gonufc

The Libertine is talking a lot of sense imo. Sam has proven in the past that he is a good manager and he hasn't even had one season here and people are getting on his back! Souness and Roeder didn't deserve time because they shouldn't have gotten the job in the first place. After those two managers we've been left in a pretty bad state. Now we have a good manager and we need to stick with him if we ever want to improve. What will sacking him gain? Absolutely nothing, we'll end up hiring a far worse manager and the cycle will continue. People have got to be realistic, we're a mid table club and it's not as if we're in a relegation battle at the moment. I know recent results haven't been great but Sam has to be given time to make the squad his own. I'm confident that if we stick with him we will improve and start being european contenders again.

There is nothing to be gained by sacking Sam now. The guy needs time, he hasn't even had a season!

Sam is good enough and he needs time.

I wouldnt go that far

Do you also prefer Kieron Dire, who stands on the far post and watches a corner drop into the net right next to him ? PS. I don't think its particularly funny Dave, shades of booboo there mate f*** all to do with Dyer. Look up a straw man argument. Again. If I didn't laugh I'd cry. what did you think of Smith when he was at Leeds Dave It was a question BTW, are you one of those who are saying we were better off with Dire At Leeds Smith looked like a player with potential. Still f*** all to do with Dyer. OK, I accept you weren't comparing him to Dire like others. Thats all I asked He was very good at Leeds, there is no reason why he won't still be the same, in fact there is every reason to believe he will be the same, unless the injury has permanently damaged him. I agree that he was a very good striker at Leeds but he hasn't played that role consistently for a number of years, which isn't his fault. I think if we want him to reproduce that kind of form again (assuming his injury hasn't affected his physical capabilities) then we need to give him a long run upfront, because its a very specialised position which you can "forget" how to play. Problem is, I don't think people have the patience to wait for him to find his form upfront when Viduka is being left on the bench and Martins is out on the right wing....

I'd love to see this team out....it'll never happen though Given Beye Faye Cacapa Enrique Milner Emre Butt N'Zogbia Martins Viduka subs: Harper, Taylor, Geremi, Smith, Duff

He did say he wanted out recently due to a lack of first team football...meaning if he came here he'd be expecting to start every game.

Smith's a decent striker and I'm sure he'll chip in with a few goals if given a run up front, but the midfield is where we need to start dominating so we can actually create chances for our strikers. None of our new midfield signings have looked very creative so far, and Emre only ever seems to play well coming off the bench...

Even the Fulham fans stayed behind 15 minutes to watch us going mental Wish I had been there....but THIS is exactly the reason results like this matter a lot more than the performance. The traveling fans will not give a f*** about remembering the game. We deserved the 3 pts simply because we got them. errr....no, not really.

Wouldn't mind someone like Lassana Diarra, he seems to want out at Arsenal...but he'd probably expect to start most games....

I'm not a fan of Butt personally, gives the ball away far too much. Having said that, he's definately good enough to be back up for the holding midfielder position.

Yes, Geremi has been poor lately, but to say "get rid of him" is just stupid. He clearly can play well as he has shown in pre-season and we're going to have to be patient with him. If he doesn't find his form eventually then he'll have to be more of a bit-part player and someone else will have to be captain. He's also decent at right back if Beye is ever injured or moves to the centre.

I certainly hope not

I think he has been getting better, he seems to have an eye for the odd quick pass that splits a defence which is quite good to see. Yeah, he is getting better, I think I'm just a little dissapointed as I expected much more from him....although there's still time.

Barton's been absolutely terrible so far, but I'm willing to give him more time...

Barton and Geremi were f***ing shocking today. Germei was just anonymous and every Barton got the ball he gave it away. We desperately need more creativity in midfield. You might say Emre is the answer....but he only ever seems to have an impact coming off the bench!!!

Anybody who wants Robert back now needs their head checked

If he's the one the chairman and owner really want then I wouldn't lose any sleep that's for sure. Good thing Shearer has plenty of managerial experiene and a proven track record eh?

It will be a disaster if Sam is sacked now. He's a proven manager and he hasn't even had half a season here. He needs time, patience (something most toon fans don't have) and the support of the St James' Park crowd.

Yes, yes we do. What a stupid question. Don't tell it to me, tell it to Kev you tell him! You're not the boss of me.

I think both are far better than that and together will prove that in time. Over the past few years statistically he's been the 6th best manager in the league, however I'd go one further and claim him to be the best outside of the top 4 and by some margin, I really believe that and this is not NUFC bias kicking in I've said it many times while he was Bolton manager. I doubt any manager other than Big Sam could have done the wheeling and dealing and brought in the kind of players we have this summer on a pretty small budget while under the strains of a takeover nor identified all our problems so quickly to get to work on them in the manner he has done. He was indeed the right man for the job and luckily for us, he hasn't even scratched the surface yet and neither has the club in terms of new potential under him and the new owner and management. The only way is up literally for us now. Of course it won't always be a garden or roses, but if we remain patient, understanding and the manager gets the support and backing of everyone in every sense possible, we'll succeed. Completely agree with all that. Sam's achievements at Bolton are nothing short of spectacular. To get a club like Bolton to finish that high up in the Premiership on a small budget is incredible.

Yes, yes we do. What a stupid question. Don't tell it to me, tell it to Kev

If Sibi says it then it must be true. After all, everyone knows that Sibi is God and is therefore always correct.

This is a f***ing stupid thread. It's like asking "Do we need a good squad players?"