STM

Away: Given Taylor Rozehnal Cacapa Enrique Geremi Smith Barton Milner Viduka N'Zogbia Home: Given Belletti Taylor Rozehnal Enrique Barton Emre Milner N'Zogbia Martins Owen

I think Barca would far prefer to sell him to us though and Deco might fancy our league. Don't see it happening personally.

I'd have your 442 but feel as though Owen would be included.

I believe a good 3 man midfield consists of three types of player: 1. Defensive midfielder (protection of the back four and a good tackler) 2. Box to Box midfielder (with a good engine and the abilty to pass) 3. Attacking midfielder (plain and simply, assists and goals) Successfull 3 man midfields down the years: Chelsea- Makelele, Thiago, Lampard, Milan- Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf If we are going to choose our players it should be by this blueprint, even if not perfect, it isn't far off.

Have you even seen them play? Both still need to adapt, even if we get Belletti. Honestly? I've seen Belletti on telly a couple of times and thats about it. However, sadly most of us still have to rely upon reputation and the opinion of those who have seen them play. So far Allardyces signings have been great and i'd hazard a guess to say they these two would not disapoint. Fingers crossed Allardyce has done his research and know the ins and outs.

Thanks Janitor!

I noticed against Blue Star that he was very good technically. He looks quite short but i bet he can put his weight about. Interesting selection choice for Boro.

Aye, he's a funny one. I far rather have a pint with him than Dyer, despite the obvious risks.

Depends what he is pleading guilty for and TBH skirge none of us no the facts about what happened. They could be charging him for GBH when if fact Barton and his lawyers can prove it was just ABH. Which is a different kettle of fish all together. His people must think they have a good chance of getting off.

Agreed, but we were mostly solid during games last season and the season before. It was the occasional lapses in concentration that hurt us, and the free header or quick breaks through the middle on Saturday were no different in that respect. The quote from the article is a bit neejerk insofar as lady luck was on our side a few times. Our midfield protected the back four better (I wonder what the fan reaction would have been to Roeder playing three defensive midfielders mind), but the back four itself looked a bit shaky and if Villa would have scored from one of our concentration lapses nobody would have said progress had been made defensively or we currently have strong foundations at the back. Still, a clean sheet is a clean sheet and a point is a point. I just wanted to point out that I don't think the "we would have lost this match last season" necessarily holds true as Aston Villa clearly didn't have their shooting boots on.. Solid in previous seasons? We looked shakey as fuck.

and he will hit the fine back in the face.

We all know that if he goes down he will be hit with a huge fine.

If your trying tell me that Emre isn't good technically then your off your head. Apart from Nobby noone in a our squad has the abilty on the ball that Emre does. Can't argue on the consistancy side though, spot on. However, i think Allardyce's set up would suit him better and he would have extra fitness and motivation. I don't think he's that great techniclaly. At set pieces he was predominantly poor, and he never created as much as some performances hinted at. I'm not saying he's s****, just that he's a decent player, no more. I think Emre is so gifted it's untrue. He just never seems to find any consistance in his games, especially set pieces. I honestly believe that if Allardyce can get the right combination of that midfield at home we are in for big things. Emre has the abilty to be apart of it.

I think a certain Man City fan is getting big for his boots. What will they be saying when Sven gets caught shagging Micah Richards mam in the club showers.

Doesn't do any harm to have another option though. Probably why Sam bought Djorkiouff tbh. Major woosh.

My guess is Reyna.

Your right about Emre but Barton is very much a creative player. He may not "run at" defences but he has quick pinpoint passing and an abilty to assist and score goals. It's about drive going forward in midfield. Barton takes no time getting from defence to attack in one quick move.

If your trying tell me that Emre isn't good technically then your off your head. Apart from Nobby noone in a our squad has the abilty on the ball that Emre does. Can't argue on the consistancy side though, spot on. However, i think Allardyce's set up would suit him better and he would have extra fitness and motivation.

We will stick with and see what it comes up with. Haha.

Gan on.

Where would you fit him in to our system? Would you stick with 433 or go back to 442? Personally, i think our team would improve massively with Barton in because the back four wouldn't lose any protection but would have a more creativity going forward but who would you drop? I'd be thinking something like this: Given Belletti* Rozehnal Taylor Enrique Geremi Smith Barton Martins Viduka Milner Or 442 (at home) Given Belletti Rozehnal Taylor Enrique Geremi Barton Milner N'Zogbia Viduka Owen On paper, very impressive. Especially without the inclusion of Duff, Emre and Butt. Your thoughts?

Absolutely, not only that but they are extremely hard workers and leaders too. Hopefully, when Barton returns the midfield will keep that bite but will also have a little extra going forward.

Just have the feeling this one will happen. The reason being that on the last week of the window noone wants to lose out on players and i think we will force it through. I will take a guess that both Faye and Belleti will be through the door with perhaps Solano out (with no replacement).

At least when we defend we do so as a unit. All the players look focused on where they are supposed to be and what they are supposed to be doing. Rozehnal and Taylor look a very neat partnership. With a couple of solid full backs (Belleti and Enrique) we are look to have a better back four than i have ever seen at newcastle.

Baggio: "Anyone with a clue about football............" I don't know whether you meant it but that is what pricks say. You might aswell just say "I know more about football than you". FFS