Not that it's appropriate to get into such a discussion in this thread, but I didn't do either. But cheers for hurling the accusation - nice to get mentioned
Speculation, not an accusation.
Ryan Taylor gets plenty of help from Jonas and still manages to look useless. Can't blame Lovenkrands for not being able to protect him, he was simply picked for a position he's ludicrously unsuited to - at any level of football, let alone the EPL.
The backline did improve though at Bolton. He bossed us around a bit.
Irrelevant, he did well that day.
It is relevant; you said 'sub appearances'.
He was an accident waiting to happen for the vast majority of his time in black and white.
This is actually an excellent idea under the circumstances. Chris Sutton did this and Dion Dublin also with great success. I think it is easier for a skilfull front man to make the transition back rather than a centre back to go forward.
Alan Shearer could have played another season if he had done this and still come forward for free kicks,corners etc. Would have scored another 10 goals.
I actually can't remember Shearer scoring from corner during his last season as a forward.
Plus, a traffic cone would probably do a better defensive job than Shola.