Ronaldo

That makes sense . Colo is not tough enough to play as a DM. Colo has two weaknesses: He sometimes forgets to mark his man, and he rarely tackles. He tries to win or protect the ball in the most righteous way: by standing on his feet. But that has periodically resulted in him being outmuscled leading us vulnerable for counterattacks. Sometimes you have to get dirty and tackle the ball in order to avoid such situations. And as a DM you're often attacked from both sides, while one as a defender more often than not have your back clear. Consequently, DM is probably the most physically demanding position on the pitch. That doesn't not suit Colo. Periodically? Have a word, man. It's happened once this season - 30 PL games old, btw.

That FA Cup Weekend 2 weeks back was incredibly poor. Thank Christ for La Liga, or i'd have been forced to take the lass bowling.

Sometimes.

I thought he was absolutely terrible against City. Chelsea improved massively with Drogba on the pitch instead of him.

What an ridiculously moronic comparison. Complete and utter tool.

f***ing hell.

Since when are you a fan of Newcastle United?

You've got to be joking. Boumsong was absolutely atrocious in the air.

Nobody said he was as good. My bad it was... "very like Beckham" & "much like Beckham" still makes me I agree both cross early but thats where the similarity ends. Thick as mince.

Hodgson's half-season was far worse, though. The problem didn't really lie with Rafa.

He's not a winger, man. He's a midfielder suited to playing wide of centre.

Lovenkrands had a decent season in The Championship, no doubt. But that has nowt to do with my above post. Butt played well in the PL in 06-07 and did well under Keegan in 07-08. In 08-09 he was completely crap.

Barton ran the show against Sunderland in the first half without really connecting with Shola or Carroll much. When he gets time on the ball out wide, he makes an impact.

Indeed, a good crosser is a must for a wide player BUT they need more than that to their game, Barton is never going to beat his man and get in behind, nor will he chase back all the way and get the ball back. Don't remember you complaining about Solano, like.

Barton has neither the presence nor close control to play CM. He's ten times the player in RM. Hilarious! On the on hand you say that Barton has not good enough control or presence to handle the CM--position. But on the other hand, you manage to defend Nolan, the incarnation of non-movement, who got no close control what so ever or a general presence in CM. Erm, what?

Barton has neither the presence nor close control to play CM. He's ten times the player in RM. Not sure I agree that his time as a CM is over. We weren't even talking about him playing wide a few months ago. Completely irrelevant. We've seen him play both RM and CM this season, and the difference in the effectiveness is huge. Doesn't mean it will be the case next season. He's developed a lot as a player and a person this season, it would be unwise to write him off as a CM. As he ages, he'll have no option but to play in field. Btw, I do go to games. He's not going to morph into a Tiote or a even a Nolan. He gets bullied in the middle and always will. He's a Beckham-type player and should stay out wide.

Barton has neither the presence nor close control to play CM. He's ten times the player in RM. Not sure I agree that his time as a CM is over. We weren't even talking about him playing wide a few months ago. Completely irrelevant. We've seen him play both RM and CM this season, and the difference in the effectiveness is huge.

Barton has neither the presence nor close control to play CM. He's ten times the player in RM. Have you even seen him play at CM this season? Some of us actually go to the games, yes.

What a terrible article. Like they're gonna sack off Forster and demote Krul to 3rd choice.

Barton has neither the presence nor close control to play CM. He's ten times the player in RM.

Despite Barton being a great player on right wing? Great... hmmm best option we have more like it And put Barton where? Because he's a far lesser player in CM.

I can't see us buying a new keeper or CB, so i've accepted we'll have to choose from what we currently have next season. I'm not sure we'll buy two starting strikers, so Best might just get the nod, which i'd be pretty content with. Someone like Riccardo Montolivo or ideally Miguel De Las Cuevas to partner Tiote in CM.

In fairness, wages and fee are irrelevant. Truth be told, i've seldom seen an NUFC striker be as ineffective on a consistent basis as Lovenkrands this season. Nicky Butt is a far, far more preposterous suggestion.

Barton's out of position in that side. Forster Simpson Williamson Coloccini Enrqiue Barton Tiote New Playmaker Ben Arfa Gameiro Best/New Striker