KaKa

Would you rather he just ran as fast as he could to get through for the goal, despite there being no need? And he'd f*** all chance to get away on the first clip they showed. Still nowhere near match fit anyway, so relax. I am very relaxed

Shola was class in the build up to Owen's goal. Owen's pace ...

When we play the 4-3-3 I think it might be Faye, Geremi and Barton in the centre when everyone is fit. Butt has been a bit hit and miss so far this season, not quite athletic or quick enough to break up as much of the play as we need him to. Faye would be much more dominant in that position.

When everyone is fit, does anyonelse think Cacapa will take over for Taylor, and Faye for Butt? I have a feeling both will be first teamers for us.

I am so happy with the defenders we have brought in this summer for next to nothing. People were relatively down on the Rozehnal and Cacapa signings and complained that we were neglecting our defence and we ought to be spending 20 million etc etc. Good thing Sam wasn't listening. Looks like we have landed two outstanding defenders for the sum total of £2.9 million. Just ... wow.

Commentators were saying Owen has to run around more and work harder if he wants to get his match sharpness back.

Found another neck muscle from somewhere? What's the commentator on about?

Voted for Oba's ... Brilliant goal. Something about the way he didn't even hesitate or think about it, it was all seemingly in one movement from his initial touch to the eventual striking of the ball. The ball also appeared to be too low for a bicycle kick, but he still managed to get under it and generate a phenomenal amount of power on the ball, smashing it into the top corner. Sick.

It doesn't actually end! I can't see a full stop anywhere! PLEASE SOMEONE MAKE IT STOP!!!

I probably wasn't clear enough. When I said banned I meant for a game or two. I thought it was a horrific challenge.

Great move after missing out on Fernandes. Excellent business.

I have to say though, after seeing the actual video of the injury I feel bad for the guy. Especially as it was an absolutely sickening and unnecessary challenge. The defender was beaten and blatantly just kicked him in the back of the leg. I think he should be banned for it. I don't think this injury can be put down to him being injury prone either as it was such a horrible challenge that would have probably knackered a lot of people. I hate dirty challenges like those, they make my blood boil.

If Owen joins Man U? What you on about? Sorry guys, just bored ... I would like Baptista though, You know what they say though ... the power of the tongue and all that. Right I'm off to bed now. I'm reaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaally tired ....

If Owen joins Man U, I would like us to bring in Baptista. Alan Smith, Viduka and Martins upfront, with Geremi, Baptista and Barton in midfield. Come on Sam, make it happen! BAPTISTA TO THE TOON!!! You heard it here first ...

Well, well, well ... Ever since those tumour boy chants I knew West Ham would be cursed I tell you! I hope they are bracing themselves because it will only get worse. Faubert, Parker, Neil and Dyer already this season! Bellamy's hamstrings should be getting ready for a strain anytime soon too.

Shouldn't be sold. No way. However, he should not be in the first team either, as he just isn't that type of talent. He should spend the next couple of seasons on the bench learning behind Roz and Cacapa. He can then take over from Cacapa in a couple of seasons when he will still just be 23 and in a far better position to handle first team responsibilities.

Torres has all the tools, but there's something off about him. His finishing can be so great at times, but can also be poor at times too. He can look strong and direct at times, but then so soft at times too. If we had got him when we bid for him under Souness, about two years ago, it would have been a disaster. He would have been awful in that team and under that management. Probably would have ended up as another Luque.

I have to say Liverpool have played some shocking football the majority of this game, especially when you consider they're playing Sunderland. Punt-tastic stuff. You'll never hear anyone bring it up though!

Fair enough. Can't say I've ever paid too much attention to Pog so I wouldn't know. I do know he has a tendency to break his nose every couple of months. Is Huth still alive by the way? His injury record has been worse than Woodgates!

I heard that too i hope not Ditto. If they get him, when fully fit, they'll have a good side IMO. Schwarzer Young Woodgate Pogatetz Taylor Tuncay Riquelme Boateng Downing Mido Aliadiere Top half team. Shame their back line is never fit. You forgot Robert Huth. Pogatez would probably play at left-back with Huth and Woody in the centre.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/euro_2008/article2317558.ece So ... doesn't look like Owen is even being open minded about this at all. It's either play him up top as a striker or forget about it. Interesting that he mentions being played as a lone striker though, anyone think Sam might try the 4-3-3 with Owen as the middle/main striker? It would mean no long balls and much more intricate passing, which would be good, but could we pull this off? I wouldn't mind seeing us try it. Alternatively, if we played the 4-3-3 with Owen as the main striker and Alan Smith as one of the wide forwards, we could probably rely on Smith to provide us with a physical presence from that position when we need it. This would mean going diagonal to Smith, should we need to play the long ball. What do people think about these latest developments? OMG! You're a genius. Die. Please. Another pointless individual, with no opinion, trying to be quirky, controversial and "different". Don't be mad because you lack the intelligence, ability or capacity to say anything worthwhile that goes further than a one line put down. I would love to rip into you, but out of respect for Dave (those damn private messages!) I'll hold back. You've been warned though ... ask Verlame about me. I could feast on punks like you all day.

See that's the interesting thing though, he doesn't mention the 4-4-2 and neither does he solely mention playing alongside another striker. He just talks about being played as an out and out striker even if it means being a lone striker. This is why I started talking about him being the out and out striker in the 4-3-3. I'm just interested to know if people think this might work. Taking into account the other players we have. Dont think it would work, because we dont have the players to afford him as the lone forward. If we were Barcelona, and Owen were to be playing the same role as Eto'o for example, hed probably excel because the rest of the team is great at keeping possession, building up play, and creating chances, whilst Owen could concentrate on making his runs and getting on the end of chances. This team under Allardyce's system, however, will most likely need that lone striker to be doing the much of the possession and build up work. We'll be playing it up to the lone striker first, and then things go from there. Some great points here. What if we played Alan Smith as one of the wide forwards, from where he could occassionally provide a physical presence upfront, and we had Geremi, Barton and Emre in midfield? That might have a better chance of working. I swear Sam played the 4-3-3 with Anelka up top and Kevin Davies out wide at times last season, and in these instances when they played it long it went diagonally to Davies. Maybe Alan Smith could be used in a similar fashion.

See that's the interesting thing though, he doesn't mention the 4-4-2 and neither does he solely mention playing alongside another striker. He just talks about being played as an out and out striker even if it means being a lone striker. This is why I started talking about him being the out and out striker in the 4-3-3. I'm just interested to know if people think this might work. Taking into account the other players we have.

Bit of a tongue in cheek headline, just go with it okay boss?

Well ... maybe rant is a bit strong but some interesting comments none the less! http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/euro_2008/article2317558.ece So ... doesn't look like Owen is even being open minded about this at all. It's either play him up top as a striker or forget about it. Interesting that he mentions being played as a lone striker though, anyone think Sam might try the 4-3-3 with Owen as the middle/main striker? It would mean no long balls and much more intricate passing, which would be good, but could we pull this off? I wouldn't mind seeing us try it. Alternatively, if we played the 4-3-3 with Owen as the main striker and Alan Smith as one of the wide forwards, we could probably rely on Smith to provide us with a physical presence from that position when we need it. This would mean going diagonal to Smith, should we need to play the long ball. What do people think about these latest developments?