Yorkie

Definitely a promising first 45 minutes. Owen looks up for it. He really does, it's actually looking really good for him so far; obviously he's quiet - but the goal he scored just epitomised Michael Owen. The movement, the run, the touch, the finish - that was Michael Owen right there. Top class centre-forward play. I'm not liking this midfield formation though - Milner's doing well, but other than short bursts down the left, we're very narrow. I've absolutely no idea where Dyer is supposed to be playing. Is he a winger, is he central? We've got Emre, Dyer and Sibierski (Jesus wept, btw) all crammed into the centre. They look a bit lost at times. There's no space to play the ball in the midfield. Needs changing if we want to open them up, i think - because we can. They're there for the taking. Nobby's simply class. Taylor solid as a rock. Bramble doing alright, but still risky as owt. Carr's done OK but - like i've said countless times before, he's been OK, but lacks the quality to push us on. He's done all the good wing-back stuff: covered the defense, got up the wing, but he's overall ability with the ball at his feet holds him back tremendously. Keep it up lads - we can win this.

D'oh!

He did aye. Looked worrying...

Not denying he's got an attitude problem, he has. But we've just wasted a major talent because we haven't used him properly. 1, we bought someone to play instead of him when there was absolutely no need. 2, that player - in spite of being utter shite - has continued to keep him out the team. 3, he's never had a run in the team, having been one of (if not THE) best player last season. 4, we've not got the best out of him, whatever problems on the training ground have not been eradicated - that's supposed to be Roeder's main attribute, what with Zog being so young. 5, whenever he has played, he's played in the centre - where he's fucking shite and never capable of playing in the EPL.

You're right! Where have these injury revelations come from, i'm assuming all from the Chronicle?

Not a centre-midfielder tbh. Roeder's wrecked him this season. Aye, there's attitude problems - clearly - but they never should have arosed.

Ah right, didn't notice that. Fingers crossed.

People selecting the Emre-Butt partnership are forgetting that Parker is returning. Parker is going to play. And, if Milner isn't completely fit, it gives Roeder the perfect excuse to accommodate all centre-mids. Cos he's a plank. Dyer --- Butt --- Parker --- Emre If Milner doesn't start, that'll be the line-up. Bet your life.

If Roeder is staying, then it may aswell be Barnes. Roeder's crucified N'Zogbia.

If Milner isn't fit, Emre will go out to the left and N'Zogbia will play through the centre. He's a centre-mid now you see.

Can't decide between Gallowgate and top of the Leazes...

Why though?

Very, very true.

Does anyone genuinely believe that Shepherd will get rid of Roeder? I mean genuinely... not basing the idea on hope. I really would love it so much if he was replaced with Allardyce, it would be such a good move. But i honestly just can't see it happening.

Tbh, you deserve shooting for posting that, regardless. tbh, shut up Get you!

Tbh, you deserve shooting for posting that, regardless.

Thinking more about the immediate, here and now, there's not a cat in hell's chance we'll win the game if him and Shola start upfront. Shola out for the season, Owen not started a game for 18 months... they're gonna be slightly rusty i reckon.

I fear a transitional period, but there's money to spend in the summer and Roeder doesn't have 'his own' squad yet. Get him out and give it to someone competent to build a squad. The effect of a transitional period would effectively be nullified, seeing as we're already in one anyway, one that is going in the wrong direction at that.

Was that on Wiki? If so, I bet his father,mother or agent wrote it. Aye, was just Wikipedia... But Lyon have been after him for a while, anyway.

The temptation.

Eeek, Nancy lost 3-0. Found this n'all. http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hlid=429293&plid=53009&clid=148&cpid=24

After a quick read-up on Diakhate, seems as though he must be fairly highly rated - Bayern, Lyon, Juve, Shalke, etc - all after him alledgedly. He's 22, is 6 foot 2 and a full Senegalese international. Also, he was in Ligue 1's team of the season last year; and he must have kept up his form, having clocked up 37 appearances for Nancy this term - more than anyone else in the squad. Hope the Bordeaux-Nancy scouting mission was fruitful!

I just don't think Shepherd wants to get rid of Roeder! Geordie race and all that.

I doubt he would do anyway. I genuinely think Roeder is going to pursuit younger options - and even if he unsurprisingly fails and is short on players, it'll be too late to get the likes of Campbell, as i imagine someone like him will be snapped up pretty quickly. Would love to see him here, though - without a doubt. Not sure what Thuram's like at the moment... but 35 years of age? That's maybe a bit late to adapt to the Premier League. I just don't reckon Roeder is after players like that.

Aye, was planning on doing exactly that, Jan.