themanupstairs

Not disagreeing with you there. I'm just saying that if Shola hadn;t have been injured, he would've played more than Carroll. We only play this way really when Carroll is up front on his own. It's not like he sets the tactics or gameplan. The fault lies with Hughton and a midfield who can't play football.

Signing Williamson could prove to be a stroke of genius! If we end up selling Taylor for big bucks, we already have his replacement in MW for peanuts. But it still shouldnt stunt Kadar's growth. Its a long season and the boy hasnt shown that he's way out of his depth.

Agreed. I think most of us on here just feel this way regardless whether or not the transfer was a goer

Bollocks. If it wasnt for Shola's injury, Carroll wouldn't have played that role as many times as he has. Yes he's failed to deliver consistently but it's not a system revolving around HIM. Not his fault he gets played by himself in a 451.

Got to be Shola and wee Pete. They're the two most clinical in front of goal, and therefore should always start when fit and we opt for 4-4-2

Why is giving kids experience nonsense? Every single top player has started off as an inexperienced kid, every single one of them were given games in which they gained experience, many in a tougher division than the one we're in. If we can't do it in this league then we'll never be in a position to do it. Because then Ronny wouldn't be able to give opinions based on historical fact. Young new players need time and a proper chance to get into the swing of things. That is not allowed Mick.

thread title is a bit shit tbf

if that is a genuine reason, I cant blame the kid to be honest. Martinez has always struck me as an articulate, young and ambitious manager keen to play football the right way. In contrast, Hughton. I wonder what he said?

isn't his name David Ronaldo?

And it shows. lol you are like one of those wee dugs that keeps humping at peoples legs. we get your point sorry dave but

Talks broke down between Stoke and Portsmouth over James. Begovic was going to Spurs but backed out because he did not want to sit on the bench so Stoke are now in talks with Begovic instead. Must have missed that. Cheers

Yep, be involved in a nasty relegation battle at a club that likely have 4 months left in the Premiership and will then disapear without a trace. Or be involved in a promotion push where he can establish himself and continue to improve followed by a full season in the Premiership at a much bigger club, I agree its a no brainer. You are not promoted yet, you may not be this season, I understand its a hard adjustment to make, you are a big club with fantastic support, but at the moment you are not competing with Wigan, they are a class above you! This is something that many on here are still struggling to come to terms with. Who are u quoting there in ur sig JH?

I don't get it, didn't James leave for Stoke? if so why's he keeping goal for Pompey? Also the commentator just said Begovic would be moving to Stoke. Have I missed something?

You need to understand where you stand in the football pecking order, its several places below Wigan! actually, i wouldnt put it beyond DW to do it to spite Ashley and NUFC tbh

If he's not fit to start then he shouldn't be on the bench, the same as yesterday. If a player isn't fit to play why have him on the bench when the temptation to use him can take over from common sense? Because if we don't have enough to fill the bench anyway there is no harm putting someone on there who other managers will know can cause problems, therefore they will have that in the back of their mind when deciding how they are going to play. spot on. only reason Loven and Jonas were on the bench last night

Hughton has been in football long enough to be able to make basic footballing decisions. Of course, he has been a coach for donkey's. But the level of responsibility certainly isn't the same is it? He's probably still not used to the limelight yet - camera on him in the dugout, pre-match interviews etc...Different ball game altogether.

Still don't know what to make of him tbh. Can we consider him a rookie making rookie mistakes? It IS his first full time managerial job afterall. Would we be saying the same thing had it been Shearer or say Speed in their first full season as manager?

Not only that, but even when the midfield players did have the ball, there were several instances when other players were open with acres of space, but instead of passing, our man would just punt the ball aimlessly into the box. Aggravating as fuck!!

Wait till you live with your girlfriend. You'll get to watch one of those if you're lucky. I KNOWWW KILL ME KILL ME NOW!!!! :'( In the past 7 or 8 months she's been here, I've watched about 7 or 8 matches. FML Is getting better though, watched Egypt-Algeria and the Toon game last night. I get to watch the final tonight too

top post, but for me, Williamson was motm. He stopped a one on one situation with absolute class. Hope GG is gutted

That's one yankee doodle who knows the score. agreed

I've been so impressed with Williamson, I'd keep him at centre half with Coloccini and play Steven Taylor at RB tbh.

The thing is, it was painful to watch, and our players made it look like a long hard slog. The CCC is exactly that though, and I do get what Kaizero is having a fit about. No one's happy about our inability to put teams like Leicester (with 10 men) to the sword. But again, it's a marathon and not a sprint. We're still top, go away with a point, still unbeaten, and another clean sheet. Despite his shocking tactics, maybe we should have a bit more faith in Hughton?

You cant be serious. After that game you choose to pick out Guthrie? He just means we've come to expect a bit more from a player with his ability. We already know Butt, Smith and Nolan can't run a midfield to save their lives.

Miserable performance, and shocking selection from Hughton. Fair enough if Jonas wasn't fit enough to get on, he should have played 4-4-2 at least from half time and gone at them like the plague. On a positive note, Williamson looks the part, very very impressed with his reading of the game, strength and technical ability. Van Aanholt was alright too. Routledge played well too. The midfield and strikers were piss apart from that.