Yorkie

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Yup. Would have him and him only in January tbh. Maybe a left-back, but it's hardly crucial given there'll be Zoggy for cover (Duff will be back by then and the two will most likely rotate for that wing spot). Don't really see why there's this talk of a defensive midfielder. We've got Geremi, Butt, Faye, Rozehnal all capable of playing there.

Tbf, you get that with Big Hits. If they were to do that again, two or three of the same matches would probably end up there again. Could call this one the 'best of the rest' type-thing. Sounds really good to me, should be some good games on it which i ain't seen for ages. I'll definitely be getting it.

Oops... yeah - sorry! Meant to quote fredbob.

4 in 5 starts ain't bad. (4 in 8 appearances for Dave's sake)

I'm yet to actually find a synopsis that tells you what games have been on, other than the Howay 5-0.

Didn't know there was such a thing! If it's another Big Hits, then i'll definitely get it. That, by far and away, is the best Newcastle DVD i reckon.

a bit like yours Oi.

I want to smack his pig-faced son/nephew. He's got one of them pig-faces that you just want to smack.

I don't see how anyone could go into a game against Reading thinking a draw would be a good result. These are definite must win games if we want to finish top 6. I for one won't be happy with anything other than 3 points. We have a far better squad and a farrrr better manager than we did last season. A draw would be half-decent. A draw and a clean sheet would be decent; certainly another step forward, i reckon. They're pretty average are Reading, but they're not relegation fodder - and i can imagine a lot of teams will drop points at the Madejski this season. 18 points from our first ten games, with a very winnable game against Pompey (what i would consider 'must-win'), would be very pleasing. Another loss here, however, would be pretty disgraceful.

According to Opta Stats, he's made the most runs and dribbles this season and put in the most crosses. Not that I'm advocating we sign him or anything. Thing is, SWP is playing regularly for Chelksi now, we have no chance of singing him, imo. Regardless of where they finish up by the end of the season, a pretty big question mark hangs over the entire Chelsea squad. I'd still rather have an out-and-out winger, as good a player as Diouf is.

Done well for Brazil so far by the looks of things, too.

We're not in a position to attract a top right winger are we? Diouf started out on the right and Allardyce loves him, he's also more than capable of cutting in when playing out on the left which could be the reason he's trying to get N'Zogbia used to swapping sides throughout the game. I didn't say that we were*. I like Diouf - he's an excellent player - but we need a right-winger, so we might aswell just get one of those. He isn't an out-and-out winger. I got sick of us signing players to fit into random holes and not fitting properly; yes, Allardyce has brought in versatility, but he's eradicated that policy. Plus, he'd only attract a 4-3-3, which is bad news when our players fit so sexily into 4-4-2. *Although - who's to say that we aren't? We've always, always been able to attract top quality players to SJP.

You seen much of him? I know of him only from his exploits on Youtube, against some pretty hurrendous defences.

How is Diouf a top target for right-wing, in anyone's mind? He isn't a right-winger. If we want a right-winger, we should buy one. I thought we'd got out of this habit... >

I can't comment too substantially as i didn't see the game last night, therefore have no firm idea of how the team actually worked. But, going purely off what i've read both here and elsewhere, the only positions subject to change is the striking department. The rest of the team: defense - solid, midfield - creative/balanced. I'll be livid if Smith walks straight back into the midfield. So, as i say, the only position that could possibly change is upfront. But i don't even think we should do that. It depends largely on how Reading form their defense. If they push up, as you'd expect them to do (they need a win and will feel they can get that at home), then we might aswell stick with Martins and Owen and hit them with pace and use the counter-attack. If they sit deep and try and contain us (which i can't see them doing as they know we're on good attacking form and they need to win), then we should bring Smith/Viduka on. Starting with Owen and Martins is probably the best option though, i feel. They're a weak side and we should be continuing our 'un-afraid' form. There's no need to go 4-3-3 and play for a draw. There's every chance we can play attacking football, yet still come away with a clean sheet aswell as a victory. Given Beye Faye Caçapa Enrique Geremi Butt Emre N'Zogbia Martins Owen Subs: Harper, Rozehnal, Barton, Milner, Smith 0-0.

= "Let's go for Wright-Phillips." ?

Suppose we'd have to do with Huntelaar.

A right-winger and left-back on low budget in January, then Arteta and Berbatov in the summer.

It's the one thing we're lacking, i think. That player to grab us by the balls, so to speak, and be that key playmaker. We've had a couple of good performances and really good results, but it's undeniable that people aren't satisfied with just Geremi/Butt/Smith in centre-midfield and rightly so. Which is why it's so great that Barton's back, and Emre. Barton will be our 'fulcrum', i think; he's certainly got the potential to be.

Doesn't look too hurrendous in all honesty. I'd rather that, than it spreaded across the entire seating, a la Man Utd/Liverpool/etc.

I'm still fairly sure he'd be third best after Shearer and Ferdinand.

Appearances: 50 Goals: 22 Has there been anyone, other than Shearer and Ferdinand, who has as good a return as this after fifty games? Since the Keegan days.

Just seen the goals. Would like to see someone criticise Martins' movement and use of pace for his goal tonight - that'd be funny.