Optimistic Nut

Next 6 matches. Fulham (H) Blackburn (A) Man City (H) Portsmouth (A) Wigan (A) Sunderland (H) They're all games we should win. Perhaps a draw at either Blackburn or Portsmouth, but if we haven't won 5 of those, Souness will be sacked IMO.

That's actually a good sign IMO. It shows he's obviously willing to listen to what we've got to say, and if Liverpool can't afford the fee, he surely wouldn't bother talking to us if he wasn't considering signing for us?

I know, I'm glued to it at the minute. And even then, I'll wait for official confirmation from your telly! EDIT - Sky Sports News has just said he'll talk to both us AND Liverpool.

ITV Teletext Page 402. More to follow.

Just seen the two goals again, and again, Taylor seems to be escaping criticism. He missed the first header against van Nistelrooy for the first goal, and it was Taylor again who gave the ball away in the left-wing position to Rooney in the build up to the second goal. The problem is, Boumsong isn't a Geordie so will inevitably get extra criticism.

11 points in 9 games is accepting mediocrity.. 20945[/snapback] (sorry, I mean't Wigan being the 5th match but see what you mean). 11 in 8 is mediocre. 10 in 4 however is a team overcoming a slow start (a la Robson?).

We are creating next to nothing. Yes we have plenty of possession, but i feel thats due to an extra man in the middle of the park. How many saves did Lehman or Van der Sar have to make? 20942[/snapback] That's a good point. I guess that's why we're trying to add Kuyt/Owen/Anelka, or whoever. If he can't bring in a striker before Thursday, then I agree, we'll struggle to create chances, nevermind score goals.

As I said in my original post, if we haven't got at least 11 points on the board by the time we visit Wigan in 5 games time, then I'll start to panic.

I'm talking about the opposition we played, not the match order. And I can honestly say we were better this season against Arsenal & Man U than in 2002-3, we were no worse against Bolton this season than when we lost 4-3. Only the West Ham game was a bigger disappointment.

2002-3 season when we finished 3rd. We got beat 1-0 at Highbury. We beat West Ham 4-0 up here. We got beat off Bolton 4-3 at the Reebok. We got beat 6-2 off Man Utd up here. After 4 games, we're only 2 points down on the side that finished 3rd in the equivalent matches. Let's see where we are in 4-5 games time. Then I'll start to panick.

That's your opinion. My opinion is that we are stronger with Bowyer in a midfield five, than with Ameobi & Shearer as a front two.

Playing 4-4-2 would have meant Ameobi in that side ahead of Luque, Dyer, Bowyer, Emre or Parker. IMO, that would not have made us stronger. Shearer had 2 or 3 decent chances today but still couldn't score. Once we've signed another striker, fair enough, go back to 4-4-2.

Can you honestly say we'd be any better in a 4-4-2?

To be fair, we're 2nd bottom, no goals for donkey's years, and have just been beaten. I admit, he goes over the top a bit, but you can't argue with him being unhappy!!!

But when they attack it's 4 or sometimes 5 getting forward. Bent, Rommedahl, Thomas & Murphy have been brilliant to watch in their opening three games.

They have Bent, Rommedahl & Murphy fit and on top of their games. We have Shearer, Dyer & Jenas not fit or on top of their games.

He was talking about those two instances. You're talking about him as a whole.

It's not doing Charlton any harm! 6 goals away from home. Midfielders getting beyond the striker because they know they have a striker capable running with the ball, top scorer in the league, and midfielders chipping in with goals.

Charlton have been playing the exact same system this season, with Bent up-front by himself, and Rommedahl & Thomas supporting him from the flanks. Amazing what a difference having a striker up-front who can run, can actually have on your side.

he probably doesn't even know his teammates names, nevermind a chance to get to know them.

He decided not to do the interview. Perhaps because he knew what questions he'd get (sacked in August, Owen, lack of firepower, etc), and he's answered these questions plenty of times recently.

Next four games are against Fulham, Blackburn, Man City & Portsmouth. If we haven't got 10 points from those 12, Souness will be out IMO.

I'm sure he was crying at one stage.

Given Phil Neville's selection, I would have thought, LB - A.Cole, Warnock RB - Carragher, P.Neville CB - Terry, Upson CB - Ferdinand, Dawson/Taylor Let's face it, who's most likely to be there come Euro 2008, Young or Dawson & Taylor?

4 minutes gone, same old Ronaldo.