Fuzzar

*depressing; I haven''t invented a new coffee.

It doesn''t make for a pretty spectacle I agree, but when one club has had £1bn or so investment over the last 10 years, WTF are the relative have nots supposed to do?   Kind of despressing however you look at it.

If our reported interest is genuine, I''d be surprised if we''d valued him at £5.5m.

Thanks City1st, enjoyed that. Who''s the left-footer scoring the second and third - looks like a prospect?

I don''t think we play the style of football that would suit him either. And he hasn''t cut the mustard since leaving Swansea.

Here''s hoping....I had a draw for Newcastle and a loss to Villa away. But I reckon 4 wins will see us safe, mid to late thirties. Fingers crossed!

Thanks Sonyc. Where did you have us finishing? I projected us 11th on 36 points, with minus 44 GD...assuming some serious tonkings in the last four games.

At the moment, just a CB. With Tettey back, Johnson performing OK and Jonas able to play there CM is not such a priority. The alleged interest in the Itailian recently suggests CH feels we need strengthening here.

Definitely agree about Gutierrez'' potential value with his versatility, but also his apparent whole-heartedness, not something I''ve seen from all wearing the yellow and green so far this year...

Fraz "I too was reading these facts, the more alarming one was Ricky Van Wolfswinkel, I know he has not been great with only one goal, but he has only had 4 shots on target all season." Perhaps if he hadn''t been injured for half the season and we gave him better supply, he might have a bit more success.

I agree with you Salopian that Gutierrez will be useful in the middle in the absence of Howson and with Tettey coming back to full fitness, it''s just I think Bassong needs to sit on the bench and have a think about what he''s done (or not done). Gutierrez has played RB before and I think would be a better option than Whittaker who I don''t rate personally. And playing him behind my preferred Redmond on the right might give more solidity on that side of the pitch. I would start with Pilks and bring on Murphy if he tires and if Tettey''s not quite ready, would start with Johnson who I thought worked really hard against Fulham. Anyway, who really gives a monkey''s, as long as we win!

According to BBC website... If so, my team would be: --------------Ruddy-------------- Gutierrez Martin Bennett Olsson ------------Tettey Fer ---Redmond Hoolahan Pilks --------------Hooper-------------

lake district canary"Results haven''t been great recently, but we show time and time again that we can get wins and draws when we really need to." Question to LDC, with no axe to grind...would you still advocate keeping CH if we lose at home to Hull this weekend?

I think it''s a very sensible signing. Offers cover in different areas of the pitch. I hope he''s played centrally - we could do with a tigerish midfielder to actually win the ball, given how easily Gareth Barry nonced through to score at the weekend. He may not be the best crosser of a ball but at least if he''s won it we''ll be in possession.

Ruddy Martin Bennett Bassong Garrido Johnson Fer Fox Snodgrass Hoolahan Hooper Midfield possession important against a Martinez side, but I suspect Elmander will play and we''ll lose 3-1.

Far too hairy.

[quote user="TIL 1010"]My mum used to say self praise is no recommendation which today is termed as bigging yourself up.[/quote] I''m sure Tom wouldn''t have even mentioned it had it you all not been so patronising and derisory. I mean a fan having an opinion on a potential signing - I''ve never heard of anything so preposterous.

1-1

I don''t know what manual that''s been lifted from. Barca obvious press en masse to win the ball, but I''m pretty sure once they''ve done so the players will always try and find space to receive it and develop an attack. All the best players find space on the pitch. I really don''t think that''s a simplistic handmedown.

Good post Ken and I completely agree. I''m forever telling my eight year old to find space on the pitch. Surely that''s one of the fundamentals in football regardless of ability? And doing so would allow our significantly less gifted (than Suarez) footballers the opportunity to build play. It really struck me at the West Brom game recently how few passing options we had going forward. There were an awful lot of lofted balls from the back - nobody was showing and movement was generally poor.

2-1. With Altidore''s pace troubling the centre of our defence.

A 2005 vintage Steven Gerrard, playing like he did in the second half of that year''s Champions League Final. The current version''s not too shabby either.

Shame we missed out on Huddlestone, or maybe even Shelvey, in our price range. Gardner from Sunderland?

Foghorn "His players, he signed, his squad, his job to get the players performing to their full potential. But you are right, individual mistakes are rampant this year, is this down to poor coaching, lack of motivation, poor concentration?"   Individual players making individual mistakes in the hurly burly of a game has got chuff-all to do with the coaching. Yes we rode our luck yesterday, but the was team set up pretty well and everybody battled really hard. And bringing on Murphy at the end was brave. His switching with Redmond towards the end was terrific and it directly lead to the second goal. Credit where credit''s due, IMO - it was a classic away performance!

2-1. Do we still sing the `I do like to be beside the seaside'' song for West Brom? - I''m taking the kids...