I think you will find that the inclusion of Ireland was a "sweetener" for the fans as if he had kept back the whole £26m from the Milner deal he would have had the fans on his back
OK Paulie why have we not heard off Randy/The General for almost 2 weeks since MON left
Quote from: Mark Kelly on August 22, 2010, 06:28:51 PMQuote from: enigma on August 22, 2010, 05:50:32 PMNRC has to come in alongside Petrov at the expense of either Downing or Albrighton. Petrov can't do all the donkeywork by himself. The thing is, we've known that for a long time now. He's exposed even more now with Milner gone.Absolutley. For me it would be Downing as he offers little defensive cover and it's no surprise our full backs look poor. Add to that he rarely makes a tackle, not that Albrighton was much better today, both were passengers in a toothless midfield.I'm beginning to worry about Downing. I see nothing that warrants the kind of money that we paid for him. I thought he was quite good at Boro', so what's happened?
Quote from: enigma on August 22, 2010, 05:50:32 PMNRC has to come in alongside Petrov at the expense of either Downing or Albrighton. Petrov can't do all the donkeywork by himself. The thing is, we've known that for a long time now. He's exposed even more now with Milner gone.Absolutley. For me it would be Downing as he offers little defensive cover and it's no surprise our full backs look poor. Add to that he rarely makes a tackle, not that Albrighton was much better today, both were passengers in a toothless midfield.
NRC has to come in alongside Petrov at the expense of either Downing or Albrighton. Petrov can't do all the donkeywork by himself. The thing is, we've known that for a long time now. He's exposed even more now with Milner gone.
Just got back from the game. I am trying to persuade myself that everything Newcastle tried came off and everything we tried turned to ashes but I know it is worse than that. Had we played until midnight we would not have scored.The scary thing is that Newcastle are a very poor side. The only difference between them and us was that they had a centre-forward worthy of the name. Had Carroll been in a Villa shirt we probably would have won.Big Brad: 4. I was surprised by the first goal. Somebody just behind me said that it went through his hands. After that I was surprised when he got his hands to anything.Young L: 5 Averagely awful.Dunne: 5 Ditto.Clark: 6 Tried.Warnock: 4 Bypassed too easily.Albrighton: 7 Seemed to be a little overawed and didn't attack the fullback much. Shouldn't have been taken off.Petrov: 7 Crocked early on (?). But some of his through ball were excellent.Ireland: 6 Looked a bit lost.Downing;: 4 Seemed to be playing deeper and inside.Young A: 4 Someone should explain the offside law to him.Carew: 2 Didn't seem bothered.Heskey: 3 His confidence must be shot and it shows.Reo-Coker: 4 Twice got caught in possession. Doesn't anyone speak to him?Beye: 4 Did a header.
Quote from: spangley1812 on August 22, 2010, 06:31:17 PMI think you will find that the inclusion of Ireland was a "sweetener" for the fans as if he had kept back the whole £26m from the Milner deal he would have had the fans on his backWhy will I find that? And where? Quote from: spangley1812 on August 22, 2010, 06:31:17 PMOK Paulie why have we not heard off Randy/The General for almost 2 weeks since MON leftWe have heard from the General. Check his thread.Now, you tell me, in what way is it Lerner's fault for selling James Milner?
Quote from: Mark Kelly on August 22, 2010, 06:28:51 PMQuote from: enigma on August 22, 2010, 05:50:32 PMNRC has to come in alongside Petrov at the expense of either Downing or Albrighton. Petrov can't do all the donkeywork by himself. The thing is, we've known that for a long time now. He's exposed even more now with Milner gone.Absolutley. For me it would be Downing as he offers little defensive cover and it's no surprise our full backs look poor. Add to that he rarely makes a tackle, not that Albrighton was much better today, both were passengers in a toothless midfield.Problem is Downing is more composed on the ball and can keep possession, whereas Albrighton is useless against a decent fullback (just as MON basically said after the befica game).I'd start with Downing, but for me NRC would be first name on the team sheet. He is our only player who can break up play!
What a come-down after I was expecting a routine 0-2 away win.
Quote from: ronshirt on August 22, 2010, 05:57:43 PMJust got back from the game. I am trying to persuade myself that everything Newcastle tried came off and everything we tried turned to ashes but I know it is worse than that. Had we played until midnight we would not have scored.The scary thing is that Newcastle are a very poor side. The only difference between them and us was that they had a centre-forward worthy of the name. Had Carroll been in a Villa shirt we probably would have won.Big Brad: 4. I was surprised by the first goal. Somebody just behind me said that it went through his hands. After that I was surprised when he got his hands to anything.Young L: 5 Averagely awful.Dunne: 5 Ditto.Clark: 6 Tried.Warnock: 4 Bypassed too easily.Albrighton: 7 Seemed to be a little overawed and didn't attack the fullback much. Shouldn't have been taken off.Petrov: 7 Crocked early on (?). But some of his through ball were excellent.Ireland: 6 Looked a bit lost.Downing;: 4 Seemed to be playing deeper and inside.Young A: 4 Someone should explain the offside law to him.Carew: 2 Didn't seem bothered.Heskey: 3 His confidence must be shot and it shows.Reo-Coker: 4 Twice got caught in possession. Doesn't anyone speak to him?Beye: 4 Did a header.I only watched the game online, but I can't agree with some of those ratings.Albrighton was completely out of his depth today, and I think Ashley (who's goal was miles onside, btw) was one of our best players, but no decisions went his way.
Quote from: gibbo on August 22, 2010, 06:37:48 PMQuote from: Mark Kelly on August 22, 2010, 06:28:51 PMQuote from: enigma on August 22, 2010, 05:50:32 PMNRC has to come in alongside Petrov at the expense of either Downing or Albrighton. Petrov can't do all the donkeywork by himself. The thing is, we've known that for a long time now. He's exposed even more now with Milner gone.Absolutley. For me it would be Downing as he offers little defensive cover and it's no surprise our full backs look poor. Add to that he rarely makes a tackle, not that Albrighton was much better today, both were passengers in a toothless midfield.Problem is Downing is more composed on the ball and can keep possession, whereas Albrighton is useless against a decent fullback (just as MON basically said after the befica game).I'd start with Downing, but for me NRC would be first name on the team sheet. He is our only player who can break up play!I'd agree Gibbo. NRC has to play: not only is he our only midfielder who can break up play, he adds a bit of vigour to an otherwise pedestrian midfield. I'd have him and Stan behind Ireland in a 4-5-1 with Gabby up top when he's fit.
There isn't a single player from Newcastle's starting line up that I'd have in our team ahead of the players we have. So to get so throughly destroyed by them was shocking.