Delima

And there were many self-appointed forum police jumping at the first chance at people who suggested us to buy Bendtner, when he threatened to leave Arsenal before the season started.

I disagree with you and I think the strikers in your list could not save us from troubles. Hasselbaink, Viduka, Sutton, Hartson, Cole are just past it. They still have flashes of class in them but they shouldn't be more than a 3rd or 4th strikers unless we aspire to be a low table team. John Hartson scores 3 goals in 9 games for the Baggies, a championship club; Last season Chris Sutton scores 1 in 10 for Birmingham. Mark Viduka 17 in 57 for Middlesbrough since joining them; Hasselbaink 1/9 for Charlton this season; and Andy Cole 10 in 20 games for Man City last season. [soccerbase] Apart from Andy Cole, none of the above will do a satisfying job for us I am afraid. And Andy Cole is an immobile striker who is just a year younger than Shearer. We have already got a very decent striker in our squad, his name is Giuseppi Rossi. He not only scores, he also contributes a lot more to the game, and a lot more mobile than the strikers above. Problem is, Roeder refuses to start him until forced to of late, when Sibierski and Ameobi are all injured. If we have had started Rossi far earlier on, we would have a competent stop gap in our hand. The pressure on Martins (face it he is a long term buy and never a stop gap purchase) will be far lighter and we would have bought an easy time until January.

Also could you allow me to say that, I am very interested in undertanding people's initial reactions and contrast it to their current one. In no way I am trying to gloat, as you see though I was staunchly against Roeder's appointemnt, I still had faith in him. I should be the first to be laughed at, if I want to laugh at anyone. All I want to know and read is people's reactions, people's views, people's thought. Genuine Toon fans' opinions, not Oliver's "my exclusive source tells me that all Geordies love Shepherd" etc.

To be honest I was siding with Roeder for being confident at Bramble to rectify his deficiencies. After all he did well towards the end of last season under the stewardship of Roeder himself. What I'm dissapointed is his failure to capture any decent fullbacks, and his waste of money on Duff. So to summarise, Martins' signing - Yes Duff's signing - No Sibierki's signing - No Rossi's signing -Yes Bernard's signing - No (wanted someone better, or more established)

For your information, I didn't even know anything about N-O when Souness was appointed. And actually, the Roeder issue was quite divisive amongst the newcastle fan, if this N-O poll could be linearly scaled up to represent the general view of Toon supporters. http://www.newcastle-online.com/nufcforum/index.php/topic,19145.40.html Yes - 51% No - 49%

Martin Jol I usually enjoy reading your posts, and am always grateful to you for sharing rumours or insider knowledge. But I am dissapointed how you dare not admit your initial opinion, especially after you just critisise Premiership authority as spineless. Here I quote you

Ok lads, it seems like it is all doom and gloom again in our toon. So what's your thuoght when FFS appointed Roeder? Hold your hands up, how many of you welcome Roeder's appointment? And how many of you were against him? Vote now and share with me your thoughts on Roeder. By no means the current premiership table will translate into end of season table but it is an indication. It would certainly make an interesting read on how people here in N-O perceive our current situation when the season ends. Fire away, I'll start first. I was vehemently against the appointment of Glenn Roeder, and thought Freddy Shpeherd makes the club a huge fool again by meddling with the rules with specious excuses, by promising us a world class manager, by touting the job as one of the 8 most wanted footballing job in the world bli bli bla bla only to appoint Glenn Roeder as our manager. However, I thought Roeder would make a decent mid table manager, stabilise and consolidate the club. I lent him my support once Shepherd made his decision since I could do nothing to change it, and since I still like him as a coach. But with Newcastle flirting with relegation zone after 10 whopping games, and with some of his bizzare decisions which I couldn't comprehend, I started to doubt my trust on him earlier on. I still have faith with Roeder and don't think we will be relegated, after all we still play some decent football at times and call it excuses or not, we lost quite a few points down to ridiculous personal mistakes, or simply bad ulck in front of the goal. Still, the current situation is extremely worrying. And my confidence in Roeder is being eroded game by game. Am I wrong to believe in him? What's your thought?

Do we really need David Nugent, when we have just released Michael Chopra who is one of the best championship strikers at the moment? Neither do we need Kevin Davies, a target man who rarely scores, and who is being deployed more in the wings nowadays. Wayne Bridge and Lucas Neill would be excellent signings for us. Matthew Upson would be a good replacement for Moore who is soon to depart after his contract expires.

I don't think it is purely down to attitude. As far as I know Forlan has had a good attitude, in my opinion Forlan is a moderate player who had an excellent season for Villareal in his first year. In his second year he only scored 10 goals. I think first of all is the quality of the player that matters. Secondly if he is a given chances to adapt/prove himself. Thirdly if his fixed style of play is suitable for his new league. Fourthly his luck.

He is not ok. He has been a brilliant left back for United this season. Defensively solid, but getting forward very very well.

Sorry meant to say left back

So many people thought he was shit, thought he was a waste of money, thought he typifies the lazy continental overrated overblown footballer who can never cut it at premiership, last season. He is light weight, beyond salvagable point etc. Look at his performance now. One of the best right back in premiership at the moment. Lesson? Give our new recruit a period of time to settle. There will always be some unfortunate wrong purchase. But everyone deserves his chance. Give our Martins a break. Kuyt, Berbatov, are all doing better and better now.

Not that West Brom have kept many clean sheets with Pearson being assistnat manager of Robson? They have got Curtis Davies, Paul McShane and Chris Perry.

Wenger is not a racist who only likes French youngsters. His recruits come from any where in Europe.

I would love to sing the chant if I am in the stadium! Unfortunately I am not, for this weekend's match. Rossi is a Geordie, la la la la!

Finally Roeder you see the light.

Well if anyone has the Match Programme you really need to read what he said in there. Trully disgusting. Unfortunately I don't have one with me now, I'll try to type it out perhaps tomorrow.

Any update on their relationship, after last time Roeder was branded disgusting by Redknapp for blaming him on the dire situation in West Ham?

Making tea, , and 26 people ticked this box. I voted team selection half time talks coaching youth development player fitness motivation man management scouting transfers

Notts Co. v Wycombe - Easist draw for both teams. Spurs v Port Vale - Easy job for Spurs. Brum v L'pool - Not really easy job for Liverpool. Steve Bruce is a turnip but they still have some good players. Chelsea v Villa - Chelsea becareful. Watford v Us - Newcastle United becareful. Aaidy Boothroyd is not numptie. Chesterfield v Charlton - Easyjob for Charlton Southend v Man U - Man U becareful. Steve Tilson is not numptie. Everton v Arsenal - Arsenal becareful. David Moyes is not numptie.

Good going forward, poor defensively

Significantly. You think so? I disagree.

Give him a bit more time, no? He doesn't attach the price tag on himself. And £10m does not only reflect on his current ability, but reflect his age and potential too. If you ask me if I would pay 10m£ for Rossi. I say yes without a doubt. Laugh as you will.

Not that I am saying I prefer unsuccessful chips than goals. But Martins has been very unlucky with goals. He has shown many potentials and attributes of a good forward - attempt on chips being one example. Shevchenko, Berbatov, Bellamy etc have also scored very little this season. But would you want to have them in your squad? I would, definitely. They have shown enough potentials and qualities, they are just being unlucky with goals and injuries at the moment!