Optimistic Nut

The 5th biggest room in a Gibraltan villa tbh.

How many sides other than the big 3-4 go to Man U, attack, and get something? It's normally the sides who set their stall out, battle and frustrate them, and nick a lucky goal that do it.

Exactly. You have to try and combat their system. Playing 4-4-2 when they have Ronaldo & Rooney buzzing around and about the front-man is asking for trouble. At least with Butt & Parker in there, there's a slight chance we may combat that. (very slight mind you)

Well for people praising O'Neill to the hilt, it's almost an identical formation to what he's used at Chelsea & Arsenal this season. (two wide-men to support a lone-forward).

Apparently Butt starts, no Martins. Ameobi lone-striker.

Good point.

Is it any better than our run in Roeder's first half dozen games, or even Souness' for that matter? As people are saying, let's see where they are November/December time.

ahahahaaa what? OK I'll spell it out, Liverpool were shocking in the league that season, and were getting humped in the Champions league final, they were lucky to win it at all, the players deserve the credit not Benitez. That famous goal Gerrard scored against Olympiakos in the last group game. If that had hit row Z like it would have 9 times out of 10, they'd have been out in the group stage. Imagine what the reaction to him would have been then? I personally think he's over-rated, as too are Liverpool.

Villa's start under O'Neill this season any different to Man City under Pearce last year?

Merchant was on Soccer AM once last season and he was hilarious. Didn't have a clue about anything, didn't follow a club (so they picked one at random for him...Grimsby), and they when it came to the end part where the guest have a go at kicking the ball through the hole, he said, "so you want me, to kick the ball into that hole, yeah?", started running towards the ball as if to kick it....and continued to run past the ball and left the car park.

Et voila. http://www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsD...~904864,00.html "I haven't really come across Pav before but after watching him in training this week I have to say he is in great shape..... ....I have to say that Pav has looked great in training and by bringing him in until the end of the year it will be great for our team spirit." - Glenn Roeder

Yeah that's a fair point like.

Any different to when Ferguson signed Andy Goram?

I'd be happy with Carr & Babayaro as second-choice full-backs mind.

An ideal group for us would be... Newcastle, Club Bruges, Slovan Liberec, Grasshoppers, OB Odense. Group of death would be... Newcastle, AZ Alkmaar, Palermo, Fenerbache, Nancy

Is he the Half-time hero tonight or something?

This is a bit sick, but can't resist anymore... Long John Silva tbh.

Spot on Isegrim. We'll take a risk on Srnicek & Bernard, but when a player still with a bit of quality about him in a problem position (Tristan) becomes available, we're nowhere to be seen.

Looking as if I'll be coming to Bordeaux for a few months next summer on the Da Vinci Programme.

Class.

Yep. I wonder at what moment he decided, "Aha, that's what I'll do today. I'll attach hooks to my eyes and pull a car a few paces". Bonkers.

*bump*

Beresford to solve the left-back crisis?

Talking of coaching staff, obviously from Saturday's performance it's obvious Bellamy & Jenas are missing learning from the striking prowess of Dean Saunders in training on a day-to-day basis.

Bernard isn't in the squad so probably Ramage or N'Zogbia at full-back.