Premier League: from Sat 20 Oct 2007 to Mon 22 Oct 2007

You staying online 4 this Kimmy ?

I feel like some good banter is due.

We're wearing yellow BTW - last time we wore that at your place, this happened:

Yo Kimbo bro! what are the odds that your man Owen remains healthy 'til the Liverpool match? Can Owen give you FIVE full matches? Just FIVE straight matches. Is that too much too ask from a player who gets paid lots of money, and who hardly plays for your team? Can we get FIVE matches from him Kimbo or will Owen pick up an injury?

You know like a calf strain bullshit or some $h!t in today's game or next game, and then only to return "fully fit" for the last club game before England's match?

Sir Les Jurgen of Ginola wrote:You staying online 4 this Kimmy ?

I feel like some good banter is due.

We're wearing yellow BTW - last time we wore that at your place, this happened:

Oh how amazingly relevant.

I won't be online sorry, i'll be on at half time and full time ready to gloat though.

Sir Les Jurgen of Ginola wrote:You staying online 4 this Kimmy ?

I feel like some good banter is due.

We're wearing yellow BTW - last time we wore that at your place, this happened:

Draw hopefully
I won't be unhappy if you beat them though...

Puro wrote:Yo Kimbo bro! what are the odds that your man Owen remains healthy 'til the Liverpool match?

I don't know.

Can Owen give you FIVE full matches?

I don't know.

Just FIVE straight matches. Is that too much too ask from a player who gets paid lots of money, and who hardly plays for your team?

I don't know.

Can we get FIVE matches from him Kimbo or will Owen pick up an injury?

I don't know.

You know like a calf strain bullshit or some $h!t in today's game or next game, and then only to return "fully fit" for the last club game before England's match?

I don't know.

Yep! we're at a point that no one knows with Owen eh!

What will you do if he says he's injured again?

Puro wrote: Yep! we're at a point that no one knows with Owen eh!

What will you do if he says he's injured again?

He doesn't know.

Hmmm...

Oba vs. Dawson, or Owen vs. Dawson

Pierre Littbarski wrote:

Puro wrote: Yep! we're at a point that no one knows with Owen eh!

What will you do if he says he's injured again?

He doesn't know.

The f@ck he doesn't. Kimbo'd probably shoot him if Owen sticks it to his club again.

Pierre Littbarski wrote:

Puro wrote: Yep! we're at a point that no one knows with Owen eh!

What will you do if he says he's injured again?

He doesn't know.

Forgot to say that I checked this week (first time this season) the standings in the Championship. Glad to know your club is leading the way. I was just checking my man Mostto's team Barsnley, and saw that you're leading.

A strange one to see Geremi on the right with Milner on the bench, and I dont think its a particularly good idea. Milner would give us more balance and, whilst hes not the fastest himself, hes faster and more of a natural winger than Geremi - and with Owen and Martins up front, and N'Zogbia on the left, with Milner playing as well we could really attack from all sides, spread the play, overwhelm with pace. Milner has suffered so far this season from being pushed around the pitch - still, neither Smith nor Geremi have worked at all playing out wide and when they have played there its made our right side negligble. Especially if Emre does play on the left of central midfield, then it leaves our right side lacking pace and it would be much more defensive than the left, though obviously Butt will sit a bit and allow Emre to go forward more.

I presume, without the outlet of a tall forward, Geremi is considered a bit of a safer, calmer option, who can perhaps, in theory, play through balls to the front two. And Beye is maybe expected to overlap.

I also dont at all understand why Rozehnal has lost his place in the team, considering Id argue hes been one of our best players this season. Cacapa is solid, perhaps theres an argument hes generally more solid at the back than Rozehnal, but he seems more prone to mistakes whilst Rozehnal adds a lot more to the team. I cant see why Tottenham should be a team who we need to play a tough or physical back line against - especially with the way theyre lining up tonight, when Rozehnals pace could have been more useful defensively.

Besides from that, we do look good down the left, hopefully Emre and N'Zogbia can link well together, and Emre can keep some of the drive he displayed in his sub appearance a couple of weeks ago. It would be great if he found some form and could establish a place in the team, because hes undoubtedly, on potential, our most creative central midfielder. And Im looking forward to seeing how Martins and Owen play together.

In that sense, this game could have some wider significance, because though I really rate Viduka, Allardyce has admitted that with Martins and Owen together we will have to play more on the ground and use our width too. And as Ive said before, I think we do have the players to play good football, and if we could develop a more versatile and expansive style then we could really do well this season. If the partnership works tonight then it will hopefully improve our football long term - our football hasnt been dreadful so far, but at times we have certainly lacked ideas. Tonights match could also determine whether Martins is considered a starter for us, having been a sub a few times when everyone is fit - and though whatever happens he will get games, I think Martins is the type of player who needs confidence and trust to play to his best.

Im quite hopeful for a win tonight.

Watching the lineups on Setanta Sports now. What the f@ck is Fat Sam thinking? He's inviting Tottenham to beat Newcastle 1-3.

Why is that, Puro?

Jol: "Newcastle not in our league"

Martin Jol believes Tottenham's success over the last two seasons means it is impossible to compare them to Newcastle, their opponents this evening.


Pundits have grouped the two clubs together in the clutch of teams looking to qualify for Europe and eventually break into the top four of the Barclays Premier League.


Jol feels that consecutive top-five finishes mean Spurs have already reached the heights that teams such as Newcastle aspire to.

'We had European football for the last two years and they didn't,' Jol said. 'Why would they be in the same boat?

'It would be fantastic for them if they were in the first six or seven - playing European football next season would be a good achievement for them.

'We already did that twice so it's different. We are in the group stages of the UEFA Cup and they would love to do that as well.'

Jol added: 'It's always about the end of the season. We finished above all the other teams including Bolton.

'The only conclusion you can make over the last couple of years is that teams like Aston Villa, Manchester City - they would be delighted to be in the top six.'

Dutchman Jol has defied the odds to keep his job at White Hart Lane, although they will stay in the bottom three if they do not pick up a point or more at St James' Park tonight.

Spurs appeared set to change their manager after their infamous meeting with Juande Ramos, then after defeat to Arsenal a month ago it was widely reported Jol's position would be reviewed during the international break.

They have not been defeated since their rivals beat them, and it is Jose Mourinho and Sammy Lee who have been the managerial casualties in the top flight so far. The international break last week passed with Jol doing his usual work at Spurs Lodge.

'Everybody was wrong,' said Jol. 'I'm not someone who doubts. It's confidence but it's to do with what happened in the past - the results.

'We are in the last 16 of the Carling Cup, we are in the UEFA Cup and there are a lot of clubs who would like to do the same.'

He added: 'There are peaks and troughs, one day you are marvellous the next day look at Robbie Keane (getting criticised) with Ireland, look at Steve McClaren, look at me.'

Striker Dimitar Berbatov took a knock on international duty but Jol is hopeful the Bulgaria striker will be
fit.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=474698&cc=5739

Bashmachkin wrote:Why is that, Puro?

I don't think Geremi will keep up with the left side attack of Spurs. I could be wrong, but if I were Jol, I'd go Newcastle right side early and often. That side should crack first.

Martins scores for Newcastle. It's been a dire game up until the goal.

FFS Tottenham...

Their defending is terrible...and once again I will say, their central midfield is a disgrace.

Zokora and Jenas need dropping...IMO he needs to play Lennon on the RW...Routledge on the LW...with Huddlestone and Malbranque through the middle. Malbraque would produce that bit of creativity through the middle.

Tottenham once again look flat...watching that, it's no surprise they are 18th.

Puro wrote:

Pierre Littbarski wrote:

Puro wrote: Yep! we're at a point that no one knows with Owen eh!

What will you do if he says he's injured again?

He doesn't know.

Forgot to say that I checked this week (first time this season) the standings in the Championship. Glad to know your club is leading the way. I was just checking my man Mostto's team Barsnley, and saw that you're leading.

As I said in another thread - they can tie a yellow ribbon round one handle of the trophy now.

Marlon King is only 70% fit and we have half a central midfield - its all over bar the shouting


Your man scored on Saturday but they are 2-0 down to Hull now - Fraizer Campbell (man U on loan) has scored both.


Barnsley 1-1 Burnley

Miguel Mostto grabbed his first goal in English football as Barnsley extended their unbeaten run to seven matches.
The Peru international reacted well when Lewin Nyatanga's second-half header came back off the crossbar to side-foot home a deserved equaliser.
Earlier Andy Gray had lashed home his eighth goal of the season in the 11th minute when he pounced on a loose ball.

In the closing stages Wade Elliott went close for Barnsley, while Tykes keeper Heinz Muller saved from Chris McCann.

Dawson is a class act.

Come on Toon, stay sharp for 1 more half...

Newcastle are just lumping it up to their two dwarfs upfront...why cant´t they build up attacks from the back through the midfield and then to their strikers ?

they´ve scored one and nearly scored another from those long balls but it was more down to careless mistakes from dawson and kaboul

Long PASSES gooner, long PASSES.

Anyway, 71% possesion.

I fell asleep around the 25th minute. Woke up at halftime to find out Martins had scored for Newcastle. Hopefully the second half will be good. These are supposedly the teams one tier below the "big four". They've got to play better than that. I seriously fell asleep watching this game.

Agooner wrote:Newcastle are just lumping it up to their two dwarfs upfront...why cant´t they build up attacks from the back through the midfield and then to their strikers ?

they´ve scored one and nearly scored another from those long balls but it was more down to careless mistakes from dawson and kaboul

why risk loosing the ball on midfield, which could lead to a dangerous counterattack? Spurs can create f@ck all themselves. Boltonesque tactics are a certain way to win 3 points v Spurs' defence

@Puro...

Did you see Nobby's debut for us? He was great

We are playing poorly, but its not that much different to how we played vs Everton and Sunderland. Not enough urgency, desire or acumen.

We really lack confidence and conviction. As soon as we concede it's inevitable the heads will go down.

So 1-0 at half time.

I thought we were very poor the first twenty-five minutes or so. I read some comments earlier from Allardyce, like I said, suggesting that with Martins and Owen we would need to change our style a little, and he mentioned how Martins liked to run with the ball. I dont know when he made these comments, but judging on the early portion of the game someone had reminded him since then that Martins actually has an excellent jump as well - we were lobbing balls up from the back for him to flick on, and that wasnt working at all. We looked a bit flat literally, and we also seemed to be leaving a lot of space between midfield and defence. Then we did what has become my pet hate under Allardyce - we switched our wingers, Geremi and N'Zogbia, so we had the static right footer on the left, the left footer who had been going down the left wing on the right, and of course that didnt help, and it never does.

Since then we have improved. Emre has been in the game more, N'Zogbia has made some promising runs down the left wing, we have had more of the ball, and Martins has created a few chances. With his pace and perseverance he creates so many chances just from closing down the opponents and winning the ball in a dangerous position, whilst with the ball he is exciting to watch and at least tries to make things happen. He would be the first player on my team sheet every week. And he took his goal very well, it was a good finish between the legs.

Keane has had a few good moments for Spurs, but they havent threatened much. Our right has been solid enough - Bale, whether to our advantage or not, decided to play the ridiculous and petulant child today, did nothing but whinge whilst on the pitch and then limped off, and whilst Tainio is talented he hasnt been in the game so much so far, and perhaps doesnt give as much natural width or balance.

We could still improve a lot. Id bring Rozehnal on just to add some quality on the ball at the back, someone who could build moves - we could take either centre back off or even take off Butt and try Rozehnal as a defensive midfielder with the ability to make play from there - though Butt has played well so far, has made a number of good tackles. We also need to improve our delivery from out wide - Geremi has overhit a few balls; Enrique has hit a few straight to the keeper; Beye has hit the first man.

jonathan de guzman wrote:

Agooner wrote:Newcastle are just lumping it up to their two dwarfs upfront...why cant´t they build up attacks from the back through the midfield and then to their strikers ?

they´ve scored one and nearly scored another from those long balls but it was more down to careless mistakes from dawson and kaboul

why risk loosing the ball on midfield, which could lead to a dangerous counterattack? Spurs can create f@ck all themselves. Boltonesque tactics are a certain way to win 3 points v Spurs' defence

I guess your point about their defence is right...However any other defence with two giants at the back would easily deal with long balls played to owen and martins

Deano Ashton (ENG)(ITA) wrote:@Puro...

Did you see Nobby's debut for us? He was great

No, I thought Curbishley was never gonna play him so I missed the game. I did read that he was instrumental in giving your team the 3 pts. In Perú they gave him the goal even though it was an own goal, just like they gave the goal to Rio when that guy instead of clearing it slammed it into his own goal. Those 3 pts for you will come handy in the end.

Did Dawson also mess up in the first goal? Tottenham's got it rough now.

2-0

Cacapa with a fine header from a corner.