Shak

Why do people keep going on about Smith? Both N'Zogbia and Smith are pretty poor. Surely you're not telling me that the two players have a similar amount of talent? N'Zogbia has more potential, but I'd ditch the both of them. Neither are good enough to save us in a relegation fight. So who, in our current squad, is good enough to save us in your opinion? Our squad is desperate as a whole, we need to make the best of what we've got or we will go down. I'm a big fan of N'Zogbia, think he has the potential to be a top class winger, but I'll readily admit he's far from the finished article and can be frustrating. But he's one of the very few players in our squad that I have any hope for when they get the ball, cos I know he's capable of doing something quality. It's not ideal relying on a moody, streaky player, but it's the best shot we've got.

Well done, great day for them.

Idiots, get off the pitch!

Honestly, I hope Barnsley win. Couldn't give two fucks whether Boro or Pompey win a Cup, in fact if they do more power to them I say. It doesn't effect us in the least bit at the end of the day and I'm sure there are a lot of Boro and Pompey fans for whom it would mean so much to win a trophy, a hell of a lot more than any Chelsea fan anyway. I'd hate to think that someone would really begrudge us a Cup win out of some largely unfounded bitterness. Sure, I'll be shouting against Boro in particular when it comes to the semi/final, such is the fun of rivalries. But if they do win I'll take my hat off and say "Fair play, you deserve it", I even felt like that when Spurs won the CC and was happy for them at the end of the day.

Yeah. We know. f*** off. Chelsea still being interested come May is also massive for us. Some best friend you are, poor Hieldsy. Really don't think it's massive either that Chelsea are still involved, strong as their squad is.

Boro and Pompey favourites for the Cup if it stays like this.

That's the point though, he's a winger, he's supposed to be pro-active and be one of the guys who makes things happen. Generally though he runs around with his head down, twists and turns a couple of times and plays a pass back to one of our CM's who end up having to play a hopeful punt forward. I'd rather he lose the ball more often and actually do something useful once in a while. I still think thats over exaggerating, he does stick some crosses in, and when he does they are normally better than anyone elses. Dont get me wrong im not saying hes played well, but hes done the simple things and tried to play football and not give the ball away. Theres a good half of the team at least playing worse than him. N'Zogbia hasnt exactly done enough to keep Duff out recently either, he goes missing far too much. To each his own I suppose, but I'd much rather have N'Zogbia in there at LW right now. Can go missing at times and be frustrating, but at least gives you the chance of making something out of nothing in a team that desperately lacks the quality to open teams up with teamwork. Same reason I'd have Martins ahead of Owen right now, we're a desperately mundane team in need of guys that worry opposing teams as they're libel to do something great now and then. And I don't think Damien "0 Goals and 0 Assists" Duff really worries teams at all, quite frankly.

Depends, whatever Alan Smith wants him to do I guess.

That's the point though, he's a winger, he's supposed to be pro-active and be one of the guys who makes things happen. Generally though he runs around with his head down, twists and turns a couple of times and plays a pass back to one of our CM's who end up having to play a hopeful punt forward. I'd rather he lose the ball more often and actually do something useful once in a while.

I believe that was implied in my post. You don't say. I was agreeing with you. I was hoping you'd reply with "Implied Shak... or Implode?" You disappoint me...

I believe that was implied in my post.

Won't be at the games I attend though, you can take that to the bank.

Very harsh mentioning Duff in the same sentence as those two, he hasnt set the world alight but hes been one of our most steady players since his return from injury. f*** off man. I'm sick of hearing this. One of these days the useless w****** will put a cross in. Nah he won't, I jest. He has been pretty steady and consistent in his form since he got back though, to be fair to Lenny.

The problem with us is that once we go behind we are utterly incapable of chasing a game. We have nobody who can link the play either in midfield or up front and help us actually keep the ball long enough to get any sustained pressure. It's the team Allardyce was trying to build, AKA Bolton MK II, solid defensively who could turn every game into a turgid dogfight. Stop your opponents from playing, then nick a goal from one of your well-rehearsed set-pieces and hold on for a 1-0. The players we have now are Allardyce's squad, and they're incapable of playing any other way. The first goal is so vital in our games it's untrue, painful to watch.

Anyone? Keep him fit and happy. Ashley's birthday is coming up soon and Smith's body needs to be as tight as possible if hes to smash out of the giant cake wearing a thong and a "come get me big boy" tshirt. Couldn't he just do some rectal contractions on the sideline or something?

Enrique can be a very good defender in time as far as I can see, but as of right now he's much too lethargic in his play in general and he's been getting caught out as a result. The goal is a fluke, not his fault, but at the same time most defenders in that situation have cleared the ball before it has a chance to be charged down. While it's extremely unlikely to go in directly, you still don't want people blocking down clearances 6 yards from goal, as it can easily fall to a Liverpool striker just as easily as it can go out for a goal kick. So he must shoulder some responsibility, even if he was extremely unlucky. Clearly hasn't adjusted to the pace of the game in England yet, so I can see why he gets left out, but if he doesn't fuck off back to Spain this summer I think he'll be a good player ultimately.

Soon as the first goal went in I turned off the TV and grabbed my crutches and slowly made the short journey to my PC. I am not, even in the least bit, surprised to find it's now 2-0. We're a horrible, horrible football team, completely incapable in possession.

Barton : "Take your fucking hands off me... right now."

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This is worse than playing shit and getting stuffed really. Now the players know that even playing well they're libel to bottle it and lose. Pitiful, we really could go down. Gonna be a tough couple of months. Anyway, I'm off to hang myself. I've enjoyed posting on these forums and wish you all the best of luck lads, for the most part this is a cracking place.

Honestly, they're safe from relegation and have a massive game coming up during the week. How is this game even relevant to them? I'd forgive our players for half-assing a meaningless game if they delivered us a trophy and were challenging for another, personally.

few people said that wouldnt be the worst result to get They're not wrong there like.

We need to score. At some point Blackburn are going to get into this game and if it's still 0-0 when that happens the crowd, and the players, are going to get twitchy as fuck and Rovers will punish us. Come on lads, we need 3 points here.

Aye, it'll be great if we get relegated like.