Yorkie

Feeble attempt at a tackle by Geremi, Carr simply outclassed by a player with superior pace to him (Carr's constant drawback from here on in), Harper coming out too early. But then, it wasn't a comedy of errors, it was an excellent breakaway that was always going to be difficult to defend against.

Sven: "I will probably get sticks again, as you say."

That cross for Martins' first goal; fucking sublime. Infact, going over-the-top maybe, each ball for the first goals were simply two of the finest crosses you'll see from us this season. Bolton didn't defend either well, but regardless, they were undefendable. N'Zogbia's, the bend and whip on the ball - it was always going in. It was at the perfect height, perfect pace, it was just inch perfect. The cross wasn't inaccurate, the attackers were just too slow. Anyhow - Martins' finish. Jesus Christ. It was at chest height. Not a clue how the bugger did that. Dead pleased with that. We played them off the park in the first half. We simply look so much more comfortable on the ball; it was confident, assured and we actually knew what we were doing with it - there was a system and a formula - where last season we simply seemed to plod. Also, the determination and fight for the ball was so much more evident. We wanted to win the ball back, and everyone was everywhere. Fantastic to see. Very, very promising. Come the fuck on.

Smith at Bolton, an equalising goal.

You have to feel for the lad. He was the main man 12 months ago, now he's fifth choice.

What would be the point? Still a useful squad member and we don't exactly need the money. Aye. Solano for one more year would be more profitable than selling him for £1m now. We're building a very good squad, Nobby's an integral part of it because he's a leader, will bring on the likes of Enrique, a fans favourite - and, something people must have simply forgotten - is still a damn good player. Pointless letting him go for tuppance. the cunts aren't even offering tuppence! Was referring to Toon Taylor's comment. The article in question is unadulterated bullshit.

What would be the point? Still a useful squad member and we don't exactly need the money. Aye. Solano for one more year would be more profitable than selling him for £1m now. We're building a very good squad, Nobby's an integral part of it because he's a leader, will bring on the likes of Enrique, a fans favourite - and, something people must have simply forgotten - is still a damn good player. Pointless letting him go for tuppance.

Given is out for 2 weeks and if we play that formation and line-up then I'll change my title to "Yorkie's Bitch". Like i said before, i can imagine he'll atleast start with 4-4-2. Forgot about Given but i would imagine the starting line-up may well be something along the lines of that.

Just to go crystal-ball-ish again, if Smith and N'Zogbia are both fully fit, i see absolutely nothing to suggest that Allardyce won't go with them. Smith upfront and Zoggy at left-back, i reckon (not my personal preference, btw). Nobby and Milner on the wings. Infact, i think the team absolutely picks itself at the moment, he's bound to go 4-4-2 cos he'll think he can win the game, and the line-up is going to be fairly obvious, imho. Given Carr --- Taylor --- Rozehnal --- N'Zogbia Solano --- Geremi --- Butt --- Milner Smith --- Martins ... he has the option to change to a 4-3-3 by making one substitution. Viduka/Shola on for one of the midfielders; probably Butt. It's fantastic to be able to completely overhaul the attacking formation with just one alteration to the playing staff. We're so versatile, and we don't even have a fully fit squad. Top bombing, Sam. Absolutely pissing mysen.

A wing combination/service provider of Milner and Solano is just an enticing prospect (Nobby at RB), in my opinion. Carr's done alright in pre-season, but Nobby playing balls from deep gives us a whole new playmaker; and with the likes of Viduka, Smith and Owen up top with their aerial ability - it's a canny prospect, i reckon.

Can imagine he'll start with 4-4-2. And i'll be gobsmacked if he doesn't start Smith.

Yup. 1. Shay Given 2. Stephen Carr 3. Jose Enrique Sanchez 4. David Rozehnal 5. Belozoglu Emre 6. Claudio Cacapa 7. Joey Barton 8. Kieron Dyer 9. Obafemi Martins 10. Michael Owen 11. Damien Duff 12. 13. Steve Harper 14. Charles N'Zogbia 15. Nolberto Solano 16. James Milner 17. Alan Smith 18. 19. Albert Luque 20. Geremi 21. 22. Nicky Butt 23. Shola Ameobi 24. 25. 26. Peter Ramage 27. Steven Taylor 28. 29. 30. David Edgar 31. 32. Paul Huntington 33. Celestine Babayaro 34. Fraser Forster 35. Matthew Pattison 36. Mark Viduka 37. James Troisi 38. 39. Andrew Carroll 40. Tim Krul

8th. Then will explode into sheer amazing-ness next season.

Do we really have to call him Smudger?

Would like to change my vote from the bottom one to the middle one. Although tbf, i think i always was that anyway.

Should start on the left of a 4-4-2 midfield uy reckan. PS - it's fucking huge achievement getting N'Zogbia playing good football again (i'm only going off reports, obviously). Hats off to Sam.

That'd be extremely one paced and leave Vids very isolated. Hope we don't play that. We don't actually have that much pace in the side at the moment, N'Zogbia and Martins are really the only two we can rely on for pace, discounting Owen and Dyer for obvious reasons. I agree but thats the point Wullie. Sam will be looking to slow the pace completely, i can imagine Bolton being really fired up for various reasons so the last thing we want is to come under early pressure. If we can keep a slow tempo early on we can bring on the likes of Zoggy and Martins to liven things up. We need to be hard to beat before we can be dangerous on the front foot. Good post, Rodhaminho (you're talking a lot of sense just recently, actually, have noticed ). If we were to play that formation at home to Villa for instance, i wouldn't be overly chuffed. Away from home though, first day of the season, it would be a decent idea, in my opinion. In saying that, i think we're capable enough to play 4-4-2 against Bolton, but we can always switch. (Don't reckon Viduka should start, personally)

----- Geremi --- Barton ----- FTW. Box-to-box attacker mixer-upper in Barton, while Geremi is the cool, calm and collected playmaker who can play the ball and spread the play - who'd probably sit back. Don't see why it wouldn't work.

For Bolton: -------------------------------------- Given -------------------------------------- Solano --------------- Taylor ----------------- Rozehnal ----------- Enrique Milner --------------- Geremi ----------------- Butt ---------------- N'Zogbia ------------------------- Smith ----------------- Martins ------------------------ Subs: Harper, Cacapa, Luque, Viduka, Ameobi Viduka won't be ready i don't think, we'll have to be careful with him - considering he's an injury prone player anyway, or can be. If we don't deal with him properly then we'll shoot ourselves in the foot. Sam's dead keen on Smith, obviously, and he did well yesterday according to just about everyone, and will be dead up for it. He didn't work with Viduka apparantely, but i reckon that's just too slow a combination to work - he might do well with Martins. We'd have the opportunity to switch to 4-5-1, or even start with, by switching Butt/N'Zogbia for Viduka/Shola. ------------------------------------ Geremi -------------------------------------- ------------------- Smith --------------------------- N'Zogbia ----------------- -- Milner ------------------------- Viduka ----------------------------- Martins Madness how with just one switch of the attacking staff, we can totally rejuvinate our formation. Anyhow, i'll leave it up to Sam.

23k.

Sorry to spoil your weekend but Dragu is far from certain, somebody said he was playing in Spain earlier tonight. Definitely wrist-slitting time, then.

Where's that come from, Ash? No watermark; great pic! PS - Why the fuck have Arsenal hogged all the pre-season friendly coverage on SkySports?

It was an awesome pun and it was meant, bitch.

Aye. Arnie actually has though. Can remember reading something; sure it was on here at some point. Spent a bit in Byker or something. I think I heard that... when he was training for Mr Universe. Was something like that. Dunno if he's been back.