Shak

I agree... He's made some great crosses, but imo they are s*** too many times... Even the best crossers of the ball in the world have more s*** ones than good ones. It's a case of putting in the really telling one enough times to make up for the poor ones, and Milner has put in a few cracking crosses and seems to be getting better at them all the time. It's not his crossing that holds him back, it's his lack of pace that really kills him. He'll never be a top player out wide IMO, especially in a 4-3-3. If we go 4-4-2 then I'd have him down the right, but since we blatantly won't I'd rather see him moved infield. Bench might be better. For now I'd have him playing in the middle ahead of either Butt or Geremi, give us someone in CM who can actually get forward and threaten to score goals. With a fully fit squad to choose from, though, I'd have him on the bench also.

That's just the exact same thing really.

I agree... He's made some great crosses, but imo they are s*** too many times... Even the best crossers of the ball in the world have more shit ones than good ones. It's a case of putting in the really telling one enough times to make up for the poor ones, and Milner has put in a few cracking crosses and seems to be getting better at them all the time. It's not his crossing that holds him back, it's his lack of pace that really kills him. He'll never be a top player out wide IMO, especially in a 4-3-3. If we go 4-4-2 then I'd have him down the right, but since we blatantly won't I'd rather see him moved infield.

Dave should be employed full time by the internet in general to go around giving things witty, more appropriate new titles.

Good player, but never a great one by any means. Made a hell of a career for himself to be fair, always struck me as a little cunt though.

He's neither. In fact, at present he is very much between the two. Well thank you Captain Obvious.

Deliberate HBK reference? You'll never believe me, but I knew you'd comment on that It's rather fitting, though. Here's a lad who seemed to have the world at his feet before certain events took place which caused him to lose his way for a good while, now he's back looking something near his previous best and with a lot better to still come... hopefully. Can't see him being here "forever", but we should get another good year or two out of him before his head gets properly turned. We know he's a bit of a playa' as well, just like HBK, don't we? All depends on how well we progress as a club and how often he's getting his game for us. If we start moving in the right direction again and are challenging for Top 4 within a few years then there's no reason we shouldn't be hoping to hold on to him. Think he'll be the business on the left of a 4-3-3 too, and despite some teething problems so far I reckon it's pretty nailed on we're going to be playing that system. We've got 5 CM in the squad and only really two wingers in N'Zogbia and Milner (Solano looks out of the picture) so I' imagine it's here to stay. Always been impressed by N'Zogbia's eye for goal, couple of times he's shown a cool head to put away chances. His goal at Blackburn and calm finish at home to Portsmouth in Roeder's first game come to mind. Get him running at full-backs one on one and I think he'll make that spot his own.

Deliberate HBK reference?

He's playing left-back though in all fairness, can't really expect him to be doing a whole lot more going forward. Number of times I've seen him beat a man but because it's generally the RW of the other team it's not getting him into a telling position, as there's still another line of defence to be beaten. Once he's in a more advanced role he'll be in much better position to do something when he does beat his man, which he'll do frequently.

In front of who? 30 unemployable wretches, 12 schoolkids, Tyne Tees Television, the Beeb and some reporter from Sky Sports. NSG will no doubt make his presence felt too.

I was actually delighted with the 0-0 against Villa. Progress...

Refusing to play N'Zogbia was a vastly, vastly more unforgivable act. N'Zogbia had been one of our best players, whereas Luque had never really given any reason to be included, other than internet fanboyism.

He basically lost an entire year of his development last year ( cheers Glenn ) so can't wait to see how he does this year. Much better prospect than Milner in my opinion.

Looks like we've dodged a bullet two years in a row, first Milner now N'Zogbia. Both almost sold for a pittance. N'Zogbia can be a true star in my opinion, really want to see him get a game on the left of the 4-3-3 up front.

Be a typical Allardyce signing tbh, talented player who has obviously lost his way and could do with a fresh start. I'd love us to go for him, in all honesty. Perfect for the 4-3-3 system we're looking to play, very physical player and on his best form he can be unplayable. Doubt we're looking at him though, which is a shame as I'm still not sure either Viduka or Ameobi are going to be the answer for us as the target man we need.

Why do people keep saying this? He was a first team regular for Allardyce's excellent Bolton last season, and a rock in their side. He'd be a bloody good 'squad member', if not a regular. They only finished 6th man! We surely need to be challenging for the league or Allardyce and the board have failed! This season is wasted. We could be in for a relegation battle.

Better off having Lee than Allardyce though, at least they're not playing boring football anymore.

While we're on the subject, I really hate your new username Yorkie. It's just kind of lame really, don't see what was wrong with Y-G?

Be very disappointed if we don't go at them in this one, sit back and play it tight and we could be in for a 0-0 again, or a 1-0 either way decided by a set piece. We have enough that if we go at them and play well we should be able to win without too much hassle. Problem with going 4-4-2 is that we only really have Milner as a fit winger at the moment (assuming N'Zogbia will be starting at LB) , so I'd imagine we'll go 4-3-3 again.

Pretty ugly tbh.

Desperate to go, so long as someone will match his wages obviously. As for all the people advocating that he might come good, I'm sorry but he just won't. He was unlucky when he first came here, got a terrible injury and was rushed back and never got a whole lot of opportunities. Fair enough. But that doesn't change what he is now, and that's a completely off the pace, lacking in confidence player who's neither suited to this league nor the high tempo style of play our new manager will want to play. We've got a number of players who are better than him, and a number of players who are younger and much more worth our while trying to develop. Luque is pushing 30 and the only way we'll ever get anything out of him is if we give him an extended run in the side to get his sharpness/confidence back. This is simply something we can't afford to do, and something that's not worth doing as he probably wouldn't come good anyway. Feel bad for him, but I hope he just goes sooner rather than later. He's a waste of wages at this point, and will never be anything more to us. If we can get a few quid for him, fair enough. If not, just give him away.

Still, nah for me. I see Smith as a solid, hardworking player who'll consistently give you a decent/good contribution and can be called upon to play in midfield or up front as part of a two, but with everyone fit I don't see him as being a very good player in any particular position, rather a good player in a lot of different positions. Not someone you can build an attack around.

All depends who they get to replace him though, if he goes. Still a good squad of players there, get in a top manager and they don't need to do anything drastic with the squad. Core of good young players and they'll spend money, just need a few additions.

That's absolute madness.

Viduka and Owen for me, those two fully fit would be very good in my opinion. Viduka would drop deep and play with his back to goal and generally be the focal point, while Owen would play the channels and look to push teams back, in turn giving Viduka and our midfielders more room to work in. Martins would be very handy as an impact sub as well, as Dave said.. With those two in I'd be looking to play Milner and N'Zogbia on the wings, two players who can dribble and get crosses in and give us real width. Milner has looked good on the left but with Owen and Viduka up top you'd want to be getting service in to them as both of have terrific movement in the area and will get on the end of things. So Milner down the right would be for the best if N'Zogbia can start playing well again. If Zoggy can't, we'll have Duff in a few months anyway to provide competition. But I'd love to see N'Zogbia stay in the team, get him and Milner playing the flanks well and we could have our set of wingers for the next decade. To think we almost lost both for a relative pittance. In the middle then to compliment them I'd like Barton and Geremi. Good physical midfield that can play a bit and should theoretically have a good balance, with Geremi being more of a sitter in the middle while as Barton's our box-to-box man. Should be decent defensively too, as both work hard and aren't afraid to tackle. With those six players we'd be best served playing a direct, high-tempo game as well, so with that being Allardyce's style there's a chance we'll see it. Milner -- Barton -- Geremi -- N'Zogbia ----------- Owen -- Viduka I'd like to see that six in action, everyone fit and playing well.