Cronky

Whoever's at fault here, it certainly isn't Roeder. He's only just taken over, and it looks like the transfer budget, based on the difference between outgoings and income, was £10 million. From all the frantic last minute activity involving Milner, it's clear that there weren't any other funds unless someone was sold. On the basis of that budget, the overall outcome isn't that bad. Roeder also had the bad luck of a long-term injury to Owen, and possibly Shola as well, and needing to put nearly all his attention into the striking department. The fault lies with whichever people you'd consider responsible for the situation where we had such a limited budget, with so many gaps to improve. Bad luck with injuries to strikers is only part of the problem, and as a big club in financial terms, we should be in a position to deal with that.

It seems to me that what has happened this summer is the fruit of two major blunders that the club has made. The first was to pay way over the odds for Owen, in transfer fee and wages, which has then had an impact on our room for manouevre on other options, regardless of whether Owen stayed fit or not. The second was to keep Shearer as a first team regular, right up to the point of his retirement. Not only did that affect performances on the pitch, but it made it very difficult to plan for the post-Shearer era in the striking department, as Roeder himself has now admitted. I also think the whole situation led indirectly to Souness and Roeder's appointments, in that many managers were, in all probability, put off from considering the club. Both areas should have been pure footballing decisions, but I think Shepherd got himself heavily involved, and I would blame him for the amateurish way we approached both issues.

I assume he's cover for the striker positions. I suspect that Shola's injury is more serious than the club has admitted so far, and we need someone in at least until Owen recovers. Times I've seen him, he's not been bad. Ordinary, but not bad.

Whether he's a fraction away or a mile away from being a good player for us, the first thing he's got to do is make his mind up that he wants to make a go of it. There were two or three times last night where he seemed to duck out of challenges for fear of getting hurt. His whole approach seems to indicate that he'd rather be somewhere else, regardless of the ability that's buried in there. Viana had the same kind of struggle in adapting to the English game, but at least you got the feeling that he was trying.

How can anyone back Luque for a bad season and Shola for a good one? It defies all logic ! The main difference between the players is that Shola really wants to play for the club, and Luque doesn't.

Where will we finish? All depends on who we get in before the window closes, but I can never resist these polls - 6th. Will Roeder still be our manager in January? Yes Which of our younger/fringe players (if any) will make a name for himself this season and why? None Will Dyer play more than 5 games for us this season? Yes, I'm backing him for a successful return. Will Shola score more goals than he did last season? Yes, I think he'll have a good season. Will we get to see the real Albert Luque or will he continue to disappoint? No, he'll disappoint Who will be the star of our defence ('keeper included)? Shay And midfield? Duff And up front? Shola How many new players will we sign before the close of this transfer window? Two And how many will leave? One - Boumsong, surely How many times will "Shearer-Shearer" be chanted this season? Hopefully none. We need to look forward. Who will flop for us this season? Solano, and I've got my doubts about Taylor. Who will outshine all others? Duff Will Owen make an appearance before the season is over? No Will an attendance drop below the 50,000 mark for a league game for the first time since SJP was rebuilt? No Will we go the season without any off-field dramas/headlines of the name through mud variety? Yes Will we win something this year? No How far in all the cups, then? A semi. Nicky Butt - will he win you over? Ummmmm....nnnnoo. Will we miss Shearer this season? No Are you excited about the new season? Not really. Depends on who we bring in.

i think the opposite. he has a shite first touch but the remarkable ability to dribble round people and can do a few flicks and stuff. he's really just peter crouch with a bad first touch. he did a good knockdown for luque too i remember. I think this is right. He has difficulty bringing the ball under control, particularly when it's played at him with pace, but when it is under his control, he can do things with it. He can beat a man with footwork, and can weight a pass quite well. He's an unusual package. It's frustrating all right when the ball bounces away from him, but you have to bear in mind the positive things that he contributes as well.

I can't recall a single other instance of a professional footballer missing a game because of blisters. Bad backs yes, but that's the most easily fakable injury.

What the hell is a blistered back? If it's the obvious - skin blisters - how does that stop you from playing? I've heard that agents often advise players who want to leave clubs to say that they've got a bad back. It's an injury that can't be verified one way or the other by medical staff.

I reckon he could play as a striker, in that free role that Beardsley and Bellamy did so well for us. It might not be his number 1 position, but I think he'd do just as good a job as any of our other realistic options. For £10 million - if that really is the price - I'd say we have to go for it, even if it means he's the only player we buy. His close control, change of direction and pace are quite exceptional. He goes past people in situations where you don't expect it to happen. And once he beats his man, they stay beaten. He's five yards past before they can turn. I think he's probably too much of an individual for the Chelsea system, and besides he hasn't really been given much of a chance, with having to dislodge either Cole, Duff or Robben for a place.

Not sure how credible the story is, or what the £10 million covers, but if it's the transfer fee, then that's a bargain.

For some reason, he seemed ill at ease and nervous in the TV studio - not that he's ever been the greatest TV pundit anyway. He needs to be the boss and he was like a fish out of water. Doesn't mean he's not a great manager though.

After his comments about the Club Ambassador, there's no chance of a return.

Don't beat about the bush, mate.

His contribution to our revival under Roeder has been absolutely crucial. With those long, spindly legs of his he's never going to be a great goalscorer, but his overall contribution has been very good. He may not be the man to get us back into the top four either, but he's done a good job for us in the situation.

Considering the midfield was Pattison-Faye-N'Zogbia-Solano, and we had Chopra up front, the result and performance was as good as you could expect. We were playing away against a side who were desperate for a result. Ameobi put in a great performance leading the line, I thought. He was having to feed off scraps, but held the ball up and linked well with his team-mates. Chopra put in a lot of effort but just doesn't look strong enough for this level. I'm not in favour of Roeder having the permanent job, but he has brought calmness, composure and organisation to the side, and that's what pulled us through today.