STM

Ryan Giggs wins that trophy, the guy hasn't changed. I'm doubtful about Keane though, hes got something strange on his face................ its a smile.

No chance we should let him go if anyone was interested. Not only will he have a key role on the pitch he is also an experianced head in the side. Him and Geremi are going to show us how to play football this season.

This will be the team: Harper Carr Taylor Rozehnal Zoggy Butt Geremi Smith Martins Ameobi Milner

Great to see where still going full steam ahead in the market.

I hope you're wrong but fear you might be right. Thing is Sam said after the Cacapa deal that he wanted three more players, and we've only signed Enrique since then. So that means he wants 2 more. A cheap squad player who can cover CB/LB would do me, and if there's any money left put it on a RB who will improve the first team and relegate Carr to back up status. This i agree with.

I can't see Baba being fit this season. He would have to put much improved performances to even be considered an able deputy.

But none of those listed at right back are long term right back solutions. Enrique is our natural long-term left back solution and we just don't have that at right back. Sure, we could do with better cover at LB, but the RB situation is that we have sufficient cover for it, yet not a sufficient 'first teamer' for it, making it a priority. The way i look at it is Geremi, Nobby and Taylor would all be good right backs, Carr and Ramage being capable. At left back we have Enrique potentially very good, and Taylor out of position good with N'Zogbia average. Imagine a situation where Enrique breaks his leg and misses the season, would you say a right back is more important than a left back then? Where as Losing one of Nobby, Geremi, Carr etc wouldn't hurt half as much. It wouldn't hurt as much because we'd be replacing an out of position player with another out of position player at right back. However at left back we'd be replacing an out and out left back for an out of position player. You also forget that Duff is quite capable at LB as cover when he recovers. The difference being that Solano and Geremi in particular have proven themselves very capable at right back. Not just stop gaps but potential right back material. Where as Duff has had two games there against some shite teams. Simply imagine Enrique breaks his leg and if you give the same answer i would be very suprised. I agree we do need a long term right back but not in place of cover at left back.

But none of those listed at right back are long term right back solutions. Enrique is our natural long-term left back solution and we just don't have that at right back. Sure, we could do with better cover at LB, but the RB situation is that we have sufficient cover for it, yet not a sufficient 'first teamer' for it, making it a priority. The way i look at it is Geremi, Nobby and Taylor would all be good right backs, Carr and Ramage being capable. At left back we have Enrique potentially very good, and Taylor out of position good with N'Zogbia average. Imagine a situation where Enrique breaks his leg and misses the season, would you say a right back is more important than a left back then? Where as Losing one of Nobby, Geremi, Carr etc wouldn't hurt half as much.

Players who could do decent jobs: RB- Solano, Taylor, Geremi, Carr and Ramage LB- Enrique and Taylor We need another left back before looking for a first choice right back. Preferably someone who can do both TBH.

Not for me, i'd still take a centre back capable of playing left back. We have alot of players who could play right back and one that is capable of playing left back and he's un-proven.

I've missed soccer saturday.. apart from thompson. fingers crossed he's been sacked.

It's all in 'Behind Enemy Lines'. Coming soon! I'll look forward to it mate.

Milner is by far our most threatening player, he HAS to play on the wing. Left or right it doesn't matter. Swap Smith for Milner.

Trotter whats your thoughts on the game. How do you think you will line up and your predictions etc.

We are bigger and better club and as much as you will never hear them say it, they know it. Roy Keanes doing a job there but its simply a matter of time before he moves on to better things. I enjoy them coming up and getting relegated, gets better everytime. I can't see them doing better than us next season and thats what matters.

Sams already said Enrique won't/very unlikely to play. The next best choice is Zoggy.

Oliver a day late with the news again. I can't believe for a second that Drago would have wanted 120k. Also noticed he managed to slip in "wide of the mark".

Did you watch the Sampdoria match? He played very much as hard working midfielder, not attacking or defensive. His energy means he can cater for both jobs getting involved in both the tackling and the attacking. If we play with 3 centre midfielders (Geremi,Butt and Smith) Smith is going to be the one with a licence to get forward above the rest. out of those 3, you're right. But that doesn't mean he's GOOD at it, of course, or that he'd necessarily be the "free roaming" midfielder if we had other players next to him. No no. Smiths the kind of player that we all know what we are going to get from him, regardless of position. I don't think Sam every does the free roaming thing but IF we were to play with those three i'd expect Smith to play in a similar position to what Nolan does at Bolton. The two players aren't too dis-similar. I'm not a Noaln fan per se, but he's a damned sight bettter than Dirty Smith. I'm expecting soem Parker-esque long range sliding tackles, lots of bluff and bluster, and not a lot else, but who knows, maybe all the Man Utd fans are wrong. Lets not forget this is an away game. What Smith doesn't give us in attack he will make up in security and he's a better finsher/headerer than most midfield players so at least if he gets his chance he knows what to do with it. Personally i think its sad that we might have to go and play on the counter against Bolton but if it means an improvement on last season i won't complain. Your right that Smith doesn't possess major quality but he is a very good utility player.

Did you watch the Sampdoria match? He played very much as hard working midfielder, not attacking or defensive. His energy means he can cater for both jobs getting involved in both the tackling and the attacking. If we play with 3 centre midfielders (Geremi,Butt and Smith) Smith is going to be the one with a licence to get forward above the rest. out of those 3, you're right. But that doesn't mean he's GOOD at it, of course, or that he'd necessarily be the "free roaming" midfielder if we had other players next to him. No no. Smiths the kind of player that we all know what we are going to get from him, regardless of position. I don't think Sam every does the free roaming thing but IF we were to play with those three i'd expect Smith to play in a similar position to what Nolan does at Bolton. The two players aren't too dis-similar.

Richardsons getting a little to much stick but then again if the scum are going to pay stupid prices i can't blame.

Did you watch the Sampdoria match? He played very much as hard working midfielder, not attacking or defensive. His energy means he can cater for both jobs getting involved in both the tackling and the attacking. If we play with 3 centre midfielders (Geremi,Butt and Smith) Smith is going to be the one with a licence to get forward above the rest.

Team i expect: Harper Carr Taylor Rozehnal Zoggy Butt Geremi Smith Martins Milner Ameobi

Never for a second thought it was a rush job. Infact Allardyce has probably had him scouted since midway through last season. I imagine he has piles of player information for every position.

9m for Craig Gordon, hahahahahaha. I would be disapointed if we had signed him for three million.

How long is Barton expected to be out for?