Doug

Every person on here will have known when we saw the starting lineup that we would lose this game. Smith, Butt and Nolan together made our collective hearts sink before kick off. Getting a point was a bonus in the end, so certain were we to lose with those 3 together in the middle of the park. This is professional football where fitness and athletisism is not optional but an essential prerequisite. Hughton, you cannot do this again, it will not work, learn from it!

Oh I see, it went over my head a bit that one. Mind you, It would be nice to hear a few canny songs with no spite or hate in them.

Something like "Oh Newcastle Good times never felt so good (so good it's unbelievable)" Aye, could just change that part, so it'd be... Hands, touching hands, reaching out, Touching mee, touching youuuu.... Ohh, Newcastle, du du du.. Good times never felt so goood, I've been inclined, du du du.. To believe it never would... United, United! ? Maybe just start off at the "Ohh, Newcastle..." bit? What fucking good times ?

This is the only explanation I can think of for his total no show at WBA. I cannot believe that a player in his position could go an entire half of a game without once attempting to attack the opposition defence with the ball at his feet. He showed absolutely nothing and did not look as though he had the gumption to even try anything remotely creative with the ball. I seriously doubt whether he got up a single bead of sweat. The contrast with the all action efforts of the lads on the other flank could hardly be more stark. I cannot believe there is not a reserve or young player at the club who could not contribute better.

Tozer had a nightmare against Peterborough but Tavernier was the best of the kids and improved once Nolan and Smith came on and gave him some support. This is true, Tavernier was one of the few successes on the day. Potentially better than Simpson even now.

The refs fault that we have to be so utterly moronic. Every away game is the same. Faces contorted with hate singing "your support is fucking shit" etc. There is no pride or enjoyment being in the middle of it.

Aye & we could do with him now!!! Someone bump one of SOL threads & lets see what utter snobs & c***s we were about signing him. Think about it, he has Fabregas, Dennilson and Walcott in front of him today along with Arsenals other quicksilver youngsters. Hes spent half this game with his hands on his hips enjoying watching them play. He could have been run ragged behind our midfield yesterday without a minutes respite.

We lost because they had willing runners all over their team who are happy to get at an opponent and go past them. We on the other hand have 2 only in Jonas and Enrique. It really is as simple as that, all the hand wringing and whinging about the ref will not disguise that. Yes the 1st was harsh and the 1st pen harsh too but they still looked the more likely to win anyway. I fear for our promotion bid without more creative, fit players.

It looks like we have it sussed on here. If we dont sort the midfield out we wont be joining the premier league to test the defence. WBA looked as though they had more players on the pitch than us the other night. With their superior mobility closing down the space when we had it and finding space when they had it. In fact take our 2 outstanding individuals on the left flank of Jose and Jonas away and we would look a very mediocre side. One midfield workhorse is the very least we need to find and quickly.

Do you not remember Derby away or the first 10 mins of Portsmouth at home, that team was relegation bound under Allardyce no doubt about it in my mind. It was written all over it at his point of departure which was not a moment too soon.

That Evra is pretty good mind I agree.

I claim this as well, loved the guy from the beginning. I was right, woo! I can't think of many who never rated him from the start. I didnt rate him. I now think hes the best LB in the country. It shows that some players need a long time to settle down.

Good, we should now concentrate on the important oversight of the last 2 seasons, midfielders with legs!

Good age and right attitude but Simpsons been really poor in recent games IMO.

Box to box midfielders dying out. Absolutely no way! A good side will have everyone, not just the midfielders able to run for 90 minutes and able to attack and defend as a unit. Players interchanging, full backs working the entire flanks, defenders driving forward into the opponents half, forwards harrying the defenders not giving them a minutes peace. Wait till the world cup comes round and watch big powerful players you have never heard of doing just that in every game. Football nowadays is faster and more athletic than it has ever been IMO. Anyone who dwells and doesnt get themselves and the ball zipping around with pace and guile will stuggle against sides that do. That is why you cannot carry slow or aging players particularly in midfield and expect to succeed.

I suspect Livrpool are in the same sort of situation. I'll be surprised if they get their new ground. Fingers crossed.

s*** post.

Is that Jethro doing stand up in the backround?

It sounds like a line from Father Ted. Thats because our club has been run like it was an episode of the show.

Plymouth people are puzzled by the Bristol accent used by Whitehouse

Forget strikers and defenders. Two box to box midfielders please mr Hughton. Preferably without flogging anyone, but I cant see you getting any money without doing so unfortunately.

If Judas could set a wall his contribution would be zero then?

Who threaten to send it leagues down unless they receive a ransom of Millions of pounds !! Sound Familiar? It was on the news this morning about a tanker of the same name.

Lack of players who can run for 90 mins got us relegated and it may yet stop our promotion never mind survival if we go up. There are people on here who would still sign and play has beens even now, Look at the clamour for Sol Cambell. Nothing has been learned as Hughtons preference for the likes of Butt over Guthrie demonstrates. If no fit creative midfield players arrive in January the promotion bid could go seriously wrong IMO.

Lazy journalism. Going on reputation rather than what they see in front of their eyes.