Bombadil

Considering we're only 6 points off a Champions League place with 63 still up fro grabs, I think that statement is a tiny bit premature tbh. I don't personally think we will qualify for the CL this season but I don't think it's realistic yet to say that we won't. 69509[/snapback] I agree, I think I chose the wrong words. It's definitely realistic from a mathematical or statistical point of view - but then you could say the same about every team in the top half of the table. I just can't see us winning games (let alone playing well) on a consistent basis under Souness, which is what we have to do to finish 4th. It's like some of the players said, we need to go on a run the same way Liverpool did.

He didn't play that much though did he? 69490[/snapback] Something like 25 appearances off the top of my head, so he had slightly less chance of getting injured but his not playing wasn't down to his availability. 69492[/snapback] True. He was always injured for Liverpool though and taking into consideration his history with hamstrings, his injury problems shouldn't be that much of a surprise. I think we all agree on the fact that we're fucked when he doesn't play though.

Have you mathematicians taken into account the 3 games before £28m was spent? 69477[/snapback] Of course But come on! No club (with the exception of Chelsea, who are in a league of their own) has spent more money on new players in the last year than we have. Are shit performances and 10th place a fair return on investment? 69480[/snapback] No but I think absences have been a factor (though too easily stated as well). We need a run with the best 11/12 out to properly judge imo though I accept that the squad should be better. 69486[/snapback] We've certainly had some rotten luck with injuries. Let's face it though, who thought Owen was going to be fit for the entire season?

Is that based on a particular formula or just an arbitrary number? 69469[/snapback] Common sense methinks. 69470[/snapback] Really?! 69472[/snapback] Really what? I'll reiterate - I don't think it's unreasonable to expect us to do better than we are after so much money was spent on new players in the summer. 69475[/snapback] And as Rob pointed out, we have done better. So you should be a happy man! 69479[/snapback] I wouldn't want you to take care of my finances!

Have you mathematicians taken into account the 3 games before £28m was spent? 69477[/snapback] Of course But come on! No club (with the exception of Chelsea, who are in a league of their own) has spent more money on new players in the last year than we have. Are shit performances and 10th place a fair return on investment?

Is that based on a particular formula or just an arbitrary number? 69469[/snapback] Common sense methinks. 69470[/snapback] Really?! 69472[/snapback] Really what? I'll reiterate - I don't think it's unreasonable to expect us to do better than we are after so much money was spent on new players in the summer.

Is that based on a particular formula or just an arbitrary number? 69469[/snapback] Common sense methinks.

I hope you're not seriously suggesting that because we've won back-to-back victories for probably the first time in the league under Souness, everyone should change their mind about him being the right manager and tuck into the humble pie. Barring a miraculous change in his ability, we will still struggle to finish in the Top 6 (when really CL qualification should be our aim). I'm delighted with the two wins because if we hadn't picked up six points, we could definitely have forgotten about Europe this season. Who knows, we may even go on a decent run over the Christmas period, which would be great. Unfortunately though, that is how Souness' teams work - what we're seeing at the moment is another mini-run of good results. I'm afraid that will soon change into yet another extented run of shit results. We've had a lot of false dawns since he's been in charge.

So how long do you reckon Owen will stay? Seeing as the best we can realistically achieve this season with Souness in charge is qualification for the UEFA Cup, I think it all comes down to whether the Big 4 are interested in the summer. Arsenal: My first thought was that we can rule Arsenal out because they can't afford him - but that could change when Henry leaves, which I think will happen in the summer. I doubt even Wenger would try to replace a player like Henry on the cheap/using youngsters and he's admitted to being a fan of Owen. Chelsea: They could of course easily come up with the cash, but Mourinho doesn't seem to be interested and he's not one to change his mind. Man Utd: No big danger here. They've got some very good strikers and won't be able to spend £15m on a new one. Liverpool: Still the key...if they keep doing well in the League and in the CL, they will be able to afford him and I don't think Benitez would say no again. If Owen knows of any Liverpool interest, he will be in Souness' and Shepherd's offices and there's not much you can do then. His obvious desire to return to them would drive down the price as well, they wouldn't have to pay as much as we did in the summer. I was more optimistic of our chances of keeping him when Liverpool were doing relatively badly at the start of the season, but they're obviously in great form. If they keep doing this well, it's bad news for us. Basically our only hope is for Morientes, Cissé and The Freak to turn into goalscoring machines...

It is, and anyone who says otherwise hasn't got a clue. Not even the Ronaldinhos of this world would play like they do with personal tragedies like that going on. The fact that he probably doesn't see his ill wife and child for weeks must make it even worse. Hopefully they'll get better soon. Speaking of Ronaldinho, there was a nice quote from him on BBC Online: "Henry is a beautiful player and and has got complete technique. I adore watching him. I respect him very much as a man and as a footballer. He reminds me of myself." How modest

We know you are! Enjoy it while it lasts

49 in the UK. Oh well, at least my name's unique in Switzerland.

Sven was in the stands 69157[/snapback] Mere coincidence

If only he could stay fit for a while! Very important three points, get in. Shame about Shola being useless instead of Luque getting a few minutes, and Parker will be suspended on Boxing Day.

Owen 4-2!!

What he said... 69144[/snapback] He'd probably bite it off. 69145[/snapback]

What he said...

Parker booked, shit. Suspended against Liverpool.

Luque not getting any playing time then?

He's on 199 now.

Solano and Owen involved again.

Shearer!!!

West Ham hit the post, we're under the cosh.

you mean fat fred. 69119[/snapback] Neither has Souness according to Shepherd. 2-0 Owen! 69121[/snapback] Not only have we scored, but theirs has been struck off! Back of the net. 69124[/snapback] Pedant