thewellander

Yeah, I kind of agree with you about the Owen-Martins combo to an extent. I think that Viduka-Owen or even Viduka-Martins is a better choice. But, with that being said, the team played cohesively today, and I'm not sure that anybody had a bad performance - at least compared to the performances we had last year.

It's hard to say anything bad about Butt this year. I watched the game with a Spuds fan. I couldn't be more happy, especially with our center backs. Time to go drinking!

I was about to head off to bed, and then I saw this load of rubbish: Jol: Newcastle not in our league http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=474698&cc=5901

Smith is on a ban, I believe. Given Beye Caçapa Rozehnal Enrique Milner Butt Emre N'Zogbia Owen Viduka

I'd have to go with N'Zogbia so far this season. He's been involved in almost all our moments of creativity so far.

There he is: Nobby in a West Ham shirt....and a small part of me dies. I'm surprised at just how entertaining this second half has been.

Yeah, Setanta's always good for the mid-week matches being played live. Best $20/month I've ever spent. I love that channel. Watching the game on Monday with a Spuds fan. Should be a good time as we beat them again.

I think Barton sees playing for Newcastle United as an honour and Big Sam as a good leader. Owen, on the other hand...well, we all know what he thinks. It's been talked to death. It's nice to see some of our new players having a lot of respect for the club.

----------------Given Beye---Cacapa----Roze---Enrique -----------------Butt ----Milner------Barton-------N'Zogbia ----------Owen-------Viduka Subs: Emre, Smith, Faye, Geremi, Martins, Taylor

I haven't read this whole thread, so I'm sorry if this has been discussed, but I'm more than a bit concerned about this fake pitch in Russia. We use this surface at BMO Field, where Toronto FC play, and I'm convinced the injury problems we've suffered have been at least in part due to it. It's hard on the knees and has very little give to it. I think it's dangerous, and I worry for Owen's fitness, with his recent run of injuries.

#5 even after we had been paying Luque's wages for so long? Impressive.

I think it's getting to the point now where Owen has just had too many constant injuries, and there comes a time when you have to say 'enough is enough'. In Martins we have a young (supposedly) and talented player who can match up well with Viduka or Smith up front, and he should be chosen ahead of Owen, regardless of how much we're paying for Owen or how much prestige he brings to the club. I think it will be a disaster if Martins gets disillusioned with sitting on the bench, and seaks to leave in January. I'd be happier if Owen left, tbh.

Given Beye Faye Taylor Enrique Milner Butt Smith N'Zogbia Viduka Martins If we want to win silverware, the Carling Cup is the best shot at the moment, and this is a tough test. Might as well put a strong team forward, and if Owen is facing time on the sidelines, we need to get the Viduka / Martins partnership going.

I think it was always Sam's intention to have N'Zogbia at LM, but with Enrique injured, he did what he had to do and slotted him at the back. From now on, I think we'll see a formation similar to what we saw towards the end. The question is will it be Geremi, Butt or Smith who make way in the midfield for N'Zogbia?

I think it showed that we are going to have a good side moving forward once Enrique is starting. N'Zogbia is terrific at LB, but we were dominant with him at LM. Get Barton in the midfield, and I think we will be a lot better. And it was definately nice to see a solid back four for once. Beye was impressive. I'm happy.

I think Enrique would have been in if he was fit. I agree that Zog has to be moved to midfield, but I think that, based on tonight's performance, Taylor deserved to be out there before Rozenhal. Roz was consistently beaten, and seemed out of sorts when the pace was picked up. Even before the game, I looked at the lineup and thought that we have too many defensive midfielders, and no strong attacking midfielder. The performance proved me right. It's all good to think that Barton will be coming back soon, but we need more options (and Smith isn't one of them). In the end, though, Allardyce did bring in good defensive options, and I'm not going to jump down his throat because he couldn't bring in another attacking CM before the deadline. We should demand better, but we should also realize that Rome wasn't built in a day, and Sam is doing his best to improve the squad.

Don't you guys understand, Owen played well with Heskey for England, so it was better to pair him with an absolute sh** tall player, than a talented small player. That's just common sense. BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1. Newcastle 2. Aston Villa 3. Liverpool 4. Everton 5. Man City 6. West Ham 7. Arsenal 8. Reading 9. Bolton 10. Portsmouth 11. Blackburn 12. Wigan 13. Boro 14. Birmingham 15. Derby 16. Fulham 17. Man Utd 18. Chelsea 19. Mackems 20. Spurs And I would have Norwich, Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday promoted.

So, what's the deal with Northern Rock? I live in Canada, so I don't really know much about what Northern Rock is, other than the fact that they seem to be in dire straights at the moment. Are they going belly up? Does this mean we'll have a new sponsor and new shirts next year?

London - West Ham (all those ex-Magpies) Birmingham - Villa Liverpool - Liverpool Manchester - City (that's who Oasis cheer for and they're my favorite band, which is a horrible reason, I know) Sheffield - United Glasgow - Inverness CT (because I wouldn't live in Glasgow. If I lived in Scotland, I would live in Inverness) Wild card - Norwich.

Liverpool definately have a strong side this year. But only time will tell just how good they are. I would still rate Chelsea higher.

I really like Milner, though I know he's not the best player on the team. Martins would be a close second, I suppose. All-time has to go to Shearer. Solano was always one of my favorites too. Incidently, today is the first time I'll see him in a West Ham shirt, and I'm not looking forward to it.

<insert obvious Sir Alex gets the sack joke here>

Enjoy the game!

Absolute legend. I wish him the best of luck at West Ham, though I'll be gutted to see him in a hammers kit. And, yes, it's been confirmed. ^^