Darth Crooks

David Bentley's a tw@t n all mind

It's a bit of a moot point discussing whether we'd be better with certain current premiership players...of course we would.

He said average; not lazy, feckless arseholes. Fair dos. I duely switch my vote to Franck Dumas

Maric the messiah!

Beye and Bassong I agree, but the others I don't really think we miss. I think Beye and Bassong are both fantastic, but we have replaced them in a much better way than we have the likes of Martins, Owen, Viduka, and Duff. I'm quite happy with our backline, but I fear our impotence upfront and on the wings could cost us this season. If we had any of those four right now, I would be able to breathe easier. We've still got the best striking options in the Championship though. Name a better one. I think Boro, West Brom, and Cardiff are all equally as good (or better) as us upfront and on the wings. The thing is, we are not trying to finish midtable. The only success would be for us to finish in the top two. (obviously the playoff as well, but I am referring to the first 46 matches). Anything else does not accomplish the goal. Essentially we are in a title race, and I think we are inferior to our rivals in some areas due to the players that have left. Difference is these teams have payers who can last 90 minutes without breaking a sweat. With the likes of Geremi, Butt, Nolan and as regular features I don't think we are as strong as some people like to think in relation to our promotion rivals

I agree, all I would disagree with is that our best players have left. Of the players we've sold (since relegation at least) the majority were a waste of space. Our two best defenders and our three best strikers? They weren't all value for money but they were the best we had. Duff would start as things stand too. I'd sooner have kept James Milner than have had Geremi as only one of a few options in midfield. We only currently really have one creative midfielder and he blows hot and cold....and if you go by what people say on here about him the iceman has cometh, but thats a different thread entirely

You have to blame the idiots in charge now, the likes of Shepherd and Ashley wrongly selling best players/enlisting has-beens and the wasted spending and lack of stability for the situation. Hughton has kept us top despite the turmoil and should be commended even if it is indeed a shite league

Why do they get the benefit of the doubt when they were the ones that got us relegated?

hehehe. His heads too small tho

Mental bassline on that like

because deluded geordies need a new messiah man sarcasm(?) / I do wonder whether bringing shearer in is a step forward. He's no more experienced than houghton in management and although he's probably more inclined to strap on a pair and make more assertive decisions he's still very green around the gills. I do think whoever comes in needs more considering the turmoil. I'm happy plodding along with hughton atm to be honest. Better we keep this relative stability while we're at the top of the pile

I'd be happy with 12th and finishing above the mackems

I don't think we can expect to be packing the the financial clout that teams that spend 20/30/40 million on one or two players. I just wish the academy would be as productive as it seems to be at other clubs and we had a manager that isn't intent on getting an 'x' amount of millions to go on one/two players. Seems to have been a big factor with us in the past

http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/847/dwightn.png Topical on so many levels

Probably covert mackems

Return of the entertainers eh?

Agreed. It's only ever gonna get you so far. From what i remember of saturday though Marlon never won a single header and his touch is highly suspect. I'd play Carroll/lovenkrands or Carroll/Ranger. Maybe its fitness with Marlon but he didnt cut on saturday against a relatively poor side. Be lovely to play through the midfield more often give the lad a few more options but such is the nature of the beast i suppose

1-1. Marlon Harewood is gash. Carroll has to start after saturday.

Marlon Harewood is shocking

Wouldn't surprise in the least if he was forging all his cash after today...stupid kyent probs daft enough to print £6 ones like

KK vindicated. good to hear. Can't believe after everything thats gone on im still shocked and appalled to the level I am...defies belief. Also glad it was a smaller amount than 25 million tho...dems not small potatoes

Start with this XI and we shall piss all over these Bristol critters That'll dee :fwap:

Hope he can keep fit. he'd boss centre mid but if only we could find replacement wide players ...It's shocking how threadbare the squad really is. I was impressed with LuaLua at p'boro but haven't really seen much of him other than that