Chaser

Smith on for Martins, who gets a standing ovation.

2nd half underway

you in the pub Pud?

Guti looks to have a good turn of pace

HT

0-1 if anyone doesnt have a stream

bollocks. Was that Cacapa between the 2 players?

Really fast pace in this game, both sides trying to counter and plenty of challenges going in

Great build up play and good effort by Duff there

sounds gone'?

Good tracking back there by Milner, very industrious down that right side as usual

Colin Cheeny in the stands

Like has been said, you always know its going to happen but its still very sad news to hear it so bluntly. Obviously the papers have put a twist on things as Bob said sooner rather than later but he could yet fight on for another year or 18 months who knows. Itll be a very sad day for Football and the North East the day it does happen though

its not the money that bugs me, infact its nice to see MA putting his hand in his pockets, its the fact that deportivo have hung us out to dry a second time by bumping the price at the last second - wankers Yeh well I suppose Deportivo are a bunch of sods and they normally are but who can blame them when they are dealing with an English club when they see the way some Premier League teams spend? I suppose it's a signal of intention to spend £10m on a defender too. He can play all across the defence IIRC and recently we haven't been doing too well on that front true and I pray to god that this fella is good and not another boumsong Same here! thirded! Thank God we've finally signed him though, was getting sick of not seeing any updates

FT

I don't doubt that one more striker would benefit the squad, but then I'm an advocate of strength in depth. I just don't see a striker as our priority. There's no point in buying a back up striker when we're lacking a starting creative midfielder. Knowing how injury prone Owen & Viduka are though, that leaves just Oba up front with the possibility of Smith supporting him in attack. Owens clearly a starter when fit as is Oba but I would say any other place is up for grabs and particularly when one is so injury prone there has to be a reasonable replacement so stand in/threaten a starting place. You're basing the need for a striker on "what if we lose x & y", I'm saying an AMC (forgive the FM parlance) is our first and most pressing priority because we haven't got anyone at all. There is nobody ahead in the queue for the new lad, we desperately need an AMC, otherwise there's no point in having strikers at all. We're not going to create enough chances for the three of them anyway. I agree, first and foremost something creative has to come from Centre Midfield, but im saying that nights like tonight highlight how "light" we are upfront. Amoeba should be below Carroll in the pecking order.

We can hope

I don't doubt that one more striker would benefit the squad, but then I'm an advocate of strength in depth. I just don't see a striker as our priority. There's no point in buying a back up striker when we're lacking a starting creative midfielder. Knowing how injury prone Owen & Viduka are though, that leaves just Oba up front with the possibility of Smith supporting him in attack. Owens clearly a starter when fit as is Oba but I would say any other place is up for grabs and particularly when one is so injury prone there has to be a reasonable replacement so stand in/threaten a starting place.

2-2 Enrique put it back into the area.

Thats just it though, we bought Vids & Smith last year in the belief that having 4 quality strikers at the club would serve us well however Smith hasnt scored for us and Viduka was playing a deeper role last season along with Owen. Personally if we could get 1 more striker in and get shot of Smith & Ameobi, I think we would be better served, as we could then call upon the attacking midfielders to provide support rather than to have them both up front.

4-4-2. Duff and Milner up front. Fuckinghell talking about clutching at straws. If there was ever a clear indication that we desperately need strikers. If the first 3 are crocked and the 2nd 2 who masquerade as Strikers arent fit or arent picked, then we opt for 2 wingers up top. fucking hell man rob if 5 players from two positions aren't fit from any squad you'd probably find a lack of decent cover. If Man U lost there first five strikers, who're they left with? Rooney, Tevez, Saha... then who? Same for Arsenal, same for Liverpool. Calm down man. I wouldnt be saying it if we had 5 Strikers though Fish, the fact of the matter is we have 3 and 2 others that couldnt hit a fucking barn door with their backside.

Thanks Ta. On the point of Milner, I always thought he'd be better linking the midfield and frontmen personally, as it doesnt take pace, just an ability to pick out a pass and see an attacking option

any chance of a PM before we start the 2nd half?

4-4-2. Duff and Milner up front. Fuckinghell talking about clutching at straws. If there was ever a clear indication that we desperately need strikers. If the first 3 are crocked and the 2nd 2 who masquerade as Strikers arent fit or arent picked, then we opt for 2 wingers up top.

Who's up front?! 4-5-1? Any chance of a PM Gents?