TRon

While that side might look good on paper it's changing the system to something the players weren't familiar with which (arguably) got us in this mess in the first place. 4-4-2 is a must. Stability in all aspects of the first team is a must. No fancy tactics, no chopping and changing, just work on morale and get back to basics. It's not fancy tactics really though, just putting players in positions where they are suited. No left backs playing right back, no forwards playing wide or anything daft like that. Just removing an ineffective forward and putting Zog central with a free reign. It shouldn't be too hard to implement. I thought you said not playing players out of position? What I said was "putting players in positions where they are suited". I happen to think Zog could be pretty dangerous running at Liverpool's defence. With Butt and Geremi as a safety net I think Zog, Duff and Milner could provide decent outlet. Beats having Smith in the line up but that's just my opnion.

While that side might look good on paper it's changing the system to something the players weren't familiar with which (arguably) got us in this mess in the first place. 4-4-2 is a must. Stability in all aspects of the first team is a must. No fancy tactics, no chopping and changing, just work on morale and get back to basics. It's not fancy tactics really though, just putting players in positions where they are suited. No left backs playing right back, no forwards playing wide or anything daft like that. Just removing an ineffective forward and putting Zog central with a free reign. It shouldn't be too hard to implement.

The "frightening" thing is that this same topic has been covered before and the timelines were all posted yet once again it seems to be dragged up to slate the way the club is being run, we complain about the press having a go at the club yet we're as good as them at spinning, if not better at times. For some people it's more important to back Fat Fred than their football club.

When scoring goals is a problem it's best to keep all options available. Viduka's goals saved boro last year iirc, to me it would be sensible to use him now, then get shot in the summer. It could be that he's being a cunt though and declaring himself unfit with this or that niggle.

We need Milner wide right, there's no other decent option. For this one away match I would go with a 4-5-1, the three central midfielders being Butt, Zog and Geremi. Martins up front preferably, but I can't see it. It's a team to stop Liverpool while still offering a threat on the counter with Duff, Milner, Zog and Martins. To go there gung ho will be suicide. Save that for Fulham.

I can understand picking players who have a great attitude - you need everyone giving 100% in a scrap for survival. But euqally it's stupid to cut your nose off to spite your face. If Viduka's fit he should be used. It's Premiership survival for fucks sake.

Jenas was played on the right too much to accomodate Bowyer, hardly surprising our football suffered as a result. I will say even now he is back playing for England, I still have doubts about Jenas being tough enough mentally, but as a footballer he's got all the tools. SBR said just recently that he was sad to see Jenas leaqve Newcastle because he knew what he brought to the team. What we are missing now basically and that is legs in the engine room.

Jenas played the holding/defensive MF role under SBR. Who plays that role now? Nicky Butt. We sold Jenas for £7m, since then we have bought Alan Smith for £6m. Where were we then? Where are we now?

Ferdinand was a good sale at the time. We got decent money for a player at his best who never did anything of note afterwards. Speed did ok with Bolton who were perfectly suited to his talents. Good business on both accounts IMO. I have to disagree with you there completely, the point with Ferdinand was that he was doing something here, bare in mind it was his sale that forced keegans hand. You dont under any circumstance sell players who are scoring for you. That was probably one of the best partenerships this club has ever had, why break it up? Also Speed was insrtrumental for our side, was a very very important player, when we sold him the sides perfomances suffered alot. Was also a very mature head in a relatively young side. The business is alway bad if you sell players who affect your team, irrespective of the cash. During our "nearly season" Ferdinand and Lee scored for fun early season during easy fixtures then the goals dried up when the heat was on. They went missing while Roy Keane, a defensive midfielder drove Man U to the title, leading by example and goals when needed. That's what I remember.

Jenas stagnated? Who's playing in his position now? Fucking Nicky Butt, and the £7m we got for Jenas, £6m was wasted on Smith. Fantastic busines that was.

Ferdinand was a good sale at the time. We got decent money for a player at his best who never did anything of note afterwards. Speed did ok with Bolton who were perfectly suited to his talents. Good business on both accounts IMO.

I just love these hindsight merchants. The vast majority of the clubs supporters - and on here - fully supported the sales of all these 4 players. And for what its worth, I agreed with the sale of Jeanarse and the sale of Dyer, being a massively underachieving prick for the club, who had pace but ended up with a terrible attitude whereby he was just no use to us anymore. I would not have sold Robert and Bellamy though, particularly Bellamy, and I had loads of grief for saying so at the time on here too. There is no hindsight here mate. Like SBR, a true football genius, I defended Dyer and Jenas while they were here because I rated their ability and athleticism, while narrow-minded cunts (no one in specific I should add) carried out hate campaigns online and offline which made it inevitable they would leave. I said so at the time, if you like, I can find the posts, assuming they are still searchable.

Not bad, but Taylor and Capaca at the back will get crucified by Liverpool's strikers. Faye has to play CB for me, alongside A.N.Other. Preferably Cacapa.

Dyer, Robert, Bellamy and Jenas were all let go by dour football specialists. You tell me if we are better off now.

I've added Milner for those who feel it's another option.

I always thought Speed suited Bolton a lot more than us. Good runner with great heading ability, but not enough skill to be a playmaker. Tended to let the tempo of the game dictate him rather than the other way round.

It's obvious to most people, and common sense, but it won't stop two types of critics: the ones with an agenda who just need to throw shit in the direction of the new board at every opportunity or those who get frustrated easily and want signings...any signings ..now now now!

Carrol's a handy player to have on the bench in any case, gives us a different option.

Funnily enough even though we lost, I couldn't help feeling a bit proud at the way the lads got at Blackburn. Yes there was a sense of desperation and no, it wasn't clinical. But for 90 mins they had a damn good go. It reminded me of the old Keegan teams which used to get you on the edge of your seat. A pale shadow but it was there nonetheless.

That is just...brilliant. It's football forum poetry, nothing less

What a difference Benjani's made to City tbf. For the first time this season they actually look fairly shit.

I'd go for N'Zogbia myself, failing that Geremi - but I'm pretty sure it'll be Smith. Atleast Martins or Viduka will start if that's the case. I'm assuming Emre's still out injured btw.

He's too slow to get anywhere near them unfortunately.

Ashton has been playing shit for West Ham recently. His confidence is shot to pieces apparently, so he'd a be a big improvement.

They are desperate to win that last CL spot by getting 4th place. I don't think they'll be taking it easy against us at all.