Yorkie

One of the key factors for him getting us up to 7th was that the place was on a monumental high; Souness had gone, Shearer had got the 201st, we won a couple games on the bounce and it was a domino effect. He did extremely well, because he played it simple. We had a good team - the key was the wings, imo - getting Nobby and N'Zogbia to actually play as proper wingers. But it wasn't Glenn Roeder's managerial expertise that got us up to that position.

Here, or in general? The better manager is Souness.

Aye, because Crouch is shit, his hold up play is terrible and I can't think of a worse player for fat Sam's long balls up to the targetman. tho as the liverpool fan points out, crouch is suprisingly bad in the air - gets pulled to the floor and can't direct headers for shit, people just think he must be excellent cos he is so tall, not to mention his lack of strength or pace. imo he's actually better with the ball on the floor and playing as link man in a 4-4-2, bit like Viduka. Aye, just that Viduka pisses on him in every respect with the ball at his feet.

Our away form is shit. But our home form is near impeccable. It was a shocking loss and performance at Reading but i'm still happy. This season was always going to be a learning curve and we were always going to be only 'there or thereabouts', my opinion has hardly swayed whatsoever since about June. Nothing's changed just cos we've lost to Reading. If we can muster say only 5 away victories this season, yet win 12 or 13 at home (consequently finishing about 8th), i'd say that'd be a decent start to Allardyce's reign.

They'd be stupid to do so. Don't think they will, either.

Sheffield United 1-2 Newcastle United.

I recall a particular fixture at the Stadium of Light where we were alright...

It's alright - it is what it is. Season by season, since we came into the Premier League, it shows you the goals from six or seven of the best games. Would be better if it had European games on it. Far, far, far too much Roger Thames though.

To be fair to Martins, he didn't have much of a chance because of the way the team was set up. Yeah, and even so, he got the ball from deep and actually ran with it/tried to do something. Couldn't believe it when he went off. Lots of boos again and understandably so.

To be fair, Martins was having a shitter. Disagree entirely. Other than N'Zogbia, he was the only one who actually wanted the ball, and could beat men. As for Owen - aye, he did absolutely fuck all. To be expected when we're playing long ball, though.

I'm assuming you're talking about away performances only?

Saw the second half - disgraceful. Taking Martins off = dispicable decision. And, oh, we brought Enrique in to be a long-ball merchant did we? Nice one.

Careful, you almost sound disappointed.

Aha, 0-0 at half-time. That's good, tbh. Sam will sort them out at half-time. Reading 1-1 Newcastle at FT i reckons...

Naturally.

Hang on till half-time, and we'll come out in the second half and sort em out. Just you wait!

Check your clock.

Aye, that was my point. Can imagine there'll be goals at some point though.

A 0-0 would be a decent result, imo. *Gambles the jinx... which way will it swing? *

*Gulp*

Asking Peter Crouch to be the main striker at a Premiership club is always a risk, imo. And i don't mind the guy.

Starting to fear for Bruce.

Has Crouch actually ever played in a 4-3-3? Nah. Don't need him, not good enough to 'replace' Viduka, and not worth the risk. I probably would have done at the start of last season, but not now.

Personally, i can't see him changing the team. His away line-ups have been odd at times, but he's not daft. As i said before, the only change that could happen is upfront, and swap Smith in for Martins, but i can't see him doing that because if we play with pace up top then we should win.

How anyone can justify swapping Smith for Emre is beyond me.