Lotus

Good thread. Maybe an idea to swap Martins and Owen in your original line-up, i think the pace of Dyer and Martins hovering around the channels would worry a lot of opposition full backs into bombing forward regularly. That would be a problem otherwise, the other team has the width because of overlapping FB's. I think making such a stiff midfield would encourage a team to play wide against as well. However if Dyer and Martins work reasonably hard it should help our cause. I would also be a bit worried about Solano's legs going. Theoretically Emre shouldn't get too isolated because one or two or the front 3 can drop a bit deeper to help him. I think it sets us up as a good counter attacking side. Players would need to work hard but i think with Zoggy, Milner, Duff and Ameobi we would have options with substitutions that could keep the same shape. I don't entirely agree with your personnel choice at the back but that's not really the point of the post, the system looks workable.

Based on what other than wishful thinking? Coz it seems to me that it's less wishful thinking than the other partnerships i can think of. Moore hasn't played for ages so i would have been reluctant to make him start against the pace of D. Bent away from home. I'm not sure Bramble will be here next season but Gooch might be so i'd try him out with Taylor (if fit). For what it's worth i think Bramble has played better than the lot of them recently but he showed signs of miss-timing things on Thursday and if his confidence is suspect i'd leave him out (Taylor didn't do well either imo). It's hard to pick a pair that look decent out of the current squad but those are my reasons for Taylor & Gooch. I don't bother with wishful thinking i just form my own opinion, right or wrong. All academic in the end though.

I'd have said Taylor & Gooch. Bramble and Gooch if Taylor's injured. All our combinations would have the potential to be regularly terrible tbh.

He was better than Taylor last night. Thought it was a bit easy for him though, their forwards often let the ball come to them so Titus took advantage and nipped in with some interceptions. I think i prefer it when he hoofs it tbh, i hate when he decides to play 'clever' ball across the back 4 with both their strikers in between his intended recipient. He still scares me when he has time to make a decision.

Parker's tackling and interceptions were good last night. His use of the ball was largely poor imo. Played Solano in once, was a nice pass. Butt seems to be better technically as well i reckon. Parker hasn't the ability to be an ACM, best thing he can do is try to copy Butt's game......or be sold for a profit....

If we'd given him the ball and then had a forward attack the near post when he crossed i reckon he'd have had a couple of assists last night. Martins in particular is Duff-blind.

He can't seem to pick the best 11 out what's available to already. Why do you think that will change when everybody's fit? The amount of injuries should raise concerns about training methods as well imo. Makes me think that GR will never have a full squad to choose from rendering your arguement academic.

You know, that actually took me a minute ;-)

He's got hips better than Bernard and his right foot is better than Baba's left. Aye, he's better than those 2 but, for the money there'd got to be better about. He lacks pace, agility and tackling imo which i think would be the 1st requirement when up against wingers. Uses the ball very well though tbf.

I'm not sure Bridge is actually a very good defender tbh.

I always thought Hughes was a decent athlete but an unreliable defender. Would rather stick with the academy boys. Hughes typifies the type of player i would have thought Roeder doesn't want, i.e. someone he signs now and then is stuck with for the newt 3 1/2 years.

While i think of it, wasn't Zoggy brought to our attention by some Lawyer/Representative type rather then our 'extensive network' unearthing him?

More like Cubs tbh.

Because, my dear boy, Newcastle's scouting system is sh*te !!! I would've thought that much is obvious

This only a guess, maybe they were worried because Huth had already failed a medical but Boro had an agreement to sign him anyway if he could get fit. Maybe GR/FS went a bit cold on him after his ankle problem and he thought Boro were showing some loyalty towards him. For the record, we didn't make the best of the transfer window but we still do need a forward. There is a tendancy at NUFC and it's a view that's reflected by some posters on here, that the defence isn't very important. It's a difficult balance, you have to score goals to stay up but the 1st job of any manager/coach should be to make his team difficult to beat.

What i do like about Huntington is that he's big and looks like he could develop into a strong lad. Ramage hasn't got that going for him nor is he quick/agile. If Ramage is to become a good prem defender he'll have to be very clever to make up for his lack of athleticism a la Baresi and in all fairness he is looking better. Here's hoping. Still wish that one of our academy 'starlets' could show a bit of technique though. i guess we don't train for that at Newcastle.

He's a f***ing defender, did you f***ing expect Ronaldinho skill from him or something?? Ramage looked poo at full back but moved to his preferred position and he looks like a promising defender. Chill! Just some basic skills wouldn't have gone a miss, trap the ball, pass, etc. But we don't seem to turn out players with much technical ability from the academy. Won't stop him becoming a decent defender if he's got in him. For the record, i think Ramage is doing ok but is never gonna be good defender imo. Don't get me wrong, i hope we give him the time to see if he can develop, won't catch me booing him!

Not much of a natural footballer, mind.

One of the problems i've had with Dyer in the middle (in the past) is that as soon as we get possession he's off on some run, no matter how precarious a position the player with the ball is in. Then if/when we lose it he is too far upfield to help close down the opposition. I'd prefer it if he made himself available for a simple pass more often to help his team mate out and made the Hollywood runs with a bit more discrimination. As for Parker, i can see both sides of the arguement but the fact is we've played better with Butt & Emre. Parker will have to modify his game for the good of the team to regain his place imo. I'd also make Butt captain in his absence.

Why is thread even on a NUFC board, why would i give a f**k about Benitez's signings? All i know is, they're no chance of winning the league this year, AGAIN. Don't compare the last bit with us 'cause we're not expected to win owt ;-)

I think what happens with a lot of young players is they have an initial impact, but then opposition players suss them out a bit, and it becomes a bit more difficult for them. At that point they need to work on their game and improve in order to continue to progress their careers. I think that's the point that Zoggy has reached, but he seems a bit stuck. I don't know if he's decided that he's already a great player and is in a kind of mini-sulk, or if he thinks he'd be better off playing for another club. Either way, he's been poor and isn't improving. His attitude doesn't seem right. I've been thinking that.