OTF

This is about it for me also. What started as a passing interest has developed into a fully blown addiction. Watching all of our macthes over the past 2 seasons, despite many of them being on over here at ridiculous times like 2AM.

I was pretty realistic with my appraisals. Certainly wasn't expecting us to finish as high as we did. I think with Martins coming back into the side we'll have an extra dimension to our attack that we've been lacking of late (Speed, and Goals).

I did it as well. This is what i came up with. Anyone else want to give it a go, here's the link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/e...tor/default.stm

6 million was the figure for Given apparently.

Five? Typical dumb blondes. What's with his hairstyle BTW? Extra for Wedding Singer 2 - Electric Boogaloo?

*** WARNING WARNING *** To be honest I'd sooner move Ryan Taylor up to right midfield, more Gutierrez to left midfield, and Duff to the bench. Taylor and Gutierrez will help out in defense, where-as Duff is pretty much a certainty to be of no defensive assistance at all. When you're in the depth of a relegation scrap you need players who will defend from anywhere on the pitch. I know Smith has been out for a long time, and that he's been crap for us in the past (haven't forgotten the many hopeless games that he had for us in the past), but I can't help but feel that he should get a chance in the side ahead of Butt in midfield (or alongside Martins up front). Butt is too slow, and doesn't help out enough in defense. Yes, he makes some good tackles, but rarely covers any ground to do so. You're 100% right there. You can only hope.

JFK is the perfect distraction from the incompetent ownership.

Looks more like he's seen a cute bird in the crowd and has forgotten altogether about the ball.

Lee Clarke to return as player/coach tbh, and they've lured Kluivert out of retirement.

Don't know anything about this Canadian bloke you're talking about, but agree with your sentiment. Our back four get precious little cover from our midfield, because Nicky Butt is lazy and slow. He'll attempt a tackle (and often come away with the ball) when the player is within his reach, but otherwise he doesn't track runners. Consequently makes it much harder on the defense. Same can be said for several of our other midfielders (Duff and Geremi come immediately to mind).

I can only think that we didn't go for Ben Haim because Taylor is on his way. It being a loan move would probably have suited us though, but I'd prefer Taylor signed permanently.

Had a thought at the match today...anyone else think JFK is scared to have both Enrique and Duff on the same side of the pitch? Wouldn't be surprised-the two of them can be completely out of it when they want to be, and could be easily torn apart by a decent player. Duff can't defend, that's for sure, but I think if there is any hesitation to play Duff on the left it's more than likely to do with his ability to communicate with Enrique. We've seen Enrique and Jonas communicate very well, which makes sense as they both have Spanish as their first language.

Just a shame that he has to put up with such poor performances.

Agree. Saw Nolan making some intelligent runs into the box to put himself in a scoring position, or in the position to pick up a parried shot (if anyone could actually put a shot on target). That's something you won't see Nicky Butt doing. He'd take the opportunity to have a break and ball watch. I think Nolan was a good purchase. He needs someone to play with in midfield. Could form a decent partnership with Barton, though we won't get a chance to see that for some time. LIkewise with Guthrie. I really hope that another central midfielder is signed, because NIcky Butt is just way too slow.

Yeah I was completely pissed off when I saw that (was evident on TV as well). Last thing we need is players getting angry at each other for stupid stuff (particularly Shola who has no right to be angry at anyone). Enrique tried his arse off all game, and linked up very well with Jonas. We need our team to work together, not get upset and stroppy if a pass goes astray. That kind of attitude will see us relegated.

To be fair there was nothing he could do, our backs were playing to Kinnear's tactics of hoofing long balls towards Carroll and Ameobi. In some ways that suits those two players, but we'ev seen time and time again (under Allardyce in particular) that we suck at playing the long ball game. Anyway, it all meant that the play always went over Nolan (and Butt). Alternately it went down the left wing with Enrique and Jonas.

Everything except when Jones turned on him from wide. Thankfully Jones miss-kicked the shot. Though yeah Bassong was excellent, as was Enrique. Would like to say the same for Jonas, but was badly let down by his crossing.

And don't worry lads, we've still got "a few irons in the fire."

Jonas can't cross a ball with his left foot. So when he's played out there you know his bally into the box are going to be without power and skidding in. Kept getting into good position but could do nothing with it. Frustrating. Could barely look when Ameobi stepped up to take the penalty. Chopra did us a bloody big favour with his decision making, though Nicky Butt should hang his head in shame for that woeful pass (and his pathetic attempt at actually running earlier in the game).

.And the long balls from the back are painful. Carroll is getting to his fair share, but we're not retaining possession on many of them. Butt and Nolan might as well not be there when we have the ball, as they're being played over or around constantly. No doubt they are the tactics of Kinnear with Shola and Carroll up front.

Ouch. Explains why they were so quick to act (in signing Nolan) after the Barton injury.

Agree, unless it's a pay when you play style arrangement.

I lol'd

Nice flattering snap of Bassong