Shak

http://www.newcastle-online.com/nufcforum/index.php?action=dlattach;attach=6244;type=avatar

I'd play the two of them together. Neither are the answer though long-term and I have to say neither fill me with any great confidence. Nicely dodged.

Fair enough, I really don't want to re-read all your posts mind you though, due to the aforementioned shoddy structure. Question then. Who would you start against Birmingham then if you had to choose one or the other, Owen or Martins?

As sad a state of affairs as it is, Butt is the only one in our squad with any understanding of how to play the holding role. He shouldn't have to be doing anything more than playing short, simple passes to a team mate while his CM partner is the one who pulls the strings. We have nobody to be the creative one, so Butt is forced to try and do that too, and the result is some truly woeful displays of passing. He's past-it, and I'd get rid of him in the summer, but I don't think he's the problem.

Adebayor is a better player than Martins likely ever will be, in my opinion. But when they both first came to England, Martins looked the better player. This despite being younger, and despite playing in a much worse team. You're rattling on in one poorly constructed post after the other about the importance of coaching and all this, but really does it matter how a footballer becomes effective at the end of the day? You seem to be making Martins a scapegoat for the entire approach to underage football in England, a prank of an arguement in itself, but at the end of the day he's still a fairly effective player, and can become even more so in time. The whole "We Coach Kids The Wrong Way" arguement is a valid one as far as I can see, but I really don't see what it has to do with Martins, and how useful a player he is, at all.

didn't we try that with Ameobi? Stop shooting holes in my ridiculous theory.

I think we should round up 11 Nigerian kids between the ages of 8 and 10, then train them like fuck to be God's in one position each. At least I think that's the solution, I've been lost for the better part of the last 2 pages though.

We tried that Yorkie, it won't work.

No... it's a riddle.

So? Much as he relies on his physical gifts rather than a good footballing brain, he's still a useful player for a team to have around. Half of Africa would be playing professional football if what you're arguing was true. Also, coaching is massive in any players development, you of all people should know that, not just Martins.

Yorkie viewing the thread. It'll be genius if he posts a list of the fixtures coming up, with a convincing and detailed explanation of why Martins should start each and every game, once more oblivious to his mistake.

Millwall? Eh? Read my edit Speedy Gonzalez.

Millwall? Edit: Ah right, I see what you mean now.

I could actually see Alan Smith staying to be honest. Would be just our luck. Thing is, he'd probably do really well in the Championship, bag a few goals and become somewhat of a crowd favourite with some people.

What a horrible way for a tie to be decided. The offside rule needs addressing, it's a disgrace at the minute.

If any club really wanted him they could of got him. He owes us everything he went from a squad player at Inter to wearing the symbolic shirt at Newcastle United & for the first time in his career he was a recognised starter. I think you drastically overestimate the prestige of the Newcastle #9 shirt outside the Tyneside area, to be honest. He probably regrets leaving Inter, where he'd be winning medals and would probably get a few games for them, or be a frequently used sub at the very least, given the desperate lack of pace in their team.

can you tell me why? we are a BOTTOM 10 club, whether we like it or not, i dont see us as a top 10 club, we have been on the border for 2 years and now we are finally classed as a bottom 10 club imo Alex said "long-term" though, and I assume the plan for us long-term is not to be a bottom 10 club. I don't think anyone would dispute that he's our best option now, in this relegation fight we are in, but the point is that Martins may not be solution long-term if we're going to try and build a team capable of challenging for the Top 4, which must be the goal. Personally, I feel that there's a place for Martins in a Top 4 squad. With intelligent, playmaking footballers around him I think Martins could be very useful, both starting and from the bench. If nothing else, he's a fine player to throw on when you're chasing a game and in need of a goal, given his ability to create things from nowhere.

All joking aside, I'd agree with Kev's team, only with Emre instead of Barton if he's fit. at the people including Diatta, blatantly won't be fit so let's throw him into a crucial 6-pointer. Good thinking.

I believe a humourous thread title change may be in order!

Arsenal had better win.

Smith twice. That translates to 200% effort, we'll annihilate them!

-------------- Harper Beye -- Taylor -- Faye -- N'Zogbia Milner -- Smith -- Butt -- Duff --------- Owen -- Smith Quite obviously, this is the best team at our disposal.

Thought Taylor and Faye did quite well yesterday until the first goal went in, at which point Smith and Butt decided they'd had enough and rather childishly left early for half-time. I reckon they're our best CB duo for the rest of the year. It's not ideal by an means, but not much about our team is these days.

Thread Fails!!