itdoesntmatterwhatthissay

Agree with you there, plus low wages, though we have enough attackers now. I think he'd have been the option if Benteke left.

That's an interesting link, I am a firm believer that every team needs someone enigmatic and with a big of an edge; N'zog is a bit like that but he gets moody rather than even. Boub is similar to Taarabt; be nice to have someone skilful at the club as I feel we lack someone changing the way we play. In game it stops the defensive rhythm of the opposition and in training it allows fresh perspective.

I do agree that defensive positioning is looking suspect though it's very early days with very new players and so we need to allow them to settle. So far we look much stronger with Luna; he helps out in great places, orders players to cover and contributes to team play with neat passing; he isn't scared to put his foot in either. Either way it's not fair to judge players just yet and certain personalities need to be worked out, for example who is the best CB combination and why. Gone are the days where Laursen's playstyle/understanding of the game made any partner look great. If our defence suffers it will be Lambert fault and right at this moment I am a tad concerned with the CDM choices.protecting the back 4 (please let us keep it 4 not 3). CDM choices heaped the pressure on the our back 3/4 last year as the two we chose couldn't actually defend; I hope Delph can continue to be the box to box helper and the other plays a solid anchor role. Sylla could be taking on this role though he did seem encouraged to take the ball forward last year, but I think the return of Herd will allow us some tactical balance. He might not be the best but he understands how to get in the way and this is absolutely crucial if you're going to play a 4231 or with an attacking ethos. We need tactical balance, everywhere, so far attack wise we look extremely fluid even if some players are going to play away from their natural position. As an attacking example it seems Tonev is covering Albrightons talent at putting in a cross, which is great, last season we were desperate for darting runs and quick balls, but Lambert needs to continue working out which attributes we lack, defensively that's a defensive minded leader, in CDM or the back 4. I feel we have too many players who do a job or are attack minded; we don't have enough players who are focussed on keeping it tight; if Baker stays fit he could be our surprise rock, he desperately needs games to iron out some timing issues and to build his confidence but so far his reading of the game looks very decent.

For me the feel good factor was always there but it was mired by a quite horrific league position; though some decisions really annoyed me Lambert was doing some great stuff. The football developed, certain players got their shot but last year was very hard to get too excited about; for me the feel good factor is back because we finally have a management structure who is brave in European transfers and makes them early; jesus how hard is that to do. Good times so far, shame we lost a youngster but people need to pull in the same direction and he perhaps wasn't...can't wait for the season to start; don't know much about Helenius but Okore and Tonev are two interesting signings indeed.

I would prefer Baker where he is tbh. Clark is a liability next to Vlaar, so why not put him at left back? Agree with this, shame we didn't try it earlier in the season as its a high pressure change now...not that keeping Bennett in is any good.

One of the most important points made; when you trust the guy in front of you you can concentrate on your own game. How much more support is there up front now we have Benteke; players believe they will be part of a move. It has been like that all season, I am amazed how little it gets referred to. I feel for Guzan in this respect, earlier this season he was always shouting/checking and taking control....you know you have defensive problems when your keeper is giving defenders advice and coming out to the edge of the box to force his guys forward.

Yet he's chalked up 3 times more assists than Barry Bannan supposedly one of the best crossers in the premier league I'd like to see him given a chance in a more advanced position Haha brilliant; personally I'm don't judge people on stat but it is interesting especially as Bannan loves a killer ball...though I much prefer his simple game for 80 passes, and two or three special ones. Lack of width has killed us this year, my lord did we need Albrighton to stay fit but that is what Weimann has been asked to do, find wide space and stretch defences. Gabby too, but he just runs into any space to relieve pressure. NZog can't do it, he's too selfish on the ball and plays a forward role well, Bennett might actually be that guy and he can't make too many mistakes higher up, I think you make a good point, 1 point in a tough game could be very important; perhaps his 'defensive attributes' can make us more solid in midfield.

But he can be held to account for his tactics, player choice and man management. Whatever happens within your club you need to adapt to the job you take; he didn't get that memo until he went 4 at the back but by that time many easy games had gone. Management is a balance; the board have shown huge inexperience but the manager has shown slow evolution.

Unless he suddenly realises his positioning is awful, or gets a second wind as a winger he simply can't grace our team any more. The worst left back in the Premier League and he strikes fear in our defence....that's not good for relegation battles.

It is so frustrating isn't it. I personally blame Lambert for being so slow to react to the changes needed in the team; yesterday was a write off but we don't do ourselves any favours playing the likes of Bennett. Is every other possible player injured? Lichaj still out? 3 at the back, Bannan playing so often and with no protection, Bennett...worst player in the league playing in a very important position, Weimann spending his game time on the wing supporting not leading the line, Carruthers dropped and not approached after disciplined, Johnson/others not being in an among the squad a little more, N'Zog not allowed to do what he is good at until very late in the season, not replacing Petrov/Warnock properly (loans?!!!), losing KMAC and the very slow introduction of Baker...it's been a year where Lambert flexed his muscles and showed he was boss; and it might cost us hugely. The good is numerous too; we play good football, players are technically improved, some great signings, getting Delph to look like a good Championship player sometimes Prem, young players continue to look driven and he has had a positive affect on the fans. I hope we stay up and he stays, he has potential, but I feel he spent too much time thinking his way was best instead of securing our future and developing his own style. Even Fergie admits to getting it wrong and evolving with his team/the game; Lambert might have taken too long to realise this valuable trait in management and if we go down he has to bear that failure as his decisions have cost us very valuable points.

Hola all, I've been making IF teams on the Ultimate team section and thought I'd whack it in a blog rather than a thread. If anyone wants some IF team ideas have a look, happy to post them here though if people prefer. http://ultimatebuilds.blogspot.co.uk/

Happy Weimann is on but he really should be starting up front, Gabby too (probably didn't play due to fitness); both give us bite. Even Clark notices nobody offers themselves and he is one of the worst players.

For the first time this season I am actually angry; normally frustrated and hopeful but today is an absolute joke. Lambert needs to sort himself out and begin gaining some tactical insight; Bannan and Westwood as a 2 in midfield with Herd on the bench? Absolutely disgraceful. No wonder Newcastle are spending so much time on the right hand side, Bennett is absolutely terrible, what is he still doing on the pitch? No link between midfield and attack, nobody apart from Westwood moving to show in gaps (and even he has given up), and no bite. Awful, awful, awful; how can we go on supporting this manager? It's just too painful. MacDonald? Cheap and the right man to take us back into the Premiership when Lambert gets us relegated.

I wonder where in the world we are scouting, has been extremely quiet yet I can't see a window without signings. Apparently Pawel Wszolek has cancelled his transfer to Hannover, he'd be a good player to go for; young, skilled and in a league/nation that is really improving.

I think the biggest problem is leaders, we have a few but they are under immense pressure, the squad isn't amazing but there aren't many players who are taking real responsibility. Lowton does going forward but Clark behind him puts pressure on his defending abilities, Herd always looked the sort but he is at the back and unable to play naturally; I've been impressed with Baker but he has literally no protection, Albrighton is never fit. I want to see Carruthers because he looks like a guy who wants the ball and is willing to drive us forward, similarly sitting in front of the defence we might get some joy out of Delph but in reality the centre midfield is killing us and a leader to take control of the ball...even slowing it down....would really help. I can't see Benteke settling 100% just yet, but he's clearly a winner and believes in himself which makes him a potential leader in my book, still its the here and now we need.

Glad to see the Dorrans link, could be a really interesting player for us and could come in straight away; holds the ball well, sees a pass and likes a shot. £4million isn't a lot. but it's a fair chunk of any budget, hopefully a loan is on the cards.

Yes for now he is necessary for us to survive but do you think at high wages he is worth the investment for next season and the year after?

My only concern with selling Gabby now is that we really have missed his run away from trouble attitude in recent games, he hasn't been brilliant but he's been carrying the ball away from defence and pushing the opposition back quite nicely. Not great but a great attribute for a relegation threatened club.

....not moved yet but Nene is an unhappy player looking for a new club/regular football, compared to the wages we pay he wouldn't actually cost that much. 31 but a very classy player.

Just a pointer, anyone who plays FUT you can get a free gift every day when you use the FIFA app on the website. Also daily there is a new player pack, today was bumper silver packs; actually before 3pm the players were v cheap, I paid 50% less on some 10k players. If tomorrow is bronze then some useful players might be cheap....just a thought. Position changes are still expensive, so bloody annoying.

In an ideal business world yes of course but in console wars backward compatibility is always attractive, especially to the largest market, parents. Also I don't have a PS3 which is why backward comp. would be nice, I also like being able to borrow games off friends rather than buying them. Not everyone feels old gen is dead, COD proves how droll the new is whereas CS arcade proves there's a market for gameplay, I still play my Amiga. Also a console is a handicapped machine from the outset, it runs with a lifespan, otherwise we'd be Crysis machine chasers.

True Rev, game wise I think it would benefit them to stay in that race, they have a history of superb IP's, as does Japan. I'm hugely interested to see where they go with their dashboard and services, even the 360 one feels tired. Blu-ray movies, that's another thing I hadn't considered, having said that Sony doesn't actually own blu-ray as there are many patents attached to it; is blu-ray really the answer for future data transfer rates? I highly doubt it.

Needed the rest really, he was looking shaky and nervous on the ball, I guess as an attacking defender he has a harder job to prove his overall worth; sticking in Lichaj definitely gets you a consistent defensive base. Has a long way to go but enough time to do it, no surprise to me that his omittance helped us pick up points.

Fascinating, something I'd never considered. It'd be a great way to blow open the market but it might squeeze Sony profits hugely leaving the more unique consoles to mop up. Also is it wise to give Apple a console chance? I doubt they'd go in as partners....Sony/Apple tv.... Surely at this moment Steam is in a better position to develop a viable online gaming model than Sony, especially if Steam got Linux gaming support. I don't like the rumours concerning the new PS, such as no 2nd hand games (like the 720) and poor backward compatibility, I guess old games will come as DLs, that I'd quite like, the PS3 has some amazing titles. AndyBm...maybe, id argue with the huge 360 price drop that would come with a 720 model you'd get more money for your PS3...depending on how many more models Sony release....plus Xbox live is better than its Sony competition....though you do pay for it. The live gold family pack is good value for more than 1 console. . Also I'm surprised at the PS3 looking worse, it can vary in different games, I always prefer the richness on my friends PS3 games, having said that many PS3/360 game shots show a better landscape perspective for the 360...maybe your friends just has a better tv and set up!

I think we've been really dangerous from set pieces, when played in, and in the dropping balls. A bit more confidence and early goals and we'll be flying. Having Bannan helps a lot.