Once more unto the breach, dear friends

craig futers wrote...

Given, Beye, Rozenhal, Capaca(or Taylor following the Reading performance), Enrique, Milner, Barton, Emre, N'Zogbia, Smith, Owen

Posted by: craig futers  | November 1, 2007 11:31 AM

Paul Patterson wrote...

Victory in BOTH games is a must.

First Portsmouth to steady the ship and maintain home progress and Sunderland to get some sort of away form on side.

I like you, do not know what the hell Allardyce will be thinking with regards team selection as it’s usually a bit like the draw for the third round of the F.A Cup- Out of the hat.

Up front it would be suicide to start with Alan Smith and not Owen and Martins, but what everyone wants is those things that seem to help birds to fly, Yes Wing(ers)

Milner and N’Zogbia MUST start otherwise the fans might be a little unhappy before a ball is kicked on Saturday.

Predictions: Anythings possible, expect a lot of goals in it, but I’m going for a 4-2 defeat.

Paul.

Posted by: Paul Patterson  | November 1, 2007 1:52 PM

John wrote...

We would all like a starting line-up with players playing in their preferred positions, followed by a committed and creative display ultimately leading to three points.

I have no idea what the sun would be like on such a planet, so I expect something different.

Go on lads - surprise me.

Posted by: John  | November 1, 2007 3:14 PM

Mr Toon wrote...

Two issues I feel need sorting out for the Pompey game were glaring at Reading. Apart from playing with no wingers (which is not a home tactic) the first was that throughout the match Shay Given was as indecisive as I've ever seen him. The Cacapa back pass mix up was totally down to Shay as he dallied around in no mans land with defenders and fans screaming for him to collect the ball. This happened constantly and he was often barracked by our fans during the first half and therefore spent most of his time standing outside his penalty box. His positioning for the Kitson goal was shocking as he was way off his line. The defenders have been made the scapegoats for the Reading goals but playing in front of Shay must have been a nightmare for them. Shay is a good close range shot stopper but has no command of his penalty area, stays rooted to his line with crosses and I've no idea what the stats say but has anyone ever noticed how he regularly concedes goals from outside his penalty box. A change of keeper needed?

My second issue at Reading was how virtually every time Geremi got the ball in midfield he immediately slowed the game to a standstill. We must have been the slowest counter attacking team in the country on the day, only changing when the team was reshuffled too late in the second half.

The Owen versus Oba point is a difficult one. Owen is by far the better finisher but Oba tends to be involved in the game more but they don't gel together and are too small as a pairing. Either paired with Viduka would be my choice but my worst pairing would be Owen and Shola - it would be like playing with only 9 men. Now watch Big Sam pick them tomorrow, both score and make me look stupid!

Posted by: Mr Toon  | November 2, 2007 9:19 AM

Philip Boyle wrote...

Sam Alladyce has yet to find a good blend in the players he is selecting. There are still too many very small players too. Even in victory over Spurs, it was apparent that the football is not flowing. Arsenal is the model for dynamic modern football with great athleticism and skill on the ball/quick passing - that is what the Toon must aim for, not old school.

Posted by: Philip Boyle  | November 2, 2007 12:48 PM

Mark in Washington DC wrote...

Craig, I was with you on the team until you put Smith and Owen up front. Sorry if we had the choice I would play Smith and Martins. Mr Toon has said that Owen is a better finisher, well I have not seen it this season, infact I hav'nt seen Owen do anything this season. Martins is a n modern day striker were as Owen still expects to sit around and have a goal handed to him. You look at all the good premiership strikers Rooney, Drob's etc they all come looking for the ball and make runs. Owen is an over paid spent force, his pace was his only asset, now that has gone he has nothing to offer. Henry said a few season ago about Owen quote "if I had to sit around all game waiting for the ball I would be bored". Those words seem to still ring true.

Viduka and Martins is our number one strike force. Bets thing to do is off load OWen and Shola (who has done us proud but peaked 2 seasons ago) and get in some aerial power up front.

Also as I have said before, lets see Big Sam pick a side and stick with it if it works for a few games. He has had most of his players back for a while now and he still picks the wrong team and trys to play players like Geremi in any position just to get him on the park. Come on BS we all said once everyone was fit he should not be in the starting 11. Or are we seeing another case of player power, if thats the case then I suggest a change in management is needed.

Posted by: Mark in Washington DC  | November 2, 2007 1:34 PM

mr toon wrote...

Mark in Washington DC, I believe Owen is a better finisher because his goals from chances ratio seems(?) to be better than Oba's but I totally agree that he hasn't contributed a great deal this season. Oba is much more of a nuisance to defenders, is involved far more and brings others into the game but he doesn't appear to be a clinical finisher. Like yourself, I would choose Oba ahead of Owen but if he could only improve his finishing he would then be a very dangerous all round striker.

Posted by: mr toon  | November 2, 2007 6:16 PM

Siomi wrote...

Obafemi has to start. He has consistently created problems for defenders. He should be encouraged to make more of those (Maradonaesq?) surging swerving runs, and once he gets his shooting confidence back he will be lethal. The booing on his substitutions is for the decision, not the performance; maybe something lost on Allardyce? Oba and Viduka are our potential dynamite duo. Flog Owen when we can still get something for him!

Reluctantly, I have to agree about Geremi. He now seems too slow and not creative enough in midfield. A big disappointment. The problem is, does that mean Smith is captain?! Milner and Zog have to start, that should be obvious, shouldn't it?!

And I would definitly give Rozi a run. I love the way he can regularly be found in the enemy half as part of the attack - memories of Albert?

Posted by: Siomi  | November 3, 2007 6:36 AM

BIG DAVY wrote...

So Big Sam was disappointed when he did not get the England job - so should all Toon fans - so here we go - defeat at Sunderland and this season will be as mediocre as the rest

Posted by: BIG DAVY  | November 3, 2007 5:34 PM