Nobody

Think Barton helped him a lot tonight. As soon as Butt was on the ball, he looked for Barton to lay it off to, and Barton nearly always made himself available. A relief to not having to watch Butt try his bound-to-fail 50 yard passes.

I don't think either of their two chances was down to bad defending by the way. Don't really remember how the ball came to Gabby for his chance, but once he got it, his pass out to the right and the ball back in were both excellent, and the build up to Young's chance was very good as well, especially his first touch which set him up for the shot. Other than that, they didn't create anything, and that was down to some excellent defending, especially from our full backs.

Agree, but don't know if it's good enough. He needs to start providing some end product, get the ball in the box and get himself some assists. He's got one goal and no assists in the league so far, and it's not good enough considering he's played almost every game

Harsh on shola. I think shola is better for martins game than owen. was about to post that Have to disagree. Haven't seen much of any kind of partnership from Shola and Martins. Shola can't direct his flick-ons and Martins can't read them anyway. Think we'd do much better if we had two players that Barton and Jonas could play clever passes to, and with Owen on, making his clever runs, Martins will have more space and the other way around.

:clap: Seconded,a fine neutral post. Closet Newcastle fan, tbh Nah, very good post Lien, keep it up mate

It's probably because he's had a rest, I can't believe we ask him to play in so many games at his age tbh I agree,i've mentioned this before,i would rest him Saturday personally,he's always shite in the 2nd game of 2 games in a week. Aye, could probably do with a rest on Saturday, no point in having him tired for our game on Sunday.

Aye, that was out of order from Setanta IMO. Didn't say a word about how he bossed the midfield today and got a very important assist.

Thought he played well in the first half too, tbh. Class celebration for the first goal

Got to be put on around 60 minutes if its still goaless, his finishing is whats needed. Kinnear said 20 minutes in the pre-match interview with setanta.

First touches, aye, passing not so much. Think he's done well, but I don't think Ameobi and Martins are a good match up front, tbh.

Done well so far.

Quite happy with that first half, tbh. Defending well and our passing has been better than of late. Barton is dominating in midfield, even though he has given the ball away a couple of times. Neither Jonas or Duff has really got going yet. Beye has been class, both defensively and going forward, while Enrique has been solid in defence, but not offered much offensively. Martins is looking a bit better than of late too, IMO.

Apparently, according to Kinnear, we go top ten if we win tonight EDIT: Too late.

Tried to polish a bunch of turds basically. That'll be the team that currently sits two points and three points above you lot then... Make your mind up. Is it a coincidence that you come back just after a win?

He will give the ball away in a position that will lead to a dangerous chance for Villa.

They really are ITK.

That wouldn't actually be that bad actually, you know. Even though he's a cunt. How kind of you to still be thinking what's best for us

This. Feels like I'm hoping for Butt to miss it more than I hope for Owen to make it. It's really quite sad.

We couldn't contain West Brom when we tried to sit back and defend, I don't even want to think about us doing it against you.

Do you ever read your own? Come on I didn't think your humour would sink that low? Who's joking?

No

I don't remember making this post at all It's not that bad though, could have been so much worse considering the state I was in when I made it

I quite like the look of him. He did very well early on in the season and in the pre-season games, have faded a bit lately though (KK-factor?). Could well have had a goal or two against West Brom if Martins deliveries would have been better. He's a tidy, hard working player. He's got the vision and ability to pick a pass, but every now and again, he's a bit sloppy in possession, but I do think that's because of inexperience. Seems to have a good attitude as well, when he loses the ball, he seems to work extra hard to take it back. He's a definite starter in CM with Barton for me at the moment, and even if we would go the 4-3-1-2, he'd still probably be in my starting XI, together with Barton and Jonas in midfield.

That's not even two goals per game, well short of his four goal target.