StellarStripes

Into the last week of the window and its a good test today to see where we are as a squad. Pretty much a full strength starting 11 just hope we dont need to rely on the bench in the second half. Massive game. I think we will see a couple of moves this week like. Especially if we beat Chelsea. That would be a big boost over Chelsea if we are to chase 4th. If we are i'd say we will get another two. Full back and and Striker. Really think we can go there and play football. We are capable of a big result and its at an important time in the season. Last year we had a great start, im sure we will be aiming for that again this season too.

Never really used twitter much. Hadnt thought much of it but i suppose its really just a constant stream from the media. Ill have to set up and account

Strong team, no Tiote and no striker. We do need to strengthen like...Weak bench. Need a good solid performance today from Cisse, Ba and Ben Arfa then. Will start as a 442 and change in the second if needed. Be interesting to see how Anita and Cabaye work together too. Good to have Coloccini back. Keep it tight at the back and play it out. Still confident we can get something out of this if we play well. Would be a massive result early in the season if we are to challenge top 4. I've got £2 on Ben Arfa first goal and us to win 2-1 @ 125/1. Would be a nice weekend for me if we turn up and do what we are capable of.

Which do you use on a match day? I used to use BBC Sport's website last season but this season they seem to be pretty slow to update live match day scores so im using Sky Sports "ScoreCentre" so far at it seems to be much better. Whats your football website of choice on a saturday?

Thats not the Sky one like

Do we have a toontastic league on there? If so how can i join?

Swansea are looking class like especially in their new "real madrid" shirt. Firmly established PL club now. Play football the way it should be played. Its great to see fat Sam and Nolans West Ham failing. They are shite like. Proper gash.

Debuchy would be a great signing aye but Pieters would give us balance and another option at CB if needed.

I would take Pieters over Debuchy. Injury record is a concern though. I dont see Carroll coming back nor do i see us signing Douglas. Fulham have hit the wall we did with him...His agents and their fees.

Spot on. Our best 18 is stronger than last year. The lads from the development squad have stepped up and replaced the likes of Smith (Abeid) and Lovenkrands (Vuckic). Add to that the impressive Bigirimana, Amalfitano who is versitile and will get games as well as a fully fit Marveaux. We are definitely stronger. Our best starting 11 only needs one upgrade and that is at fullback whether it be on the left or right. Debuchy would be a great addition to the team but i still would prefer an LB of similar quality and switch Santon to the right. Other than that i would say we need a striker as another option to Cisse and Ba and who will challenge Shola for a spot on the bench. Thing is who?

Fancy us to get something here ya know. I dont know why, just a feeling. 1-1 or 2-1 to us. ------------------Krul Simpson Saylor Coloccini Santon ---Ben Arfa Cabaye Anita* Jonas ---------------Ba Cisse * If Tiote isnt fit. If he is i'd imagine Tiote will start. Anita on for Jonas in the second half and switching to 4231. Ba and Cisse to score.

Decent enough result i suppose but i would have liked us to have won tonight. We should have really, but we fielded a side with 9 changes and still looked decent in the second half. Just didnt create enough. Happy with the draw, the away goal and the performances of Williamson, Anita and Ryan Taylor who was my MOM. Perch done well, so did Bigi and Marveaux but Tavernier, Gosling, Obertan and Cisse were poor.

Get in Ryan Taylor son! Great time to score. Im not so sure we actually deserve to be level though, its been a pretty poor performances by us even if we have had more of the ball. Gosling has done nothing and doesn't suit that role in behind Cisse. Poor first half from Obertan too but bring Amalfitano on for Gosling and put him either on the right or in behind Cisse. Obertans pace could be of some use through the middle too though.

Me too please Mine is a little pixalated and jittery.

Need to pick up the tempo. I like that we are going 4321. Obertan has been woeful so far!

If both are played out wide. Thats not the point though is it? In a 433 Jonas is used an a CM role. While i agree with your logical posts in some sense i still have to side with CT. Anita, a proper CM should be prefered over Jonas playing out of position regardless of how hard he works. I like Jonas alot but he should only be used in the 442 system. Anita in the 433 and Marveaux in the 4231.

I'd like to see us use both formations as we did against Spurs. Versitility is important. Being able to mix it up depending on who we are playing and who both teams have available. 442 is more rigid and tends to lead to a more disciplined and organised performance but you do sacrifice attacking impetus where as 433 is far more fluid, far more expensive and leads to us playing much better football but in that we have to hope Ba will be happy and do a good job on the left which he did do against Spurs. Like i and many others have said, we will see variants of both the 442 and 433 but one thing i would like to see is us play a 4231. One striker (Cisse), two attacking wingers (HBA +Jonas/Marveaux) and Cabaye further up the pitch infront of two ball winning solid CM's (Anita and Tiote). So i expect we could see 3 formations this season. ----------------- Krul -Simpson Saylor Coloccini Santon.................Raylor (LB/RB), Perch (RB/LB/CB) and Williamson (CB). ---Barfa Cabaye Tiote Jonas...................Obertan (RM), Marveaux (LM), Amalfitano (RM/LM), Anita, Bigirimana, Abeid, Gosling and Vuckic all CM. ---------------Ba Cisse......................................Shola and Sameobi (CF). ------------------Krul -Simpson Saylor Coloccini Santon................Raylor (LB/RB), Perch (RB/LB/CB) and Williamson (CB). --------Anita Cabaye Tiote............................Gosling, Bigirimana, Abeid and Vuckic (CM). ------Barfa Cisse Ba...........................Shola and Sameobi (CF). ------------------ Krul -Simpson Saylor Coloccini Santon...............Raylor (LB/RB), Perch (RB/LB/CB) and Williamson (CB). ------------- Anita Tiote....................................Bigirimana, Perch and Gosling (CDM). -Barfa Cabaye Jonas.................Obertan (AMR), Marveaux (AML), Amalfitano (AMR/L), Sameobi (AML), Vuckic and Abeid (AMC). ------------------Cisse.......................................Ba and Shola (CF). Clearly shows that we have a competant squad with lots of options in 3 different systems. Also shows that aside from wanting and upgrage on Simpson, we REALLY need at least one quality striker through the doors.

This. Already i see a few on here who are good writers. Wrong job man.

There is no way he is coming back here.

He was. Mortal in Aspers again apparently. Would do well at Spurs. Would get some good service from the likes of Bale and Lennon and Defoe would be ideal just off him.

RE Vuckic... http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/newcastle-united/nufc-news//tm_headline=haris-vuckic-expected-to-be-handed-chance-against-atromitos%26method=full%26objectid=31647972%26siteid=72703-name_page.html RE Campbell... http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/newcastle-united/nufc-news//tm_headline=geordie-young-gun-adam-campbell-in-line-for-action%26method=full%26objectid=31647964%26siteid=72703-name_page.html Its good if we have Sameobi and Campbell ready to train with and push the first team but with only Ba, Cisse and Shola we definitely need at least one new striker. I'd have Jordan Rhodes.

Would have thought there will be streams kicking about for it like. Sounds like Vuckic will start and chances will be given to Abeid and Campbell too.

Perch done a good job at CB tbf to him.

They should be though. Team spirit and all that. Im looking forward to seeing a good bit of Marveaux this season. He looks a talent if he can stay fit. He reminds me a little of Mata and Silva.

Maybe. I had thought that but they might give him 45mins to get a bit of sharpness for the Chelsea game. Wasnt sure if he was or would be fit or not. As for my naming of players...I shall do what i like regardless of what "these parts" like or dislike...Thanks.