Happy Face

But it's not, because we've got plenty of cover there with masses of experience between them. Your concern is for the "nice to have" scenario. Mine's for the "must have" scenario. Who was the last creative midfielder we had in the mould of Elano or Aimar would you say? Was Dyer good enough at it? Certainly not for the last few years he was here. Jenas? We've got into Europe several times without a fancy pants door opener in the middle. Especially when we've had quality enough on the wings. EDIT: The last time we qualified it was Parker and Bowyer who were in the middle for the majority of the season.

Having said that, I do think the season after (assuming that there isn't a knee jerk reaction and we sack Big Sam) could be a good one when all the back room staff and his sports injury/science stuff is implemented and the players fitness levels are elevated to something slightly higher than your average Big market going, pie munching cretin At least we moved up the table compared to the year before. Onwards and Upwards!

As I say, Keegan instilled a massive improvement in our attacking play that had us creating changes at the back end of the season. We've only improved on that with the purchase of 2 more midfielders and the sale of Emre the expensive flop of a 'creative' midfielder. Defensively, we ended the season as badly as we'd been at any time throughout though. We then let 3 defenders go with 40 appearances between them and signed Coloccini. If Coloccini takes a knock we can only be worse off than last year when we conceded more than anyone but Derby. Looking at it like that, I don't see how I'm the only one (that voted) who thinks we need at least one defender, let alone two.

How many of those do you think are comfortable enough on the ball to play it forward rather than humping it? What's the point in an expensive midfield wizard that Faye, Edgar or Cacapa hoofs the ball over the head of? I think Butt, Barton, Geremi, Guthrie and Gutierrez are all capable of getting the ball forward if they receive it to their feet. You must admit, these guys are not first choice. So them humping the ball over the top of a creative maestro is irrelevant. I think Beye, Taylor and Enrique are all comfortable passing the ball 5 yards instead of humping it forward, and from what I've heard (and the glimpses I've seen) of Colo he's assured on the ball as well. I understand the natural desire to have a strong back line, but without a player who can create chances for our forwards, we will be under the kosh to the extent it wouldn't matter if we had 4 27 yr old Maldinis at the back, we'd still ship goals. I'd say get a creative player now and address squad strengthening in the January window. But I named 5 central midfielders who I think we have that can do a job. We have first teamers and plenty of cover for the position. You're sayin it doesn't matter that our defensive cover is shit. Taylor humps the ball forward more than any other defender at the club by the way. I think we're more often than not under the kosh because of all the hoofing that goes on inevitably returning posession to the opposition. Keegan had us creating plenty of chances by the back end of the season....when we had posession.

Owen 33 appearances Martins 33 appearances Smith 37 appearances Viduka 28 appearances If you think they're shit, fine, just say so. But they all played more than Defoe or Drogba or Kanu or Walcott or Van Persie or Crouch or Zamora.....

How many of those do you think are comfortable enough on the ball to play it forward rather than humping it? What's the point in an expensive midfield wizard that Faye, Edgar or Cacapa hoofs the ball over the head of? I think Butt, Barton, Geremi, Guthrie and Gutierrez are all capable of getting the ball forward if they receive it to their feet.

The problem is I don't know that we have enough creative midfielders. And of our forwards we only have Smith and Ameobi fit (which is a bit scary - it wouldn't be so bad if our midfield was bursting with attacking potential). I know it's an accepted truism that you build from the back, but at the same time going into game looking or only being able to not lose isn't going to get anyone that far. We've brought in Guthrie and Spiderman to improve a midfield/attack that scored 15 (a third of it's total goals) in the last 9 games. I think as a whole they underperformed last season primarily because of Allardyce's demotivational skills. We have skillful enough players in those places in enough numbers to do the job when they're sent out to do what they're best at. Defensively that's just not the case. There isn't experienced cover in each position like there is all over the rest of the park. This was highlighted throughout the season. Even in the last 3 games when we conceded 7. Only Coloccini has been brought in to help that though. More cover is required.

We won't have if Faye goes to Stoke. If he goes to stoke. Carr, Ramage, and Rozenhal weren't good enough and got shipped out. Only Coloccini and Bassong have come in. Someone admit we need at least ONE more defender. Damage didnt start one game last season. Exactly. We've got 4 strikers who ALL played in 28 or more games each. And only 3 defenders that managed the same.

While I respect you opinion... actually no, hang on, fuck that. You're talking shite man! Every man and his dog can see we need a new forward. Unless you are Fat Sam in a big foot suit. Viduka and Owen will miss part of the season through injury, Shola may well be sold though wont be missed and and Smith well, miss is his middle name. That leaves Martins who is brilliant or awful depending which way the wind blows. At least at the back we have people who can put a good stint in and have just signed Colo. Only 4 players made more appearances than Owen last season. Not quite the permacrock people are making out. Just a couple of very unlucky injuries in the past. Appeared more than any defender we have apart from Taylor. And who is fit for the start of the season from Owen, Martins & Viduka? Our season doesn't even start until after the international break.

Full Article Collocini gives him massive options he says. Of course if Collocini gets injured, we're basically back to what we had last year...minus the cover that got released.

While I respect you opinion... actually no, hang on, fuck that. You're talking shite man! Every man and his dog can see we need a new forward. Unless you are Fat Sam in a big foot suit. Viduka and Owen will miss part of the season through injury, Shola may well be sold though wont be missed and and Smith well, miss is his middle name. That leaves Martins who is brilliant or awful depending which way the wind blows. At least at the back we have people who can put a good stint in and have just signed Colo. Only 4 players made more appearances than Owen last season. Not quite the permacrock people are making out. Just a couple of very unlucky injuries in the past. Appeared more than any defender we have apart from Taylor.

We won't have if Faye goes to Stoke. If he goes to stoke. Carr, Ramage, and Rozenhal weren't good enough and got shipped out. Only Coloccini and Bassong have come in. Someone admit we need at least ONE more defender.

You're like children who want their pudding before their main course. We have enough forwards and midfielders. We don't have enough defenders.

LB & RB. Anyone who thinks otherwise is a fucking idiot.

http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features...1?currentPage=1

Barton WILL be pleased with the support being shown.

Rent it on dvd if you have nothing better to do on a tuesday night, other than that, save your money Fish. It's akin to Shrek 3 in terms of shit 3rd sequels. 2nd sequels. Surely.

The papers will lap it up. lapitup. lap'top. laptop.

"Sure, sure I heard of grits. I've just never actually SEEN a grit before. "

High Fructose Corn Syrup. It should be banned.

Is it all season or just to the new year? Up until the Euros next summer I'd imagine. "Players born in 1986 or later are eligible for the 2007-09 UEFA European U-21 Championship." Ridiculous. They'll be nigh on 24!

Is it all season or just to the new year?

Are they ever going to become ineligible? They're both getting on for 23 ffs. What with the Carling cup too, that's 5 games in the first 13 days of the season for these 2. A game every 2 or 3 days for 2 weeks.