Doug

It's not like Nolan is standing there while the rest of the team plays this high energy attacking football around him. We simply don't have the squad to play like that, and one new player will not magically turn the rest of them into a team that can play like that. We have to live with that fact for this season at least, and Hughton has to try and put together a team that works effectively week in week out with what he has. Nolan is playing as a forward. His job is to get into positions to get chances, to score goals and set up others. He did it all last season and he's been doing it this season. As long as he keeps doing that, and as long as he keeps putting some of them away, then he's doing his job. If there's someone in the squad who can do that better than Nolan then fine - Shola? Lovenkrands? Ranger? - but I'm not sure why everyone is so keen to shoe-horn Ben Arfa into that position when he's been a midfielder most of his career. You say "we looked far more threatening after his introduction". Well he replaced Gutierrez, not Nolan. Perhaps that's why we looked better. best post in the thread imo It is like that actually. Ben Arfa also made a difference due to his individual efforts. But so did taking off both our wingers, we lost what little shape and width we had and the game resembled a playground free for all. Somehow Nolan survived the baffling changes and trundled about in his usual way.

We are bigger than Spurs Hyped up media darlings. Harry will screw them up yet just like his last 2 clubs.

The blistering pace these games are played at. It shows why you have to have a mobile team that can get up and down the pitch at this level. Absolutely no room for passengers.

This. Far worse than Nolan and Smith imho. Absolutely no way was he worse than them. However I agree he was off the pace aswell and so it is little wonder we lost with a midfield like that on the day.

Anyone who has an iota of football sense about them will know that the axing of Nolan is imminent unless he miraculously gets himself fit.

Coloccini has been class so far this season. Why would we drop him for a player who is over the hill. Also, why are people talking about Cambell when we have a great young prospect like Kadar who grew in stature every game he played last year and who will probably go on to win 100 caps and lead his country in the future. I just dont get it. We got relegated by persisting with washed up overpaid hasbeens, and the purge is still not complete in my eyes yet.

Take Nolan and Smith out today and replace them with Ben Arfa and Tiote and it would have been a home win. Simple as that like. It really is, Oh and to keep on thread, Carrol would have then scored to keep him on cloud 9

He simply has to get fit or make way. Dont wait till we have lost to Sunderland before the inevitable decision.

This was depressing. Blackpool were not good. Most of their play consisted of long balls forward most of which trailed harmlessly through to Harper. Forget the hype in the news, their keeper saved a couple of shots that were close to him and one good one with his feet but he wasnt under relentless pressure like he should have been. Our defence was ok with both full backs trying to get forward in support of our two wingers who had the beating of their defenders. The deficiencies in our midfield gave Blackpool respite and let them off the hook as Barton, looked a bit off the pace and Smith might as well not have been there. Try as I might, I fail to see what Nolans role in the team is as he is ineffective in midfield and completely immobile up front with only the perfect ball to feet able to find him. Carrolls body language said it all as time after time his suberbly won flick ons wastefully drifted past our flat footed skipper. Poor substitutions made too late ensured the team lost shape and gave the otherwise impressive Ben Arfa a debut to forget. If any good is to come out of this disastrous defeat it is the final reckoning that Smith and Nolan will surely now have to now make way for reserves bolstered by the signing of our two new internationals.

He looked great for the 15mns he was given in difficult circumstances chasing the game. In hindsight those in charge must surely regret not having the the courage to start him and allow him a proper debut against a hard working but limited Blackpool team. If they had I am sure we would have been celebrating 3 points and hailing a new hero.

I am so glad that people are so unanimous and angry about this. If we did not have alternatives you could put up with it. But we have just signed two top young internationals and proceeded to leave them out. Why!

Jonas is an asset to the side. He forces the opposition onto the backfoot, carries the possesion 20 yards forward for us each time he has it so even if it breaks down we are in a more offensive area for the second ball. He won enough free kicks yeaterday after carrying the ball forward into dangerous position to have won two games. He is one of our few players with the creativity essential for success. The fact that he also gets back behind the ball to tackle back is in stark contrast to some others in the side who do not have the mobility to do either.

Harsh. Except Thatcher of course.

You must have missed the Accrington game. He lost at least two balls out of the stadium. One was a header!

Dont judge by highlights, Perch played very well against Wolves.

The authorities should check if any of the Pakistani cricketers confiscated telephones have had calls from numbers that also have contacted Tevez last week also. How else can you explain that miss and Sunderlands win.

He is much better than Simpson or R. Taylor if the Wolves game is anything to go by.

Hopefully Ben Arfa will replace Nolan successfully. He cannot run. there is absolutely no room for sentiment and a place in the team for someone who is there because he is a big popular personality. His goals against Villa have bought him a reprieve from the inevitable as he has clearly failed to regain his match fitness. The fact is that phases of play are disrupted or lost when the ball is in his vicinity too many times because of his immobility and its no use moaning after we have lost to the likes of Sunderland after they have swarmed all over us making us look like we are playing with ten men.

It has to be done. Do this and also replace Smith with the other new signing and we may be able to put out a team that takes the game to the opposition and dominates possesion for the first time in years.

No need for that on this forum. However, Shearer hates Barton after their clash in the dressing room at Anfield after his sending off. But I agree he should not make it so obvious with his glee in the MOTD studio. Wanting Mcarthy to kick him also on the way off. Hilarious Al. Another irritation. Never call the Mancs "United" Especially when playing another Utd. namely WHU in this case. Also. Bigging up Zamora as the big powerful striker England need. Room for improvement big Al.

I listened. Even his co presenters are taking the mick out of him as well as the callers. Very entertaining.

Having seen the tv now, it was a penalty but the lad probably would have gone on to score if Perch had not challenged him there. A couple of comments on key performances that need pointing out as people get wrong impressions. I was pleased with Perch yesterday, on that showing he is our best option at right back. He was quick and did the simple things well and got up in support of Routledge often too. very encouraging. Nolan however will have to make way for one of the new signings, the match highlights on tv give a misleading impression of his non contribution I am sorry to say

The we dont care about Ashley song was aired today. I think we should survive comfortably after witnessing todays game. In view of the signings this week (which I never thought would be allowed) it may be time to call an amnesty for a while and just get behind the team.

Wolves are a hard working bunch who hustle and press but have no flair. We had the individuals in our side to make the difference in Routledge, Jonas, Barton and also Carrol with his presence. Mcarthys tactics to kick Barton off the park from the start in order to wind him up to get sent off were deplorable. Bartons restraint in the face of these premeditated assaults was commendable. it is going to be a very hard season for him away from home if this is anything to go by The critisism of the ref is unfair as he picked up every foul and booked most of the Wolves team. It was reminisent of the job Webb had on his hands in the world cup final in the face of thuggish tactics. The home crowd bayed disgust at the ref over every correct decision. Mcarthy subbed 3 of his players one at least was heading for a sending off if he hadnt. It was noticable that one sub came on and was booked instantly for ripping Jonas for the resulting free kick we scored from. Perch played well I thought, and if the penalty claim is what I think it was then it was a good tackle by him from where I was. It pains me to say it because he is a big personality but Hughton has got to make a big decision and axe Nolan. The bloke cannot run and we would have won this game with a more mobile partner for Carrol

We already have a minimum wage, low though it is. I see no reason in these terrible economic times why there shouldnt also be a maximum one. I can think of no more deserving group of people for the initial imposition of this than professional footballers like Mr. Taylor. It should be less than 10K week. Give their extra money to grass roots football or the schools building programme. It wont happen of course but it should if we were going to sort the country out fairly.