yorkiesaint

Yes this is it exactly, our midfield is not good enough for 4 4 2, with too many that can attack or defend, rather than do both jobs well.

I still think we should go 4 5 1. I said this before Ipswich too. I would go: Davis Thomas Fonte Jaidi Harding James Morgan Lallana Wotton Holmes Lambert No way on earth should we start with Antonio or Waigo in a 4 man midfield, except in emergencies. Otsemobor might get the nod ahead of Thomas, and if we get ahead maybe rest Lambert by bringing on Barnard, but this will presumably require a different style of play.

if you prefer there is the suffolk commentry too!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/hampshire/hi/front_page/newsid_8255000/8255499.stm

a bit too far for a session for me trousers but I will be there 'in spirit'

I think to stand any chance we'll have to pack the midfield. I would go for Davis James/Thomas Jaidi Perry Harding Waigo Gillet/James Wotton Lallana Holmes Lambert

I think this would be suicide, poor defence and a midfield too light weight. I agree, move Lallana into the middle though.

If Gillet is back then he may play. Pardew has shown he has no problems with throwing a new boy in. I guess because of the makeshift defence we will go for a 5 man midfield of Waigo Gillet Wotton Lallana and Holmes, with Gillet and Wotton sitting deeper. Smacks a bit of last season!

Well, I have to say you have a commendable sense of optimism thorpie

See the Stock thread where it is clarified that Pardew said nothing of the sort. To paraphrase what he did say, he said something like 'we would be interested in stock if we could afford him, but we can't so we're not.' Now move on.

Give it up guys and girls, you are clutching at straws. The echo just takes Pardew out of context to conjure a story from nowhere. I think we can also be sure that the OS headline definitely wouldn't be on there if we were really signing Stock, given cortese's views on discretion. No bid has been made, we are not signing him. We need a new rumour to argue about now!

even the OS is on a wind up!

No, but she has finished warming up.

I think we can safely say we are not signing Stock, end of.

For me midfield is most important. For instance in the leeds game we were found out because we had to use papa or antonio. These are squad players that are not suited to that kind of tought away match where we needed to keep things tight and midfielders that can defend in all positions. We need proper cover for the midfield for when either Schneiderlin, Lallana or hammond aren't available. Either Danns or Stock would be great, but I wouldn't be surprised if there are not more irons in the fire.

I think it is obvious that seabourne was preferred over ward for whatever reason. There are presumably numerous similar 'nearly transfers' that we never hear about so i would say the ward situation is totally unremarkable. Either Seabourne is more highly rated by AP than Ward, or for financial reasons, such as more left to spend on other players, or greater potential for added value to the seabourne signing, seabourne was preferred. Either way we have our man and I look forwaerd to seeing him play.

yes a good summary but maybe the Angel rather than Northumberland avenue.

OK I'd forgotten about that minor detail. the premier league it has to be!

As others have said we are a loss leader. The key strategy is to excite the fans into coming with e few 'big' signings. then the money is made back, and if acompanied by promotion, with profits.

And it is true that you can make money in the CCC. Weren't Sheffield Utd something like the 5th or 6th most profitable club in the country last year, despite being in the CCC? I agree with everything on this thread, the long term future of the club depends on the plan for ML realising the value of the assets.

LOL at all the climate skeptic mongs, think they know more about the climate than 200 professors of climatology

Maybe a lack of depth in the squad was exposed as waigo was not suited to that game, too much defensive work, but he played anyway. Antonio is probably even worse in that department. Remember we are a work in progress! On the plus side, we are still 9 points off the playoffs.

I still worry about injuries and suspensions - one more forward, midfield and defender would give us decent enough depth for the end of season push. roll on january

and spiderman

Up north where we are, one of the local councils got into a lot of strife for putting names and addresses of objectors on the web. There was a typical local media furore followed by councillors eating humble pie.