West Bromwich Albion 0 - Newcastle United 3

Date:	Sunday 30th October 2005
Competition:	Barclays Premiership
WBA: 5.6	Kuszczak 6.2, Scimeca 5.2, Davies 5.5, Moore 4.7, Clement 5.1, Carter 4.7, Watson 6.5, Inamoto 7.0, Greening 5.6 (Horsfield, 76 4.4), Kanu 6.4 (Ellington, 75 4.4), Earnshaw 5.4 Unused subs: Hoult, Gaardsoe, Chaplow Manager: Bryan Robson 5.7
Newcastle: 6.6
Referee:	Howard Webb (S. Yorkshire) 4.9
Attendance:	26,216 Home Fans 4.9 Away Fans 6.5

BRE Baggies:

Very fed up about today. The scoreline is unfair as we were the better team for long periods of the match. Newcastle fans will say they were better but that is because the lst 15 minutes they were undeservedly 3-0 up. We can't deal with the threat from the wings and as per usual, lady luck prefered to sit in the away end. Weak ref and Linesman (east stand side) meant they (Newcastle) got the lions share of decisions to go their way.

Should have had a penalty when Babeyaro hand balled in the box but the linesman was scared sh*tless of getting a bad name and decided to stick up for them. If only we had the luck of Wigan. Why the ball was not in the net was beyond me when we went forwards. Owen took his goals very well and showed why he is the best English striker we have. Shearer also got on the scoresheet. They had a team of class players and we had loads out yet we were still the team who had most of the possesion. Shame we lacked pace. I am glad we played well but I am fed up at the way things have gone.

Ratings

The Pole: Was okay and I cant see how he can be blamed for the goals. I like Kirkland much more but he tries and is quite good.
Scimeca: Desperate to win his place back and he was alright although he has no real pace and not great on the attack. Comfortable but should have done more for their first goal.
Davies: Okay although some of his clearances were poor. He looks like he could turn out to be a very good player.
Moore: Won a few things in the air but when the ball is on the floor he has a tendancy to go in for challenges and not win the ball. Worked hard but he lacked a bit at times.
Clement: Again, played alright but looked in trouble at times and at one time in the match he had nobody around him in the box yet still hit a clearence to their player just outside the box.
Carter: In and out of the game. Tried but sometimes disappeared. He does at times look good but needs to be more consistent.
Watson: First 20 minuites I thought he ws very good but faded and in the end he looked of the pace. He can lay the ball of well though.
Inamoto: In and out of the game but I felt he was our best player. He seems very good on the ball and in tight situations he seemed to win the ball but sometimes his defending could have been better.
Greening: In and out of the game. He needs to learn to cross first time because he gets the ball more than anybody but he has crossed the ball first time about 5 times in his albion career. We could score more if he did it first time.
Kanu: I thought he played well and brought people into the game but in the end he was tired and did not get forward. Could have scored at one stage but did not have the instinct to jump as quick as a top striker would.
Earnshaw: Works very hard and is learning to run with the ball but he just isnt good enough. Three golden opertunities to score and did not take them. He is supposed to be our best finisher but I'm not sure. I think at the moment we need someone with a bit more strength because he got pushed of the ball so many times. Tried but is overated by too many Albion fans.

subs

Ellington: He has not been used enough and it is starting to show. When he came on he looked rusty and I think now we should not have spent 3 million on him. He has the talent but can't get a game under Robson so why did we buy him. I think he isn't going to get a chance and does not look match fit. Big shame because at the start of the season I felt he would be our goal scorer. WHY DID ROBSON WANT HIM?
Horsfield: Did nothing when he came on. Did not have much time and we did not attack.

I thought the linesman and referee were rubbish. Again we didn't get a penalty and luck just is not on our side. I fear for this season because Wigan and West Ham will be in a position to sign players this january and the teams down here are too good to be below us. Very fed up and unless Peace starts to pay decent wages and tempts players in january then we have surrendered.

Owen overall MOM and although our players did not look bad (any of them) none really shone and you need a good individual performance sometimes. Feeling the strain of injuries.

Come on Baggies, dont make last season be a waste of time.

Gareth:

im sorry but robson let us down again. in gods name why put big dave up against owen was it to match owens ariel threat - i think tommy g would have done better.

but what pi**es me off the most is why robson trys so hard not to lose a game duke got 10 mins when we already losing what about trying to win a game for a change.

when we did go at newc we did cause problems but kanu's pace was never going to bother anybody in toons defence today.

i cant see us staying up as that was a game we could have /should have won.

blunderland put 2 past em by trying to win we try to not lose and score none and lose by 3.

Mark:

I knew someone would blame the manager but I just don't see it after today. Given the resources available, my guess is that his side today would have had most of you agreeing with him.

Most people here were calling for earnie, who was awful in the first half, to the extent he was causing us problems by the ball not sticking. He was unlucky with the Given save, but then missed an easy chance.

Inamoto was OK, and certainly did the tracking back. Robson can't help players not performing and Carter was totally anonymous, his lack of pace is a big problem, and Davies is costing us as many goals as Purse did this time last year.

Getting us up the table is going to be down to the players. I think the loss of Gera has been a major blow for us, and not one that we have pointed to that much. Robson didn't injure him, nor could he help Richardson going backing to United.

At the moment, we've got to hang in, not get too far behind everyone and hope for some business in January.

Steve Lee:

I totally agree with Mark, their are some very fickle people on here, i didnt think the manager was to blame for todays result. I think his team selection was good, especially as we were without Kirkland, Gera, Robinson, Kamara and Albrechtson, who would all of made the team or the bench if they were fit.

The difference in that game today was about 13 million pounds. Earnshaw is a 3 million rated striker, Owen is a 16 million rated striker, and today that 13 million quid showed...... However i do think Ellington should have come on sooner, but i am not sure it would of made a lot of difference.

I would stick with the same team for the West Ham match. The 3-0 scoreline flatted Newcastle and i actually didnt think we played that badly, Owen scored two fantastic goals that not many other front men would have scored.

Keep the faith.

Cuzer:

First of all, shot ourselves in the foot with being in the bloody changing rooms whilst Newcastle were out for the second half, Davies and Scimeca standing off and Moore not cutting out the cross, piss poor after all the hard work of the first half.

Look, on paper they are a top 6 side, they are going to click soon and yet at times we matched em. My MAJOR positive is slowly Robson (who I still ain't got a lot of time for, substitutions make no sense and he is too negative, why not leave Kanu on and play him behind Earnie and Ellington when it was 0-1?) is finding his best team. Ina and Watson looked OK in the centre, add to that Wallwork when he's ready (better at Fulham by all the accounts) Gera, Greening and or Kamara wide. Kanu and a pacy forward up front, no Horse or Cams. If we stick to these principals between now and the end of the season we are giving ourselves a chance NO MORE, if we keep playing 4-5-1 away from home, god help us! West Ham away next week, Robson should look at our fixture list and pick a team to go there and WIN the game, not to not conceed!

Marks

Pole 5: Flapped too much for me, not a patch on Kirky
Scimeca 4: Naturally not match fit and it showed 2nd half, stands off too much due to his pace
Clement 5: Poor for me today, never got forward especially in the first half
Moore 4: Not good enough at this level I'm afraid, guilty of ball watching although did start the game very well
Davies 4: He's a kid, he's learning, maybe time for a rest when Robbo is fit?
Carter 2: Oh dear, I'm struggling to understand what he brings to the side, give Chaplow a run if this is all Carter is bringing to the table
Watson 7* Best Albion player by some distance, good use of the ball, worked hard, definately our best defensive midfielder
Ina 6: I thought under the circumstances he done very well, nerves were plenty I'm sure, first appearance at home etc yet his touch was good, he was inventive, few lazy passes but can be fairly pleased with this effort
Greening 5: Crowded out by Newcastle as soon as he got the ball, good homework by Souness, not so by our lot!
Kanu 6: Some lovely touches, makes things happen, has to play if fit
Earnie 6: OK, at times his touch isn't the best BUT he gets on the end of chances/half chances and was unlucky not to score, plays on the shoulder and now we have midfielders who can play those passes, and Zoltan coming back needs a run in the side.

Des:

i know you cannot mention Earnshaw and Owen in the same breath. Owen's first touch is sublime and his goal poaching second to none. Considering he was making a come back after injury his perforrmance today was excellent and a joy for every England fan to behold. Owen is an excellent footballer and Earnshaw isn't. I can put up with Earnshaw being a useless footballer providing he does what we bought him to do which is score every now and then. Today he had about 5 good chances and screwed up on every one. Fecking useless.

There was an idiot behind me in the East stand upper tier roaring for Ellington to be brought on. He couldn't have seen him play before. Eventually this complete and utter waste of skin was brought on in replacement for Kanu who was IMO having a good game. Ellington in 15 minutes became the worst player on the pitch, a shocking waste of ?3million quid.

I thought Ina, Watson and Greening in midfield, while never matching the standards set by Scott Parker all had reasonable games. Carter was fecking desperate, apparently this kid was good at Blooze and excellent for Sunderland on loan last season. What has gone wrong, until it's sorted he mustn't be allowed to play again.

Kanu is a quality footballer and surley must get an extended run in the team. Kanu miust be deeply puzzled by his substitution bringing on Ellington, who is not fit to lace his boots, and leaving on a serial misser of chances. Clements did OK but he's not as good as Robinson at LB. Scimeca did OK but he's not as good as Albrechtson at RB. The Big Dave / Small Dave combo didn't work IMO. All this is a bit worrying given Robinson is out for the next two games. Tommy the Pole in goal played well enough, but he's no Kirkland.

No real complaints about Robbo's team selection today given injuries and suspensions, although I thought his substitutions were shite. The damage for our season was done in the summer with a lack of quality signings, let's hope we get things right in January.

Jules:

DON'T PANIC!!!

Before the game i felt it was one where we would concede heavily, and let's face it we aren't powerful enough to score more then most of the premiership are we?

Todays line up was the strongest Robson could muster considering the list of injuries and suspensions. 2 of the goals came from play against our left flank- i honestly believe it would have been a different story had Robinson been able to play. It would have also been a different story had Albion put away their chances.

I don't like getting on the back of the manager especially when i hold my hand up and admit to being tactically inept myself. But i do have common sense, a concept of what works and what doesn't and what seems wrong. Owen scores with another 45 mins to go but no change comes until 10 mins to go. Ok Albion went straight at them from the restart and a change then would've destroyed our momentum. But that momentum faded away within 15 mins, nothing was getting through, so why wasn't a change made around the hour mark?

I'm pleased with Inamotos performance, he showed us what we knew all along- thats he's the best central midfield player we have, but will it be enough to keep him in the team? An illogical law dictates at the Hawthorns so i think not.

All in all we were beaten by a better team that has arguably the best strike partnership England had in the 90s, just look at their bench. Besides Owen only scored half the goals he scored on his last visit to the Hawthorns so we're improving! I don't expect anything at West Ham but i do against Everton. We're having an inconsistent season but we'll be ok.

Chins up, if you're still annoyed tomorrow, use the excuse of halloween to murder some chavs, that'll relieve the tension!

Sarky Parky:

Yes we're a fickle lot. Robson has five of his first choice players (Kirkland, Robinson, Albrechtson, Gera and Kamara) missing, no sign of Wallwork, Campbell or AJ (our problems earlier in the season!!) even on the bench, the Horse is relegated to where most of us think he should be, Inamoto and Earnie both get starts, and for some people the manager STILL doesn't know what he's doing!!! And I see the match officials getting the usual stick even though they got all the major decisions right (there was no penalty, Kusczak didn't handle the ball, and Inamoto's clearing header hadn't crossed the line). So let's put aside our natural (but irrational) feelings of being hard done by and being sold short by match officials and our management team and try and make some kind of rational appraisal of the game.

The first thing that should be acknowledged is that we were beaten by a world class predator on the top of his game. Owen (?16 million) - four chances, two goals, Earnie (?3 million), four chances, no goals. But Earnie was as lively as Owen throughout (falling short admittedly in what he's there to do) and was a vast improvement on Campbell and Horsefield. I thought Kanu played well but would still like to see Earnie and Ellington start a game.

The second thing we should acknowledge is that Thomas Kusczak is a fine goalkeeper who had no chance with the goals and kept us in it with two or three top class saves. He is no weak link.

Thirdly, Inamoto must stay in the team. He brings the kind of control to our midfield that Koumas once brought and his use of the ball was always excellent.

Those are the plus points. The minuses are that sadly and as much as I admire the guy, Big Dave isn't a Premiership class defender. All three goals were similar - a sharp ball in to the near post and Owen and Shearer cutting across their marker to score. In all the goals, Darren was at fault. Gaardsoe would surely have been a better bet against the pace of Owen and I suppose one also has to ask what Nigel Pearson is doing about the uncertain unit that is our defence. When Robinson and Albrechtson are available, I would get back to the defence that served us so well last season which might mean Davies being rested for a while. I don't think it's doing him much good playing in a unit that is leaking so many goals.

When all our players are fit and BR can play a team of Kirkland, Alby, Gaardsoe, Clement, Robbo, Gera, Wallwork, Inamoto, Kamara, Kanu and Earnie we should be all right. But I would like to see us buy a good experienced centre-back in January as well as a GOOD defensive midfielder.

Having said all that, I think we were a little unlucky today. Newcastle were certainly flattered by 3-0 and I don't feel too downhearted. The Toon gave us an object lesson in world class finishing, Earnie missed a sitter and Given made a wonder save. 1-1 or at worst 2-1 was what we deserved.

And when you consider the gulf in talent and finance that the two squads represented, I reckon that means that BR is doing at least as good a job as Graeme Souness. We're not yet a Premiership club in terms of finance and in particular in terms of wage structure. We SHOULD be struggling to keep our heads above water and we are. And I know Wigan are currently doing it as one of the poorer relations. It's wonderful for the game but even Paul Jewell admits they're having all the luck that's going as well as having all the decisions in their favour. Incidentally this should (but it won't) knock on the head that well-publicised theory that Premiership officials always favour the bigger clubs.

AJ-B:

There were positives & of course negatives from yesterdays game. First positive was a roar of approval as the team sheet was announced - especially when the name Inamoto was mentioned, makes a pleasant change from the boos of late. The first half was evenly balanced with neither side creating much as far as clear cut attempts, although the best chance of the match fell to Earnie which of cousre he didn't take. Bryan Robson with a depleted squad certainly put out a side that seemed capable of getting something from the game, the only doubt for me was again seeing Darren Moore in defence. However we played some decent stuff & Inamoto whilst not on the form of Tuesday night, showed just why he justified being selected, I don't know why BR dropped Wallwork, because alongside Ina he had his best game by far on Tuesday, they seemed to forge a similar partnership that Ronnie & Kieran Richardson developed last season. Instead Carter was given another chance & to be fair he did quite well in the first half.

Second half began disastrously, Michael Owen leaving Moore like a statue as he cooly neeted a great strike with the outside of his right boot. Once again poor defence cost us. However the lads got up & at them and were so unlucky not to get a goal, first Inamoto almost replicated his goal on Tuesday, foiled by a deflection from which Earnie turned & blasted a shot that hit Given full on. After these disappointments of not getting back level, we seemed to let Newcastle get a grip on the game as we were pushed back onto the defensive for much of the latter part of the half, we then crumbled again as Michael Owen got away from Curtis Davies to slot home the killer. Suddenely we were in a panic with all sorts of poor play eminating out of the back line, Neil Clement made a hash near the halfway line that let in Dyer to make the cross for Shearer to score, again Big Dave was no where near his man.

For me Bryan Robson has been poor in his use of substitutions this season emphasised again yesterday. After 15 minutes of the second half Carter was not in the game, & Greening, after a good first half again went into obscurity. Several options were open, firstly Gaardsoe could & should have come on in place of Moore & or Davies, Clem could have been brought back to centre & Carter could have filled in at left back (as he had done & done well against Atletico Madrid) with Greening moving to the left & Chaplow on the right. Instead he takes off Kanu who was once again our best forward, brings on Ellington. Then off goes Greening & on comes Horsefield - but WHY? OK to bring on Ellie with Earnie, but keep Kanu on to feed them.

I thought Kuszczak had another competent game, some have commented about him 'flapping' I do not see that, but with the defence he has in front of him, who wouldn't be just a bit nervous? I thought defence was Nigel Pearsons forte, frankly then I don't think he is earning his corn of late as we leak holes like a colander.

Another very poor result, another home game lost, and what has happened to the supporters? the Newcastle fans were too right by singing that our support is f*****g s**t! I much prefer going to away games amongst the REAL supporters, fans who CHEER the team - not boo, what a pathetic lot the home crowd has become. I look forward to next Saturday at West Ham, we sureley MUST come good soon.

MY PLAYER REVIEW:

KUSZCZAK - Good competent game, was left with no chance for any of the goals.
SCIMECA - Not too bad a game although he is very suspect at moving inside & leaving his flank open - from which the first goal came.
DAVIES - Oh dear, a rude awakening has come to the youngster, he made some good tackles & used his pace well at times. However his positional play is all over the place, does not pick up & stay with his man, responsible for yet another goal (the 2nd).
MOORE - A big heart, a loveley man, but sadly NOT a premier defender anymore, had a nightmare second half, should not have remained on the pitch.
CLEMENT - Another mixed game, occasionally good but mainly bad, some atrocious passing, at fault for 3rd goal.
GREENING - As usual started brightly with some good wing play & crosses, but then he becomes insignificant, where was he in second half?
WATSON - Another very good game, although he seemed out of it for long periods in second half.
INAMOTO - At long last given his chance to show the 90% of supporters who have never seen him just what he can do. Although he did not replicate his superb form at Fulham, he showed what a class player he is, subtle skills on the ball, tracking back, good defence, unlucky not to score again.
CARTER - What an enigma this lad is, he seems to have all the attributes, tall, strong, good physique, skilful on the ball, BUT! tame as a lamb in the tackle, seems lazy & slow to react. Sure wish he would show his obvious potential.
KANU - Another excellent performance, abundance of skill in holding the ball in tight situations, chases back more now & even JUMPS in heading duels, should not have been taken off.
EARNIE - Well even his supreme confidence must have been shaken, cannot expect more chances than he had today. Although failing to score his all round game has improved, he pulls defenders out on both flanks, worked his socks off, but as a striker - no end product - AGAIN!

SUBS:-

ELLINGTON - Given very little time again, must be given at least a full half, he must be getting fed up.
HORSEFIELD - WHY? cannot for the life of me understand this one, off goes Greening but why was Chaplow not used?
UNUSED SUBS: Hoult, Gaardsoe, Chaplow.

BRYAN ROBSON:- Better team selection, but has not quite got it right with his 'blend' of players. His substitutions seem to be made just for the hell of it, they sureley cannot be planned can they? He needs to get Pearson to sort out the defence - pronto.

Melbourne Baggie:

Disappointing result, however did not expect much different. Haven't seen much of the team this season, reading and listening to heaps though. Tend to agree that we were beaten by a much classier team. Owen and Shearer says it all really. Disagree with the blame for the goals. The only consistent department at WBA has been the defence, sure todays was a patch up job, but overall they (any combination available) do a remarkable job, CONSIDERING they only ever have a maximum of 2 midfielders that offer to come back to help.

Other than the first goal, observe the pedestrian/passenger Carter waltz into our area supposedly to provide cover, end result 2 goals, ridiculous. Greening tries hard, but is a 1 trick pony, his age now has turned going wide for a killer cross, into please kick it out for a corner! Our best 2 by a mile were Inamoto and the ageing Watson, playing against his own blood. Ina is a class act and dominated the game for us both forward and back. We desperately need a midfield of Gera/Inamoto/Watson or Ronnie/Camara or KOUMAS or DYER.

Earnie is a great goal scorer, a killer in fact, if only he could find which lower league would suit. He will NEVER be a 10 goal striker in the Prem. The Horse's bustling skills are far more beneficial playing with a touch player of Kanu's quality. My ideal 11 would be: Kirkland/ Alby, Gaardsoe, Clem, Robbo/ Gera, Inamoto, Ronnie, Dyer/ Kanu, Horse.

Chris (Another London Baggie):

Watched the game on TV which makes my comments less authoritative. Thought we were simply beaten by a better team today - one that took its chances whereas we didn't. Also the Toon are really a top six side - our bad luck to be playing them just as they are getting their best players back.

Positives - Inamoto (not as influential as at Fulham but did OK), Earnie (missed several chances but was a real threat and has pace), Kanu (great skill and is working hard), Watson (solid and tidy) and the Pole in Goal (not at fault for any of the goals and several great saves).

Negatives - Carter (looks far too slow - surely Chaplow would be a better bet), the whole defence (time to restore Gaardsoe in place of Big Dave). Greening did OK at times but drifted in and out.

Not sure Robson could have done much better with his team selection today. Thought we really missed Robbo and Kamara. However as someone said I think Robson is slowly getting to know his best team. My team when they are all fit and available:

Kirkland, Albie, Gaardsoe, Clem, Robbo, Wallwork, Gera, Inamoto, Kamara, Kanu and Earnie.
Subs: Watson, Ellington, Greening or Chaplow, Small Dave, PiG.

Big Dave, Hoss, Cambs, Scim and Carter must surely be destined for "emergency only" service.

Today we were missing seven key players.

Lamp Baggie:

Strange game this once we decided to play after we went 1-0 down we caused Newcastle's shaky back four numerous problems & were unlucky not to score if we'd had got to 1-1 who knows? Newcastle forward play is good but there are not that great on the back foot.

First half performance very flat one effort on goal - Kanu & Earnie had minimal support - why cant we be more positive?

First goal disappointing - straight after the break but what a great finish by Owen - who once again had a great performance at our place - also Dyer when he came who caused havoc with his pace.

Cant complain too much about team selection perhaps Tommy G should have come in for Big Dave & Chaplow for Carter - who although he shows some nice touches is not in the game enough.

Shame Kamara wasn't available as another outlet he would have made a difference (also Gera).

Watson who IMO was our MOM and Ina did well - But Jesus looks out of sorts not same quality as last year.

Scimeca did OK - but no pace adds nothing going forward - Clement average today - Big Dave not the man to be marking Owen - Davies again did OK & will get better.

Kanu another good performance - should have stayed on but did look knackered when he came off is he 100% fit yet - the Duke & the Horse added nothing when they came on - but the game was up then.

Well BR what next for West Ham - please NOT 4-5-1 OR 5-3-1-1. Keep 4-4-2 & BE POSITIVE.

Cambridge Baggy:

We've been shipping goals through the centre of defence all season, yet we're a quarter of the way through it and I've still not seen Tommy G paired with the new lad, Davies. This has to be our first choice pairing for central defence. Apart from Big Dave they're the only members of our squad who have both been properly trained in the role. Tommy was consistently excellent for us for three seasons and Davies is well worth the 3 million and will work well with Tommy.

The future of our central defence is these two so let them form a partnerhsip and get on with it! Darren Moore's been a great servant of the club but he shouldn't be starting matches any more. Neil Clement is not a central defender at this level and never will be. Of course we want Robinson and Albrechtson back as our first-pick wing-defenders but we'll not stop conceding until Tommy G and Davies are partnered together in central defence.

timmo:

Saw the match on TV in deepest Hampshire and was hoping for a special sign off to a good week-end. What a disappointment! We lost to a Newcastle side (Owen excepted) who are surely destined for mid table at best and although 0-3 was a tad unfair, we cannot hide the fact that the plot, if not totally lost, has been mislaid for some time.

As evidence, I offer the following:

Not man marking Owen with Davies, but leaving Big Dave to it. No one is a bigger fan of darren than I, but frankly, it was like watching a tanker chasing a speedboat. BD can still do a job, but he cannot be expected to do more than hold his position, clear his lines and provide a physical barrier. I know Davies is young and inexperienced, but at least he has some pace to close Owen down. BD was just hung out to dry for each of the goals and Davies seemed totally unsure about what role he was supposed to be playing.

Defending too deep. This has become a hallmark of a succession of Albion sides, not just this season. Our 18 yard line resembles the Alamo. All reasonable sides defend higher up the pitch than we do and that means when the midfield players channel back, they are not defending the edge of the box, but a zone around 30/40 yards away. Ours seem to be constantly engaged in last ditch tackles at around 20 yards. Better teams than Newcastle will exploit this - note what has happened in a series of away games where we have ended up literally defending from the six yard box.

Dead ball situations. In all honesty, the oppostion are quite happy to give us corners and free kicks, safe in the knowledge that we just do not know how to exploit them. Our corners are either cleared by the first defender or float harmlessly into the ether, to be ballon headed harmlessly by one of ours, or to drift into a totally unthreatening area. Free kicks around the box are also a big problem. Clem seems to have totally lost his confidence and the only other idea is a system so complex that it confuses our guys more than the opposition. This must surely be a major coaching issue, as, from my perspective, these matters are the bread and butter of premiership existence. (Check out Bolton, Chelsea and even for Gods Sake, West Ham).

Team selection. I know that we are all experts here and I am not ignoring the present injury and suspension problems. Nor am I dismissing the need to vary the 1st eleven according to circumstances. However, I do struggle with a management team that appears to be totally unaware of its best starting side. Please, injuries and suspensions aside, let us have a clear sight of Brians preferred team, let the players have a clear sight of it and lets play them, pretty well all of the time. Look, we all know about rotation, squad depth and disruptions, but does anyone really think that Jose Mourinho (or even Paul Jewell) would struggle to nominate their absolute strongest side and the system to which they will play?

Buying policies. I am not picking on any player that we have signed, either in the close season or in the past. Nor am I critical of taking young players from the lower leagues and helping them to achieve their potential - this is the sort of club we are (look at Robbo himself, not to mention the King!). However, there seems to be little point in doing this if we simply do not give them a chance. Lets face it - either these guys (Ellington, Earnshaw, Chaplow etc) can hack it, or they can't. I assume that they have been bought for the future, but as things are, there isn't going to be much of one!!

I know that this seems a rant, but I really believed that we were close to having cracked it. Despite the God-awful performances and points tally we can still do it! Boing boing!