Highland Canary

I have no idea who Cluck is but I am willing to concede in my more optimistic moments that, assuming we add to our forwards, we may stay up. Having said this I thought we''d get a point against West Brom and look how that ended.

As a so-called ''94-95 conspirator'', I''ll only be happy with the points on the board - that''s what our history tells us. I think Newcastle at home is a big game for us. Hopefully, the board will have bought another striker in by then. We can undertake all the analysis we want but lose against both Man City and West Ham, that''s four defeats in a row, and the confidence our recent run has been built on eroded.

And that''s the issue. Over time the PL will become populated by clubs with rich owners Cardiff, Leicester, Leeds to name but three. At the same time existing PL clubs with rich owners will typically be able to buy safely. If not they will be in a better position to buy promotion. That is until the owners get bored or run out of money. However, I can''t see city being able to compete in this new world. So when relegation comes this year on next, we will be able to debate the efficacy of McNally''s mutual ownership strategy.

I''d also like Bennett to have a game, especially with another two matches this week. I''d give Pilkington a rest.

The more significant issue is our over reliance on Holt who, once again, has been outstanding this season. We need to invest in someone of equivalent stature and ability to share the load and cover for injuries and suspensions. None of our other strikers currently satisfy this brief.

1-6 Holt:-(

I think most of us felt when Wes went off that we more than likely to go on and lose the game. It takes some adjustment to Hughton''s strategy of attempting to protect a point, as regards Lambert who would have attempted to win the game. Hughton is in my opinion very conservative in his use of substitutes. As regards Morison he would do a competent job in the Championship but does not seem to be on the same wavelength with Wes which is a particular problem in the system we are currently playing.

I accept that in so many ways the club''s situation is fundamentally different (improved) cf 1995. But (1) the collapse is at least part of the club''s history and our collective memories (2) better we don''t forget such seasons and recognise we need to improve our team - possibly GK, certainly forwards (3) acknowledge that if we survive at 17th that''s a fantastic achievement - talk of a top half finish is foolish at best, dangerously complacent at worst (4) we''ve had a good run, others will do so too - I don''t think we''ll finish above Villa, Sunderland, Newcastle or Fulham. Controversially, I also believe that QPR will stay up, comfortably as well. So, we''re in for an exciting ride - which is more often the case than not as a Canaries fan - I really hope that the Board give Hughton the funds he needs to bring in an experienced striker. An Ashton equivalent may well get us over the line this time.

Two similarities Nutty: 1. A belief held by many that we''re already safe. Hopefully, the management team have the nouse to strengthen. We desperately need an experienced PL striker. Morison was really poor today. 2. The loss of a key player. Gunn''s absence was a significant contributing factor to our demise. Credit to Hughton for signing Bunn but he''s no Ruddy who I fancy would have tipped the ball over the bar when West

Had a very good game today. Worked hard, gets back to defend and prepared to take on players. Think he''s getting better and better.

Apologies, posted on the wrong thread. It is a little annoying when multiple threads are started on the same topic. Just back from the game. I thought Morison was disappointing today and, dare I say, seemingly disinterested. I think it goes to show, yet again, how much Holt brings to the team. He also works in combination with Hoolahan. It was also disappointing to see how our away support has fallen away this season. We sold out the allocation last season and had a good go at the entire end in the cup. Worrying given this is only our second season back. We need to strengthen in January. Without a new striker we will struggle. I don''t think it''s realistic to expect Holt to play the single front man role for the rest of the season without getting injured on burnt out. I''m sure I''ll get flamed for this - I think we''ll lose the next three PL games - Newcastle at home is absolutely vital. Lose that too and the 95 scenario is upon us again. To finish on a positive - Snodgrass impressive again today

Just back from the game. I thought Morison was disappointing today and, dare I say, seemingly disinterested. I think it goes to show, yet again, how much Holt brings to the team. He also works in combination with Hoolahan. It was also disappointing to see how our away support has fallen away this season. We sold out the allocation last season and had a good go at the entire end in the cup. Worrying given this is only our second season back. We need to strengthen in January. Without a new striker we will struggle. I don''t think it''s realistic to expect Holt to play the single front man role for the rest of the season without getting injured on burnt out. I''m sure I''ll get flamed for this - I think we''ll lose the next three PL games - Newcastle at home is absolutely vital. Lose that too and the 95 scenario is upon us again.

Bassong

Good shout on Cottee. I''d shut that one out.

Dean Coney

Whatever the merits or demerits of Morison''s performance, the fact that we''re in this situation is due to a failure to strengthen this position, coupled with the fact that we sent Vaughan out on loan. Just be thankful Holt''s lasted as long as he did, hopefully he''ll be back for West Ham, and we''ll have new personnel to draw on for the Newcastle game.

We don''t have the depth of squad to compete in the Europa league and PL. Our only European adventure was great fun. Winning the COCup, a Europa adventure and relegation this year or next may well have been a price worth paying for winning something. Views will differ on this. As for this year we will finish somewhere below half way so the debate is hypothetical. It''s also my view that McNally''s concept of mutuality is fundamentally in conflict with the ability of the football club to finish in the Top 6 of the PL. These places are effectively bought nowadays - mutuality will never provide the necessary purchasing power.

I don''t need a striker to replace Holt but we do need one as effective or better than him if he is either injured or suspended, and to provide the manager with the option of resting him. Personally, I would not be surprised if both Jackson and Morison leaving at the end of the season and, dependent on who we get in, one of them leaving in January.

I for one would have enjoyed a trip to Wembley. There''s a generation of City fans who have never been there. But that''s the up and downs of football. Personally, I think Villa are beginning to look a very good side indeed. Credit, again, to Lambert for that.

Nutty wrote: Well it seems Bowkett has repeated those words when unveiling the latest accounts. I don''t know why Highland didn''t pick up on it at the fans forum. Maybe he wasn''t listening, maybe he''d gone for a pi.. to the rest room, or maybe it was a different fans forum. Highland? There was the perception I took from the meeting. I guess you always bring your own bias to the interpretation of a narrative. Thankfully, the issue is immaterial now. The team have performed heroically. Even if a collapse occurs post-Christmas, I cannot believe that the board would look to a new manager in March/April. It''s still my view that should we find ourselves in the Championship, Hughton would be given the opportunity to return us to the PL.

There are some valid comments on the thread regarding the relative position we are from a cyclical perspective with both the football club and team are undoubtedly in a better state now than in 1995. Those were dark days indeed. I agree that it seems unlikely that we''ll get drawn into it but who knows? Let''s hope that we take the opportunity to strengthen in January. Each additional year we stay up provides the opportunity to incrementally improve the team.

Our level of away support is softer this season. Although we''re going again on Saturday, a lot of us went twice in a fortnight last season and it''s also an expensive time of year. Disappointing though our support is down.

Heart says 1-1. Head says 3-1 to the Baggies.

I''m certainly not convinced. I also would be surprised that any of us who watched our demise in 94/95 would be convinced either. Holt is key to our survival - take him out for a few weeks and I begin to fear. I suspect that Reading will go down. Perm any two from City, Wigan and possibly QPR for the other spot. I think we can afford to write off the next few games but lose against Newcastle and we''ll be firmly in the mire.

Danny Graham, though why Swansea would sell to another member of the relegation mini-league is beyond me. Holt''s injury will hopefully focus minds on getting in experienced support for him. £5m is a small price to pay if it secures £64m of TV rights next season.