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OK, so here's the deal about Parker. <I> I've watched every one of our games this season that have been availible to me (through local television or "evil internet shennanigans"), and I have never, ever seen any commentator have anything but praise to say about Scott Parker. Granted, I'm not saying that commentator's are all reliable experts on football, but these are people that watch several matches a week for a living. You'd think that they would at least have SOME knowledge, perhaps even broader knowledge than most of us fans, who usually only watch the matches of the team we are supporting. This is especially interesting considering that the general consensus among us is that most commentators are biased against NUFC and towards the top 4 or London teams. <2> Parker's average rating on Skysports = 6.8 (tie for best in squad with Dyer, Martins, and Given) Granted, I'm sure we can all agree that ratings are hardly an accurate gauge of a player's preformance. However, considering that these ratings are usualy filed by a different reporter every match, is it not significant that a large group of non-biased people who watch footy for a living generally agree that Parker is doing well? <3> In general, opposing supporters who do have an opinion on Parker seem to be favorable towards him. Most of this just comes from my interaction with supporters of other teams, although I've dug up one thread on another board for reference. http://www.westhamfans.org/forums/west-ham-united/west-ham-rumours/scott-parker-10-million.html (reaction to Parker->West Ham winter transfer rumor. Full of comments to the effect of "he's too good for us," "never get him in a million years.") <4> So, to conclude... Most pundits seem to think Parker is a good player. The media seems to think Parker is a good player. Supporters of other clubs seem to think Parker is a good player. (granted, evidence on the third one is a bit shaky at best.) Is all of this just a result of massive overhype? Is the rest of the footballing world too simple minded to realize the truth that we, the bestest fans in the world have clearly seen? Or are we the ones bending over backwards to slate one of our own players? Discuss.

Who but Paul Robinson?

Given - Nothing to do. Might as well have gone to the pub for a drink. 6 Solano - Smart, intelligent play. Crosses went nowhere though. 6 Oneywu - One of his more Boumsong-esque days. Still finding his feet, I hope. 5 Bramble - About as solid as Titus Bramble gets. 7 Taylor - Did his best to go forward, but things didn't really work out. Definitely looks uncomfortable at full back. 6 Butt - One really good pass, one really good tackle. Must've gone for a smoke after that. 6 Parker - Best player on the pitch today by a mile, although that isn't saying much. Created a lot going forward and made some critical stops. I'd disagree with the majority and say that he's slowly but surely returning to form. 7 Zoggy - Running and Ball Control was wonderful. Forgot we actually had players that could do that. The passing however.... Worst I've ever seen in any sort of Premiership match. Looks like he doesn't remember what his team-mates play like at all. 5 Milner - 973621 crosses. 973620 of them were completely useless. Granted, for what he's done for us this season, he deserves to get off scot-free for a few of these. 5 Martins - Tried hard, but two truly woeful first touches showed that it just wasn't his day. 5 Dyer - Steven Taylor had more influence on our play in the last third than Dyer did. Where was he? 5 Overall, can't believe we somehow didn't win this. Middlesborough gift-wrapped the three points and handed them to us on a platter, but we were to busy jacking off or summat to just take it and run. In a way, even more depressing than our loss at Wigan last week.

Might be a good time for those "Japanese Snipers"

I can't believe I actually uttered the words "West Ham will be challenging for Europe now" when they got Tevez and Mascherano. Worst footy prediction I've ever made in my life.

Also, there's no need to do it yet as we're nigh-on full (at least for league games). I think we would see us following suit if we were in Blackburn's position with attendences dropping - which we might be if we continue how we are on the pitch. Spot on. Blackburn is dropping prices because they absolutely need to. We really don't. I'm all for ticket prices that allow us to remain financially competetive. (Assuming we ever get around to using the money we have with half a brain)

Shola is fine. It's just that his shortcomings are a lot more noticable than his strenghts, which makes him an easy target for a lot of people. (I'll fully admit that when I'm right pissed about a match result, Shola is one of the first I stake blame on.) He's got good strength, technique (other than that inexplicable first touch), and is probably the best natural finisher on our squad save Owen. He never lived up to the potential a lot of people thought he had, but he's just about everything you can ask for from a reliable backup striker. It's easy to forget that this was once a player who had both England and Nigeria up in arms to secure his international services.

Why are snipers Japanese? Asking for terraces back is just feels like pointless nostalgia to me. All-seaters are increasingly becoming the norm for top-flight leagues across the world these days, and I highly doubt that bringing back terraces will drag down ticket prices low enough that people who aern't well enough to come now would be able to then. I highly doubt they'd price a terrace spot at SJP at five quid. As for the whole money issue, it's called capitalism. It's simply an inescapable fact of the society we live in that the richer will fare better, and ultimately, the end result is a better final product. Just look at American sports, all their drafts and salary caps have hardly made their games any less materialistic. I'm fine with today's football. I just wish we'd win more

ehhhh black and white to me mate The "that word isn't offensive in Turkey" argument is just funny tbh. Emre (allegedly) said "n*****" that's an English word, not a Turkish one. I highly doubt that there's a direct translation for the word in Turkish, and even so, he was speaking an English word to an English person. That's the context it has to be taken in. Anyway, I'd just wish this'd get resolved soon enough so the ****ing media can stop dragging our clubs name through the mud.

Burn him, hang him, throw him in the River Tyne, whatever. Just sick of hearing about it now.

just substitute the word "Shit" or "Shits" for each of the pics and you'll get the general idea.

on a free, why not. for money, no. On a side note, has anyone noticed how all the Australian players have absolutely blossomed since the WC? Shows how Hiddink can really bring out the potential in a player. ...Oh wait, except for Craig Moore....

I'll be visiting Newcastle for the Manchester City match. Would be absolutely fantastic if Owen made his return that day.

agree with every word of the original post. My hats off to all the posters who have some degree of learning in footy tactics etc. Very informative to the rest of us who's scant knowledge pretty much comes from fm. PS. Getting the best out of Shola Ameobi?

Given Solano Bramble Gooch Taylor Milner Parker Butt Duff Martins Dyer (assuming Babayaro is still out) Really not much to disagree on for this one tbh... Edit: on second thought, would rather not risk Zog as a starter yet.

You're wrong sir. Everyone knows that was Scott Parker's fault.

Offside tbh.. Drogba is a god, he cannot be stopped by such minor quibbles such as the rules.

Well, at least we're taking from the rich and giving to the poor. We'll put up a good fight against Manure or 'Pool, but we're too darn good-hearted to take points off relegation zone teams. That's right, we're NUFC, the Robin Hood of the Premiership!

Moment I saw who wrote this thread I stopped caring. Smartest thing I've done today tbh.

Is Parker becoming the new Dyer? Seems like crock after crock after crock for him this year.

well, hardest shot in the last 6 years then! Well done.

not when he plays for Liverpool he isn't, he is their equal. in the england team he is not in a set-up that suits him, nor surrounded by players who can compensate for his faults. It's really unfortunate, because the reason consistently fantastic preformers like Gerrard get slated sometimes is because their consistency makes the occasional choke-up all the more memorable. That's definitely the case here. I honestly don't even remember the specific game in which Gerrard showed himself to be "inferior" to his continental counterparts, but perhaps there has been one or two occasions that are skewing people's views. The man's won the Champions League, for pete's sake. I guess we'll find out the truth come March when he squares off again Barca. I honestly believe that out of all English footballers, only Gerrard, Ferdinand, and maybe Rooney would walk into just about any side in the world. You may quote me on this.

Honestly, people who don't recognize that Ferdinand are class are just bending over backwards to slate England players tbh.

So, spinning off from the England Best XI thread, some genuine silliness. Assume an Alien mothership lands on Tyneside (of all places) tomorrow morning and challenges the human race to a football match with their freedom at stake. If we win, they go away. If we lose, they will colonize the Earth and enslave humanity. You have been chosen to pick a squad for the match out of any football player in the world. Who do you choose? My picks... <Squad> Buffon - best keeper in the world hands down. Van Der Sar - arguably second best keeper in the world, better than Casillas in my books. Given - Just had to have a toon player in there. Puyol - Captain. Best defender and central defender in the world. Although it might be slightly problematic if he doesn't speak english. Ferdinand - Excellent defender with exceptional skill on the ball. Materazzi - No-fear bruiser who can be brought in as backup when things get rough. Gallas - Versatility, versatility, versatility. One of the most underrated players in the world tbh. Swapping him for Ashley Cole was the start of Chelsea's troubles. Marquez - Another extremely versatile class player who can go up to the midfield in a pinch Zambrotta - Just the kind of solid composed defender you need for high-stake games. Van Bronckhorst - Again, a solid defender with plenty of experience. Lahm - Can be injected for energy and pace when we need to go on the attack. Miguel - Another full back with a good forward game. Combative nature should also be a plus. Gerrard - Best English player, best player in the Premiership, possibly one of the top five players in the world. Having him on the pitch lifts a teams game like no-one else. Deco - Not only a fantastic technical player but also the master tactician that will make the team tick. Vieira - Strong, good distribution, excellent at going forward. If all else fails, he can start elbowing a few aliens to give them some second thoughts. Emerson - Also an excellent holding midfielder. Can serve as the tactical linchpin of the team when Deco isn't in play. Ronaldinho - Just got to have him. Only fear is that he might turn out to be an alien himself. C. Ronaldo - Most dominant player in the world based on current form Totti - Through incredible class and sheer force of will, has single-handedly kept AS Roma as a credible threat for years now. Also should be invulnerable to any Alien mind tricks, since he hasn't got a brain. Robben - Explosive left-sided player to balance out the flanks. Drogba - Best in-form striker in the world at the moment. Could also use his diving skills. Also offers some aerial threat. Eto'o - As far as strikers go, the complete package. Strength, speed, and clinical finishing. Can't go wrong with him. Henry - Would you honestly NOT pick him? <XI> Buffon Gallas Puyol Ferdinand Van Bronckhosrt Gerrard Deco Vieira C.Ronaldo Ronaldinho Drogba

Should do it with the New England Revolution. Make them Boston Newcastle or something like that, and hopefully move them into metropolitan Boston. They could play at... at.... umm.. Harvard Stadium? They never win anything either, and the weather is just as bad. Perfect fit tbh.