Yorkie

I would if it had the Newcastle badge on it.

How do people expect Given to organise a team, when he can't organise a defense?

Butt, then Nobby, then i'm struggling.

Well in that case, TT, i think you're very difficult to please - because he came across to me, and most, as a very assured right-back who commanded the defensive line very well! Plus, like i said before, when he's playing from deep, he can pick out a fucking ace long pass; that's Nobby through and through. Last game of the season being the prime example.

Won't even attempt to argue with NE5 or anything, not worth it. Sorry - no offense, but i just can't be arsed.

Doubt it. Though merely down to Roeder's tactics, rather than Shola's inability to score many goals. Roeder was intent on playing long ball when Shola was in the side. The lad's injury could have been a blessing in disguise. Saying that... he'd already got 5. That's what I mean. He'd have easily scored at least the same again from then until May even in a crap season. Aye probably. But he'd have been unspectacular due to the tactics and had the shit ripped out of him cos of it. That's what i meant really.

Sorry mate, forgive me for this, but that's absolute toss. Nobby did well at right-back because he is an experienced and organised defender, who sorted out the defense when it was constantly all over the place. He had a calm head and didn't panic when facing his goal in his first third. He's certainly not pacey anymore but he is effective at roaming forward and playing from deep, and with Nobby playing back there - viewing the whole pitch - you're just about guaranteed atleast one cutting pass a game. Fucking Ramage man? Come on. Nobby is not a defender, and if we play him there next season were fuked. We got away with it as it was a novelty, manager couldn't judge it and his experience held him together, but there were times where he was exposed for not being the real deal. Well he sure as hell ain't a winger anymore, and if that's the case then we may aswell peddle him cos he's no use in an advanced position - he ain't got the legs. Nobby was a very competent and assured right-back, i'm surprised anyone can argue with that tbh. The performance at home to Arsenal stuck out for me. Superb display.

Sorry mate, forgive me for this, but that's absolute toss. Nobby did well at right-back because he is an experienced and organised defender, who sorted out the defense when it was constantly all over the place. He had a calm head and didn't panic when facing his goal in his first third. He's certainly not pacey anymore but he is effective at roaming forward and playing from deep, and with Nobby playing back there - viewing the whole pitch - you're just about guaranteed atleast one cutting pass a game. Fucking Ramage man? Come on. EDIT: Don't disagree about bringing in another right-sided player, though. Personal preference would be Geremi. We're short of a back-up right winger, and we're short of a back-up right-back. Geremi is both of those, and he'd probably rival either of them. Doubt we'd have to break the bank for him either.

Aye, that's how the three-man midfield should work. Atleast i think that this is the forumula. Feel free to correct me if i've missed the mark. One man sitting back, protecting the defense without the ball, spreading the play without the ball. (Butt) One man roaming around, ball-winning and generally just getting stuck in. (Emre) One man as the penetrative driving force and supplying the central attacker. (Barton) Which is another reason for why i don't think N'Zogbia is someone who should be one of the central men, because he's far too lightweight for any of those things, and generally just shit down the middle anyway.

Heard Jarosik would be honoured to join your boys. Thank God for you lot, you were short on centre-mids.

I was on about Anelka. Dunno if Parky's reading the thread, but when he does, that'll be his train of thought so i just got the ball rolling.

Still short of a stroppy Frenchman, though.

Fuck's sake.

Worth a shot Sam trying to make it work, rather than just giving up straight away. It could go one way or the other. It could go mightily tits up or it could go stupendously well. The weekly fees make it the gamble that it is, however we've been paying him that to do FUCK all for the last two years, so we might aswell. When it's a world class striker like Michael Owen, i think it's worth a gamble.

Yer, thinking twice i think your correct but the problem is i wouldn't want to play him on his own either. It would either be 442 or nothing with the lad. Which is handy considering his injury problems. Spot on again, Rod. 4-4-2 or nowt with regards to Owen, atleast at the moment anyway. But i'd be happy to let Sam work on it.

Just wish the bastard season would kick off tbh. Well i don't, but i'm looking forward to it.

If just one of Martins or Owen can play behind the striker/widish - we'll be cumming in our pants. Out of Martins and Owen i'd be more inclined to suggest that Martins would be better out wide. As you said in the otehr thread Sam and us have a fantastic headache. Aye, same. But that'd mean a case of whether or not Owen can play as a lone figure. It's a bit of a merry-go-round. Like i say, i'm glad i'm not Sam.

I agree in principal but i would have said the same about Anelka last year and Sam managed to draft him into that system and not always down the middle. He also converted Diouf into a wide man, although admittedly he played ther for Liverpool a couple of times. Spot on. The fact that he played there for Liverpool is irrelevant, cos he was shite at Liverpool. Sam has the power!!!

Playing him for the sake of playing him, that would be. He can't play central. At all. Whatsoever. Agree about Milner though - he has to be in there.

The 4-5-1, but not that line-up: If just one of Martins or Owen can play behind the striker/widish - we'll be cumming in our pants.

Potentially. Where it leaves Milner though, i'm not sure. ------------------------ Butt ------------------------- ------------ Barton ----------- Emre --------------- Milner ---------------------------------------- Owen ---------------------- Martins ------------------------ ... would possible be my preference. I honestly wouldn't know. I can imagine Viduka will play in fits and spurts anyhow, likewise with Shola. I can't see either of Martins or Owen going just yet so it leaves us with plenty of attacking options. Taking account the likes of Duff and N'Zogbia aswell, there's 6 or 7 realistic combinations of that front three. Tell you what, i'm glad i'm not Allardyce! Damned exciting, though. Nice to have a (fucking fantastic) headache when it comes to starting line-ups. I await the friendlies with great anticipation.

Yes. Straight swap for the utterly fucking useless, diving nonce Baros. Very nice piece of business. How many did Carew score?

Doubt it. Though merely down to Roeder's tactics, rather than Shola's inability to score many goals. Roeder was intent on playing long ball when Shola was in the side. The lad's injury could have been a blessing in disguise. Saying that... he'd already got 5.

Was Carew a permanent signing?

Yep against Albania 3-1 win I think. They also had one in the winter against Belarus where Green got injured and they scored while he was down. Don't recall the score though. 2-1 to the mighty Belarusians.