Mowen

Legend. Hope he does well there.

Assuming everyone is fit to start, which they might well be, I'd play Given Beye Faye Cacapa Enrique Zog Butt Emre Duff Viduka Owen Harper, Taylor, Milner, Martins, Smith

I agree to a large extent. I think we're in a far stronger position on most fronts than we were 12 months ago, but I'm far from happy with everything Allardyce has done so far. I'd give him time.

Witness how much worse Roz looked against Blackburn and Sunderland the moment Faye came off as evidence of him being our best defender. We look a different proposition at the back when he plays. He's also been far better this season that Taylor has.

i don't think some of those players are good enough for the top 8. Only 2 defenders seem to be, for example. And one striker. The ONLY good thing about Fat Bastard being in charge is that Ashley/Mort didn't employ him, so will hopefully be more inclined to let him go. You don't get to be as rich as Ashley by continuing to let idiots like Allardyce manage your businesses. Come on Mike, you want to be "one of the fans" - so act on the feelings of the majority, and get rid of the useless manager you were lumbered with. And don't, under any circumstances, give him any more money. Is it really the feelings of the majority though? The poll 'To sack or not sack' on here seemed to suggest otherwise iirc.

he's a fat lazy striker. But he's also the best of the bad bunch we have. He's not a great player, the rest of them just make him look better than he is. And he's not "technically superb" either. Christ, as soon as we sign someone, they turn into fucking Pele. He's a decent enough clogger, no more. 80 goals in 215 apps (including as sub) averaging a goal every 2.7 apps in the prem seems to suggest otherwise....

Haven't seen many replays of this one, but first thoughts were that positioning was suspect. Beaten at the near post.

Abdoulaye Faye has been excellent when he's played imo. Been our best centre back by some distance.

Viduka and Owen would be the slowest front line in the Premiership, with no pace at all from midfield the opposition would just play a high line making it hard for us to get in behind. We've already seen this when they've played together this season. I'm not too sure this would be such a problem. As the cliche goes, the first yard is in the head, and Owen's intelligent movement and reading of the play could cause a high defensive line a number of problems if he receives decent service.

Showed why he should play whenever possible. He links the play up better than Smith does, and provides much more of a goal threat. Granted Smith is better in the air, and quicker, but that doesn't come close to bridging the gap. He's got good vision and excellent close control, but as someone mentioned he needs someone quick alongside/supporting him to do his running and give him a bit of space. Excellent finisher as well.

Looked quite good I thought. Very quick, and not afraid to put his head down and run with it. Was cynically fouled a couple of times whilst breaking into our half, and the finish was excellent as well.

Well said. (edit: brummster)

Makes a difference having a winger with some pace. Looked very promising.

I agree. That touch of extra class would have been enough to see us home without too much trouble. We just don't have enough players who can win you games.

Also, his crossing was beyond shit.

We didn't batter them imo. We had the ball around their area a lot, and failed to convert this pressure into good chance for the vast majority of the time. Our problem today was a lack of class (bar Viduka) going forward. Milner put a lot of balls into the box, but they were all shit. No-one could play a pass in the final third. We had the territory needed to win it, but not the ability.

Get in, Tim Cahill. With Ronaldo as captain as well, maybe I'm actually going to have a good FPL week!

I agree. He'd do a good job as an immediate replacement for Butt as well imo.

Well we support our local team don't we ? Well i certainly do only living 10 minutes away from the ground Wouldn't that be Gateshead for you. Hartlepool for me etc Newcastle for me, my home being 15 miles away But Nobby, don't you live in London?!?!

I agree he puts too much emphasis on it, but we've also scored from inswinging set pieces against Tottenham, Reading and Birmingham this season. I'd be surprised if we scored that many from set pieces all of last season. Also, iirc, wasn't Owen's goal against Everton from an outswinging set piece from Emre?

Playing a player in a position where he's probably most effective = 'lost the plot'. He's hardly playing Shola on the left-wing is he. He did against Arsenal

First one definitely Beardsley 8, and for some reason I've got strong pictures of Sir Les in the second one. Probably Rob Lee for the third.

Although diving is rife throughout all footballers is does tend to be more of a foreign affliction to roll around like you're dying for a few minutes after the slightest glance. (Although Messers J. and A. Cole seem to be getting the hang of it as well now)

So winning the group doesn't matter? Would you rather play AC or Fenerbache, Arsene?

blueyes.gif I don't know why either. Coleman did an excellent job for a small club who sold all their best players (Boa Morte, Malbranque, VDS) and never seemed to spend any money to replace them.