The Bonk

Big Sam admits concern Toon chief worries about a lack of clean sheets Allardyce: Defensive concern Sam Allardyce fears his first campaign at Newcastle could be deemed a failure unless he shores up his side's defence. Newcastle have enjoyed a solid enough start to Allardyce's tenure at St James' Park but their away form, defensively, is a cause for concern. Five away games have yielded just one win, and three defeats, with Newcastle's backline failing to keep a clean sheet in the process. Allardyce has tinkered with his defensive line-up as he looks to find a winning formula, but as yet he has struggled to build a cohesive and misery unit. And it is a situation that is clearly worrying the former Bolton chief. "We are still conceding too many goals, especially away from home," he lamented in the Northern Echo. "That's my main area of concern. We have not kept a single clean sheet away from home. "It did not matter at Bolton on the opening day because we scored three goals and won the game but we can't afford to keep doing that. "The Man City game was the perfect example. We could not hold on to draw, even though we went a goal up. We have to play a bit tighter when we are a goal up. "It's been a problem for Newcastle teams in the past. It's something we have to get right if we are going to be successful." Is Sam over-reacting, most on here think we've done well to shore up the back line. At least he's not become complacent in thinking our back line is fine and dandy. Some more cover in January and we should get through to May quite fine.

Cute.

And the rest.....i know some lass who has got loads of naked pictures of him that he sent her on msn Sure i've got his address somewhere A lass, riiiiiiiiiiigggghttt..... how long have you and Andy been dating? Does he allow you to be seen in public with him or is this an internet romance? He must fancy you if he's given over his address.

http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/1333/virginyq8ak3.jpg Needs a black border.

Most of us won't find out, so I suppose it doesn't matter. How about next 30 years?

I wouldn't be surprised if one of Diouf or Anelka is in a Toon Kit by either January or June. Hope its the latter, and not Diouf, who is up there with Ljungberg as an annoying, diving, cheating piece of s*** footballer who's main talent is the ability to draw fouls by diving. I wouldn't be that bothered because I know Diouf respects Sam (I've seen him state that in interviews), you're not that far off, though. To Diouf's credit he tore us to shreds at Sid James last year and changed the game when he came on at the Reebok.

You, exaggerate? Narrrrrr....

You don't know that. Sam had said he was having some difficulty signing players. Smith might have been a last resort and Sir Alex wasn't going to let him go for any less than £6m. Still, considering what the Mackems spent on a certain player, it could have been worse. Baggio, who has been FAR BETTER than Smith? Do tell. There hasn't been enough consistent play out of any of our players to say that Smith is that shit.

Me neither, we could afford it and Big Mike obviously wanted his name on the back of his Kit. Could we afford it? We weren't exactly one of the big spenders this summer. Wouldn't have bought him if we couldn't, no? We spent right, not big.

Me neither, we could afford it and Big Mike obviously wanted his name on the back of his Kit.

I wouldn't be surprised if one of Diouf or Anelka is in a Toon Kit by either January or June.

Oh please, Martins is a far better striker than Smith, you talk about his missing chances yet are talking up a player who has only managed 3 goals in nearly 100 games, you've even said it yourself that the best strikers are the one's that score goals close up, how do you rate a striker that doesn't score at all? The difference for me is how you go about rating a striker, people are happy to knock Martins because they compare him to Owen and he's never going to be as good as him, yet who do they compare Smith to? How highly would he be rated if he was to be compared to Owen? The same high standards are not expected from Smith, it seems being better than Ameobi and how he performs in midfield is good enough for some people. I also don't recall saying he's s*** up front, he's a s*** midfielder without doubt but he's an average striker. Smith is more of a team player, he will do more in away games, and he will do more when the chips are down. This counts for something, I know you must realise that. In fact, it counts for a lot. I doubt that Smith has played anywhere near those 100 games up front. I'm not comparing Martins to Owen, that wouldn't be fair, Owen is one of the best in the world, and yet, I would sell him now for the right fee or a good fee while we can get it. Thats not a reflection on him, obviuosly, but indicative of how I feel he sees his future at the club and the fact he will be a free agent soon, and his injury record. I would be very pleased if Owen signed a new contract, and i think he owes that to us, but I doubt he will. I don't think he would offer more in an away game at all, you say away wins get you 3 points which is true however goals get you wins and a striker that doesn't score them isn't going to win you many, Martins on the other hand is probably our best striker away from home in that he's the one player capable of hitting teams on the break, which is probably the reason that all of his league goals have come away from home this season. Of course all of those 100 games Smith hasn't been playing up front, however that statistic would be bad for a midfielder let alone a striker. As I've said, Martins problem is people rate him against Owen, where as Smith is rated against either Ameobi or how he's been playing in midfield lately, expectations of him are low in the same way they were on Sibierski last season, I seem to remember Martins getting a harder time than him last season even though he was the far superior striker. Hmmm..... kinda like the lad in your avatar? Emre is a far better midfielder than Smith tbh, not even close. I like Emre as well and agree that he's a better midfielder (not far better), but you've been s*** talking Smith for quite some time yet Emre hasn't done much for us in midfield either, has he? A cracking goal against the scum and 2 more against Everton and Reading. I'm just trying to illustrate that Smith isn't as bad as you're making him out to be when there are other players who need to step up as well. Unfortunately for myself I've had to sit through performances from Smith as a midfielder and he really was that bad, I haven't been "talking s***" about him at all I've been telling it how I see it from my seat in the gallowgate. Well, yes you have as it seems you've got nowt good to say about one of our players who gives his all. Now, if we only payed 2-3mil for him would you be having such an issue with him? I think not. If we payed Luque money for Emre he'd be in the Dutch league as well. You don't like Smith, I do. End of, really.

Its not even about partnerships. The entire team played better with Smith dropping off and linkup up intelligently, as opposed to tussling with defenders (Viduka) or displaying clown like touches (Martins, Ameobi). Ball retention was higher, there were more team attacking moves, simply because we werent losing the ball as soon as it was played forward, and we looked a better unit all round as a result. Smith's general game is very underrated in my opinion (as a forward), he has superb technique and a good footballing brain for such a limited player in terms of positionally sniffing out chances and striking prowesses which he is quite average at to say the least. Imagine Smith with Owen's finishing and movement, Viduka's creativity or skills and Martins' pace and athleticism, I think you might just have the complete striker. Sounds like Shearer in his prime.

Oh please, Martins is a far better striker than Smith, you talk about his missing chances yet are talking up a player who has only managed 3 goals in nearly 100 games, you've even said it yourself that the best strikers are the one's that score goals close up, how do you rate a striker that doesn't score at all? The difference for me is how you go about rating a striker, people are happy to knock Martins because they compare him to Owen and he's never going to be as good as him, yet who do they compare Smith to? How highly would he be rated if he was to be compared to Owen? The same high standards are not expected from Smith, it seems being better than Ameobi and how he performs in midfield is good enough for some people. I also don't recall saying he's s*** up front, he's a s*** midfielder without doubt but he's an average striker. Smith is more of a team player, he will do more in away games, and he will do more when the chips are down. This counts for something, I know you must realise that. In fact, it counts for a lot. I doubt that Smith has played anywhere near those 100 games up front. I'm not comparing Martins to Owen, that wouldn't be fair, Owen is one of the best in the world, and yet, I would sell him now for the right fee or a good fee while we can get it. Thats not a reflection on him, obviuosly, but indicative of how I feel he sees his future at the club and the fact he will be a free agent soon, and his injury record. I would be very pleased if Owen signed a new contract, and i think he owes that to us, but I doubt he will. I don't think he would offer more in an away game at all, you say away wins get you 3 points which is true however goals get you wins and a striker that doesn't score them isn't going to win you many, Martins on the other hand is probably our best striker away from home in that he's the one player capable of hitting teams on the break, which is probably the reason that all of his league goals have come away from home this season. Of course all of those 100 games Smith hasn't been playing up front, however that statistic would be bad for a midfielder let alone a striker. As I've said, Martins problem is people rate him against Owen, where as Smith is rated against either Ameobi or how he's been playing in midfield lately, expectations of him are low in the same way they were on Sibierski last season, I seem to remember Martins getting a harder time than him last season even though he was the far superior striker. Hmmm..... kinda like the lad in your avatar? Emre is a far better midfielder than Smith tbh, not even close. I like Emre as well and agree that he's a better midfielder (not far better), but you've been shit talking Smith for quite some time yet Emre hasn't done much for us in midfield either, has he? A cracking goal against the scum and 2 more against Everton and Reading. I'm just trying to illustrate that Smith isn't as bad as you're making him out to be when there are other players who need to step up as well.

This is why I like Joey Barton. He says exactly what he thinks. Still think he should have the desire to play for England though. Play well for the club and England will come calling.

What about shaking your head at how stupid the mongs are?

Oh please, Martins is a far better striker than Smith, you talk about his missing chances yet are talking up a player who has only managed 3 goals in nearly 100 games, you've even said it yourself that the best strikers are the one's that score goals close up, how do you rate a striker that doesn't score at all? The difference for me is how you go about rating a striker, people are happy to knock Martins because they compare him to Owen and he's never going to be as good as him, yet who do they compare Smith to? How highly would he be rated if he was to be compared to Owen? The same high standards are not expected from Smith, it seems being better than Ameobi and how he performs in midfield is good enough for some people. I also don't recall saying he's s*** up front, he's a s*** midfielder without doubt but he's an average striker. Smith is more of a team player, he will do more in away games, and he will do more when the chips are down. This counts for something, I know you must realise that. In fact, it counts for a lot. I doubt that Smith has played anywhere near those 100 games up front. I'm not comparing Martins to Owen, that wouldn't be fair, Owen is one of the best in the world, and yet, I would sell him now for the right fee or a good fee while we can get it. Thats not a reflection on him, obviuosly, but indicative of how I feel he sees his future at the club and the fact he will be a free agent soon, and his injury record. I would be very pleased if Owen signed a new contract, and i think he owes that to us, but I doubt he will. I don't think he would offer more in an away game at all, you say away wins get you 3 points which is true however goals get you wins and a striker that doesn't score them isn't going to win you many, Martins on the other hand is probably our best striker away from home in that he's the one player capable of hitting teams on the break, which is probably the reason that all of his league goals have come away from home this season. Of course all of those 100 games Smith hasn't been playing up front, however that statistic would be bad for a midfielder let alone a striker. As I've said, Martins problem is people rate him against Owen, where as Smith is rated against either Ameobi or how he's been playing in midfield lately, expectations of him are low in the same way they were on Sibierski last season, I seem to remember Martins getting a harder time than him last season even though he was the far superior striker. Hmmm..... kinda like the lad in your avatar?

Smith is to Newcastle as Robbie Savage is to Blackburn. They both have a physical presence on the pitch and command respect. Show a lack of it and you'll get crunched with a fucking tackle. The great part about Smith is that he's a better scorer than Savage.

What's it got to do with then, mate?

I second that .

You are joking, aren't you? You are joking, aren't you? Was thinking the exact same thing tbh. Danny dyer is a t*** of the highest order with his pathetic cockney accent. Meh, I've heard worse. I dunno, just don't mind the bloke s'all. I guess it's a love hate, sorta thing. He's got more balls than both you cunts combined for going into some of those firms stomping grounds. (I include myself in the cunts, so don't be offended) The whole thing is twatish, but bloody entertaining.

I really don't get it, mate. We're a better club than we were last year and it's still not good enough. We are right where we should be in our road back to being a formidable opponent. 3pts back of 4th, FFS. Aye, same for me. I just don't get what some people are on about. It's a rebuilding job that will take time unfortunately. I have my moments regarding Allardyce when he messes about with 4-3-3 that I just don't think suits the players. He also pisses me off when he selects Smith in midfield, but we're fundamentally on the right lines. Yeah, the 4-3-3 drives me a touch up the wall, but I think it comes down to who's on the pitch. If we've got Barton or Emre as our creative CM's (not so much Barton, but I think he's got it in him, hopefully he thinks so too), and Zoggy where he should be, it could work. I think Sam just wants everyone to try and buy into that system, no matter who is on the pitch. Which is what you're alluding to, I believe. He's just sussing out whats worked in the past with his success at Bolton and I'm sure he'll adapt it to our club in a winning formula. It's tricky, because some team selections should be playing a 4-4-2, whilst I think other selections are better in a 4-3-3. Anyhoo, this is all pretty obvious stuff. The nucleus is starting to form, January could see a couple additions(not bothered if we don't do much), then we'll get a real idea where we're at by the end of the season and Sam can weave more magic in the summer transfer market. People, don't bank too much on January being an killer window full of great signings, I think you'll be sorely disappointed. I'd rather we concentrated on the team we have playing now, and better football during that time, then who's coming in.

I've been watching that series, "The real Footbal Factories". Just had the Brazil Sao Palo vs. Rio firms on. They were fucking shooting at eachother, windows blown out, the whole lot! Crazy, crazy fuckers. Danny Dyer is a class host. http://www.bravo.co.uk/trff/

Any audio of this? Seems like a load of bollocks.

I really don't get it, mate. We're a better club than we were last year and it's still not good enough. We are right where we should be in our road back to being a formidable opponent. 3pts back of 4th, FFS.