who do you think will cut it in the premiership?

[Guest alex]

He's like Carrick without the physique, ability or engine

[ChezGiven 0]

Carrick has an engine? He's taller than Guthrie, i'll give you that.

[Guest alex]

He's quite deceptive but he's right up there with the top players in terms of ground covered during a match iirc.

[Dr Gloom 21302]

He's like Carrick without the physique, ability or engine

 

add range of passing to that list

[ChezGiven 0]

The comparison isnt that important, i was thinking about the fact that he is 22 and will mature and develop and will need to find more 'specialisation' within his game if he wants to be more than a utility player. If i was advising him, i'd be pointing at players other than Gerrard who he recently referred to himself as a role model. He doesnt have the pace or power to play like Gerrard, he should look to build on his passing game. He doesnt have to sit as deep as Carrick or be exactly like him, he just needs to build on his strengths to ensure he develops properly.

[Guest alex]

He's like Carrick without the physique, ability or engine

 

add range of passing to that list

Covered by ability. I didn't want to go into too much detail as I like Guthrie. It was tongue-in-cheek anyway though because he could play a similar role, albeit not as well. Carrick's absolutely class though so it's not like there's any shame in being a lesser player.

[ChezGiven 0]

He's like Carrick without the physique, ability or engine

 

add range of passing to that list

Covered by ability. I didn't want to go into too much detail as I like Guthrie. It was tongue-in-cheek anyway though because he could play a similar role, albeit not as well. Carrick's absolutely class though so it's not like there's any shame in being a lesser player.

And I never said he could be as good as him, just that he could play a similar role. I like to come out with these sort of statements, keeps my reputation up as a crazy kind of guy.

[Guest alex]

He's like Carrick without the physique, ability or engine

 

add range of passing to that list

Covered by ability. I didn't want to go into too much detail as I like Guthrie. It was tongue-in-cheek anyway though because he could play a similar role, albeit not as well. Carrick's absolutely class though so it's not like there's any shame in being a lesser player.

And I never said he could be as good as him

And I never said you did. That's the trouble with the internet like, you have to explain things about three times then people still don't get it. And you're never allowed to change your mind because someone like Baggio will have bookmarked everything you ever wrote.

[Dr Gloom 21302]

He's like Carrick without the physique, ability or engine

 

add range of passing to that list

Covered by ability. I didn't want to go into too much detail as I like Guthrie. It was tongue-in-cheek anyway though because he could play a similar role, albeit not as well. Carrick's absolutely class though so it's not like there's any shame in being a lesser player.

And I never said he could be as good as him

And I never said you did. That's the trouble with the internet like, you have to explain things about three times then people still don't get it. And you're never allowed to change your mind because someone like Baggio will have bookmarked everything you ever wrote.

 

what happned to baggio? does he post as someone else now?

 

there's a few old names from back in the day that have vanished, not sure if for good or as changed user names

[ChezGiven 0]

He's like Carrick without the physique, ability or engine

 

add range of passing to that list

Covered by ability. I didn't want to go into too much detail as I like Guthrie. It was tongue-in-cheek anyway though because he could play a similar role, albeit not as well. Carrick's absolutely class though so it's not like there's any shame in being a lesser player.

And I never said he could be as good as him

And I never said you did. That's the trouble with the internet like, you have to explain things about three times then people still don't get it. And you're never allowed to change your mind because someone like Baggio will have bookmarked everything you ever wrote.

True that.

 

I think its right and proper us discussing this topic at this time anyway. With the current set-up/likely investment etc, the conclusion has to be he will play for us next season in a central role, he has experience there and there are recent signs of significant development.

[David Kelly 1205]

Realistically Id think a new CF (Carrol is doing ok, as is Lov, but neither are of the quality we need in the Prem).

 

Then a new CM. Butt may well retire, Smith has his moments but Im really unsure about his long term use. Guthrie could come good but Id like to see a bit more pace from the MF. Our starting wingers are pacey but in the prem Im unsure of their final ball.

 

A RB, getting Beye back would be fantastic if unlikely.

 

I like the pairing in the centre of Colo & Taylor with Williamson as back up.

I thought they were canny dodgy together last year though.

Colo looked like a clown for a lot of last season but the way he's turned it around this term (and the way he started last season) suggests to me that was mainly due to a lack of confidence caused by the change in country and complete mess the club was in. Taylor is a solid premiership defender for me. I think he suffers here from people either thinking he's much better than what he is because he's a local lad who come through the ranks or people rebelling against that viewpoint and going too far the other way.

[TheMoog 0]

Realistically Id think a new CF (Carrol is doing ok, as is Lov, but neither are of the quality we need in the Prem).

 

Then a new CM. Butt may well retire, Smith has his moments but Im really unsure about his long term use. Guthrie could come good but Id like to see a bit more pace from the MF. Our starting wingers are pacey but in the prem Im unsure of their final ball.

 

A RB, getting Beye back would be fantastic if unlikely.

 

I like the pairing in the centre of Colo & Taylor with Williamson as back up.

I thought they were canny dodgy together last year though.

Colo looked like a clown for a lot of last season but the way he's turned it around this term (and the way he started last season) suggests to me that was mainly due to a lack of confidence caused by the change in country and complete mess the club was in. Taylor is a solid premiership defender for me. I think he suffers here from people either thinking he's much better than what he is because he's a local lad who come through the ranks or people rebelling against that viewpoint and going too far the other way.

 

... of course Colo's sudden upturn in supposed skill could also be because he's playing against shite opposition

Edited March 10, 2010 by Armchair Pundit

[OTF 7117]

It could well be, and no doubt he does look better than he will against vastly superior opposition.

 

I do think though that his head dropped when he realised the sunny picture that had been painted for him of Newcastle was far from the truth. There was some comments from him last season to this effect also. He's not very good against a quick forward with the ball on the deck. Torres had a field day against him last season, though tankfully there's not too many Torres calibre players in the league.

[Christmas Tree 4445]

My memory was that colochini started really well last season and was one of our more consistent players until half / two thirds of the way through the season when he dropped a couple of clangers and was dropped. His confidence and performances hit rock bottom afterwards.

[Christmas Tree 4445]

Anyone who thinks we are going to do any better than get arse raped everyweek without changing the entire midfield and forwards is in for a big shock.

[Happy Face 29]

Anyone who thinks we are going to do any better than get arse raped everyweek without changing the entire midfield and forwards is in for a big shock.

 

 

That positive outlook didn't last long. Wouldn't have thought you'd be so supportive off Mike this last few weeks if you don't think ANY of his January signings are close to good enough.

[Kitman 2204]

Anyone who thinks we are going to do any better than get arse raped everyweek without changing the entire midfield and forwards is in for a big shock.

 

I agree.

 

If we at least replaced Butt with a top quality midfielder and Shola with a top quality striker, I'd be happier. The latest pronouncement from Lame-arse suggested it was an either/or decision between a striker and a midfielder, if Hughton wanted it, and if it was reasonably priced. Which means he thinks the squad is pretty good already so it probably won't happen.

Edited March 10, 2010 by Kitman

[Park Life 71]

Anyone who thinks we are going to do any better than get arse raped everyweek without changing the entire midfield and forwards is in for a big shock.

[David Kelly 1205]

Realistically Id think a new CF (Carrol is doing ok, as is Lov, but neither are of the quality we need in the Prem).

 

Then a new CM. Butt may well retire, Smith has his moments but Im really unsure about his long term use. Guthrie could come good but Id like to see a bit more pace from the MF. Our starting wingers are pacey but in the prem Im unsure of their final ball.

 

A RB, getting Beye back would be fantastic if unlikely.

 

I like the pairing in the centre of Colo & Taylor with Williamson as back up.

I thought they were canny dodgy together last year though.

Colo looked like a clown for a lot of last season but the way he's turned it around this term (and the way he started last season) suggests to me that was mainly due to a lack of confidence caused by the change in country and complete mess the club was in. Taylor is a solid premiership defender for me. I think he suffers here from people either thinking he's much better than what he is because he's a local lad who come through the ranks or people rebelling against that viewpoint and going too far the other way.

 

... of course Colo's sudden upturn in supposed skill could also be because he's playing against shite opposition

Like it has with Ryan Taylor you mean?

Of course he's playing against much weaker opposition but he is absolutely pissing on them most of the time. A lot of players go up and go on to be solid in the premiership without looking anything like the quality that Colo looks in this division. I'm not for a second saying he's going to be as good if we get promoted as what he's looked this season but I think that given how he's played this season, that he's been a regular Argentinian International, that he was very highly rated in the best/second best league in the world before he came here and that when he first arrived he looked very good in the premier league, there is reason to believe he will be able to cut it in the top league.

[Deano 0]

I think sometimes people forget he used to play in la liga and seria a like.

 

Before anyone says it...so did Luque.

[trophyshy 7059]

Fitz Hall could play in any league tbf.

[Monkeys Fist 41330]

Of course, the real question in this thread is not which players can cut it in the PL, but can our manager?

I agree with what this well informed and not in the least bit drunk fecker says!

[Phil 6]

Our squad isn't that bad and with a few additions could compete with at least half the Premiership;

 

Birmingham, Stoke City, Blackburn, Sunderland, Bolton, Wigan, West Ham, Wolves, Burnley, Hull City, Portsmouth, Forrest, WBA

 

 

 

GK: Harper, Krul, Forster (loan out)

 

RB: Need 1st teamer, S.taylor (cover), Simpson (emergency)

LB: Jose, need backup, kadar (loan out with clause to recall)

CB: Colo, S.Taylor, Williamson (backup), kadar (loan out with clause to recall)

 

RM: routledge, need backup

LM: Jonas, need backup

CM: Barton, Need 1st teamer, guthrie (backup), Smith (backup, or sell if we get 3m+ offer)

 

FW: Carrol, Best (backup), Smith (emergency, or sell if we get 3m+ offer), ranger (loan out)

ST: Need 1st teamer, lovenkrands (backup)

 

 

A centeral midfielder and striker are must. O'hara and Robbie Keane would be my preferd options.

 

Right back, left back (Bertrand - Reading/Chelsea), winger (Pennant) are also required to add squad depth.

[Dr Gloom 21302]

Our squad isn't that bad and with a few additions could compete with at least half the Premiership;

 

Birmingham, Stoke City, Blackburn, Sunderland, Bolton, Wigan, West Ham, Wolves, Burnley, Hull City, Portsmouth, Forrest, WBA

 

 

 

GK: Harper, Krul, Forster (loan out)

 

RB: Need 1st teamer, S.taylor (cover), Simpson (emergency)

LB: Jose, need backup, kadar (loan out with clause to recall)

CB: Colo, S.Taylor, Williamson (backup), kadar (loan out with clause to recall)

 

RM: routledge, need backup

LM: Jonas, need backup

CM: Barton, Need 1st teamer, guthrie (backup), Smith (backup, or sell if we get 3m+ offer)

 

FW: Carrol, Best (backup), Smith (emergency, or sell if we get 3m+ offer), ranger (loan out)

ST: Need 1st teamer, lovenkrands (backup)

 

 

A centeral midfielder and striker are must. O'hara and Robbie Keane would be my preferd options.

 

Right back, left back (Bertrand - Reading/Chelsea), winger (Pennant) are also required to add squad depth.

 

pennant and barton?

 

may as well have dyer and bowyer back, the attitudes on those two

[Christmas Tree 4445]

Anyone who thinks we are going to do any better than get arse raped everyweek without changing the entire midfield and forwards is in for a big shock.

 

 

That positive outlook didn't last long. Wouldn't have thought you'd be so supportive off Mike this last few weeks if you don't think ANY of his January signings are close to good enough.

 

you misunderstand

 

January was about getting us promoted. The summer dealings will be about keeping us up.

 

I have every confidence this will be sorted in the summer.

 

My negativity is in the current midfield and srikers to do well in the prem.