Ronaldo

You crazy fool, do you want to lose again, got to be Carrol and Ranger for me, don't think its a coincidence we can't score since they stopped playing together. Ranger creates so much space with his running I'll compromise. Ranger and Harewood. is what i'd go for

Don't think either of them will, Hughton said Colo will play Sat. very good news

I hope he just accepts it officially as soon as possible and we can crack on, perhaps even get a player in.

Harewood has started 2 games and some have already made their decision about him but it took him less than half an hour on the pitch to get half of what Carroll has managed all season. Personally I don't care if chased down every ball or walks around hands on hips, so long as he gets on the end of chances. Does he? The jury is still out and so it should be.

no effort, honestly the bias is incredible man.

Why is it that strikers that don't chase down every ball get the 'lack of effort' label? It's the same with Beckford, the abuse he got last night with ridiculous, till he scored.

We all know it, but when looking at what's changed in the last 3 games I think it's fair to assert that Coloccini's absence has had a far more detrimental effect than Harewood's inclusion. Colo has an eye for the better pass and it's been pretty obvious to me that the midfield as whole hasn't been as confident pushing forward with Zurab behind them.

Fraser Forster bares a uncanny remesemblance to Lou Ferrigno

We played about as badly as I can ever remember at SJP against QPR until Harewood came on. I think we've missed Coloccini in the last 3 games. He's obviously part of our best defensive unit and allows us to play the high line effectively with his clever distribution.

He deserved his chance on the strenth of the fact we had nobody else and he showed signs of promise. It would appear not to be happening for him though and we're in no position to be blooding poorly performing youngsters this season.

If it does happen, at least it'll end the current uncertainty and hopefully give the Hughton that extra bit of authority and confidence to be more adventurous with his tactics and lineup

Carroll again

It's blatantly obvious and has been for months for those of us with sense that he should be on the shoulder of the last man and nowhere else. Put him in a position where he has to use graft, skill or strength andf he's basically a sunday league player.

I've got to hand it to Ashley, his sense of timing is beyond incredible

Let him play in his position then judge him

Wiki seems to have him down as 20 league goals for that season. Of course he should start as what is the point of bringing in experienced loan signing & not playing him. espn had 21, not that it matters in the slightest Of course it does as it means your PR guff like "he's hit more than 20 in the championship in one season" is ever so slightly not correct. but it is correct me old china plate

Wiki seems to have him down as 20 league goals for that season. Of course he should start as what is the point of bringing in experienced loan signing & not playing him. espn had 21, not that it matters in the slightest

I don't think he will be a premiership striker but owt is possible so i'm not going to rule it out completely

We've established that he wasn't good enough for Villa, ok. He's hit 21 and 18 in the championship in 03 and 05 and managed 14 in the premiership in 06. He also managed 5 goals for Villa in 07-08 despite only starting 1 game that season. He's capable of goals is all i'm saying.

I never said he 'could never be a premier league striker' though.

Harewood's a proven scorer at this level, he's hit more than 20 in the championship in one season and managed 14 in the premiership a few seasons back. Stop saying he's been shit at Villa, the fact that O'Neil has had him permanently on the bench doesn't relate to our situation at all.

Probably, but as I said, Drogba is a massive exception. He was initially idenfied as a defender for one. I don't Carroll ever being a great player. Sorry, but there it is. If anyone thinks he will, i'd love to hear why.

Drogba is the exception, but to be fair he has fantastic natural pace and strength. I don't really see such an outstanding attribute in Carroll.

Unbelievable statement, considering the striker you champion Drogba scored 7 goals in 47 games in his early career yet you say he is the best striker in the world. I didn't see Drogba play before his days at Marseilles so I can't comment. I have seen Carroll for the last year though, and he looks to be a pretty fucking rubbish football who occassionally uses his size to very good effect.

he needs a better first touch, better heading ability, better awareness of the game, better/some shooting ability and to improve his balance somehow. Not going to happen tbh, as said above, he'll probably end up your typical championship target man. He can cause problems but he isn't the future of the club sadly.