AyeDubbleYoo

This. Our two biggest problems for a while. Quality football summed up in a sentence.

I think he'll stay! I'm an optomist though...

I really disagree that Milner is better than what we've got, he's more mobile than Geremi and Butt but I'd say that's about it.

Yeah, but at least the lad can shoot... oh, wait.

I noticed that as well, he seemed surprisingly mobile which is why Jon probably got him mixed up with Zog although I'd still advise an eye test. I don't think he's suddenly ahead of Viduka in the pecking order either, he's just clearly hungrier and fitter so he should get the nod at the moment. I remember Roeder saying that for Shola to play well you have to make him angry. Maybe Kinnear just shouts loads of abuse at him in training and before games. I remember people at Maiden Castle in Durham telling me Beardsley used to use that school of coaching on the kids. "You're not fucking good enough to wear the shirt", "You're a waste of space" etc. I think he got some complaints from parents actually, let's hope Shola's mam is more thick-skinned!

...and gains a yard of pace? That would help his chances, yep. If he turns himself into a CM or even CF he might get away without it I suppose...

Sorry, that's balls, aye his touch was a bit dodgy but it was a very brave and clinical finish.

Dawson was named defender of the week on talkSport the other night! Who needs Woodgate and King eh?

It's possible in about 5 years time if he really adds some proper end-product, and finds his best position.

It is, got sidetracked into the Ashley debate for a second there!

And why did the fans feel the need to protest? Because they loved Kevin Keegan. And the mis-management from the top level of the club. Maybe they worked that out in the end, but I'm sure the initial outcry was people's love for KK blinding them to any other possibilities. I doubt we would have reacted the same if Ashley had 'mismanaged' another person out of the manager's job. Anyway, this thread's not about how amazing/evil Mike Ashley is, don't want to side track it too much!

And why did the fans feel the need to protest? Because they loved Kevin Keegan.

And premier league teams won't be selling their first choice LBs in January.

I think we have to bear in mind the exceptional circumstances Xisco came in under, it was never the right time to bed in a young untried foreign striker... hopefully he'll get his chance when things settle down a bit.

Whatever you think about NUSC, the fact is that if our fans hadn't protested in the way they did then Ashley would never have decided to sell. Blame goes to him as well for being so spineless, but the fans have to take their share too.

Well I don't agree with that, they just can't win with what they're doing at the moment, because what they're doing at the moment is unprofessional and pointless.

Agreed!

Sadly they also get battered by everyone else.

There should be one, but I'm not starting it!

The difference is that attacking can be done with improvisation, flair and individual ability. Defending requires discipline, training and a lot of organisation. That's why we're right to concentrate on working on the defence at the moment, the rest will look after itself with the players we have.

Sticking with the back four has been key, expecially as he could have easily brought Taylor back in and moved Bassong to LB, messing with two positions in one go. I stil hope that any LB we sign is a backup to Enrique rather than his replacement.

Martins was a muscle pull, he actually said 'I pulled a muscle' at half time, so hopefully it won't be enough to keep him out. I'm feeling alright about this game, can see us sneaking a win. Owen will score I'm sure.

All great teams are solid at the back but can create and score goals freely too. If you ask me the two elements are equally as important; without goals you win nothing. It surprises and disappoints me to see our manager imply attacking play is quite far down his agenda. I totally agree Dave, you need both, but I suppose in JK's defence his job is to keep us up and the most proven way of doing that is to make us hard to beat.

He looks a bit fitter and more up for it than usual I reckon, he's had a decent season.

I think he's been given the 'keep us up' brief and he's making us hard to beat to acheive that. It might not always be enjoyable but it will probably work. If we fans of a club that flirts with relegation every year we would be used to this kind of management style, it is what's needed to ensure we don't start next season in the championship.