TRon

Well it's probably changed due to the players storming the opposition half instead of camping in defensive fear at the likes of Derby, Sunderland et al. It would be interesting to compare our shots and corner ratio pre-Blackburn and post Blackburn.

Sam has actually pulled a fast one with Milner. On the right he didn't have the pace to go outside, but since he's been switched to the left he's able to cut inside and keep the defenders guessing. His confidence has soared last few games and that makes a massive difference.

Venables in today's sun: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/sunsport_columnists/article559034.ece

Venables has had a go at the supporters as well today. I doubt any of these people were at previous games though, and they are missing the point that when fans see a team of players having a go they will only too willingly give their support.

Sorry James but you are completely missing the point. This thread is about Martins being thick as mince, so long term doesn't address the problem wh have now. Your suggestion of Owen alongside Smith is great...surely Sam needs to be sacked for not realising this and starting him on Wednesday? The only solution would have been to have signed Anelka last month tbh.

Big Sam needs to realise Martins is gash, so he should have signed Anelka last month rather than hanging about till January. What the fucks he playing at?

Actually those criticising Martins as thick or gash are right. We must drop him from today's line up and play Torres up front. A far superior striker, surely no one can argue. This is constructive criticism, since not only have I pointed out Martins weakness's I have also provided a solution unlike other critics in this thread.

Geremi had a cracking game on Wednesday, everything went through him in the middle IMO. Won it, shielded well in possession, passed intelligently.

I think the key here is Sam has bought himself some time by using his players to their strengths. If he gets results and performances with what he has available, he's more likely to get funds to carry on re-building. At least it's now clear that there is enough ability and desire to give anyone a game, now we have to want it enough to produce it week in week out.

I didn't see anything wrong with Beye's challenge on Adebayour. Both were chasing the same ball, did anyone seriously think Beye was just going to stand aside and let the striker run on to it?

Ideally you'd like forwards who have good movement and score goals. Smith's general play is good up front but he's not a goalscorer. Viduka is unfit so he should stay on the bench until he's lost some weight.

Back in days of yore under SBR, we often used to just pop a ball over the top for Bellamy to run onto who'd either score or get a pen. Yep. Solano was also great at picking the ball up from a defensive position and bringing the ball out to set up a quick counter. We won a lot of away matches during SBR's heyday.

A lot of people on here picking Emre but I think he's not going to play as much part at Newcastle from now on. While I'd like to see him in a more attack minded team, I haven't been too impressed watching him walk around in midfield in some matches. Don't think much of his work rate compared to those out there last night.

As a tactic, dropping back away from home isn't a bad one if you have the players to implement it. You need fast forwards the like of Bellamy, Dyer or Martins to hit on the break, and a cute midfielder like Elano or Solano to spot the decisive pass to the runners. The players we have got are far better suited to pressing higher up the pitch as the last two games have shown.

Good to see other people pointing to his positive contributions rather than 'gash first touch', 'headless chicken' etc.

Birmingham have had a boost with the new manager coming in, but if we go out with the same attitude as we have shown last two matches we will win. It really is crucial that the players are up for it because if we think "it's just Birmingham' we will be back to square one.

That's how I saw it.

I voted Smith and Martins because I need to see Owen put a run of games together before I can consider him a regular starter. Smith's movement and running have put him ahaead of Viduka for me, I don't think we have enough pace in our side to accomodate Viduka's lack of mobility. people point out Martins weaknesses, but his pace is a massive asset for the same reason. It's not like he doesn't score goals either.

I don't recall us pushing up as much in previous matches. Against some of the poorer sides the main criticism has been that we have been too defensive and there has been a definite change to that and I think most people would have noticed the difference.

Henry Winter's a top journo in my book. He did a good piece yesterday leading up to the game as well.

I like the look of Enrique, and like Beye, I think he'll get better. Personally I'd start him more, especially if we are going to be playing higher up the pitch like the last couple of matches. The defence c omes under less pressure so tend to look less shit.

Last two matches where we had every reason to go out with a negative approach, we have pretty much got up and at 'em. Better short passing, and pushing forward in numbers - taking the game to the opposition as it were. I know Big Sam has said he'll do it his way, but we have been far more defensive previously. I don't know if this is a result of the crowd reaction, the players 'revolt' or just the players getting used to what Sam wants. But I think he's definitely changed tack even if he won't admit it. Still pleased though, whatever the reason.

We've got a pretty good press coverage by the nationals today because we deserved it. We have had bad coverage last few weeks for the same reason.

I know we are seen as a fickle bunch by the fickle bastards down south, but I honestly don't think the result matters tonight as long as we are seen to have a go at Arsenal. I don't expect to win but it would be nice to give them a bloody nose before going down to the inevitable defeat.