promising young attacking players being used out of position at Left Back because of it. You said you agree with Sam we just have a difference of a opinion which I respect. I think its obvious to everyone the deep and wide role is not getting the best out of Obafemi Martins not only that its harming Sam's 4-3-3 formation if he is going to play it at least play players who will thrive in the roles of the formation. My opinion is two of our best attacking players are being wasted by Allardyce and its something that doesn't sit comfortable with me. We need to remember where Sam has come from, keeping and getting the best out of both Obafemi Martins and N'Zogbia is vital to the progression of the football club to where it once was.

Guessing you agree with playing Obafemi Martins out of position deep and wide in the 4-3-3 also? Or is it just another area of the team thats "working well"?

Loved Albert ability to start attacks from the back was a fantastic feature of Keegan's side.

Good if square pegs in round holes is your order then "Big Sams" your man.

The excuses that have been made for Allardyce not playing his £6.3 million signing is whats embarrassing, quite honestly. Not only that but the waste of one of our most promising young attacking players at Left Back is even more of a disgrace on Sam's part.