Shak

Taylor would be disastrous against this lot at CB. Aye, cos it's obviously going great this way.

Well done Kinnear.

Just back in from town, sounds like we're playing very well. Anyone want to give me a gist of how the two goals came about? Whose impressed the most thus far?

"If I had wanted to give 100 per cent, I would have stayed at Real Madrid, sacrificed lots of things, done my very best and I probably would have succeeded. Instead, I’m here at Sampdoria and I love it.” Laughed out loud reading that.

State of that pass from Bendtner trying to play in Denilson. Andy Gray blamed it on Denilson's touch, obviously.

Brilliant finish from RVP, brilliant.

Mile offside.

What was he thinking? Can't see City equalising though, they've been shite.

I know it's not fashionable to say it anymore but KK did that imo - Viduka's class, Owen's finishing and Martins' pace, with each one compensating for the others flaws, made a lethal combination. I was going to say that "the" formation never got a proper airing against class opposition, then remembered the last home game of last season against Chelsea where we were unlucky to go into half-time level at 0-0 and then had to replace Viduka at half-time with Alan Smith, which subsequently saw us fall apart and lose all rhythm/shape. The negative of that formation was that it would only work with those three playing it (and particularly Viduka) as there is nobody else in the squad capable of playing those roles. Perhaps Jonas could do Oba's role to a degree, but there's nobody who could do what Owen or Viduka were doing in that formation. I actually think Duff would have made a decent back-up for Martins in that role. Played the best football of his career there for Ireland at the start of the decade, the role would suit him as it does Oba as he's allowed sort of be on the periphery of the game and just get involved here and there and be a threat where possible while the game largely goes through Owen and Viduka. Martins job is to provide the threat of pace in behind and consequently create more space for the others. Was a superb system, as Wullie said it perfectly used each of the players strengths to make up for each other's weaknesses.

Tooj will start fondling himself when he reads this.

You really think it's a good idea for a thread though? You think a Christmas Party means anything special to these lads, who earn thousands a week and can go to a flash party any time they like, to the point it'll have any effect on their performance whatsoever?

To be fair Nixon, it's a really shit thread idea in that case.

By the way, I sincerely doubt the Christmas party is THAT big a deal for these guys tbh.

Can see us struggling with Stoke tbh. There's nothing to link midfield and attack for us unless Viduka plays, and we're susceptible defensively to a physical approach. Delap was injured at one point today. Not sure what his status is but whether he plays or not could be key.

That wasn't so uber Yorkie. Agree with you completely though, apart from I'd have Guthrie on instead of Geremi in both systems.

Barton and N'Zogbia are the only non strikers in our squad that you think can grab a goal here and there. Jonas' track record indicates that its not a strong point. The real issue is there's been nobody in the team for a while now that can lead the line with his back to goal and link the play, allowing the midfielders to get forward and feed off of him. Viduka can do that, but in a 4-4-2 he needs pace alongside him and I can't see Owen being left out. Really hope we get the 4-3-3 going. It's the only system that makes sense with the current players. Of course, Keegan wouldn't have known this or anything because he's not tactically any good. Just a cheque book manager who told the lads to go out and attack and hope for the best. (That's for Tooj. )

They're probably all hammered though.

On the plus side our defence is looking good, Colo and Bassong have been superb the last 2 games. Unfortunately Kinnear is pretty much anti-football. Gutless stuff taking off Martins when he'd been our most dangerous player. Another Souness/Roeder until the end of the season then. Goody.

Left the Aussie on the bench, most likely.

Not a bad shout but if you're going 3 up top I'd leave the better defender at LB. Just take N'Zogbia, Butt or Guthrie off and play Owen from deep. It's basic common sense. If we lose I'll go fucking nuts.

Kinnear is a fucking wanker. Gutless piece of shit, play 3 up top you useless Irish cunt and show some balls.

Not bad but we're struggling as ever with our build up play because we've nobody who can dictate things in the midfield, or a striker who can play with his back to goal and bring others into the game. Pretty much impossible to play good football with neither of those, ideally you should have both. Not a whole lot available to change it with though just yet. I'd imagine Viduka has about 20-30 minutes in him. Unless we take the lead I'm hoping we'll take off Guthrie or N'Zogbia when the time comes and revert to the 4-3-1-2. Probably just take Oba off though is my bet. Bassong looks the business tbh. And dodgy Enrique appears to have shown up today, his general distribution is woeful for a guy who actually picks out a good ball now and then.

I really can't overstate how happy I am that Duff isn't playing. Sure, N'Zogbia may play shite. But at least it's not 100% gauranteed, like with 'Da Duffer'.

Be interesting to see how Owen and Martins do this week, never likely to get much service last week but today there should be a chance for them to get something going.