Tsunami

Looks lazy, can't run, isn't strong on the ball, tackles with his elbows, useless in the air & has an awful first touch (most of the time). Having said all that he can beat a player & can also score goals at the highest level. Never going to be a world beater but he is a very useful squad member & at times he looks unplayable - a long time ago but, he was outstanding when we lost 3-1 at the Nou Camp; he scored one & nearly put us ahead.

Utter rubbish but have left ourselves somewhat open to this type of story & it will unsettle some.

At the moment we have Martins up front ahead of Viduka, possible as a two with Smith or a lone striker. I can not Sam putting out a team at Bolton without Viduka up top. Personally I'd use Martins as a sub, if needed.

Looks that way & I agree with the concensus. I can't say that I'm too happy with Zog having to play LB but that is short term & then Solano may find himself on the bench as Milner switches flanks. Once the injured players are fit it is up for grabs in midfield & up front.

I have excluded a goal keeper, as Given is injured & have also excluded all other injured players or those without a chance - but I have included Luque for his supporters. You can chose only 10 players as the keeper will be Harper. What formation do you reckon Sam will employ? Sammy Lee has converted Bolton into a 4-4-2 (or so I have heard).

Carr will start the season as RB & we have plenty of cover. If either Taylor or Rozenhal pick up an early injury Cacapa will be thrown in & as things stand Zog may yet start the season as LB until Enrique is drafted into the starting 11. On that basis, in order of priority we need a CB, LB & only then a RB. If Enrique picks up an injury then the need for cover at LB becomes priority. I think we need both another CB & a LB before the transfer window shuts.

I think another CB is priority.

Unless Niall still has a shed load of money for a top goal scorer IMO 9M is too much to be spending on a goal keeper.

Only just, for the derby games. Someone said they'd rather the Smoggies go down; totally agree. That isn't a derby & their stay away fans don't deserve a PL team.

8th - we will get some injuries & if these are to key defenders..........

Barton's first touch has been canny................................. :bang:

How were you proved right? We still don't really know anything about MA (other than he appears to have scuppered the Dyer deal & is making Sam pass dossiers to CM on prospective targets). Taking these recent signings as an indicator of things to come is an acceptance that money is very tight. Cacapa is a free agent, we know very little about Enrique, most people here didn't want Smith (& he'd have been funded by the Dyer deal). We have not bought a RB are still in the market for another LB (assuming Enrique signs) & we could still do with another CB as Cacapa's injury record isn't great. If Dyer does leaves we may still be a little short in midfield. As far as I'm concerned the jury is still out on MA whilst Sam impresses me more & more.

Ok, so no-one had/ has the right to question anything & if Sam hadn't stirred up a fuss everything would be ok. Everyone is happy as pigs in shit & everything turned out ok. If you truly believe that everything has been & will continue to be fine by standing back & not asking questions then you are deluded. It is better, we still need to know more. Sam has had a bloody hard time. You have not been living in a box for the last month & we are all sharing a collective sigh of relief at the moment. I believe Sam has had to fight for this progress, you believe what you want. So long as we get the team we both want who cares?

http://www.toontastic.net/board/style_emoticons/default/finger.gif The thread was about more than just the odd post & an awful lot still holds true. Sam has clearly had problems with the new regime & transfers, whilst we still don't know anything more about MA. Sam talks to CM twice a week - wow. The recent transfers are at a time in pre-season when most people would have otherwise labelled them last minute signings & Sam has himself stated that he missed out on his first choice targets. Things have improved but my god they needed to & we need further improvement yet. The fact that I posted the above on 14 July & you have been unable to reply with any sign of improvement until more than 3 weeks later says I was right to be concerned. I still am, but I am also happier with the balance of the squad. Oh - :pottytrain2: :pottytrain2: - We all support the same team you know.

do you live in f****** dreamland like? It would be a far nicer place to be & I would be King.

I hope they go bust. Everyone, take a stand don't give them your money!!

If he stays it I hope he does not booed or gets personal grief. He will be a NUFC player & so long as he puts the effort in on the pitch he should get our support. If he shows the lack of effort he did in the last few games of last season he will not get picked & he will be left twiddling his thumbs. Let Sam handle Dyer; do not make his job harder by booing players.

Shorey has rejected a new deal with Reading.

Bet Sam wouldn't be too disappointed. It would give Dyer a big wake up call or he could choose to rot in the reserves but with MA's cash if he does stay it shouldn't be allowed to hinder other targets. There would be something satisfying in pissing on WH's chips.

I'd love to see him come. I think any bid we make will only serve to force Everton's hand & get them to compromise on what issues they have. Baines is a Mersey boy, you'd think he'd want to go there.

The uefa cup thing is a strange one. It used to be a bloody good competition which was ruined by the CL. It is still a very important cup yet managers play weakened teams so that they can play their best 11 for the PL; to qualify for the uefa cup. Madness. Play the best side you can & try & win the damn thing. You'd have to go some to reach a CL position & if you miss out on a uefa spot any weakened team selection (in uefa cup games) suggests you aint bothered about it in the first place. Teams rarely play weakened sides in the CL yet the same teams tend to qualify for CL year in year out. Can you imagine saying to a potential signing "hey we are in the uefa cup & hope to be pushing for a CL spot next season" Player: "great, who are we playing in the uefa cup" Manager: "some shite from eastern europe; but don't worry you'll not be picked" Player: "fanatistic I love european nights"

CM has said that this is a long term venture & both he & SA have both said they aim to get NUFC back into europe but that this may take time. CM has said that (sensible) money is available but both he & SA have also said that we have struggled with quality signings due to the lack of european football. Chicken & Egg? So, how important is it for us to secure a place in europe? If we succeed the inference is that players will be easier to attract & if we fail then by the same reasoning we will again be struggling. Of course it may make no difference whatsoever. IMO, I think it is very important. It will show clear progress & a club that is going in the right direction. It would give impetus to new signings & optimism to supporters. It would bring a smile to all of our faces. CM is clearly working hard on the infrastructure of the business but it is on the field that the business will fail or succeed. Would another season (or two) be all that detrimental to progress & how much would it harm our ability to challenge those clubs above us?

Sorry, but that line up & formation would get overpowered at Bolton & Barton is injured. Luque ahead of Milner & Zog???. Owen & Martins up front will not work as a pair. Your saying Owen and Martins won't work based on what? Two games at the end of the season when Owen just came back from a massive injury surely your joking. Milner does not play on the left wing and Luque now is coming back to his best and at his best he is one of the best left wingers in the world. Also that formation was just a general team I wasn't lining it up against Bolton. Owen & Martins are too similar & they will only be in the same team if Sam plays a 3 & even then there can be no guarantee they would both start. Luque is not one of the best left wingers in the world & IMO it is not even his "best" position (if I had to play him I'd give him a go behind a front 2). If his pre-season performances (forget the goals) are an indication of his best then we'd best get rid. Sorry, but Luque has a long way to go to get a starting berth. Milner can play on the left & so of course can Zog. Both are better options.

Sorry, but that line up & formation would get overpowered at Bolton & Barton is injured. Luque ahead of Milner & Zog???. Owen & Martins up front will not work as a pair.