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I'd like to know what about Smith impressed you so much today. The fact that he only passed the ball straight to the opposition twice? You are thinking of Nicky Butt, the short, ridiculously old, balding English midfielder right? The one who peaked as a player about a decade ago and is battling Shola Ameobi for the honour of worst player in this god awful team? No, I'm thinking about Alan Smith, the English midfielder with the ridiculous hair. The one who peaked as a player about a decade ago and is the only person who stops Shola Ameobi from claiming the honour of worst player in this god awful team.

Capdevilla, who's getting on a bit. Don't think Spain have been blessed with a lot of depth in the LB position so he may have a decent chance. The fact that he plays for Newcastle might hurt him a bit though

I'd like to know what about Smith impressed you so much today. The fact that he only passed the ball straight to the opposition twice?

Absolutely spot on summary, particularly the part in bold. Any other player in the world would have handed in a transfer request after the fucking shit Ferguson pulled on him in the CL finals last year. Lad's too unselfish for his own good.

All things considered I think we may even see a return to Guthrie-Butt, which would suit me just fine. (Butt always has a decent game after he's had a two week break.) Owen to have a late cameo, would be nice if we would be comfortable enough to give Nacho some time in the second half. Every extra body in the central midfield is another step towards keeping Butt/Smith/Geremi out of the starting XI.

Enrique is really fulfilling his potential. Looks like he'll turn out to be a great signing after all. It's shameful how we're so low in the table with some of the quality we've got. It's all down to the manager (or lack thereof) and the team who appointed him.

Providing no-one is injured i'd agree with that. Butt has to come in for Smith, I don't care how bad Butt is, he's more of an option than Smith.

Butt can come straight back in for Smith as far as I'm concerned. That wasn't a bad performance for Alan Smith, but by normal footballer standards it was fucking woeful.

I'd take just about anyone over Bentley though. What a fall from grace Bentley has had. Within a year he goes from being NE5's golden boy to one of the most maligned players in the league.

I don't think he's thick or anything per se, to be honest I'm more impressed with his tactics and subs than Kinnear's. The problem with him is that he seems like a bit of a quiet, mild-mannered fellow and he doesn't really have the presence to motivate players. His lack of charisma was painfully evident when we crashed and burned under his tenure after KK left.

In some ways I think relegation would be cathartic. We've been playing "will we or won't we" for about 4 years now and it might actually be comforting to get it out of the way and start from the bottom again with lower expectations. Which is exactly why my gut tells me that it ultimately won't happen this year. No way God is going to let off NUFC fans that easy

If Owen is fit, he will be a major help to us. Can score goals, and that's something we could always use. I hate him. If we are relying on Owen to keep us up then we will definitely be relegated. He's our top scorer at the moment and before tonight had scored about 1/3 of our league goals. I for one will be glad when he's back to be honest. He's also a want away who couldn't care less about what happens to this club as he'll be happily off in the summer. Started to be a complete passenger for a while before his injury. Obviously no longer gives a s***. I wouldn't drop Lovenkrands or Martins for him. Owen guarantees goals man. It's a shame there isn't a feasable way to incorperate the four of Jonas/Lovenkrands/Owen/Martins... we'd have a lot of pace to work with then. You can run the 4-2-3-1 KK used early this season. Oba up front alone, Jonas and Loven on either side of him , and Owen in the hole with all four constantly switching around with each other. Basically what Man U does. good shout although that would mean dropping our only danger from the set piece (R.Taylor) Geordie boy Saylor can be dropped so Raylor can be played in his natural position at right back.

Chelsea - no Liverpool - no better than Kuyt Arsenal - no Liverpool would have him in a shot. Have you seen what they're forced to play out wide these days? Arsenal would certainly rather have him on the wing than Eboue, but he's not a Wenger style player so perhaps not. As for Chelsea, do you know who their manager is? Fit first team i stand by original comment. Kuyt is more productive - goals Chelsea don't play 4-4-2 and wide in 4-5-1 he offers little going forward other than running around a lot Arsenal - better than Nasri/Arshavin/Walcott - nay Ironic you mention that since he got his start at PSV as a winger in a 4-3-3, plays as a winger for Man U in a system that resembles a 4-5-1 more than a 4-2-2, and plays as a winger in a 4-5-1 for his national team. He's arguably never played as a 4-2-2 winger at any point in his career. I know he played 3/5 man for Korea/PSV but for Chelsea as they need the attacking/goal threat from theres he doesnt offer this. Man U do play 4-4-2 (see tonight for evidence) - its only in Europe away they don't usually It's a bit of a myth that he can't score. He's not a great finisher (like most wingers,) but he has a knack for getting into great positions in the box. His goals against Portugal in 2002 and France in 2006 are great examples of this, and he had a decent scoring ratio at PSV. It's just that Man U have so many better options, he's just not utilized. So often when Man U is playing you see him waving his hands around wide open in the box but Carrick or Scholes chooses to go for the hollywood pass to Rooney or Ronaldo instead. (Which to be fair, usually turns out okay for them.) Compared with Jonas he's got a bit more end product and stamina, but his biggest weakness is that he doesn't have the strength or balance Jonas has. I honestly think Liverpool or Chelsea would be happy to have them if Fergie was willing to sell. It's preposterous to be debating whether we would have him or not. Of course we would.

If Owen is fit, he will be a major help to us. Can score goals, and that's something we could always use. I hate him. If we are relying on Owen to keep us up then we will definitely be relegated. He's our top scorer at the moment and before tonight had scored about 1/3 of our league goals. I for one will be glad when he's back to be honest. He's also a want away who couldn't care less about what happens to this club as he'll be happily off in the summer. Started to be a complete passenger for a while before his injury. Obviously no longer gives a s***. I wouldn't drop Lovenkrands or Martins for him. Owen guarantees goals man. It's a shame there isn't a feasable way to incorperate the four of Jonas/Lovenkrands/Owen/Martins... we'd have a lot of pace to work with then. You can run the 4-2-3-1 KK used early this season. Oba up front alone, Jonas and Loven on either side of him , and Owen in the hole with all four constantly switching around with each other. Basically what Man U does.

Chelsea - no Liverpool - no better than Kuyt Arsenal - no Liverpool would have him in a shot. Have you seen what they're forced to play out wide these days? Arsenal would certainly rather have him on the wing than Eboue, but he's not a Wenger style player so perhaps not. As for Chelsea, do you know who their manager is? Fit first team i stand by original comment. Kuyt is more productive - goals Chelsea don't play 4-4-2 and wide in 4-5-1 he offers little going forward other than running around a lot Arsenal - better than Nasri/Arshavin/Walcott - nay Ironic you mention that since he got his start at PSV as a winger in a 4-3-3, plays as a winger for Man U in a system that resembles a 4-5-1 more than a 4-2-2, and plays as a winger in a 4-5-1 for his national team. He's arguably never played as a 4-2-2 winger at any point in his career.

If Owen is fit, he will be a major help to us. Can score goals, and that's something we could always use. I hate him. If we are relying on Owen to keep us up then we will definitely be relegated. He's our top scorer at the moment and before tonight had scored about 1/3 of our league goals. I for one will be glad when he's back to be honest. He's also a want away who couldn't care less about what happens to this club as he'll be happily off in the summer. Started to be a complete passenger for a while before his injury. Obviously no longer gives a shit. I wouldn't drop Lovenkrands or Martins for him.

He wasn't just our best midfield player today, he was arguably our only midfield player. Worse than Milner my ass.

I refuse to put a number on it, but I've been thinking that we're more likely than not to go down since the Bolton match. If we fail to beat Hull, I think it's pretty nailed on.

oh Jesus no. That could be the result that sends us down.

Agree with all of that. Also thought Bassong, barring a couple of mistakes (not marking Vidic on that corner and messing up in front of Ronaldo) looked good, as usual. Martins was disappointing imo, we need a lot more from him, and need him to be sharper. Love was actually pretty good as well. Whilst Martins wasn't that great, his mere presence on the pitch proved what a difference to the side he makes. Them counter-attacks in the first half wouldn't have been achieved without him in the side - regardless of whether or not he even touched the ball. Defenses have to drop back when he's playing. Martins has just been a fast Shola for the past two games. We need him to get back up to match sharpness quick or we're pretty fucked.

Chelsea - no Liverpool - no better than Kuyt Arsenal - no Liverpool would have him in a shot. Have you seen what they're forced to play out wide these days? Arsenal would certainly rather have him on the wing than Eboue, but he's not a Wenger style player so perhaps not. As for Chelsea, do you know who their manager is?

It's a horrible cliche but Hull is literally a "must win" now. If we don't get three points from that, we're done.

Would be a nailed on starter for every team in the Prem except for the one he's at right now.

Deserved better than to go down to a howler like that. It was a good performance but in some ways it hurts more than the 6-1.

Kazenga looks like a mini-oba on TV.