fredbob

I dont mean to stoke a fire here, or open up another can of worms, but by my reckoning only the very best managers in the present have been able to train there team to be able to adapt to quickly to new formations quickly and efficiently. Its hard to find many teams without world class managers who have had any degree of success by changing there formations alot, they are simply not good enough to coach tere players to adapt to formations on a weekly basis. Is Keegan really skilled enough to a) make sure players are tacticaly aware during formations changes on a weekly basis and b) get the right plyaers in who are adaptabe and equally successful in different positions. The jurys out for me, i cant help but think he'll find a couple of fomrations and stick. My hope is that eventually we will go with the attacing 433 (not 433/451) but i can't see Keegan being able to get the quality of player to make that truly effective,so i can see him reverting back to 442 for the time being which is easier to buy for and familiar with the eventual quality gradually building up to be able to make the 433 truly effective.

To be honest, Bentley is an extremely unrealistic target to be honest, as Brummie hs mentioned, his quote i about getting to the world cup in 2 years and paying at a higher level, now honestly, as much blind faith as anyone can have, does anyone here actually think that Bentley would further his cause for England and himsef by coming here this summer?? The only 3 clubs i can see him going to would be Spurs, Liverpool or an outside bet would be Villa. The reaon i say this is becaue i dont think it is a realistic idea that we could qualify for Europe at te Bentley is obviously requiring in a couple of years(in essence one year), is a viable option for the ambitious Bentley? The answer, without a shadow of a doubt is no. I am 95% certain that Bentley would not consider a move EDIT: 99% certain

See, i find that the best partnerships in he world are a combination of a beefy big defender and a slender sweeper type defender. Genereally speaking, this combination combines strengths of both defenders which neutralise the weakness of the other defenders. To have 2 of the same type of defender results in the players taking similar positioning in order to either attack the long ball or intercept a thread pass, for me Dunne and Faye are very similar type of defenders who like to attack the ball. If you have 2 silar type of defenderd who naturaly take up similar positions you can leave yourself open to lacking in the other positions that a sweeper type defender would exploit. I also happen to think that having to big defenders would leave us extremely vunerable to the small intelligent quick striker. Could be completely wrong like.

to be fair, i think its the manner in which we've done it, its a full 180 degree change tothe way we were 3-4 months ago with exactly the saem squad. Part of me agrees with the quote because in the end it is 2 games, but the other part thinks that there is a new found stability and confidence in the club whic could take us absolutley anywhere. The only way newcastle will ever play under keegan is to attack attack and attack and i think alot of pople are thinking that with the backing Ashley will hopefully give and the way Keegan will utilize those players makes for an exciting future. Im already anticipating the first game of next season.

Sounds strange but spurs is the one i want, see i dont mind Spurs to be honest think they're a decent outfit, but the media have been getting sore balls and tissues shortage writing about them. For me they seem to be the team this season that has had the most positive press despite only achieveing one notable thing all season. Compared to us, where we've been in so much turmoil, and had so much crap slung at us, it'd be nice to fininsh above them, albeit without a trophy.

He should do himself a favour and write a damage limitation article so that he's not to be made to look even more of a cunt than he actually is if/when we do one over his team.

As far as this old tosser's concerned, we did it on Sunday. I'd love to have seen his face. Hasn't been so annoyed since that dog pissed on him apparently. Who does Martin Samuel support?

I wish there was a way of being able to rub these crappy diatribes back in there faces. Alwayspains me to see all the hacks taking u turns after u turns yet not getting pulled up for it all all.

Ermmmm, Nicky Butt is 33 and he's been absolutely outstanding the last few games as a defensive midfielder. Whats your point? That just because a couple of players over 30 have good games im wrong to want to have a more youthful mobile DM?

Really difficult to say to be honest, part of me thinks dont change a winning formula, the other part of me actually thinks he;d bean excellent option in DM. However at 30 years of age id rather it be a postion whihc is ocupied by a more youthful player. At CD id be more comfortable with having him as a mture leader there. Could easily go on there for another 3-4 years like Campbell, cant really sa the same for DM.

Dont think he;d be as disciplined in geting back as barton or geremi would be to be honest. If we are to play with 3 exclusive forwards then our 18 yards box needs cprotecting without exception, he didntreally povide too much defensive protection when he has played in CM in the past. For me, Zog is exclusively a left winger. Who asked you!? (Only joking!) I just like N'Zogbia to be honest, I think he's a cut above more or less everything else in our squad and he's still got time on his side. I do think he's done his best work on the left-wing, as you've said, but I wouldn't write him off completely as being able to play more centrally. He wasn't as bad at left-back as I expected him to be and was still a standout player towards the start of the season (he's still the first choice LB for France U21's), I honestly think he gets a rough ride on here because he's a bit of a moody b******. People have been quick to forget just how important he has been at times here, for such a young player as well - same goes for Milner at times. Aye to be fair, dont diagree with that at all, i just havent neccessarrily seen the quality in him to thrive in a more central position. I think he's been dead unlucky here, because he's signed for "unfashoinable" newcastle he isnt regarded as the talent he possibly is, whereas the likes of Nani and Babel are being bummed even though, in my personal opinion, ablility wise i see very littel outstanding differences between them. If Zog were at Man U or Arsenal in particular he'd be talked about in a greater regards/ N'Zogbia is as good as Nani and Babel? I genuinely havent seen too man outstanding differences. I just think with the strength and support that Nani and Babel get in midfield from there teams that hey always stand a better chance of looking a better player. Babel in paticular hasnt impressed me that much, a direct quick player whos a decent dribbler, his output isnt particulary great and despite being here or 4 seasons we're yet to ee him in a team that is working cohesively. Nani was maybe a bit of a exaggeration but the same applies, bring eithe of those 2 here and the only one in my opinion who would of looked half decent would of been Nani - maybe.

it does make sense but wouldn't it also make sense to have 2 forwards who done that and gave us an extra midfielder. as yet it's a work in progress. keegans making the best of what he's got but i'm sure the las couple of weeks have gave him some new ideas. LWell i think that might change this summer, unless Keegan plans to utilise the 433 formation. In which case i dont see that much of a weakness in our front 3 except for Viduka, id have Ashton here to replace Viduka if he werent so injury prone.

The thing with the front 3 is that as a combination they make the perfect forward. If we play any combinaion of 2 forwards we miss out on vital aspect for example Martins /Owen = holding up the ball, strength, target man Owen/ Viduka = Pace and 'directness' Martins/Viduka = Intelligence in and out of the box When we have all three playing we have a combination of abso;utely everything hat the strikers need. Does any of that make sense??

Dont think he;d be as disciplined in geting back as barton or geremi would be to be honest. If we are to play with 3 exclusive forwards then our 18 yards box needs cprotecting without exception, he didntreally povide too much defensive protection when he has played in CM in the past. For me, Zog is exclusively a left winger. Who asked you!? (Only joking!) I just like N'Zogbia to be honest, I think he's a cut above more or less everything else in our squad and he's still got time on his side. I do think he's done his best work on the left-wing, as you've said, but I wouldn't write him off completely as being able to play more centrally. He wasn't as bad at left-back as I expected him to be and was still a standout player towards the start of the season (he's still the first choice LB for France U21's), I honestly think he gets a rough ride on here because he's a bit of a moody b******. People have been quick to forget just how important he has been at times here, for such a young player as well - same goes for Milner at times. Aye to be fair, dont diagree with that at all, i just havent neccessarrily seen the quality in him to thrive in a more central position. I think he's been dead unlucky here, because he's signed for "unfashoinable" newcastle he isnt regarded as the talent he possibly is, whereas the likes of Nani and Babel are being bummed even though, in my personal opinion, ablility wise i see very littel outstanding differences between them. If Zog were at Man U or Arsenal in particular he'd be talked about in a greater regards/

Think the single ost important postion for us at is DM, said this fo a while, the defence hasnt been protected as well as it was today, for the last 20 minutes when they wer bomarding us, the 3 in midfield protected the back 4 very very well.

It doesn't matter even if it comes off, the horrible b****** was singing Keegan songs with the fans today, we should get rid. How embarressing. EDIT: Wish i hadnt said that!

Dont think he;d be as disciplined in geting back as barton or geremi would be to be honest. If we are to play with 3 exclusive forwards then our 18 yards box needs cprotecting without exception, he didntreally povide too much defensive protection when he has played in CM in the past. For me, Zog is exclusively a left winger.

Ashley 100% European qualification record??

That's the thing. If we've got cash to spend and clear a few out - he can start building whatever he wants to build. Whatever formation/whatever system/whatever players. Tell me about it, its gonna be an exciting summer, at the moment, i dont know whichi would prefer seeing us play (442/433), Man U and Chelsea have been putting it to good use so if we canget the quality in this summer i cant see why we cant be the same.

Depends what the formation is ...433 and id say mainly midfielders but ive assued 442 so go for DM,AM, and RW for opton was a sweeping centehalf to compliment Faye.

Id take Lennon to be honest, £8m is a decent price in todys market for an english player. Ireally rate him highly, he's like the winger version of Martins in the sense he's so dangerous and scares full baclks. Can go on both wings, and mportantly makes runs to get behind the full back and aso gets past the full backs to the byline. When you have players like Owen and Viduka the quality of the cross isnt as important.

Tis to me, highlights the importace of having a consistently good DM. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that Butt it the most influencial player in our squad and when he plays well we do as well. Thoght we were excellent. Our forwards all proving that they have it in them!

I'd love to see him go for Carrick, I doubt we'd get him but you never know, if he's home sick then we'd have a chance. I've lived away 3 times and wanted to come back the day after I left, I wasn't earning £millions to soften the blow which is slightly different. He's an excellent player, and worth trying for but I fear it will be in vain. Can't see ManU letting him go, and he was excellent by all accounts today. Man u dont really have a good record of letting players go before they're done with. Only one i can think of is Stam. Would love him here, thought it was possible at one point but now im not so sure. Would love a player of his ilk though.

Because he takes cheating to new heights, unlike MOST of the others mentioned on here. Aye, Maradonna et al were absolute saints, to be fair to him he gets the s*** kicked out of him and has made a concious effort to cut down on it. No excuses though. I haven't seen one sign of any reduction in his cheating. He's still as bad as he was in Euro04, when he didn't get the 'best young player' accolade due to his cheating. id disagree with that to be honest, think he's reduced it massively although obviously he hasnt completely erdicated it. His dive versus Derby sums him up. Dived to win a penalty in the last minute when his team had already won. Brilliant player, massive c***.

Yes, it was Bobby that transformed our side. He was always going to sign a quick forward & direct winger (as the bids for Jeffers & Zenden prove) & build the teams attacks around Shearer. Our current squad is crap, I suggest you look at the league table if your not taking on board what is banded around here. I think you are underselling the value that Robert and Bellamy had to that side. How can you attribute it all down to SBR?? Surely by that measure you're saying we'd of had the same success had Zenden and Jeffers signed, even though both tunred out to be pap despite playing for decent managers. Ive had a look at the table, thanks and it only reiterates my point. Surely you arent actually suggesting that the position of the club in the league at the moment is actually an accurate assessment of the quality we have in our squad. Are you?? I think your undervaluing the squad & manager that Robert & Bellamy joined. As I have said SBR was going to get players in for his tactics, he understood what he had to do & the players he signed with the players we had it all worked out. As for Jeffers & Zenden we will never know will we. Of course the league is an accurate assessment there is no other way to asses the team. Well then how can you attribute our rise from mid table to CL down to SBR, implying that Bellamy and Robert were only part of the jigsaw yet attribute the position we find ourselves in down to the quality of the squad. Theres a contradiction inthere somewhere, unfortunatley im not eloquent enough to articulate it! At the end of the day, if you think that this squad at the beginning of the season only had the quality to achieve what it has achieved so far then you are, in my opinion, underestimating the actual quality of our squad. As are alot of people on this board, which i have already pointed out. You think im undervaluaing the quality of the squad SBR era, well i think your undervaluaing the squad we have now. I just think that its too flimsy to say that Bellamy and Robert werent vital cogs to that team, at the end of the day, SBR achieved 11th position with the squad minus Robert and Ballamy, then went from 11th to 4th. With pretty much an identical squad to the previous season.