bailojnr

So if we can''t bring in top quality players on permanent deals, what loan options are available? Any suggestions?

The will undoubtedly be more signings, however, based on current players...                     Ruddy Martin   Bassong   Turner   Ollson              Johnson     Fer Snodgrass    Hoolahan   Pilkington                       RVW Subs: Bunn, Garrido, Bennett R & E, Redmond & Becchio  

Hell, it''s more likely than most ownership news seen in recent years. You''d hope the board (through external consultants) would have at least sent an exploritory letter? Still highly unlikely though.

I went to the game on Sat and for me this has to be the team for Tues. I''ve considered consistancy and except that this prob won''t be the team. It''s just what I would pick...                                         Alnwick Spillane                 Askou             Nelson (just)     Drury                     Adeyemi            Hughes          OTJ (just)                                          Hoolahan                        Cody                           Holt    

Just got back from the game and was delighted with the performance! I know it''s only a friendly but Wigan still put a strong team out that cost more than our club. They weren''t exactly in our faces but will have far more athleticism and ability than anyone we''ll play in the league this year. My ratings are below. Bring on next Sat! Theo: 6/10 - Not a lot to do. At no fault for the goals. Seems to have a good boot on him and I could hear his calls from the back of the Jarrold. Drury: 6/10 - Looked like the old Drury today, Mr Dependable may be back. Spillane: 7/10 - Hadn''t seen a huge amount of Spillane before today, but was quite impressed. Looked good in the air and tried to play it out of defence if he could. Having seen Askou last week I''d be inclined to go with him next week but wouldn''t be concerned if Spillane is on the teamsheet. Doc: 7/10 - I''m not Docs biggest fan generally but did nothing wrong today. Will be fine in League 1. Otsemobor: 9/10 - Got the MOTM and you can''t argue too much with the decision. Looked superb today. Set up Martins 1st with a great birst of speed and an accurate pass. Has to start at right back next week. I don''t know if anyone else noticed but both full backs were pushing high up the pitch from goal kicks, leaving three at the back. Wasn''t sure about the logic initially but it gave midfielders options if we picked up the ball and made winning the second ball more probable. Otsemobor was more involved today than I''ve seen him in a long time as a result. Well done Gunny. Hoolahan: 9/10 - My MOTM. The bloke is class! He ran the show today and he seems to thrive in his ''free'' role. Praying nobody bids for him cos he''s capable of being the spark that can ignite our title challenge. OTJ: 8/10 - For me this guy is our best midfielder. He has the natural attributes without doubt, also has the ability to get a toe in when most wouldn''t reach. Will brake-up play and give a simple ball whenever possible. Will probably get a few goal from set pieces too with any luck. Hughes: 7/10 - Took a while to get into his flow but I personally saw enough to be convinced he should start next week. Looked composed on the ball and got stuck-in when required. Got his head up and played intelligently. V.happy without OTJ and Hughes as our starting CM partnership. Whaley: 7/10 - Took his goal very very well and had Wigans left back in trouble on more than one occasion. Him and Otsemobor looked like the real deal today, 2 players out of the same mould physically and the interchange was a pleasure to watch. Held his width (with Hooolahan drifting this will be v.important) and delivered consistantly good crosses. Martin: 8/10 - Scored two, which gives Gunn a hard decision to make for next week. Some nice touches and interplay with those around him. Tracked back very well, which is nice to see from someone whose temprament has been questioned in the past. Some nice runs, which created space for those around him and I was particularly impressed with his quick feet for his second goal. On merit he deserves to start for me, their may be better strikers but if you score two you deserve to start! Holt: 8/10 - Solid Solid Solid. Finally a target man of genuine quality. Works hard and will put his body on the line. Will also by us precious time this year as he won''t be nudged off the ball easily. Has to start next week. Subs: Gill & Adeyemi: 6/10 - Did nothing wrong and showed what strength in depth and competition we now have in CM. The team did not look any weaker when they came on, which is a great sign. McDonald: 6/10 - Looked lively, as you would expect, but did not see enough of him with Holt to judge how they may play together. He has pace, which may be important with Holt, Martin and Maric not having a great deal. Cureton: 5/10 - Did not deserve the boos from some sections of the crowd when he came on - I''m sorry but to boo an NCFC player with the current feel good factor is just plain stupid! It''s not like he doesn''t give his all either - I want him to do well for us but does look past his best and off the pace. Sorry, but wouldn''t currently make the bench for me.

Fully agree with what you say. I''m also someone that views a lot but posts rarely. I''ve been visiting the forum for years but recently have started coming on here less. I click on a title that I think might be of interest and within a couple of posts the topics discussed decend into bitching matches. Don''t get me wrong I find people like 1st Wizard hilarious and he often stimulates debate which is healthy, but it just goes to far. I don''t come on these boards for social banter but to talk or read about FOOTBALL. Is that asking to much?

1. Derby 2. Birmingham 3. Nottingham Forest   7. Norwich

I confess I''m almost scared to post this as I don''t want to be slated if for whatever reason it doesn''t happen, however...apparently a striker will be arriving within the next 48hrs. Unfortunately I think it''ll be Howard, my source refused outright to give me a name though so not sure who. He''s not let me down in the past but he doesn''t work directly for the club. We''ll see I spose, fingers crossed though as we really need one. If we can get this last position filled with a quality player I''ll be happy with the summer spending. Problem will be that I''m gonna be on here every 5 minutes instead of doing what I should be! This time of the year drives me bonkers, I''ll just be glad when the season starts.  

Cureton was OK tonight considering he''s not the lone striker type! Took his goal well and put in a lot of effort. Martin was not on for long and we were out of the game by the time he arrived, good enough for the squad and with a bit of application he could do alright for us. Forget past personal issues, I simply don''t care if he performs on the pitch, he looked more in shape than when I''ve seen him previously so that''s a good sign of his intent I would say.

Don''t normally like to knock a player if it can be helped...BUT...he was terrible tonight, ok the opposition is better than he''ll face all season but still to poor for the first team.

Yep, pub for me too. When will the team be announced?  Really looking forward to tonights game, first one for well over a year for me as I''ve been out of country (and pocket for those who recommend I could''ve had Canariesworld!) Norwich 1-3 Tottenham but hope we put up a good show. Good to see the new signings on show

So realistically then...we will sign nobody on full_time basis. Maybe one on loan who nobodies heard of and will not be that much better than what we have. Sorry to be pessamistic but i am wrong would be happy if i was.

Will centre backs and strikers be on top form against Leicester knowing that it''s more than likely new people will be coming in over the next week or so? I know that they really should be playing well constantly but it''s suprising how an imminant arrival can motivate! Lets hope so cos a win would be a welcome shot in the arm after a pretty poor week.

Just to give everyone something to talk about. I''m bored of everyone (positive and negative) coming to conclusions that simply aren''t there on players who are/aren''t supposed to be coming to NCFC. I know everyone has the freedom of expression but so do I damn it!  

But you don''t make any points! You just moan over and over and over and over...So your either tragic or a wind-up merchant. I hope your a wind-up merchant though cos your funny.  

You post whatever you want Herbert! However, you can''t blame people for being cynical and suspecting your a binner. I''ll believe it when it happens.

Thought about this also, as I''m often bored at work! If I won £20 million. I''d hand over £5million as it''s not like £15million wouldn''t be enough to keep you ticking over is it? All I would want in return is two season tickets for life and getting the club to keep me informed off all transfer activity, so I can stop stressing about it twice a year!

Did you know a Shortfin Mako shark can leap up to 20 feet out of the water. Wow?

  Assuming Shacks and DD are injured.                                              Marshall                   Colin            Doc         Spillane      Lappin                            Fozzy         Safri       Etuhu                   Croft                 Brown                 Huckerby                                       

I thought Thorne was OK, especially in the first half. I don''t rate him usually but didn''t have a bad game and thought he linked up well with  Hucks at times. Having sadi this, what little we saw of Martin last night was enough to convince me we should be starting him instead!! Nice touch, worked the line well (good movement) and clearly not afraid to shoot. Very impressed, Grants no fool (despite what some people say) he''ll give Martin football now I think.

On official site. Gone to Torquay. Good for experience I would say. Nice to see youngsters going out to get experience. Does this mean Grant is confident people are coming in cos seems to take away even more cover? Or is that just wishful thinking?

I''m definately concerned! Will try my best to be patient and wait until midnight of the 31st before spitting my dummy out, but will be bitterly disappointed if nothing happens. As mentioned on another post, I''m confident they are doing their best to get people in behind the scenes and sometimes there is nothing they can do (player or family doesn''t want move like Spring) but people in football are judged on results and currently the results on the field and possible transfers off it are not coming close to expectations. I hope we are not disappointed. Fingers crossed, as always.

I don''t mean to be rude, but you''d all be complaining if we signed donkeys for the sake of it and I don''t suppose you''d be happy if prices went up cos everyone knew how much we had to spend! I''m still waiting till Feb 1st before passing judgement on what is Grants first chance to do something. Some''s gone (as you''ve all mentioned) some isn''t great lets wait for signings. Don''t get me wrong if nothing happens I''ll be the first to complain in Feb!!

You are assuming that it''s possible to get rid of them of course! What makes you think anyone will want our underperforming overpaid players? Paying them off will be expensive, and I''m sure you wouldn''t be happy about that either. Be realistic, unless a manager with money sees something the rest of us don''t, we are stuck with them!

I respect your passion but not your opinions! If the youth team players were better do you not think he might play them! No manager actually wants to lose, despite what you may think. It''s possible that he might be putting these players out there cos players who can''t get into our team aren''t gonna be leavin are they? but even that seems a little far fetched. I think to call him spineless is a bit harsh, I haven''t agreed with a lot of his decisions but lets at least give the guy his first transfer window to change things before attacking him. Oh and lastly, I bet you would moan if they lost playing youth! People like you find any reason possible in my experience. Ah, the joy of freedom of speech. Have a nice new year everyone, fingers crossed for maximum points and spectacular signings.