ElDiablo

With us playing Spurs, Hammers, Toffees and Pompey and Liverpool away and then Chelsea at home, I think it's fair to say we have 6 nailed on defeats to.. West Ham are woeful at the minute. It's not beyond the realms we could go there and win. Was thinking that too, they'll have nothing to play for at that point.

Going up for this, don't think I can stomach another hammering, especially with a 3 hour drive back with 2 Liverpool supporting mates. Really not sure which way it'll go, depends on Liverpool imo. If they've got their shooting boots on (which they no doubt will have) I think it will be 3/4-0. If they play like they did against Barnsley we may have a chance of nicking something. Hopefully Benitez will rest a few for Inter a few days later.

You're supposed to deliver the Sunday Sport, not read it.

That's where I disagree, I'd say that was a bad run of form, which every striker goes through, combined with him still (I know this sounds like an excuse) still getting back his sharpness and the added pressure that comes with being the only bugger who gets chances and where we are in the table. How long is it going to take it to get his "sharpness" back, given that he's started the last 11 games? This bad run of form has lasted all season btw. He missed two genuine open goals for England in one game this season too, I didn't even mention them. Well looking at how long he's been out and how little he's played in the last couple of years, a hell of a lot longer than 11 games, imo.

That's where I disagree, I'd say that was a bad run of form, which every striker goes through, combined with him still (I know this sounds like an excuse) still getting back his sharpness and the added pressure that comes with being the only bugger who gets chances and where we are in the table.

What the fuck does that matter?

It's true, there's nothing to hate about Fulham.

Like yesterday? No one is guaranteed to score in every match. He won't get three better chances than he had yesterday. He's finished. Quicker everyone accepts it, the quicker we can get shot and move on. He's finished because he didn't put the ball an extra inch or two beyond Friedel's foot and dragged a shot from a tight angle wide with Friedel bearing down on him with his weaker foot. Righteo. Fuck's sake. He's started 14 league games and scored no goals with his feet man. He's missed God only knows how many sitters this season. The excuses he is getting are laughable. If Shola had missed those three chances yesterday, he'd have been absolutely pilloried. He should have more goals than he has, no doubt. I just don't think he is finished just because he's 'missed' (right word?) a fair few chances. He is a confidence player and I think once one goes in that will hopefully give him a bit. I think that if that first one had gone in the second would have followed with that other chance, that's Owen. The reason I defend Owen is he's proved all his career that he's a great goalscorer, he's had a quarter of a season to get back into it after basically a year and a half out. The signs are there that he's getting sharper as well, it's not like he's stagnated completely. I find it encouraging that he's still making those intelligent runs and getting in those positions. One will come sooner or later I think that will give him a huge boost and more will follow. Spot on. And, "He's started 14 league games and scored no goals with his feet man." ...does it matter how they go in, like? Couldn't give toss if he's using his nob as a putter and tapping them over the line so long as he scores. I don't think it's helped him though, I know a goal's a goal but i think he needs to just slot one home to get his confidence back in front of goal. But yeah, I'm confident one will come, hopefully at Anfield.

Like yesterday? No one is guaranteed to score in every match. He won't get three better chances than he had yesterday. He's finished. Quicker everyone accepts it, the quicker we can get shot and move on. He's finished because he didn't put the ball an extra inch or two beyond Friedel's foot and dragged a shot from a tight angle wide with Friedel bearing down on him with his weaker foot. Righteo. Fuck's sake. He's started 14 league games and scored no goals with his feet man. He's missed God only knows how many sitters this season. The excuses he is getting are laughable. If Shola had missed those three chances yesterday, he'd have been absolutely pilloried. He should have more goals than he has, no doubt. I just don't think he is finished just because he's 'missed' (right word?) a fair few chances. He is a confidence player and I think once one goes in that will hopefully give him a bit. I think that if that first one had gone in the second would have followed with that other chance, that's Owen. The reason I defend Owen is he's proved all his career that he's a great goalscorer, he's had a quarter of a season to get back into it after basically a year and a half out. The signs are there that he's getting sharper as well, it's not like he's stagnated completely. I find it encouraging that he's still making those intelligent runs and getting in those positions. One will come sooner or later I think that will give him a huge boost and more will follow.

Like yesterday? No one is guaranteed to score in every match. He won't get three better chances than he had yesterday. He's finished. Quicker everyone accepts it, the quicker we can get shot and move on. He's finished because he didn't put the ball an extra inch or two beyond Friedel's foot and dragged a shot from a tight angle wide with Friedel bearing down on him with his weaker foot. Righteo.

I think 4 and that would be decent.

Bin: Wigan Bolton Liverpool In: Watford Luton QPR

Because you're talking a load of fucking bullshit once again. What you're doing is thinking of the chances Owen missed, putting Martins in that situation without realising that he'd recieve the pass alright but it'd be 5 yards behind where Owen was and he'd be at walking pace. I was as fucked off as anyone with Owen when he missed those two clear cut chances but you're kidding yourself if you think we'd have won the game no problem if Martins was upfront. When was the last time you saw Martins latching onto passes like the ones Barton put through for Owen? mackems.gif We do need Martins back in the side but it's for his reputation more than anything, it's the comparison with Owen that got me. He never uses his pace effectively for fuck sake, I've got a hell of a lot more time for Owen than Martins because he uses what he's got to the best of his ability. Martins doesn't. He reacts after the ball has gone, someone plays it THEN he'll run, that's Martins. One step behind most of the time. And yes, because Oba and N'Zogbia are such towers of strength, bullying defenders left right and centre. Owen puts himself about just as much as Martins.

Harper, Beye, Faye, Cacapa, Enrique, Zog, Emre, Butt, Milner, Owen, Martins. Tough leaving Viduka out but we lack pace badly in the final 3rd

Makelele's was more of a stamp on the foot rather than a full blooded studs into leg incident, wasn't as bad but the intent was there which means he should have gone still.

Agree.

Birmingham is a huge game, i'd take four points out of our next 3 games.

I think we'll scrape clear by 3-4 points or so.

Gutted.

I heard a good training method is to play Wall with someone else. You have to kick the ball at the wall in such a way that the other player can't return it, so you end up having to play the ball at some really awkward moments which you otherwise would avoid. Wallie! Its been a while. What a game! is that not the game known as "spot" ? and isn't keefaz's wembley doubles not "world cup doubles" ? "garages" was my own personal favourite We always called it 'wall ball'. World cup doubles is correct.

Martins is the type who needs about 4 chances to score, with what's behind him he'll be lucky to get 1. The thing he brings is the THREAT of pace which team will hopefully be scared of, making space for others.

We gave up our team due to fat 40 year old wankers just fouling everytime you went past them, no point in playing with people like that. Just stick to the 11 a side now.

Why though? He's shit. Last thing we need is a player like him, another headless chicken.

Not bothered, like him but letting him go for free would be a kick in teeth seeing as how little he's played. Even if he plays all of next season. Can't see him wanting to renew either.