TRon

Going to be hard for Taylor to stay unless he's realistic about his value. 45k is already too high if you ask me, I don't really see how we can justify an increase. Shame we won't get a fee because he's almost certain to walk at the end of the season.

There must be a few zeros added to his value after today. You can say what you like about his general play but those goals were quality.

Was just thinking that. I'm all for giving him a chance, but his first touch he missed a header, then clattered their player. His next moment was to run 50 yards and not have a clue what to do with it. Nice assist I'll give him that. |The run itself was excellent, there was nobody to pass to so he hesitated. We could do with more runners not less.

Wonder when Ashley might think about giving him a new contract? If we stay up with this squad it'll be a minor miracle considering we've done mainly bargain basement shopping. Look at the prices paid for Villa's squad for example.

It was just outside the area but it was a certain goal. Technically the defender can't be sent off but he bloody well deserved to be.

I disagree, think Ashely might be more willing to spend now. Ashley needs to fall in love with the club again, then he'll start spending. Ashley would like to spend as little as possible and hopefully stay up for maximum financial benefit, but he must have promised a budget to Hughton and he can't very well back out now.

I reckon that result puts us in the top 10. Anyone seen the tables?

They will be shitting their pants about our game. Andy Carroll v Bramble should be interesting. He's one of the few defenders who might keep him quiet but after the Mackems boo brigade has demoralised him a trademark gaffe is surely on the cards.

I thought Barton was good today. Out of the three slow central midfielders playing he's the one who actually has some ability and can make us play.

I thought Gutierrez did well today, he linked up with Jose well and worked hard Him and Enrique totally nullified the Villa left winger who has done well previously. I know Routledge's delivery was woeful but he did provide us with a good outlet with his pace. Thought the wide men were important in that respect.

Nolan tried today but when he sets off on a run it's as if time is standing still. We were getting outplayed before Barton's screamer, and Nolan was a big factor. It's like playing with 10 men. But on set pieces he's dangerous and because Villa couldn't cope with Carroll there were chances for him to mooch.

Thrashing them 6-0 is the best thing we could have done for them. If Kevin Macdonald was made manager they would have sunk like a stone but that thumping has put paid to that.

Yep.

I don't think the football we are playing is as good as he would like due to the players we have at the moment. Too many slow midfielders for pass and move, but he's utilising what we've got very effectively. We are a bit like a refined version of Stoke at the moment. I would love to see us with someone like Ben Arfa in there insitead of Nolan. I know he got two goals, but I think our general football would improve 100%.

Villa were shocking in the air, we might find it a bit harder against teams with bigger, better centre backs.

Villa just couldn't handle him. He is going to give a lot of premier teams a hard time this season.

Looks a good footballer even if he's not a front line striker. Lovely pass for Carroll's hatrick.

I said this after the Man U game and uber-expert Ronaldo scoffed at it. But he looks a good defender...not so much going forwards though.

Fuck me

Seen much of him mate? Yep. Excellent addition to our squad. Care to compile a short overview on his strengths and weaknesses? Pretty please. Ok, here's what I know. Twente used him as a sort of 12th man last season in their championship season, meaning he was not a starter in most of their matches, but was often brought on to consolidate a small lead into a secured win or to impose more dominance in their midfield. He is very highly though off, and Twente fans consider him a very important figure in their surprise succeeded championship challenge last season. As you would expect, he is a very physically imposing midfielder, who is stronger in the defensive tasks than in attack. Twente fans sometimes criticize his tendency to walk with the ball rather than play it around quickly, but seeing as he is so strong on the ball he still very rarely loses it without a foul being made on him. From what I've seen personally he is much better with the ball than our current crop, although he is not one for killer passes or scoring many goals. If we use him to his strengths, sitting in front of the defense and let him win the ball and lay it off to some of our more creative (!) players he will be a very good addition for us. He has the physical attributes and the talent to succeed in the Premiership, that's for sure.. That means his ball retention under pressure is very good. Exactly the attributes a midfielder needs in the Premier and where most of our players are crap. Sounds like an excellent signing if this is true.

Yep. We've waited a long time for a strong running player to heal the gaping wound that was Nicky Butt. Can't wait to see what he's like, hopefully all the good stuff coming from the Twente fans is borne out.

Was always going to happen. Hopefully he will become demoralised and it will spread like cancer right through the squad

Is he confirmed as not available? If not we'll probably go 4-4-1-1 again, unchanged from Man Utd Don't think it's confirmed but more than likely he's out from the news being leaked.

Xisco? By all accounts he was rubbish when he returned to Spain last year. So what exactly has he done to deserve a start? Even Nile Ranger has done more to warrant one. He has two legs and can run. I don't think Nolan has those qualities yet he will be considered.