AyeDubbleYoo

IMO our first choice back four of Beye/Colo/Bassong/Enrique is more than good enough... we need backup not replacements. And a promising understudy for Beye when he retires. It is the midfield that is the biggest problem by far.

who the fuck has a perfect fitness record like? Sorry, that wasn't meant to be taken literally. The odd small injury is OK obviously, but nobody who has any hint of being injury prone or multiple long-term injuries. aye right enough we need some physical specimens imo, the likes of bouba diop...have said so for years, the game is going physical (watched barca and they play with keita & toure in the middle for strength) and it comes as no surprise to me that a team full of slow, overweight, small, injury prone players like the group we've got are doing so badly True, we're crying out for even someone like Jenas... that's how bad things are! I know people say we need creative players rather than runners, but you can create a lot with athleticism and direct play - for that you need to have fitness greater than a 70 year old woman.

There doesn't seem to have been any 'Shearer effect' at all. Have we looked any different since he got here? I was hoping for a new manager boost... maybe we should have waited until after the Chelsea game to announce his appointment.

who the fuck has a perfect fitness record like? Sorry, that wasn't meant to be taken literally. The odd small injury is OK obviously, but nobody who has any hint of being injury prone or multiple long-term injuries.

I don't think we need to replace Coloccini at all, we need to put a midfield in front of him that can actually pose a challenge to the opposition. When you're restructuring a team you don't start with the decent players, you start with the shit ones. And we have plenty of those.

Problem with relegation is that all of the decent players with a bit of talent would leave, and all the ones some people seem to think relegation would 'clear out' would probably have to stay.

In midfield we're in dire need of anyone who can run a bit and has a bit of enthusiasm. We need to decide where Jonas is going to play and buy a proper wide man for the opposite side. CM is also a priority, along with cover for the fullbacks. I think Oba and Carroll could do a decent job up front, but another striker would be nice. The problem is that all of our injuries hurt us twice. First we're without the players and second the club can't replace them because they're on the wage bill. Also, it is easy for the club to think, "we'll be OK when so and so is back fit". A big priority should be buying nobody with anything less than a perfect fitness record.

I hate most journalism TBH, some decent writers but as in many professions - 90% dicks.

Do people want us to go down? I don't get that impression.

Not sure Scotland could hack it in the Prem, he looks good but something about his style and touch makes me sceptical.

Nah, a win is on the cards, they never win against us. See how I flipped the script there?

If it wasn't for the immense wages he is probably on then I would actually feel a bit sorry for Shay. Finally decides to move, leaves the Newcastle rollercoaster only to end up in the arguably even more embarrassing Man City non-revolution. Can't fathom why he moved (to City), surely if it was all about the money he would have left a few years ago? Very odd decision IMO.

I still don't despise him, just think he should have waited until the end of the season to do us over.

If the Duke is anywhere near match fit for the rest of the season he might get some vital goals. But do we want him to replace Carroll now?

Big test whether he drops Shola for Carroll, not as much of a given as fans might assume.

Younger than I am now when they debuted? Or younger than me at the time? Not sure, a youngster during the Robson era proabably, possibly Jenas.

Class act, where would we be in the table this season without him? Eek!

Thanks for the kind words Shay, but hanging around for a few months yourself would have been peachy.

I generally agree, as long as we don't end up with a Souness situation where we piss off our best players for the sake of the manager's ego. Not saying that will happen with Shearer, but sometimes you need to handle unhappy or disruptive players for the good of results. The best players aren't always the nicest ones.

Alan Hansen was really emotional on MOTD, obviously still hurts a lot. There is some harrowing stuff on the BBC from survivors.

The interview is funny, the reporter's talking to him like he's a 5 year old! Nile hasn't got anything to say because the guy answers his own questions! Class, "Nile, what's your aim now, is it to get into the first team?". "er... yes". "What's it like when you're up there at first team HQ, it must be fantastic?". "er...yes it is" Numpty

It's movement that does us in midfield, not really power as such.

If he makes the first team we'll need another new server mind!

I can see their point TBH, even you've just conceded that Spurs don't threaten as much through the middle. Lennon is the big worry, at least Bassong is quick, strong and left footed.

Bassong. Oh yeah