Yogic

Here are a few stats ---------- SHOTS ON TARGET (inc goals ) Chelsea.........................43 Manchester City..............39 Arsenal.........................36 Tottenham Hotspur..........31 Blackburn Rovers.............30 SHOOTING ACCURACY Chelsea....................49.4% Sunderland................48.9% Tottenham Hotspur....48.4% Manchester City.........48.1% Birmingham City.......47.5 PASSING ACCURACY Chelsea....................84.3% Arsenal.....................83.1% Manchester United.....82.5% Liverpool..................78.3% Tottenham Hotspur....78.0% SHORT PASS ACCURACY Chelsea.....................88.4% Manchester United....86.6% Arsenal.....................84.2% Charlton Athletic.......83.9% Portsmouth............83.3% CORNERS INTO BOX ACCURACY Chelsea.....................43.9% Charlton Athletic.......43.8% Everton....................43.3% Fulham...................43.2% Tottenham Hotspur....40.9% SAVES TO SHOTS RATIO Chelsea.....................91.7% Tottenham Hotspur...87.0% Charlton Athletic.......84.6% Manchester United....84.2% Liverpool...................83.3% ---- Here are some more Here ----- And here are the long/short ball stats that you talk about Try and enlarge this ----- Incase you want to check the top 100 players in the EPL ----- I agree Stats often dont say much. But if you want stats then iv just given them to you. You cant dispute the fact that we have 18 goals already from 8 games and conceded only 2. We play the least long balls and the most short passes and the rest of the above stats speak for themselves. Cheers

Actually, a move would favour everyone. Cisse will get to play each week, Sherar will get more rest, Owen will have a quick partner, Rafa will get rid of his man = everyone happy.

Firstly if he thinks we are a boring team he can have a look at the stats - least number of long balls, most goals. Second, I dont think we are given finalists for the CL. Sure we do have a fair shot at getting to the final, but its going to be a difficult task. All the big clubs have upped their squads and the likes of Madrid and Juve will prove tougher opposition this time. If I had to put money, I would probably put it on Juve. We can definately get to the last 4, after that its all crunch. One things for sure, Jose has his eyes on the cup and the players will try harder as we have been knocked out of the semis 2 years in a row. Cheers

If they sign a RW, CB and another young player this summer then Rafa will be there next season regardless of the spot they finish in this season, as he has bought in players to build a team to his liking - Alonso, Sissoko, Crouch, Garcia.

They didnt, Rafa didnt and they never made a serious bid for him.

let me remind you, they did not lose out on Owen. They didnt want him as he does not fit the system Rafa prefers.

I was watching a Football show and the topic of Newcastle's injury issues came up - they said the word from your people was, the sand or gravel or material if you may that the players train on is the cause of these injures. The pundits were laughing saying they couldnt fathom 4 players getting hamgstring injuries due to the pitch they train on. Anyway, it seems very weird to me.

Well, all I can say is I have belief in your players. I know a few of them (Parker, Emre, Luque) and overall you have the potential for a top6 spot. I will be around to contribute as best as I can. Have a good one Cheers

Well, if you really want to know im not even from England.

Guys guys, I dont want to create a stirr in here. Sammynb - I cant answer your question about the subs as I didnt watch the match. However, I thought this would be a good thread in which to post my thoughts as, (1) I dont need to create another (2) My thoughts are directed at those who doubt Souness and the system. Snakehips - I didnt watch the game, but in the hilights show they usually have the best moments of every game and it was clear that Given kept you guys in the game and earned the point. He pulled out some top drawer saves. - Cheers

""What the hell is the logic behind Souness's substitution(s) against Pompey?"" Is that the question and the purpose of your post? I answered in my first line by saying I didnt watch the game.

I cant comment because I could only catch brief highlights of this game. Firstly id like to applaud Shay Given, a top performance by him. Back to Souness, he hasn’t shown a lot of great things as manager. He has made intelligent buys, but anyone who knows football would have bought the right players - however, lets not take that away from him. I think he has made the right buys to setup the team the way he wants. Boomsong needs to step him and not make his comical errors (didn’t see him in the Pompy game so don’t know how good he was). Carr seems to be a decent player, I would imagine a new LB as Babayaro clearly is a tad inconsistent and not up to the mark. Perhaps a good CB, maybe for the 1st team or a young bright prospect would stiffen up your defense. His midfield setting is just about perfect. Keeping the 4-4-2 in mind he has one out and out DMF in Parker, Emre who is a solid midfielder with a lot of experience at club and International level and can play box-to-box, supporting second DMF or OMF. Luque is a bright buy for the left flank and Solano still has a season or two in him. The only problem is the one you are facing now. When these players are injured there is no one to step in. We have adequate cover, Manu have adequate cover, Arsenal dont and that’s why they are barely scraping their wins and lets not even get into Liverpool because I know so much about Rafa's plans that I could post 20 pages on it. So, as there is no one to step in, Souness is forced to switch things around in cue with the players at his disposal. That explains the team performances. I think he should be given at least 5 games with all players fit before anyone passes a judgment on him. Now, if it takes 5 months to get those players fit then its another ball game all together. If he is around, and is allowed to do his do. Then I would imagine the summer to bring in 1 striker, 1 CB, 1 midfielder and any young prospect if on cheap. ------------Sherar-------OWen --Luque-----Parker-----Emre-------Solano That’s as good a midfield and front 2 as any. You have a top keeper and your defenders aren’t duds by any standards (but I do think you need at least ONE colossal defender) You will start getting results, its just a matter of time. Best wishes Yogic

Newcastle United plans for tomorrow's trip to Fratton Park to take on Portsmouth have been disrupted after Scott Parker and Titus Bramble were hit by injuries in training yesterday. Both were named in the squad to travel south, but significantly Souness placed Martin Brittain and Michael Chopra on standby in case there was any reaction after today's training session. Souness is already without Emre and Nobby Solano, who were left behind on the treatment table when the United squad flew out of Newcastle airport for the South coast this afternoon. Kieron Dyer is expected to be on the plane, but with his recent injury record Souness will not be able to give a sigh of relief until he sees his midfielder running out at Fratton Park tomorrow.

It seems Parker is out aswell.

Michael Owen was set to play through the pain for United at Portsmouth today. Story continues The striker limped out of training yesterday with a dead leg, in another injury blow for Toon boss Graeme Souness. But after intensive ice treatment overnight, the former Real Madrid man was ready to face Pompey in today's Fratton Park showdown, and line up alongside Alan Shearer in attack -- this what it says can someone please confirm fast, i have him on my fantasy football team as capitan

It was Portuguese club Sporting Lisbon who took him to Europe at the age of 19, and he would play a big part in making them champions of Portugal in 2000. It made him being considered an enormous talent and he attracted the attention of several European top clubs. But in July of that year Deportivo eventually reached in their pockets to take him to Galicia. But because of several injuries Irureta did not count on him for the season 2000/2001 and he only made his Liga debut in January against Valladolid. This also had to do with the fierce competition of players like Mauro Silva, César Sampaio and Emerson. He played just 5 Liga matches that campaign but improved this number to 21 the next campaign. Only in the season 2002/2003 he started to prove his real worth and increased his Liga appearances to 31. Irureta started to believe in his capabilities and he was given sufficient minutes to demonstrate his skills. One of the best matches he played that season was in Italy against Juventus. Most European viewers of football had a negative first experience with Duscher, as a rough tackle of him on David Beckham caused a media row and the British media portrayed him as some sort of animal. But Duscher kept his cool and not much looks able to disturb him. He resembles Mauro Silva a lot, and the Brazilian legend himself already has expressed his confidence in the capabilities of Duscher. Deportivo's midfield in the next seasons could become his domain. He will be a strong addition to the midfield. Parker and Emre are already looking to set their mark on the Newcastle first team and his arrival will only up their performances. I dont know how much they want for him, but a resonable deal can be struck im sure. I like whats happening to Newcastle, its exciting to think you will be up again. I hope Souness gets his players and gets his results. Good luck Cheers

Dont know how it ends, but it sure has potential for a bright beginning. Im saying this again, ARsenals drop out and Liverpools inability to score should be pounced upon. Spurs and Newcastle have the players to get those wins and move up the table, you can always strenghten in the SUmmer if needed.

Going down with no contact is - a dive Going down with minimal contact (a finger touches your jersey) - a dive Going down with resonable contact - is down to the person, if they are lightweight they might be fouled, if they are heavyweight they are just looking for that free kick I think the issue has been blown in the Media and that makes it ever more present in each game. All players are trying to win a freekick for their team, and these days if you touch a defender its a foul but if you get a shoulder push in MF and get the ball stolen it isnt -- everything evens itself out through the progress of the game - but a blatent dive (like reyes last night or diof last season) can turn a game around and thats pathetic

Robben does, Duff falls down a tad easy for my liking (but doesnt dive as such) I hate diving, i can understand that a dive might bring the team a penalty and make them win the Champions League, but when you have so many quality players in your team and are capable of churning out a result with fair play then why fall down like a rag doll and make a fool of yourself? Sure, if Robben dives in the Final and we win due to that penalty im not going to complain - no Chelsea fan will - but it pinches me everytime he does and i feel he is such an exceptional player that he can rip a defense apart singlehandedly and doesnt need to resort to such play.

Emre Belozoglu is arguably the foremost of the first Turkish generation to ply their trade overseas in the major European leagues. Emre is a wily left-footed central midfielder whose vision, passing ability and low centre of gravity combine to give him skills that would liken him to Joe Cole and Deco. Known for his desire to perform, this has sometimes led to his high-energy game spilling over into aggression. However this is part of the package with the blend of trickery and awareness Emre brings to his game, and such a style has ended in people likening him to his mentor Hagi. He made his first senior appearence as a 16 year old for Galatasery in the 96-97 season. He spent 4 seasons there and was a key player for them in their UEFA cup victory in 2000, the first Turkish team to ever win the trophy. He moved to Inter in 2001 but spent a lot of time on the bench. In 2003 many players were injured and he got his spot in the starting lineup. Emre was rewarded with many impressive performances, particularly of note being a brace against Lazio where Inter were 3-0 down and Emre bagged two shots each as quality as the other to bring Inter back into the game and enabling them to leave with a 3-3 draw. That season Emre helped Inter reach 2nd in the Serie A and the semi finals in the Champions league. His next season at Inter was marred by injury, followed by this season where competition in the central midfield resulted in Emre looking for regular starting eleven football elsewhere. Emre is a top player and you havent seen the best of him yet. He is fierce, a playmaker, a fighter and has a sweet left foot. I cant wait for him to be fit again and watch him and Parker dominate that MF. Good luck.

i thought Manu played well and deserved to win Arsenal on the other hand were lucky and that was a disgusting dive by Reyes - UEFA should ban him for such play acting cant wait for tonights game though

This fellow is an exceptional player. His game is similar to that of C.Ronaldo's and his ability to turn defenders on their heads cannot go unnoticed. He is the brightest talent in Portugal and Liverpool already have an eye on him. He would be the perfect player to bring in as Luque has pace and Simao on the right would provide the perfect balance in attack. look out for him tonight when they play Manu Cheers

Never settle for 2nd best, never in life. He might be 'only' 30, but he isnt playing that good any more and has deterioirated over the years. Buy a young promising player who will be a rock in defense for years to come as majority of the team is young

Dont even think of it! Ivan isnt half the player he was. He has been great for Madrid along the years, strong at the back and a potent threat with his headers from corners. He has won everything with them and is one of the old boys. However, all players have their time and his due date has arrived. He isnt anything close to what he was, he is slow and makes errors in La liga - what makes you think he can perform in the fast paced strong PL? If signed he would be the biggest blunder after Kluivert.

Parker is a top player. He has learned a lot from Makelele and that is something no other English player can offer to a club and the national team. Makelele's game is very unique and to play alongside him in training, talk to him and learn from him is as good as a PHD. Having to prove a point before the world cup, playing after a long time and accepting a new challenge at Newcastle will only act as cartelists in his performance. Playing alongside a player with rich pedigree like Emre and Luque will also be a huge motivating factor. Parker is hungry and IMO is the perfect solution to England’s problems. Beckham is a waste of space and should just retire and open a cloths shop with his wife. ---Gary-----------Rio-----------Terry--------Cole --------------------------Parker --------Gerrard---------------------------Lampard --------------------------Joey C ------------Defoe--------------------Rooney or ----------Joey C---------Rooney--------Phillips is the way to go. I hope Sven is sacked before i take my next dump, and a sensible manager makes the right use of the players at his disposal. Back to Newcastle, Who do you see as a replacement for Alan? Sure Owen is there, but who will play alongside him next season? Shola isn’t good enough IMO and a strong signing beckons. This would be the perfect bu - good in the air, strong, powerful strike - just the right person for Owen to play off That and a good defender, cover for Solano and a full back = a suped up squad. Lets see what happens in the Jan window and if Souness picks things up - or stays around.