Pilko

I'd just like to say, regardless of the result against Man United (posting at HT now), Hughton has played this to perfection so far - trying to contain and then break with pace. You just know Kinnear would have gone 4-5-1 with Shola playing as a lone striker. Hughton isn't as stupid as some people say he is.

Rio booked as well.

S.Taylor only booked, thank god for that.

Are you joking? If we're going to make a change in the striking department it has to be Carroll, he tries harder than Shola and imposes himself more.

When Viduka takes one and the ball mysteriously disappears.

Have CC in my fantasy team, not sure whether to laugh or cry

'When team-mates attack' on Soccer AM might have some new material there.

We just need to have a few minutes possesion in midfield or defence to get some confidence back.

Man U seem to be coming back into this.

Nice to hear Charlie Nicolas actually complimenting us for a change on SSN. Says we've set up well.

I'd rather have seen Smith and Ryan Taylor in the centre, and LuaLua on the right. At least LuaLua is quick and unpredictable, and Ryan Taylor has some form of legs.

Geremi and Smith in central midfield? Jesus christ.

I get a feeling this will be a sort of 4-4-1-1, with Lovenkrands or Martins floating.

Confirmed: NUFC: Steve Harper, Steven Taylor, Jose Enrique, Fabricio Coloccini, Sebastien Bassong, Geremi, Alan Smith, Jonas Gutierrez, Ryan Taylor, Peter Lovenkrands, Oba Martins Subs: Tim Krul, Claudio Cacapa, David Edgar, Shola Ameobi, Andy Carroll, Nicky Butt, Kazenga LuaLua MUFC: Edwin van der Sar, Patrice Evra, Rio Ferdinand, Cristiano Ronaldo, Dimitar Berbatov, Waye Rooney, Ji-Sung Park, Nemanja Vidic, Michael Carrick, John O'Shea, Darren Fletcher Subs: Anderson, Ryan Giggs, Jonny Evans, Ben Foster, Paul Scholes, Carlos Tevez, Richard Eckersley

Is this a 7.45 kickoff?

I fancy Bassong to get one tonight, from a set piece.

Hull won't win, Fulham are going places under Roy Hodgson.

Knowing not to give the ball to Shola

Ranger and LuaLua weren't even selected in the reserve team squad, suggesting that Hughton will consider them for a bench role. I could especially see LuaLua there, as Gutierrez and Lovenkrands will be on the flanks, Geremi and R.Taylor probably at CM and then that means we need a winger on the bench.

Purple faces really are over-rated.

1-4

Much like you're ignorning the lack of ability to strengthen the squad where it is needed. Then again I can't really say that as I'm not exactly sure what his role is like many others. And I've said time and time again, how do you know his work is good? You won't know that until some of the young lads have had chance to develop in a couple of years time. It's not Wise's fault he's not the Owner, his job is finding the players which he has in my opinion, Bassong alone has justified his fee, Colocinni has looked "Ok" Business, as has Jonas and Guthrie. We've had lots of young talent coming through the doors, ignroing how good Kadars been in my opinion he's doing everything you expect from a good DOF. So are you going to completly ignore the gaping holes in the squad then? Read my post above to Dan B, it's more than scouting the talent, it needs developing as well. And you can't say he's doing everything you expect from a good DOF as you don't actually know what his role is. As I said, what do you want him to do? Ashley lets the money go not him, we saw all the players we were linked with in January, Donadel, Ebondo, Veloso, Etc. If the club can't negotiate a price be that because they are being cheap, or players are being over-valued so be it. The phrase "You can lead a horse to water.." springs to mind. But then surely should he not work within his budget and try and get players that are actually attainable? His job is to identify players that were attainable, if Ashley decides not to purchase them so be it. Then how were they attainable if they were outside the amount set in the budget? So what you are expecting Wise to know exact prices for these players? For all we know he could have found players in the budget and Ashley decided not to go for them or removed part of the budget. We will never know, all we know are the transfer targets that were identified. Well if that's the case then Keegan identified Ronaldinho, Henry and Frank Lampard. Now that's an eye for talent. I suppose the constraints of a budget never mattered for those as well. Keegan always had a hint of 'fantasy football' about him though, he was an optimist. Although those players probably wouldn't blink even if we offered them decent money, he probably believed that he and the club was a big enough pull for the likes of Modric, except we weren't and he either decided to ignore or rebel against Ashley's "resale value" strategy.

Bad day on the shelves? Going to keep recycling that attempt at a gag? Because it isn't funny, interesting or insightful, much like a lot of your posts.

Yes, you seem to think that you're not shit. Which is of course wayyyy off.

Further to 2), it's also knowing when to attempt said pass, or when to knock it square six yards.