Dr Gloom

the problem is our wafer think squad and our appaling record with injuries. our first team squad isn't that bad and if we're lucky enough to keep the majority of them free of serious injury we might manage a top 6 spot. if we pick up the usual number of injuries and dyer and owen remain crocked for most of the season i think we'll struggle to finish in the top half. we basically need at least 3 more players that can challenge for a starting place. i can't believe that with the end of the window looming we haven't signed at least two defenders and another striker. actually i can believe it. it was all too predictable.

Hang the massive chairman Hang the chairman, hang the chairman, hang the chairman...

i'm coming home this weekend. whoohoo

not a bad gig is it? presenting shows on music and football. how the fuck did he wrangle that one? digger barnes must be screwing that he's been relegated to touchline reporter.

taxi for whoever came up with that idea

i like the idea of team full of quick, mobile players but is anyone else a little concerned over our lack of height? take away shola and our central defenders and we're a team of short arses. physical presence is important in the premiership. i can't see our current team winning the physical battle on away days to the likes of bolton...

who thinks we should give 3-5-2 a go this season?

No Emre? 185050[/snapback] I'm not really sure we need Graveson? Emre, Parker, Dyer (when fit), Butt, the Zog can all play central midfield. 5 players for 2 positions, not including academy & reserve. I'd rather we bought another centre back instead of a Centre Mid 185058[/snapback] me too. i don't really see centre mid as a position we're short on. if we're going to spend more money, i'd go for another striker and a couple of defenders.

185031[/snapback] Must have read you as they've sorted it now 185038[/snapback] we should walk it to be fair

i would take him back on loan like

184708[/snapback] But not Baba. 184909[/snapback] they fell out playing youth football together

do you think he can? i'm beginning to think it might be best for all parties if we get rid... 184876[/snapback] Nope, not anymore. I really don't understand it. He was awesome in Spain. It's as if they've sent us his twin brother, who can't play football. 184879[/snapback] that's the annoying thing. he looked a class player for depor and i was chuffed when we got him. he can't have lost his ability over night but even if we are playing him out of position you expect some level of application and commitment. he played last night like a bloke who's heart isn't in it.

do you think he can? i'm beginning to think it might be best for all parties if we get rid...

can it be used for as an excuse for luque or is he beyond redemption now? i'd like to think that we'll eventually get a performance out of him for our £10m investment but if he can't raise his game against the gash we were playing last night, when can he?

agreed - we've got to find room in the team for n'zogbia. seeing those three - who are all comfortable running with the ball and taking people on - last night was exciting. our midfield looked strong but we were toothless up front. i'd like to see us sign one more striker and a couple of defenders. on last night's showing milner can do a job up top but shola looks our only striker with any kind of physical presence. last night was luque's big chance to silence his critics. shame he wasted it

i thought he was one of our best players last night. his season at villa seems to have improved him no end. nice to see some purpose to his mazy runs and some end product. it was just a shame that there was no one to get on the end of some decent balls that he put in to the box. her certainly did his chances of a regular first team slot no harm at all, unlike luque. anyone reckon he's worth a starting role up front alongside martins or wide right instead of solano?

duff is two footed tbh. he's a lefty no doubt, but he can go inside or outside when he plays on the right and he can put in a mean cross with his right.

we should be looking at a striker with a bit of presence in the box to play alongside martins instead of wasting more money on midfielders. bridge would be a good buy but i'm not convinced that huth is worth £5m

milner has to start up front with martins on sunday if shola doesn't make it. luque was fucking dire.

i don't blame him. why should he give a shit about who oliver thinks he should sign? although i'm guessing oliver's personal view on who we should bring in is in fact the club line...

old or new, he's hardly hinting at a newcastle move. he doesn't mention us at all...

i haven't read all of this yet but me and my lass are well into huff on fx. it's an hbo drama about a shrink starring hank azaria. quite dark with black humour. gets the thumbs up from me. other less obscure things i'm into at the moment include.... curb your enthusiasm (anyone know when the next series will start?), peepshow and the west wing.

No it doesn't. 183122[/snapback] well going on our record of recent transfer outgoings, i'm going to predict that we'll sell martins in a couple of transfer windows time for about £3.5m and the majority of this board will be relieved we were able to get his wages off the books. woodgate aside, does anyone remember when the last time was that we did a good bit of business? 183127[/snapback] Damien Duff , not a very hard question 183130[/snapback] agreed but i was talking about outgoings...

but he's always looked a different player when not playing alongside shearer. he's got a massive chance now to prove us all wrong. i haven't got big expectations of him either but i'd love it if he made us all eat our words. one things for sure: if he keeps his current scoring rate up he'll be undropable.