Big TRon

How many goals would Owen score if you played him on the wing?

it's essential you have pace in areas of your team. I'd be more than happy if we bought Ashton though for what he is, the fact he isn't the quickest doesn't bother me though as i think we need to reshape our entire forward pattern/players/balance anyway. Do we need Ashton in light of the fact we already have Viduka? I think there'd only be room for one of those two alongside a quicker player ideally.

I have to admit I am completely pissed off to open the papers this morning to read Sam talking about Barton and what we can do to maintain his fitness, yadda, yadda... He's not in the squad, he's not in contention so let him fucking stew. Who gives a shit how Joey feels? I don't want to hear about how Sam's planning to go and see him in the clink. I think it was Mourinho who had a philosophy that if a player was injured he was not his concern, because he was only thinking about the next match and the players available were the ones that mattered. Certainly arseholes like Barton shouldn't be atking up too much of anyone's time while he's inside.

Because if he blows £30 million on shit then gets the sack at the end of the season (which in my opinion is looking likely) then, well, we'll have £30m pounds worth of shit footballers the next manager probably wont fancy. Yes. And with City and Villa both having made formal moves for Martins, imagine what a tit Sam will look if Oba starts scoring again once he's played as a central striker.

Come to think of it, Wenger's name is often bandied around when talk of long-serving managers being the most successful. I remember watching Arsenal shortly after he took over and he introduced an unknown called Patrick Viera. He had a stormer and Arsenal were transformed almost overnight into a team light years ahead of the team Rioch left behind. That might have been an exceptional case, but when a new manager of quality comes in you would expect to see at least some signs of progress, with a few blips on the way. We actually seem to be going backwards considering the squad is stronger than last year.

yes...and now some smart arse will reply even with pace you can end up with your head up your arse...albeit quickly

fair enough but without pace, you might not be able to get in position quickly enough.

Or just because he's available. I rate him but the amount of times in recent years that we've signed players for this reason rather than because we needed them is one of the reasons we've paid top whack in recent years and still ended up with an average squad. couldn't agree more.

I would go with the approach that we are unlikely to match them for physical strength and will struggle to deal with their set pieces whatever formation we play. In which case give them something to think about what we might do to them. ------------------Given Beye ------Taylor - -Rozenhal ------- Enrique ---------Faye -- Smith/Butt------------ Duff-----------------------------------N'Zogbia ----------- Viduka - -Owen------------ don't think they'd fancy that front 4 much.

in light of the Dean Ashton rumours which are admitterdly probably made up, I wouldn't want him because he'd add to a team which is increasingly made up of plodders, although as a centre forward in his own right I quite like him. We have in recent years lost Dyer, Bellamy and Robert who were quick, and formed a big part of SBR's success at it's peak. I know it's not the be-all and end-all but if you don't posess it in some key positions I think you lose so many options. For example, Allardyce's results would probably be transformed if he could get Anelka in, or a player of that type.

If we are going to buy Carrick it should be because he's a player we need, not because he's a geordie. I say this only because when he was playing at West Ham and Spurs he wasn't interested in coming home at all even though Fat Fred was dead keen. I don't see why we should give him local preference when he didn't give us any.

Can't say I'm too impressed with the Wes Brown pursuit either. I would have thought midfield and forward positions need looking at before bringing in another 'versatile' defender. I'm not sure how much difference another defender will make - the reason we concede goals is because we don't keep posession so the defence is under constant pressure.

Spurs spent £120m then sacked Jol which is a bit pointless. I've feeling we are going to fiddle by till the summer and see if there's any sign of progress. If not, Allardyce will probably get sacked and money will be made available to a manager of Ashley's liking. Cause the players turned shit overnight? No, because the next manager might not think Barton and Smith were worth £12m for example? Souness probably thought Boumsong was a quality player

Spurs spent £120m then sacked Jol which is a bit pointless. I've feeling we are going to fiddle by till the summer and see if there's any sign of progress. If not, Allardyce will probably get sacked and money will be made available to a manager of Ashley's liking.

Well Ashley should throw some cash out there and if Sam still doesn't deliver then he's got no excuses Yes but then the cash is gone. If Ashley really believes in Big Sam I think he would make the money available, but I'm not sure he does.

I'd define 'spending big' as competing on a level playing field with your rivals, which I would assume are Aston Villa, Everton, Tottenham and the like if Europe is the aim. Sam says he has given a list of players to Mort so should Mort attempt to sign them?

Those who reckon that he needs time to turn things round what do you say? It's all very well saying that he needs a 5 year plan or 2 seasons to turn things round, but for me it's pointless aiming for Europe, then tying a manager's hands through lack of funds. Personally, I don't believe he should get any serious money because I'm not convinced he's going to sign the type of players we need if Barton and Smith are anything to go by. But then what's the point in giving a manager 3 years without backing him with the cash needed?

Not that we have loads of alternatives but you could always move Zog to LW and play Duff on the right now he's fit. Tbh I'd consider Geremi as an alternative although he's off to Africa now. At least he can deliver a decent ball in and he won't fanny about hopelessly before losing the ball. Both of those are options I would consider but tbh it's hardly an exciting alternative. We do need a genuine quality right winger which should be a transfer priority. Letting Solano and Dyer go without replacements has left us short of pace and creativity on that flank.

I am hearing so much of this idea that we have ideas above our station that I am starting to wonder whether there isn't some ofrm of jealousy involved? At least we aren't arrogant enough to sack a manager like Mourinho because he was winning without playing "entertaining" football.

Neil Warnock was at Sheffield United for 8 years but that didn't make him a manager of Ferguson and Wenger's ability. What a crock. Sometime people are just average and they will never do any better than that. Allardyce will always be more Warnock than Wenger regardless of how long he's given. I agree. Never wanted him. But he's here now and to make the best of it going forward can't you put aside your personal displeasure at some of the more tedious performances and give support to the man who's proven he can get even smaller clubs into Europe or thereabouts consistently, even with what little talent or flair he has? We need to become more attractive to talented managers. 5 managers in less than 4 years doesn't tend to do that. Is that an understatement or is that an understatement. He deserves two years minimum. A period of stability, and a chance for the new owner and chairman to build on. If he can't further us up the table then get rid. But Jesus Christ, Allardyce has only been at the club two seconds and inherited a shit squad of players. People need to get a grip of reality. We aren't "big". Bringing in someone like McLeish or Shearer now won't do a thing. People need to wake up... Bringing in a McLeish or Shearer would be pointless. I know it's early days but Ramos at Spurs looks like a better way to go. Wenger turned out to be an inspired choice as well, maybe in a year's time Ashley will be able to target a coach who is capable of providing football to compete at the highest level? Yes, maybe. But maybe in a year's time Allardyce would have turned things around? I don't know that, nobody knows that, but unless he's given a chance what chance has the reputation that our club has can be a positive one to others? No chance. Therein lies the quandary that many cannot fathom. Managers won't be put off coming here just because the guy before that was sacked for doing poorly. Anyone worth his salt will think "I could do better " especially if they have a clear idea of what makes a potentially good side. By all means, let Sam have time, but the fact that he's managed to make a reasonable squad look clueless doesn't fill me with hope. I think managers would be put off because being manager of NUFC is more high pressure than most other clubs. It is unenviable...just like being manager of England. Managers taking a look at our recent record would take notice of the fact most of our managers (some justified, some certainly not) got no time to implement true change. There aren't many managers "worth their salt" available at the moment. That includes Houllier. A reasonable squad?.? Reasonable meaning non-relegation battlers - yes I concur. But anything above is arguable. That squad might not be capable of challenging the top 6 but they shouldn't be struggling against Derby, Sunderland and the rest of the dross who are walking away with undreamed of points. It's not exactly making the best of your resources in my view.

Not that we have loads of alternatives but you could always move Zog to LW and play Duff on the right now he's fit. Tbh I'd consider Geremi as an alternative although he's off to Africa now. At least he can deliver a decent ball in and he won't fanny about hopelessly before losing the ball.

Neil Warnock was at Sheffield United for 8 years but that didn't make him a manager of Ferguson and Wenger's ability. What a crock. Sometime people are just average and they will never do any better than that. Allardyce will always be more Warnock than Wenger regardless of how long he's given. I agree. Never wanted him. But he's here now and to make the best of it going forward can't you put aside your personal displeasure at some of the more tedious performances and give support to the man who's proven he can get even smaller clubs into Europe or thereabouts consistently, even with what little talent or flair he has? We need to become more attractive to talented managers. 5 managers in less than 4 years doesn't tend to do that. Is that an understatement or is that an understatement. He deserves two years minimum. A period of stability, and a chance for the new owner and chairman to build on. If he can't further us up the table then get rid. But Jesus Christ, Allardyce has only been at the club two seconds and inherited a shit squad of players. People need to get a grip of reality. We aren't "big". Bringing in someone like McLeish or Shearer now won't do a thing. People need to wake up... Bringing in a McLeish or Shearer would be pointless. I know it's early days but Ramos at Spurs looks like a better way to go. Wenger turned out to be an inspired choice as well, maybe in a year's time Ashley will be able to target a coach who is capable of providing football to compete at the highest level? Yes, maybe. But maybe in a year's time Allardyce would have turned things around? I don't know that, nobody knows that, but unless he's given a chance what chance has the reputation that our club has can be a positive one to others? No chance. Therein lies the quandary that many cannot fathom. Managers won't be put off coming here just because the guy before that was sacked for doing poorly. Anyone worth his salt will think "I could do better " especially if they have a clear idea of what makes a potentially good side. By all means, let Sam have time, but the fact that he's managed to make a reasonable squad look clueless doesn't fill me with hope.

Not much of a plan if that is his goal to be honest. I don't think it's his goal, I just can't see how his type of football could get us much more.

with Allardyce in charge, top eight finishes - top six at best.

Neil Warnock was at Sheffield United for 8 years but that didn't make him a manager of Ferguson and Wenger's ability. What a crock. Sometime people are just average and they will never do any better than that. Allardyce will always be more Warnock than Wenger regardless of how long he's given. I agree. Never wanted him. But he's here now and to make the best of it going forward can't you put aside your personal displeasure at some of the more tedious performances and give support to the man who's proven he can get even smaller clubs into Europe or thereabouts consistently, even with what little talent or flair he has? We need to become more attractive to talented managers. 5 managers in less than 4 years doesn't tend to do that. Is that an understatement or is that an understatement. He deserves two years minimum. A period of stability, and a chance for the new owner and chairman to build on. If he can't further us up the table then get rid. But Jesus Christ, Allardyce has only been at the club two seconds and inherited a shit squad of players. People need to get a grip of reality. We aren't "big". Bringing in someone like McLeish or Shearer now won't do a thing. People need to wake up... Bringing in a McLeish or Shearer would be pointless. I know it's early days but Ramos at Spurs looks like a better way to go. Wenger turned out to be an inspired choice as well, maybe in a year's time Ashley will be able to target a coach who is capable of providing football to compete at the highest level?