STM

Can't see anyway in which Allardyce could drop Martins or Owen but think he would prefer a target man to play. So.... Given Beye Cacapa Faye Enrique Butt Emre Geremi N'Zogbia Owen Martins Subs: Harper Rozehnal Milner Barton Smith

Alot of time, the same could be said about Owen. He often does nowt in the game but come the end of the season he may be top scorer. If you get my point.

No we don't have one. We need one though it's either: Emre becomes consistant and finds himself. Barton returns from injury to be that player. Or we buy one.

Reina- No real outstanding goal keepers so far. The only others i would give a mention are Gordon and James but neither have been as consistant as Reina. Richards- Leaps and bounds would be the correct expression. Has been very good for both club and country. Laursen- Taking away their defeat to Man Utd the villa back four has been brilliant and Laursen a top performer. Cacapa- Impressing Newcastle fans is not easy but Claudio looks born to defend. Lescott- As expected, he has made another improvement to last years form, even managing to get into the england team (despite not shining). Bentley- Another player that has improved his game for the second season in a row. He starting to become very consistant, even though hes a traitor to his country . Elano- The best player in the league so far by a considerable distance in my opinion. Fabregas- Now that he has added goals to his list of attributes he can really be considered one of the premierships best. Petrov- Along with Elano, he has torn every defence apart so far. Benjani- Not everyones cup of tea but hes scoring goals this year not bad for a person that "couldn't hit a barn door". Santa Cruz- Tough choice between him and Torres but because everyone expected Torres to shine, im giving this guy a mention. Anyone got any players they have been impressed with so far?

Spurs = draw Reading = draw Portsmouth = win Mackems = draw 6 points

A pure quality creative centre midfielder aswell as someone like Anelka or Diouf who can play in a three pronged attack.

We will definatley lose this one now we haven't got a goal keeper in. Mind you with Robbo we might aswell not bother.

If i was Gartside i would be doing everyting i could to get Adrian Boothroyd from Watford. I don't know how good Pearson is at his job but Big Sam has an opportunity with Little Sam.

Don't see any chance that Barton will start let alone alongside Emre. Team i expect: Given Beye Cacapa Faye Enrique Butt Geremi Emre Milner Viduka Owen or: Given Beye Cacapa Faye Enrique Butt Geremi Milner N'Zogbia Viduka Owen Close game but fancy Owen and Viduka to cause a few problems for them so prediction: 3-1.

Its good to see Big Sam still wanting to see more from his defence despite making an improvement this season. I think when Barton gets back he will take the weight off the strikers slightly and boss the midfield more which will take the weight off our defence. Id also like to see more consistancy in the defence, unchanged from Everton please.

I'm not pro or con micheal owen. Where as i recognise his talent, i don't think he is the be all and end all of our club. He wouldn't be easily replaced but there are players out there who would fill his boots and show more loyalty and fit in better with Big Sams style of play. If he goes within the next couple of years it would be disapointing if we only got 6m but i wouldn't cry.

Given Finnan Yobo Toure Clichy Geremi Nolan Barry N'Zogbia Moore Diouf

I've always thought Keegan was a bit of a tosser. Good manager in the day though.

Still think he will end up back here at some point like.

I'd love Speed back at the club and would trust Sams judgement should he decided to bring him back. However, we can not make the mistake of hireing old boys just for the crak.

I hope this isn't refering to me. I've always thought Smiths a good squad player.

I'd take Anelka in a flash. I'd also take the talent of Diouf and in some respects the attitude but the other side of Diouf would hold me back. I also think Sam will be thinking along your lines HTT.

Hope he does play, another step closer to a return.

Barton seems to really want to well for the club and that impresses me greatly.

I share your sentiment. It's a far too simplistic to say " smiths average and not worth 6m", there is so much more to it, as you have pointed out.

No Barton and Emre wouldn't work. In the centre or midfield it is paramount that the players have defined roles, which would not work with these two. Neither Emre or Barton should specifically defined as DM as they are not natural in this position, where as Butt, Geremi and Faye are. If these two were in the same team there are other ways it could work: Butt Barton Emre or Emre on the left: Butt Barton Milner Emre or if your crazy in the diamond: Butt Geremi Emre Barton or boring 451: Milner Barton Butt Emre N'Zogbia

Absolutely. It will be interesting to see how he reacts to being on the bench, when he returns.

What you get from Smith is: 1. Effort 2. Leadership (drives the team) 3. Ability to keep the ball and play the simple pass (which cannot be underestimated, considering some of the shite we have seen) 4. An ability to battle physically and aerially 5. To perform at a decent standard in about 4 positions 6. Relatively injury free For 6m was he a worth while signing? Probably not but that doesn't mean he can't be an important player for us, especially condsidering Newcastle's injury problems of the past. Sunday showed why Smith is a good player and why Fergy admired him so much. I think i've heard some people call him a poor mans Scott Parker but for me he's a FAR better player than Parker in every area.

Me too, he looked like left back was actually his position which is a rare treat at St James'. Got forward well but seemed to prefer the early cross as opposed to beating their fullback, which was interesting. His crossing wasn't bad, he did however have a few misplaced passes in the game but most did. Sam definately prefers his fullbacks to be big and this lad is certainly that.

N'Zogbia is the more talented but Milner gives as much to the team and is more consistant. This season N'Zogbia has been far more productive but i'd like to see what he's like when his form dips, Milner has reacted with some solid performances despite not being at his best.