Fatwax

On the assumption that Nolan will be in the line-up no matter what and that Routledge & Jonas are going to be on the wings, it'll be one of Smith / Guthrie / Barton bring dropped in a 4-4-2.

I think he's co-owned, hence the confusion.

Some of these are brilliant, saw this one just now: [flash=200,200]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dx-eCiNkOBQ&feature=related

This tactic cost us a goal against Fulham in the relegation season, it got disallowed for nothing much really. When it works it's good, but when luck's not going your way...

It was a good header, credit to him.

Every club is that. Even the big clubs like are s*** as soon as they get some injuries. I reckon that the majority of the top 4's reserves could all make an impact on our first XI

Whilst the Vuckic in the Owen role is teetering into Football Manager nonsense, you do have a good point about our insistence on 4-4-2. If we dont have wingers available, its a bit worrying that our manager cannot dream up a plan b to fit the players he has available. I don't reckon it is nonsesnse, since the 4-3-3 is realistically a narrow diamond shape with two strikers playing out wider. Vuckic plays best just behind the strikers and infront of midfield so why not? The lads out there on the wings are just going to cut in loads today anway. Obviously I was just on about for this match, not week in week out in the Prem. Just to clarify

A Keegan-esque 4-3-3 with Vuckic playing the Owen role would have been loads more creative. The fact we don't have any real wingers available and still insist on playing 4-4-2 shows a real lack of imagination regardless of the setting or context.

Even for a friendly that's pretty grim.

I always cry at the end of that 'Gazza's Tears' documentary when they're talking about the re-union match in his honour and the tannoy announces his name followed by a cheer from the audience. Also the bit when Gazza finds out that Bobby asked how he played afterwards and the reaction he gives. Every time it hits me.

Can't believe this isn't televised anywhere to be honest.

Even if he recovered in November I wouldn't want to see him feature until February time. He suffered a massive injury and the worst thing we could do is rush him back.

Spot on, his pace is all off the ball.

It's not really African culture though, is it. It's a single-tone horn that can cause dangerously excessive noise. When they start banning djembes, mbiras and talking drums from stadia I'll agree maybe.

If Pedro and Stone are in charge of the stiffs then who the hell is managing the U16 & youth teams? It's pathetic how small our backroom staff is.

I'd be worried about him playing week in week out and I have concerns over his current level of fitness, since he's basically had no pre-season whatsoever and is definitely the wrong side of 30... I'd love him to be involved with the first team and move on to a coaching role though. He's forgotten more about defending than our lot know combined.

Hold on a second... three signings before August? Fuck off. 'He'll never come here, stepping stone, no ambition, too good for us, not good enough, rather be playing CL football, we need hungry players, fat bastard, probably a bummer, very good signing, far too old and will command big wages.'

I wish the tubby prick would shut up.

'A thick slice... of Thin Lizzy'

Carroll plays better the shitter his hair gets.

Aye, saying she was no longer a fan or summats.

We need to hit the ground running this season and that's going to be more likely if we have players with premiership & english football experience. That's probably the thinking behind it.

Routledge played in Bests goal, and Best made a run and passed the ball back to Vuckic who was in the box.. I'm pretty sure the move started from a Routledge pass though.

good spot, I remember the '46' songs at Doncaster when Bassong had that number. Haha, that was a brilliant day out. Whoever came up with '46 is twice the player of 23' is a genius.

Any young player that plays in pre-season with the 46 shirt is destined for bigger things. All hail Haris...