TRon

I wonder whether we might need a different approach to fighting for survival this season as compared to last year's 4-3-3 masterstroke? We don't have Vidulka or Barton available and Martins is doubtful. These are three of the most important factors of the system last year and we've also lost Zog who was another footballer as opposed to the cloggers we are filling the team with ATM. Would we be better off sticking Carroll and Xisco up front and playing long ball? this would allow the limited players like Butt and Nolan to be bypassed in midfield as they would see less of the ball and we could concentrate on getting the ball to our more effective players.

Physically or mentally?

We have only played football worth watching under two managers in my time watching Newcastle, SBR and Keegan. As you must know I am no Keeganite but whatever the rights and wrongs of his latest stint as manager, this was the closest we have come to playing passing football again in ages. Compare the footy we were playing at the beginning of the season to the travesty we served up against Stoke and it was light years apart.

If he's not fit for the games against Fulham, boro and Portsmouth he might as well start his summer holidays now. He's far better than anything else we've got but he's turned out to be a terrible signing.

So what's the current update then, is he fit to play on Saturday or not?

The midfield were absolute shit today. Nolan, Butt and Guthrie made Stoke's players look like playmakers, and Duff and Ryan were awful as wing backs. The long ball might be our best option if we are going to stick with these players.

Tremendous header, one of the best I've seen on goal in ages. There was nothing in that cross either.

Nolan was the worst midfielder on the pitch.

I thought we were awful today, the midfield was abysmal, but the quality of the header from carroll was outstanding. Other teams have fight as well, it's a shame that's all we are relying on seeing as most of our players are earning 4 times what the likes of Hull's squad are.

Wingbacks? Jonas would be better than Duff IMO. BTW, one hell of an attacking formation. The formation looks interesting but I'd play Carroll or Xisco ahead of Shola. Cracking formation though.

I'm not sure we'll win, the uncertainty over the back four won't help, but I wouldn't be surprised if we do nick it. Stoke might have a decent home record but they aren't Chelsea or Liverpool and we have players who can hurt them. Even if we don't win it's not a disaster although it will probably feel like it.

It would be nice to think that was the case, I hope your'e right and I think you probably are.

It's just a shame he didn't get the job sooner, he's not got much of a window to get the formation right unless he out-geeks us all with a formation uber-geek masterclass.

I would have given him a deal without hesitation before last Saturday, but now I'm starting to wonder why Schalke were so fed up they released him without a fight. Eh? Wasn't he released by the German club from his contract because they were fed up with him? Yeah but you're saying in that quote that before he got himself a freak and very serious injury you'd have given him a deal without hesitation. Now you say not. Did he have a habit of being stretchered off with breathing apparatus for Schalke or something? What is his injury, I'm not really clear on it? He has a chest infection, he thought he could play, he couldn't. At least he is trying to give a fuck not like Viduka, Smith et al. It says in the report that he is fully recovered, although obviously not ready to return on Saturday, which I wouldn't expect, but the poll is asking if this is his last game of the season would you give him a contract. I am not too clear on what his state is from the information tbh.

I would have given him a deal without hesitation before last Saturday, but now I'm starting to wonder why Schalke were so fed up they released him without a fight. Eh? Wasn't he released by the German club from his contract because they were fed up with him? Yeah but you're saying in that quote that before he got himself a freak and very serious injury you'd have given him a deal without hesitation. Now you say not. Did he have a habit of being stretchered off with breathing apparatus for Schalke or something? What is his injury, I'm not really clear on it?

I would have given him a deal without hesitation before last Saturday, but now I'm starting to wonder why Schalke were so fed up they released him without a fight. Eh? Wasn't he released by the German club from his contract because they were fed up with him?

I've voted no. I think he has to play again this season to earn a contract, we just don't need another Viduka situation.

I would have given him a deal without hesitation before last Saturday, but now I'm starting to wonder why Schalke were so fed up they released him without a fight.

Lovenkrands doesn't sound a if he's too desperate to play in the near future.

He's played left back before under Roeder. I would consider him there, he won't have to beat anyone so it should suit him very nicely.

Why is it always the players with some footballing ability that get injured and not the ten a penny cloggers who line up week in week out?

He's slow and s***. As you say, it's better to live in reality rather than have pipe dreams of him suddenly becoming anything else. That was a bit of a crap response really wasnt it. If you've an argument as to why he cannot improve his fitness or why im assuming you think hes always been crap...regardless of the fact that hes a better goalscoring record than any of our other midfielders go ahead and provide it. Not much point typing otherwise. We can all state pointless opinions based on nothing I've been against Nolan's signing from the beginning although I was hoping he'd prove me wrong. I'll repeat the reasons again if you've missed them previously. Nolan has no vision, no ability to pick a through pass, no desire to pass and move (have you seen him do any quick one-two's?) he looks overweight, and he genrally only plays for about 45 mins. Bolton fans were booing him, were delighted to get rid of him and their results have improved since he left. As an athlete, on a scale of 1-10 he'd score 3 if you were being generous. He has no pace whatsoever, no engine and his legs look shot. Is this enough for you or do you think I'm watching a different player to you? I think that you're not able to follow the conversation. Heres some quotes for you Now you've responded by explaining to me that recently he looks overweight..only plays for 45 mins etc Look at what im saying & decide for yourself whether your argument has any relevance to anything im claiming. I didn't realise that you only wanted to discuss Nolan's fitness and not his qualities as a player but if we are doing this in lawyer-speak then I'll just say if he's not fit to play an important role this season then he was a waste of money. By the time he is fit (if ever), we'll have better players available like Barton or Guthrie. Just trying to put things as simply as possible. You're arguing about his current ability which i have already agreed isnt very good...so it seems kind of pointless. I put this down to the fact that hes currently a chubby lard & no where near his full ability. Even so hes still got as many assists this season as anyone else in our team. Add to that the fact hes a far better goalscoring history than any of our current midfielders and hes not some disasterous signing as some of you are making out. You can only compare him to what we currently have. Not some fantasy team you have in your mind. Hes not a bad signing compared to what we have....obviously it could have been better. A lot of our signings COULD have been. We COULD have done a whole lot of things differently this season, but you have to analyze what you currently have and leave it at that. Even with Barton back he could have a role in the team, whether coming on as a sub to get goals or simply being a squad player. Its very likely that Barton or guthrie or both will be out of the first team again at some point in the future & its never bad to have a midfielder who likes to get foward and has proven he can put the ball in the back of the net every season. He wont have lost that at 26...you dont peak at that age....hes just lost his fitness & its obviously all dependant on him getting that back. Don't you find it strange that Nolan is unfit after coming from Blackburn where he wasn't injured, and he's been here for two months now presumably training most every day? Anyway, even if we ignore that ludicrous situation I don't rate central midfielders who's reputation is built just on scoring goals. The best teams have midfielders who are athletes and boss the engine room with their use of the ball. What we have got at the moment is a slow, uncreative goalscoring midfielder...who isn't scoring any goals. Whether he'll get his fitness back whatever of level of fitness it was I'm not sure. I just hope he's not another Lee Sharpe who turned into a pisshead and blew his Man U career at quite an early age. Mind he WAS a good player in his time...

Same here. If we are going to play a midfielder who can't get up and down the pitch, we might as well play the one who can pick a pass.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/blackburn_rovers/7990554.stm We are looking to sign him to add pace to our midfield I wonder why Fat Sam didn't consider that before signing Geremi or offering Butt a new contract? It's typical that our ex-managers make all their mistakes at Newcastle and then come out spouting words of wisdom in hindsight.

He's slow and s***. As you say, it's better to live in reality rather than have pipe dreams of him suddenly becoming anything else. That was a bit of a crap response really wasnt it. If you've an argument as to why he cannot improve his fitness or why im assuming you think hes always been crap...regardless of the fact that hes a better goalscoring record than any of our other midfielders go ahead and provide it. Not much point typing otherwise. We can all state pointless opinions based on nothing I've been against Nolan's signing from the beginning although I was hoping he'd prove me wrong. I'll repeat the reasons again if you've missed them previously. Nolan has no vision, no ability to pick a through pass, no desire to pass and move (have you seen him do any quick one-two's?) he looks overweight, and he genrally only plays for about 45 mins. Bolton fans were booing him, were delighted to get rid of him and their results have improved since he left. As an athlete, on a scale of 1-10 he'd score 3 if you were being generous. He has no pace whatsoever, no engine and his legs look shot. Is this enough for you or do you think I'm watching a different player to you? I think that you're not able to follow the conversation. Heres some quotes for you Now you've responded by explaining to me that recently he looks overweight..only plays for 45 mins etc Look at what im saying & decide for yourself whether your argument has any relevance to anything im claiming. I didn't realise that you only wanted to discuss Nolan's fitness and not his qualities as a player but if we are doing this in lawyer-speak then I'll just say if he's not fit to play an important role this season then he was a waste of money. By the time he is fit (if ever), we'll have better players available like Barton or Guthrie.