Yorkie

I think he'll probably turn into a decent manager, but he's only getting the publicity because he's Roy Keane and it's Sunderland - a big Championship club who were doing shit. He's probably nothing more than a Tony Mowbray or a Steve Bruce tbh. Probably will develop into a decent manager and knows how to work the transfer market, but not yet - no way. Plus, not straight after the Mackems.

The thread was funny but i don't get the keys gag cos i'm slow.

Not really, but it's usually a different case at home. And with Milner being back, and this being D-Day for Duff what with N'Zogbia coming back, IE, he has to perform or he's out the team (one would hope), i wouldn't worry a huge amount. We score goals at home. Still, i think the battling nature of a Parker-Butt combo would be useful and overpowering for Boro's young midfield. It'll be tight and dogged, but i think with our flair in attack - providing he plays with the team that i put up (i know best after all ), we'll come out top. Newcastle 1-0 Middlesbrough Dyer

Fair enough, i see that i'm not going to be able to pursuade you.

18 goals in 61 games. 1 in 3 There's a lot worse, tbh. And i'd still, for cover - which a new striker would effectively be, rather go for that than for someone untried and untested in the Premiership.

I removed the things that meant the same thing, and balanced out the so called bad points. If you insist No point getting fussy about it, he's never going to sign for us since GR reckons its under 25's from now on. Aye, the GR that is giving 32-year old Sibierski a two-year contract. 18 league goals in his ENTIRE boro career. He's one shit hot mutherfuker tbh. Like i say, he'd only be cover here anyway. When he plays, he scores goals. It's as simple as that really. Technically he can as he's already at the club Cover though? How much is that cover going to cost us in wages? Too many reasons not tbh. The same amount of wages as an £8m player will demand, who will probably turn out to be less effective anyway. Martins and Owen is going to be the partnership next season, it should work, and even though Roeder is bringing in another striker for definite - he shouldn't tamper with the system and try to fit three strikers in. Because it won't work. Therefore, whoever he brings in, is effectively going to be cover, atleast for the time being. And a £5-10m striker is likely to command similar wages to that of a Viduka. For cover, £0 transfer fee + £40k a week is better than... £5-10m transfer fee + £40k a week Which pretty much blows your cost problem out of the water. The player's right and the price is right as far as i am concerned. He'd be ideal for us.

Aye, as i say. When he plays, he scores, and he'd work really well with the likes of Owen and Martins because he's got the strength and awareness. He's absolutely ideal for us imo.

I removed the things that meant the same thing, and balanced out the so called bad points. If you insist No point getting fussy about it, he's never going to sign for us since GR reckons its under 25's from now on. Aye, the GR that is giving 32-year old Sibierski a two-year contract. 18 league goals in his ENTIRE boro career. He's one shit hot mutherfuker tbh. Like i say, he'd only be cover here anyway. When he plays, he scores goals. It's as simple as that really.

Given Solano --- Bramble --- Onyewu --- Taylor* Milner --- Parker --- Butt --- Duff Martins --- Dyer Subs: Harper, Edgar, N'Zogbia, Sibierski, Carroll *If Babayaro is fit then put him at left-back, and put Taylor in alongside Bramble, dropping Gooch.

What happened to your "OMGGGGGG DYER AND MARTINS MUST PLAY UP FRONT TOGETHER" They should... providing Dyer isn't forced to drop back into midfield. I didn't realise Butt wasn't suspended, which is why i deleted the post. *Licks finger and puts it in the air*

I removed the things that meant the same thing, and balanced out the so called bad points.

We'd need Viduka for cover, it's hardly as if he'd be budging Martins or Owen off their first team places. And for cover, he'd be a bloody good player. Whenever he plays, he scores. His goalscoring record is very good to be quite honest. What's also encouraging, is that he still scores bundles of goals for average-to-shit teams. He's strong, excellent with his back to goal, can bring players in and most importantly - he's a presence in the box. He'd be great on a free, despite the high wages. I'd rather spend £0 + £40k wages on someone, than £8m + £40k wages, if you see my point. He's a good player and would do a very useful job for us, no doubt about it. He's injury 'prone' but he'd only be cover. He's slow but his footwork is impeccable and is excellent with his back to goal. In regards to Dyer, i agree with one of the first replies. We won't sell him so it's pointless talking about it tbh.

Had a great season last term aswell tbh. 16 goals... on top of the injury problems.

Couldn't agree more. Exactly what we need. Will be livid if we go spending significant money on a 'big-name' striker.

Butt's suspended.

Awesome news. We've missed him terrible. Milner --- Butt --- Emre -- N'Zogbia Martins --- Dyer Our best line-up in my opinion. Of course, Roeder won't play Zoggy over Duff and there's no way he'll drop Parker, but mehh. Still good news.

I assumed this was meant to be in here. Where did he put it?

I like the irony of your post, Northern Monkey, in spite of the fact that you didn't really mean it. Your post is sarcastic and exaggerated, yes, but it's this settling for mediocrity that Roeder seems to have the nack of doing in recent times. Which contributes to our... well... mediocrity. One of his main weaknesses that, actually.

But, as the Captain, is that not his job to ignite those things during certain periods? If he doesn't get either of those things buzzing throughout the team in certain parts of the game, then he can't be a very good Captain.

Aye, agreed tbh. Our throw-ins have been abysmal for years.

The stats make sense tbh. Decent player, decent squad player. Still unsure about what he actually gives to the team when he plays, though. We're undoubtedly better without him. And, it's not really a case of second season syndrome either... we've just found him out. However, i still like Scott Parker and i wish he'd improve. I crave for him to become an integral part of our team because i reckon he's got the potential to. I wish he would be the powerful, driving midfielder that he could be. If his passing was more accurate and direct, i think he'd do well - but he's far too negative a player. Thing is, i think he's great at rushing into the box, a la Bowyer, and sticking it in the net. But like i say - he's too negative. Which simply unbalances the side catastrophically when he plays like that with Emre - because Roeder seems intent on playing Emre defensively when he's with Parker, which makes him resort to long balls and picking up the pieces - which simply isn't him. And it doesn't work for the side when Parker plays with Butt either, because Butt's naturally a defensive player - therefore giving us zilch attacking prowess when those two are together. And if the wingers are off form, like yesterday, we ain't got a hope going forward. If Parker was more direct... he'd work with Butt - and it could be a decent partnership. However, our midfield should be about Emre anyway in my opinion - the naturally driving, powerful centre-mid with a good eye for goal (despite inconsistency), who works with Butt. Parker should be cover for Emre anyway tbh.

Emre's our best all-round midfielder in my opinion. Driving forward he is excellent, with pace and power, and although he's not the best tackler - he's generally got the good determination to win balls back. We're missing him terribly at the moment - i really hope he doesn't go. Parker and Butt signals zero creativity, i'm afraid - and it's not Butt's fault. It's not his job. You really do have to beg the question - what is Parker actually there for? Still, i don't think he's 'inept'.

I don't think i would tbf.

Exactly. He should have been rested the other day. Rendering his line-up for this evening pretty much spot on. Cos he forced himself into resting Milner today. AND BESIDES... i doubt the scoreline wouldn't have changed an awful lot if Milner was on the field, i'd say.