Segun Oluwaniyi

What? Are you serious? He took a dive in La Liga ffs. That's like castigating someone for punching in a boxing ring. Certainly did not deserve to get kicked and stood on.

Probaly wont last long.

Getafe-Madrid has produced some real memorable moments last few seasons.

The first and third against Portsmouth were very nice, great play all around. If Oba's strike had gone in that match it would be a contender for goal of the season in general. However, I'd say the choice is between Martins vs. Wigan and Owen vs. Portsmouth.

Which is about their level of ambition. It isn't actually, but considering our shitty start to the season, we should be happy with that. Sly dig If you don't sort out your starts to seasons though, you're screwed. It embarrassing as to the state of Premiership, but either SPurs, West Ham, or Fulham or going to be in the same competition as Everton next year.

I hope to see this guy featuring in reserve games at least. We do know he has the ability to move and pass. This makes him our third best CM at worst.

MANY ATHLETES CAN HANDLE A FEW DRINKS AS LONG AS THEY TRAIN AND WORK OUT> THERE"S NOTHING TO SUGGEST THESE PLAYERS ARE ALCOHOLICS< AND NOTHING TO SUGGEST THAT ANY OF THEM ARE HEADING DOWN THE PATH OF CELESTINE BABAYARO<

Good to see they're having a good time, I mean they are playing great football so really can't say they don't deserve it. They're just ordinary people man. I WOULD CERTAINLY NOT STOP DOING ALL THE THINGS THAT ENTERTAIN ME JUST BECAUSE MY COMPANY WENT UNDER>

Him and Xisco are both victims of circumstance.

Real nice. Like that there's more white on this one. Will definitely be looking forward to wearing it. (and hopefully seeing a few of our more talented players wearing it next year)

how many teams do you follow you 4. Newcastle, Olympique Marseille, Ibadan Shooting Stars, and any incarnation of the Nigerian men's or women's national teams. Anyway, Bordeaux still lead. Lyon don't look good at all. What do you think about Mbami? Can he strengthen us? I know he is a liability when it comes to bookings, but he certainly has the physique to cope with the English football. Not a fan of M'bami at all really. I mean he would strengthen us at that position, but I'm pretty sure I would as well tbh . Charles Kabore, a young Burkinabe footballer, is a much better midfielder who can also fill in defence and has time on his side. Lorik Cana is a better option as well. So, I guess M'bami is exactly the kind of player we need, but he's not really of the quality I would hope the club would pursue. However, he would probaly be available for a low fee, as he rarely plays.

Basically those four matches are the times that Owen, Oba, and Jonas all played well. Well except for the two Owen didn't play in. Those are the players who can win us matches. There's not much else.

Thats all great and stuff but they conceded five to Liverpool and I'll remember that about Madrid this season. Just saw The Arsenal - Liverpool goals and it looked like an amazing game. The defenses looks for the goals but musta been hella fun to watch. Players gave up that night, but Ramos has really worked well so far. He could use a DoF though. Don't know what he's getting at singing Lassana Diarra and Julien Faubert.

Song is the closest Arsenal have to a good DM have. The reason they can't compete over a whole season imo.

He was very good the first time he came back this season. The first two times he started this season we got our two of our best performances of the year and two wins. He was instrumental in both.

Think that's nonsense. He signed for us because we're considered a big club. Andrey Arshavin was seriously considering Tottenham and even the likes of Newcastle. Jonas got picked up from Velez by Mallorca and put straight into the starting lineup. If he had been picked by a big club to sit on a bench, he'd probaly still be there now.

I disagree. The man's started five times this year. Two wins, one draw, and two of our "better" losses. He was essential last year when we played well. He's our best midfielder by a fair distance. I think of him almost like Viduka in that he's been unreliable in his availability for us, but generally he's played quite well. Unlike Viduka, I think Barton can put his career back on course.

Holy hell. I had an extremely grueling two and half hour Economics exam throughout the entire corse of this match. I come back to find out that I missed the best football match of all time. I've known Arshavin was good for a fair while now, but when did he become the best player in the world? Wasn't even doing things like this against rubbish teams in Russia. Now he's single handedly destroying Liverpool. I'm confused.

he has the stupid problem of holding on to the ball waiting for movement instead of hoofing it into the box even if theres no-one there. He couldn't even make a simple 10 yard pass to slip Owen in for that chance on Sunday tbh. He was falling on his arse at the time though.

He like Owen needs good support, and with Krancjar out i can't see them threatening tbh. The only real threats Portsmouth have are their full backs (basically wingers) Johnson and Belhadj. Nugent is painfully bad. Crouch is a good finisher, but slow. Kanu, like Viduka, needs the ball played into his feet to really cause damage. Their midfield is just as bad as ours, and if we can somehow get Barton or Guthrie back, we should have the advantage in that area. Is Krancjar out? Physioroom only has Papa Bouba Diop (back 22nd april) and Thomas (no return date) out for them. Portsmouth are hopeful he can return this season, but I'd seriously doubt he plays on Monday, injury looked season ending

He like Owen needs good support, and with Krancjar out i can't see them threatening tbh. The only real threats Portsmouth have are their full backs (basically wingers) Johnson and Belhadj. Nugent is painfully bad. Crouch is a good finisher, but slow. Kanu, like Viduka, needs the ball played into his feet to really cause damage. Their midfield is just as bad as ours, and if we can somehow get Barton or Guthrie back, we should have the advantage in that area.

I agree with you that it's not entirely Owen's fault that he isn't getting the ball in the box. I think it is an indictment of all our attacking play from front to back. However, it really is rendering pretty useless, whihc was my point. In the formation and way we played yesterday, there isn't really a place for him on the pitch.

Our best chance of winning right now is probaly just to find a way for Owen, Oba, Viduka, and Jonas to play at all times. They are quality players and will score. I don't agree with accomodating Owen, as he hasn't produced much, but F*** it. We have no midfield anyway, so playing him there can only be an improvement. edit: I guess Beye and the Bass Master are up there as well in players that must play.

how many teams do you follow you 4. Newcastle, Olympique Marseille, Ibadan Shooting Stars, and any incarnation of the Nigerian men's or women's national teams. Anyway, Bordeaux still lead. Lyon don't look good at all. Allezzzzzzzz L'OM babtunde, j'espere que nous gagnonssssssss. About time the french league was put the right way around. It's looking good, watch psg or bordeaux f*** it though. Ah, it's good to see a fellow l'OM supporter on the board. I'm so proud of the team this season. Really like the players in the squad and really it's a scary contrast to the way I feel on this current Newcastle team. I thought the title was gone, but they have come back strong and never given up. Gerets is fantastic. I can't wait to see them destroy Lyon at the Velodrome, the title returns to the biggest club in France.

I find that graphic pretty damning, showing how little Owen got the ball in the box. Especially as he needs to receive the ball in the box to score. Viduka can hold the ball up very well and isn't afraid to shoot when open. Martins is better outside the box than in as he can beat his man and has a powerful shot. Owen lacks these abilities. Unless we find a way to utilise Owen properly, we have three strikers in Viduka, Martins, and Carroll who are more effective in the current situation.