Kaizero

It's not surprising at all though. They're a bunch of two bit thugs that grind out results by knocking the shit out of their opponents, and that's how they'll survive. I used to have a positive ish attitude towards Stoke, due to their history and whatnot, but after this game I really do wish they'd go down. Their fans are cunts as well. Anyone see the situation where they threw something at Raylor? Action has to be taken by the FA imo. Docked points, hopefully.

This is the way we've played the entire season. So, I ask you, what is the best thing for a team that has not one player that can pick out a past, not one winger that can deliver an awesome cross and a team that's sorely lacking the pace that's needed to rip teams apart and create easy chances? Do you still want Owen playing, jogging around the pitch trying to steal a goal which hasn't looked coming for what, 2 months? Or do you drop him because, however good his finishing is, he just doesn't fit in with the personnel available? We don't create the chances that Owen feeds off. We really don't create any chances, so what I'm saying is drop Owen, put someone in who will contribute to the 'team play', something that Owen apparently doesn't acknowledge this season, and make sure the team plays better because that's the only way the team will be able to get the points needed to survive. Look, one of the truest cliches in football is that if you don't lose the ball, the opposition can't score. So, we need to keep the ball better. Owen doesn't help us do that. We are effectively a 10 man team every minute he's on the pitch. That's why we can't keep possession, that's why we don't stretch teams and because of the constant pressure that our defence is under because the whole team can't keep possession, we conceded more than our fair share of silly goals. Owen is very very unselfish, and he keeps possession (or well, keeps up the ball and wins it back) better than almost any other on our team. Its not that Owen's selfish, but when he isn't scoring he really doesn't contribute much to our attacking play. I'm not saying he never will (he certainly did in the 4-3-3) but he isn't at the moment. tbf, we don't really have any attacking play these days regardless

This is the way we've played the entire season. So, I ask you, what is the best thing for a team that has not one player that can pick out a past, not one winger that can deliver an awesome cross and a team that's sorely lacking the pace that's needed to rip teams apart and create easy chances? Do you still want Owen playing, jogging around the pitch trying to steal a goal which hasn't looked coming for what, 2 months? Or do you drop him because, however good his finishing is, he just doesn't fit in with the personnel available? We don't create the chances that Owen feeds off. We really don't create any chances, so what I'm saying is drop Owen, put someone in who will contribute to the 'team play', something that Owen apparently doesn't acknowledge this season, and make sure the team plays better because that's the only way the team will be able to get the points needed to survive. Look, one of the truest cliches in football is that if you don't lose the ball, the opposition can't score. So, we need to keep the ball better. Owen doesn't help us do that. We are effectively a 10 man team every minute he's on the pitch. That's why we can't keep possession, that's why we don't stretch teams and because of the constant pressure that our defence is under because the whole team can't keep possession, we conceded more than our fair share of silly goals. Owen is very very unselfish, and he keeps possession (or well, keeps up the ball and wins it back) better than almost any other on our team. Though if another front two could do better, I'd not be against dropping Owen. It's just, as ElDiablo said, who's to step up?

This is the way we've played the entire season. So, I ask you, what is the best thing for a team that has not one player that can pick out a past, not one winger that can deliver an awesome cross and a team that's sorely lacking the pace that's needed to rip teams apart and create easy chances? Do you still want Owen playing, jogging around the pitch trying to steal a goal which hasn't looked coming for what, 2 months? Or do you drop him because, however good his finishing is, he just doesn't fit in with the personnel available? We don't create the chances that Owen feeds off. We really don't create any chances, so what I'm saying is drop Owen, put someone in who will contribute to the 'team play', something that Owen apparently doesn't acknowledge this season, and make sure the team plays better because that's the only way the team will be able to get the points needed to survive. Look, one of the truest cliches in football is that if you don't lose the ball, the opposition can't score. So, we need to keep the ball better. Owen doesn't help us do that. We are effectively a 10 man team every minute he's on the pitch. That's why we can't keep possession, that's why we don't stretch teams and because of the constant pressure that our defence is under because the whole team can't keep possession, we conceded more than our fair share of silly goals. Don't disagree with most of that but who else is there? Shola - fucking terrible. Xisco - Dead. Ranger - Honestly? All jokes aside, Ranger has seemed very impressive at Reserve and U18 level. You forgot Carroll though.

We always do well against them though, I think that's what's clouding my sense of realism.

Is it just me who have a good feeling for us for this game?

It's not surprising at all though. They're a bunch of two bit thugs that grind out results by knocking the shit out of their opponents, and that's how they'll survive. I used to have a positive ish attitude towards Stoke, due to their history and whatnot, but after this game I really do wish they'd go down. Their fans are cunts as well. Anyone see the situation where they threw something at Raylor? Action has to be taken by the FA imo.

Some good Q & A provided today. Question: Answer:

Even if he did feign injury, we'll have to deal with it in another way. We just can't afford to lose him now. Bullshit we can't. If he plays again after feigning injury and destroying our tactical shape, that would seriously undermine Shearer's leadership. What does the club need right now? Our pride (and Shearer's), or players capable of making a difference? Are you sane? What kind of message do you think it sends out to the players if Shearer says "okay Oba, you feigned injury but I'm going to start you every week anyway because we've got nowt better." Is everything painted in black and white for you? Its called player management - obviously Shearer isn't going to say that, but he certainly shouldn't be letting Oba rot in the reserves. The players are nothing but resources, and its how we manage our resources thats going to get us out of this rut. I'd have no qualms if he was shipped out at the end of the season but this just isn't the time for that. Fucking hell man, he's not Fernando Torres. There is absolutely no need for the entire club to bend backwards to accommodate him despite his idiocy. What kind of message does it send out to the squad as a whole if Shearer is unwilling to stamp his foot down on this? That he isn't Graeme Souness mk2? We're third from bottom if you haven't noticed, and thats a pretty big "need" if you ask me. There's no "need" as we don't "need" Martins at all.

Agreed. We got to shake up central mid too (Barton is CRUCIAL). When is he back?? For the next match if Physioroom is to believed, iirc.

Not at all. I thought he tackled back and then kept possesion (normally he manages column A but then f***s up with column B) well, particularly in the second half. Did you not see him walk the ball out of play twice for a goal kick and play 3 or 4 60 yard passes to the advertising boards? I couldn't decide whether to cry or laugh when Butt walked the ball out of touch.

We still had 61.7% possession though. And for all watching the match, it was clear we had the ball more than Stoke. Duff was one, also our defence had it a lot and we were passing it well around the middle for great periods of the second half.

What? The stats were 60%+ for Stoke in the first half so we'd had to have something like 90% in the second half to make that 62% true. I think after 80 minutes, they had had 55% of the possession so I'm guessing it ended around there. Stoke City Newcastle United 38.3 Possession 61.7

You're wrong, and yes, offence.

Owen is quality. Shola is not. Owen and Carroll is quality. Owen and Shola is not. Owen and Martins is not. There. I know you've got something against Oba but what has Owen done in let's say like last 15 games to convince you he should be starting? He's been pure shit. Top earner of the team and captain...maybe he should be performing just a bit better? How many times do I have to say that Owen needs to be provided with chances, he's not fast enough anymore to make them himself. And that if given the chances, he scores. Which our other strikers don't. And I don't have something against Oba especially, I just don't want shite playing for us. It's the same with Butt and Ameobi and so on. so is our midfield magically going to learn to give him chance's??? NO so don't play him and give someone who's at least mobile, can win headers and keep a hold of the ball A striker like Carroll is a provider as he's good in the air and can pick down balls for Owen. Owen is our best striker, and should be played at any time when fit. Only reason people here have something against Owen is because he's paid too much, which is fair enough. But he's still our greatest hope if we are looking to score those vital goals. Plus, with Barton back we could play a Barton - Guthire midfield, which would be an improvement on balls going forward, and not sideways or backwards. Owen is our best striker? On what basis do you make this claim? Should he be partnered with Leo Messi before everyone will realise that he's slow, weak and shit? Based on recent performances, and if you want to go all technical stat wise; Martins: 27 goals in 82 apps. Owen: 26 goals in 66 apps. Also, he's not slow. But he's not fast either, he's just Joe Average speed-wise these days. He's not weak, he wins headers and score from them. And he's not shit, as he's one of the best finishers in the game.

Every footballer does say they love the club and the fans of the club they play for though, doesn't necessarily mean he means it.

Owen is quality. Shola is not. Owen and Carroll is quality. Owen and Shola is not. Owen and Martins is not. There. I know you've got something against Oba but what has Owen done in let's say like last 15 games to convince you he should be starting? He's been pure shit. Top earner of the team and captain...maybe he should be performing just a bit better? How many times do I have to say that Owen needs to be provided with chances, he's not fast enough anymore to make them himself. And that if given the chances, he scores. Which our other strikers don't. And I don't have something against Oba especially, I just don't want shite playing for us. It's the same with Butt and Ameobi and so on. But you thought starting Ameobi ahead of Martins (when we didn't know Martins was injured) was a good idea because Ameobi "might work". Martins has been here a few years and scored 27 goals. Shola has been here for nearly 10 years and scored 32 goals. You don't have anything against Martins though do you? I'm talking about partnering someone else than Martins with Owen, not Ameobi being a good idea to start in general, just something different to try out up front with Owen seeing how Martins and Owen absolutely not does not seem to blend well these days.

Owen is quality. Shola is not. Owen and Carroll is quality. Owen and Shola is not. Owen and Martins is not. There. I know you've got something against Oba but what has Owen done in let's say like last 15 games to convince you he should be starting? He's been pure shit. Top earner of the team and captain...maybe he should be performing just a bit better? How many times do I have to say that Owen needs to be provided with chances, he's not fast enough anymore to make them himself. And that if given the chances, he scores. Which our other strikers don't. And I don't have something against Oba especially, I just don't want shite playing for us. It's the same with Butt and Ameobi and so on. so is our midfield magically going to learn to give him chance's??? NO so don't play him and give someone who's at least mobile, can win headers and keep a hold of the ball A striker like Carroll is a provider as he's good in the air and can pick down balls for Owen. Owen is our best striker, and should be played at any time when fit. Only reason people here have something against Owen is because he's paid too much, which is fair enough. But he's still our greatest hope if we are looking to score those vital goals. Plus, with Barton back we could play a Barton - Guthire midfield, which would be an improvement on balls going forward, and not sideways or backwards.

Owen is quality. Shola is not. Owen and Carroll is quality. Owen and Shola is not. Owen and Martins is not. There. I know you've got something against Oba but what has Owen done in let's say like last 15 games to convince you he should be starting? He's been pure shit. Top earner of the team and captain...maybe he should be performing just a bit better? How many times do I have to say that Owen needs to be provided with chances, he's not fast enough anymore to make them himself. And that if given the chances, he scores. Which our other strikers don't. And I don't have something against Oba especially, I just don't want shite playing for us. It's the same with Butt and Ameobi and so on.

I've been saying that for weeks mate, you're not alone.

He's just stupid, has no footballing brain and doesn't understand why he won't get to play. I don't agree with the action he took, but I can see his point. Tell me what Owen offered today, at least Oba has pace that could have troubled them in behind. I used to be a fan of Owen as he was very sharp and a lethal striker, but today it was Owen not Ranger who's lack of physical presence I worried about, he was bossed around like he was 12. Owen isn't a one-man wonder. He needs to be fed balls to get goals, he wasn't, as our midfield is shite. So he's forced to track back to win the balls himself, and when he does that, there's no Owen up front to pass to. Hence he tends to appear invisible for most of the matches, though if given the ball in a good position, he will score. And that's what makes a good striker. Martins against Chelsea was twice in a position where there was no chance for him to score, yet he fired a shot. When if he'd had awareness, he would have seen Owen wide open with Cech following Martins leaving 2/3rds of the goal open to the left, twice, and flicked the ball to him instead of shooting. He didn't. He's an egoistical player who isn't good enough for the Premier League, or at least not built for it. He'd be much more suited to the Serie A.

Posting in the wrong thread much?

Owen is quality. Shola is not. Owen and Carroll is quality. Owen and Shola is not. Owen and Martins is not. There.

Now who's gonna make fun of me for saying Carroll should be a starter, eh?

He's just stupid, has no footballing brain and doesn't understand why he won't get to play.