adam_cann

We could do with Man Utd really stuffing Bolton tomorrow, from a goal difference and confidence perspective. I'm hoping the difference between us and Bolton staying up is the difference between Davies, Diouf and Rasiak with our Martins, Owen and Viduka. With Saturday in mind, I'd try and keep someone touch tight on Bullard as I think we can halt any threat they pose by nullyfying him. I'm hoping the 2nd half performance last night transcends to Saturday and I'd think we'd be alright.

I don't think Geremi was our worst performer last night by any stretch. His final ball, crossing and corners were bad, but in the 2nd half he did pretty decent in general play. I'd think N'Zogbia would have been looking more at Barton and wondering why he wasn't in ahead of him.

My fear is he'll drop Martins on Saturday, which is why I'm annoyed at the decision tonight. Similar to the incident with Robbie Keane yesterday, where he was having a better game than Berbatov, yet was sacrificed. Either way, what's done is done, onward and upward to Saturday!

It's against these teams we miss someone like Milner. Geremi did well to an extent, but his final ball's into the box were shocking. Milner has regressed this year I think, but against these teams at the bottom you'd think he'd make a difference, so it's a shame he'll be missing for a few weeks. Hopefully he'll be back for the Reading game or N'Zogbia will be playing so well that he can't get in the team

Carroll and Zog have to come on. We need a point here at least, biggest 45mins since I can remember.

Why do I get the feeling Martins will be shoved out on the left? With three in the middle I'd rather N'Zogbia than Geremi. Any word on why Duff doesn't even make the bench?

Worst result would be Bolton win as mentioned. They have a real tough run in and this would be a game they'd target the points as being more realistic. hpefully a defeat today before getting thumped 4 or 5 on wednesday.

As good as Torres is playing, I'd say Adebayor has had the slightly better season overall and contributes more all-round than Torres. Mind you the Spaniard has done amazingly well in his first season and I'm glad we won't be facing either before the end of the season. With regards to Monday, I think he should drop Smith at least for Viduka. Martins (despite his criticism on here) is still our top goal-scorer depsite not starting since the Man City home game and while I'd like to see him get his run, I reckon Owen should get the benefit of the doubt to see if him and Viduka can link-up at St.Andrews and possibly the Fulham game too.

We really should have beat these twanks at st.james' and the riverside this season.

Sky Sports News reckon we've signed him on loan (thought he was a free agent anyway?)

hopefully they will rest torres and gerrard before they take to milan three days after we play them. even a draw there could seem like a win with the confidence at it's lowest at the moment. our record at anfield is terrible though...

Got a feeling this is going to knock the stuffing out of us, looks like any chance to get much needed confidence is gone.

I'd take the Carling Cup in a flash, anything to shut the media up with "Noo-carstle haven't won anything for X years"

Wasn't he on the bench against Liverpool reserves if memory serves me correctly? Don't think he got on mind...

This is the thing, we're due a win in the worst way. Even with the two weeks off, it was always likely we were going to lose to a United side who had lost their previous game. We got no help with Arsenal dropping points as there was almost no chance United were going to pass up the opportunity to close the gap. It will be tough against Blackburn and I agree that Hughes seems to be the type of manager that won't let complacency set in, but I just think our players will feel we can get a result if we can keep them on the back foot. Of course if he starts Owen with Smith up front again that all goes out the window, Carroll or Martins if fit again should come back into the side. My worry is at left-back as Bentley is in top form at the moment, but I think Beye can keep Pedersen quiet. Cut-off Bentley and we can cut the service to McCarthy and Santa Cruz. Easier said than done, but surely Enrique deserves his chance next week.

I agree, playing Blackburn after they dropped points would have been worse as they need as many points as they can get pushing on for europe. i'm thinking they may arrive at st.james' over-confident and complacent next week.

Made mistakes yesterday that should be ironed out at 8 years old. I was always taught to keep facing the ball and not to turn my back on it, so his spin around for ronaldo's 1st goal is inexcusable.

Pretty much the same with a few minor changes Id definately prefer these to stay: Beye, Faye, Given, Harper, Milner, N'Zogbia Id be happy if these stayed but wouldnt loose sleep if they left: Owen, Martins, Duff, Taylor, Carroll Not arsed about: Butt, Carr, Enrique, Emre, Cacapa, Geremi, Ameobi, Ramage, Viduka, Just get out: Rozenhal, Barton, Smith, In terms of starting XI next season, I'd only want Given/Harper (let them actually compete for the jersey in pre-season), Beye, Faye and N'Zogbia (left wing or centre-mid). Everyone else's place should be under-theat but realistically bringing in seven new starters for next season is going to be tough. Maybe the likes of Carroll and Kadar will show enough between now and August to be given run's in the first team too.

Very annoying how match of the day analysed this game. yes we defended badly, there's no denying that and we looked like we'd concede despite the early lead. but what can we expect when we look so toothless at the top of the park. one of the criticisms of martins on here is that he goes missing for long periods of the game but can produce a flash or spark and i'm looking forward to that after the two up top today did sweet f.a. smith for all his hold up play doesn't look like he's going to score at all this season, whereas owen had his goal and shot into the side-netting, but nothing else of note. without martins and n'zogbia in the side we are a team of real cart-horses. the sad thing is we have man utd next and i fear the prospect of ronaldo against carr, the biggest mismatch i'd say between the two teams come 23rd feb.

With scores as they are we'll be only 5 points ahead of reading in 18th. i already felt tomorrow was important, but today's results haven't gone so well for us, could've done with a few draws where the teams down the bottom play each other. plus west ham have done sweet f.a against wigan.

the only two of allardyces signings that i'm convinced about so far, beye looked dodgy to start with, but really impressed me since october and i think faye should be first choice cb with . does anyone know if they are now available for selection sunday?

i'm slightly worried, but still think we should have enough to finish around where we currently are. Middlesbrough becomes a key game now due to the two following that and i'd rather be at the 30 point mark before going into those. we have to remember though we've played arsenal twice in four days and even with everyone available it would have been a tough ask to get anything from the two games. senegal being knocked out the african nations would be handy, would we get faye and beye back for sunday if that's the case?

Because the suspension hasn't come into effect yet? What is it? A week or something after the 5th booking? I know that used to be the case, but thought they changed it so it was effective immediately

http://www.premierleague.com/page/Statisti...,,12306,00.html As i mentioned before, check out the bookings. Essien has 5, the 5th coming against Villa on Boxing Day, so why is he playing today? Bet he scores two today now! Or maybe we'll get pasted 4-0 before the F.A award us the three points for Chelski fielding an ineligible player?!

Does anyone know anywhere that they're covering the game on radio?