Colos Short and Curlies

Yeah but I thought Rogers had a bit more about him than to just think 'Big Man = lump it'

As much as you're keen to mock others (EVERYONE WHO EXPRESSES A NEGATIVE OPINION IS SLITTING THEIR WRISTS LOL LOL LOL), this idea that Carroll can only play in an exclusively long ball team is just as mock-able. We weren't that long ball under Hughton and Carroll's hold-up play was phenomenal. Do you think we hoofed the ball to the 5-1 win over the mackems? That was one of the best all-round performances I've seen from an NUFC centre forward, despite not scoring a goal. At his best he allowed us to mix it up, short and long, because his attributes made him an excellent spearhead for our attack. If there's faith we could get him back to that sort of form then the decision to get him back here would be a total no-brainer. Carroll isn't the problem - its the perception of managers that a player of his build can only play as atarget man. We know that Pardew likes to get the ball to the front line quickly rather than build play up through the midfield, which is likely to result in a direct long ball unfortunately. I'm surprised that Rogers didn't try him with the style that liverpool are playing, but the likes of Sam and Pardew would probably try and turn Zlatan into a pure target man just becaue he is 6 foot plus Yeah it's a fair point and I agree, I was more getting at the idea that we shouldn't buy him in case he outlives Pardew though. I think we're on the same page - I was agreeing with your point re the 5-1, I'm worried about what Pardew will see Carroll as, not what Carroll could actually add to the squad/team.

emotionally spent ? possibly, but he never regained the verve he had, more money wouldn't have changed that and he did walk when he realised the cash was coming to an end, probably his best managerial after leaving here was saving us when he came back, better than fulham and citeh where he could outspend the opposition. we went backwards in that we were in the title chase the season before, till the last game, the shearer signing season we never really clicked, even the man utd 5-0 was a one off and we never looked like winning the title for all we finished runners up (we could easy have finished 4th or 5th on the final day). we weren't as good to watch, as fluid, as dominant, as good! I still blame Neville breaking Gillespie at Old Trafford for us losing the league. Losing half of the supply line to Sir Les was a killer, and also gave rise to the opportunity to shift Beardsley out wide to fit in Tino.

As much as you're keen to mock others (EVERYONE WHO EXPRESSES A NEGATIVE OPINION IS SLITTING THEIR WRISTS LOL LOL LOL), this idea that Carroll can only play in an exclusively long ball team is just as mock-able. We weren't that long ball under Hughton and Carroll's hold-up play was phenomenal. Do you think we hoofed the ball to the 5-1 win over the mackems? That was one of the best all-round performances I've seen from an NUFC centre forward, despite not scoring a goal. At his best he allowed us to mix it up, short and long, because his attributes made him an excellent spearhead for our attack. If there's faith we could get him back to that sort of form then the decision to get him back here would be a total no-brainer. Carroll isn't the problem - its the perception of managers that a player of his build can only play as atarget man. We know that Pardew likes to get the ball to the front line quickly rather than build play up through the midfield, which is likely to result in a direct long ball unfortunately. I'm surprised that Rogers didn't try him with the style that liverpool are playing, but the likes of Sam and Pardew would probably try and turn Zlatan into a pure target man just becaue he is 6 foot plus

Wasn't their a stat that Cisse had 6 or 7 goals wrongly disallowed last season? If they had been given no one would be saying he had a bad season with a 20 goal return. fine margins

Monaco is the typical AP GP isn't it? Boring, defensive, need a moment of magic to win it.

So last summer we were asking £25m for all of players (another Pard quote) so we are now taking £5m off this price? £55m wiped off the value of our first 11! Even of a reason to sack him

Who has claimed that we should or had to overspend? Anyone who moans about net spend? I really never understand why a low net spend is seen as a bad thing, especially when its skewed by a one off £35m sale

So why weren't they signed last Summer? Because we thought we could get away with another season. Basically we misjudged how urgent the need was. Why weren't they bought this coming summer? Forget it. It's fucking clear as fucking daylight why they were signed in January. I know it is, I was asking because it shows that we realised we had misjudged the quality if our team and we acted to fix it. Do you think we would had spent that much if we had been mid-table come January? No, we would have waited to sign them in the summer as originally planned. What I was arguing against was the fact we are only interested in getting the cheapest deal regardless of player or position. I've never claimed we aren't trying to do things cheaply, we obviously are. You know, I wouldn't even go as far to say cheaply as far as the 'first 11' goes. We look for value, but that doesn't always mean cheap - Cisse, Anita and Debuchy weren't cheap, MYM and Santon cost in excess of £5m each. As a comparison, over the last 3 years Liverpools average transfer fee was £6.6m (£5.5m if you exclude Carroll) so we are buying players for fees over what you could take to be a large Premier League clubs average. Yes we do have a number of free transfers and youth players in there which brings our average down to £2.8m over the same period - but when 2 of those players are Ba and Marveaux I've no complaints on the quality of those players - what I think this does show though is that the board are happy to gamble on a first 11 being fit and in the skills of our handful of coaches to bring on our younger players rather than spend big on reserve players

So why weren't they signed last Summer? Because we thought we could get away with another season. Basically we misjudged how urgent the need was. Why weren't they bought this coming summer? Forget it. It's fucking clear as fucking daylight why they were signed in January. I know it is, I was asking because it shows that we realised we had misjudged the quality if our team and we acted to fix it. Do you think we would had spent that much if we had been mid-table come January? Would we have needed to?

My only real issue if we was to return is that based on fee and likely wages, he would be the main man. There would be no working a system that he works in, i would be building everything around him, which negates a lot of the positives of a lot of our top players

Is this our lowest Prem finishing postion bar the relegation year?

That's enough to make anyone jump ship

Its the ball that counts

Even if it did cross the line, is there a rule saying definite yellow? Certainly wasn't a deliberate handle outside the area

Pre-season is the key here - get players right in the summer and you minimise the risk of niggles through the season

Not sure we need loads of investment unless players leave - can't think of anyone who we can afford to let go without replacing - but there's a good number we need to look to improve upon if they do go. A strong manager is crucial - there is too little emphasis in general placed on the difference a good manager makes, bring in someone of Rafa's experience and ability with this squad and we'd be scrapping with Everton this season if not better.

Got to play him in the Beardsley role next season.

You know that 2 points from 8 games stat he likes to wheel out about Spurs? Take a look at QPR's last 8 games - 2 draws (Wigan/Reading) and 6 losses.

No chance, Harper is in goal. 0-4 loss

Clean sheet for Harps!

The more goal kicks the better. At least 2 mins per kick from Stevie lad

surprised Jonas wasn't flagged offside from Gouff's shot - if it was Cisse you know the flag was up

Energy sapping extra time would go down a treat here

Probably not, but any half decent player will probably leave and assuming he continues with the style of management he had at Swindon I reckon the dross thats left will respond enough to do them OK in the champ.