QBG

Absolutely shitting it, even though I think we'll win.

Agreed, under Keegan and SBR we didn't regularly have to change our team because we were better than most teams in the league, but when you're down where we are every point counts and you have to look at the other teams threats in greater detail.

I agree with this part, listening to Shearer one of aspects of management he really seems to focus on is assessing the threats other teams possess, something I don't think Kinnear even attempted to do.

If we win on Sunday I will go down to a low 4, as confidence will be sky high and I'd expect us to slaughter Pompey and Boro at home.

Yeah, I thought that it looked possibly too attacking with Jonas and Duff. In that case I'd rather do it with Jonas in the hole behind Owen and Carrol and have Martins and Viduka on the bench for impact in the Second Half. Possibly with a midfield three of R.Taylor, Butt/Nolan (take your pick) and Guthrie. I'm not 100% on how we played it last year, but we have to explore the possibility of playing that system again as it worked so well against them. Same. Shearer could practically use the same personnel as well though. Barton-Butt-Geremi (07/08) Guthrie-Butt-Geremi (08/09) Those two are fairly similar, IMO, as Guthrie and Barton are fairly matched in terms of mobility and passing ability. Question is whether it would work without Enrique as well. Aye, I'm not sure what Edgar is like bombing forward if we play him on the left. He has some pace but he's never played enough to judge what he's like in crossing positions.

Yeah, I thought that it looked possibly too attacking with Jonas and Duff. In that case I'd rather do it with Jonas in the hole behind Owen and Carrol and have Martins and Viduka on the bench for impact in the Second Half. Possibly with a midfield three of R.Taylor, Butt/Nolan (take your pick) and Guthrie. I'm not 100% on how we played it last year, but we have to explore the possibility of playing that system again as it worked so well against them.

Maybe something like this.... Harper Beye Bassong Edgar/Taylor (If fit) Enrique Jonas Guthrie Duff Owen Carroll Martins With Viduka on the bench as an 'impact' sub. Can't see Shearer dropping both Nolan and Butt unfortunately, but I think we should go for broke and play someone in that hole which caused Spurs problems last year when we played them. Whether that person be Owen or Jonas, who I would like to see given a go there.

fuck off shay you coward!

Laughable that Jonny Evans is in there over Bassong.

a lot of that is fair imo - he can beat a man or two with his eyes closed but he's not a natural crosser of the ball, however if he was playing in a team with a midfield containing more movement than a shop front full of mannequins i think he's more than capable of getting his head up and dropping a little pass into space and causing damage as long as he plays with duff, nolan & butt he's not getting that movement owen in the hole + jonas could work though A bit unfair on Duff, who I thought did ok on Saturday, I remember the movement of him and N'Zogbia tearing apart Everton at their place in the 2-2 game. I agree though, ideally with everyone fit I'd play a midfield of Jonas, Barton, Guthrie and Duff. However, in the situation that we're in I think we should play Jonas in the hole to get the best out of him.

Head says 1-1, but its Spurs we always beat them. 3-1 us is my prediction.

did u see the game today? not in this world would we be able to go to anfield and win this season Yeah, it was said in jest mate. I know it's not gonna happen, just hate Liverpool thats all.

Fair enough, I'm always kinder to certain players anyway and I'm an optimist. Carroll and Jonas obviously need to start against Spurs.

Still a 5. All to play for. A good point today, Tottenham is a winnable game and we have 3 massive home games. Portsmouth and Hull are getting sucked into it. It would make my year if we beat Liverpool at Anfield to stay up and stop them winning the league. Not likely though.

The subs are at least a high seven. We looked a different team going forward with Jonas on. As I said I gave Bassong an 8 just for dominating Beattie in the air and Beattie's reaction to it.

Harper = 7 Had a fairly good game, a bit shaky at times but made some good saves. Beye = 7 Solid, dependable as he always is. Edgar = 7 Was worried at the start about him but to be fair to the lad he came through and passed a tough test. Bassong = 8 Again solid and dependable but he gets an extra point for dominating Beattie in the air fair and square. Despite Beattie's protests. Taylor = 6 Better, delivery can still improve. His long throws can be a weapon with Carroll in there. Nolan = 6 Average, need more from him in terms of bossing the midfield Guthrie = 5 Looked lost out there today, not completely match fit for me. Butt = 4 Was awful today, its very hard to believe a player who played in the Man U treble winning squad doesn't know how to control a ball. Duff = 6 Poor first half, a lot better second half, looked threatening. Good ball in for the goal. Ameobi = 4 Woeful, in defence and attack. Can't hand the ball up, is ok in the air winning flick ons, really should dominate at defending set pieces for someone of his size, but struggles with the simplest task of marking. Owen = 6 Did ok today, unlucky with his chance in the first half, retained possession well. Looks better when he drops deeper. Subs: Jonas = 8 As has already been said on here, he changed the game did what all of the midfield struggled with the whole game, keeping the ball. Would like to see him start in behind the strikers, he could be deadly there. Carroll = 8 Looks better each time I see him, great header for the goal, and some valuable defensive work in the dying moments. Needs to start along with Jonas next week.

Wouldn't shock me at all, although I think Carroll might get the nod over Shola.

Stat nerd present, beat Villa 2-0 at Home on Setanta. Bravo, bravo.

Stat nerd present, beat Villa 2-0 at Home on Setanta.

Will be far from easy, I reckon it'll be a draw 1-1 but can with a bit of luck see us snatching it.

5 Straight fight between us and Sunderland, other two are down.

1-1 Would be a good enough start to motivate us for the Stoke game.

Hopefully he will get some valuable experience at Donny, he can be a very useful player for us down the line Premiership or Championship.

Never even touched the ball the whole time he was on Saturday and never looked like he wanted to. Useless prick.

1. Bassong 2. Taylor 3. Enrique