Newty82

....the amount of bollocks being spoken about our first few league games, both by a portion of our 'fans' and both sky and bbc 'experts'. Lets look at some of the kind of quotes we have so far.... 'Passing for no reason....' 'Passing too slow...' 'Not penetrating enough...' 'Not creating chances...' etc etc. You get what I mean, and know what I am on about. I dont agree with any of these statements or anything like them. But I thought to myself 'Dave, you have to wear glasses to see your 50inch TV, maybe your short sighted by nature aswell as physically....'. So, I look up the stats for our first 3 league games...and my view has not changed. Now my view of keeping the ball is that 1) the opposition can do naff all without it, 2) its more tiring if you have to chase the ball and 3) with the ball, you control the game. I coach youth football and its bloody hard work drilling this in...as come game day, the call from the sidelines is 'clear it'....'get rid'...blah blah. In this country, we are shit at the game we invented because we cant grasp the idea of good calm patient football. Barcelona keep the ball for fun, Spains national team is made up of mainly Barcelona players, kind of hard to disagree with what they do. Martinez is made from this very same modern way of thinking. A lot of us english fans simply are not. So we have to hoof it if its nil nil after a few minutes. I cant back this up on my own...so the stats.... Vs Norwich (a)...67% possession, 20 shots (vs.8), Shot accuracy 35% (vs.25%), 564 passes (vs.258), Pass Acc. 88% (vs.76%) Vs WBA (h)...62% possession, 22 shots (vs.7), Shot accuracy 36% (vs.29%), 478 passes (vs.298), Pass acc. 83% (vs.70%) Vs Cardiff (a)...63% possession, 13 shots (vs.4), shot accuracy 23% (vs.25%), 513 passes (vs.299), Pass acc. 86% (vs.76%) The stats show that the type of football being played is doing its job...that is limiting the oppositions opportunity to use the ball, limiting their chances, and far from what is being said, this style of football is enabling us to create chances. Plenty of them. Our shot accuracy is far from poor. Also, we are passing the ball with great accuracy. The only problem is we cant convert our chances just now, but that is not the fault of our style or any single player...it just aint happening just now. But it will. Its hard to see that when keeping the ball so much, creating so many chances etc it aint eventually going to go our way. It is frustrating to have not won these games, but it is surely pleasing that we are doing almost everything right?!!! The other moan is about Kone. Give the bloke a chance to get match fit, he's finding his fitness after fasting...that would zap the energy and therfore fitness out of any top athlete. The bloke will get us around 15 goals this season. Its totally unfair to label the £6 or so million spent on him as a waste. After a few sub appearances? Behave. So, some say we should have spent the money on someone else, who? Overall, this is good stuff. I am sceptical though...I have to admit...about the amount of staff brought in from wigan and also the number of players we have or are linked to from wigan. We have signed 3...linked with 2 others. That does make me feel a bit nervy. I am a bit dissapointed....that we have spent a minimum amount of money on transfers, especially after all the hoo-haa about new tv money etc. Now Martinez says we dont need to sell financially. This seems to be true and only means the banks arent making silly demands, neither is any loan shark. Great. However, clearly we have to sell if we want to buy. I am confident that we have 4/5 quality players lined up should Baines and Fellaini go, definately. Ideally we'll keep Baines...I dont mind us selling Fellaini, I think he really wants to go, and we'll bring in 3/4 players if that happens. But...its a shame we have to sell to buy. Clearly, what we have is what we have squad wise. Its clear that we need more depth, quality depth I mean. I think more players will get a chance this season, it will be good to see who cuts it. Hopefully all of them, but when does that ever happen? We'll still be up battling a top 6 place, but what happens between now and 11pm Monday will influence that a lot. To finish...I reckon this years derby games will see some of the best pure football played for years between us.

When this first started months ago...I thought we should buy back finch farm. Then we save on daft rents and have a solid physical asset, which is good to have when you are supposed to be selling the club. Since the council snapped it up...that idea has gone. I also thought we could invest a little in cranking our scouting network up a few notches...I have no idea how our scouting works or where we are...but I like the idea of having an ultimate scouting network does it for me for the future. So...only one thing for it...pure squad investment. Players that will improve our squad now and for a few years...be it McCarthy, Shaw, Moses, Ince...just make the right investment. Or wax the lot on a striker? Now theres a thought.....

Havent really read this thread but get the jist of the last few posts... The way I see it...he scored 11 league goals for a relegation fodder team. I still think he'll get around 15 for us this season. Yes, its frustrating when the strikers miss so many opportunaties. But I am sure thats not his normal way. Also...the team as a whole are missing opportunaties, think about norwich and wba...

Barkley...looked nice and sharp on the ball...and in chasing it too! Big mention to Distin and Coleman too.

Read about this in yesterdays programme. Glad the club has done it, its a good thing. Ive never really been a hater of the present badge, but disliked the spin the club put on it. Hopefully, together with some design happy fans, we'll nail it this time and have a badge that suits all commercial and historical needs.

Ha ha...great come back!!! Made me smile. Now get back in your kennel, bitch.

Already have. Wheres the 'plank' smiley?!!!

Hmmmm....I'll take your word for it Mr! Although if we are really honest, really really manly honest...it edged more towards a chance to grumble! The clues are.... 'Kone is keeping Anichebe out the side'...No, Jelavic is. And when Kone comes on, he looks sharp and energetic. Probably the same in training...so maybe big Vic needs to up his effort? 'Oviedo could play anywhere in the team'...no he couldnt. And if he could, he would be. 'We are four points behind liverpool'...tongue in cheek of course, but as we all know, theres always a serious edge to such quotes. I rest my case Sir. A good poll topic though, but maybe more meaningful after a run of games, like 6 or so???

And for anyone not at the game...it kills me to say it...but Romeys analysis is pretty bang on. Cant disagree with much of it. The player by player bit if mostly accurate...I wouldnt quite say it was like watchin us under Moyes, but defo agree we were to slow as a team to build up an attack.

You know, I was saying that to my boy. After the initial 'hurrah' pre game...it was shockingly quiet. Almost as if we were waiting in anticipation...but not really sure what we were waiting for!!! Bit more rowdy in the 2nd half though. Fairly pleased with seeing us today. We controlled play really well, passed it around quite comfortably. We came up against a well organised WBA...who where quick to get all their players behind the ball whenever we advanced. Barkley looked a step above on and off the ball. Expected more from Miralles...he seemed a bit of pace. Distin looked as athletic as ever, stepped in a few times. Jelavic...hmmmmm. Pienaar...not a winger for me. I think there is more to come from this team. A bit more geling. Frustrated with the draw, but plenty of good stuff goin on. We do need a couple more players tho.

Theres absolutely nothing to be unhappy about. Think this is just a thread Avin was hoppin people would grumble on about. Votes hasnt gone that way. Honestly, 2 games in and we are supposed to be looking at where we are too Liverpool? Behave!!! Most of our starting 11 have played under a totally different mentality under the previous regime. They are adjusting very well. Im impressed with how we move to look for the ball. We look calm in possession. There are a lot of positives so far. I also trust Martinez and his selections. He works if these players 6 days a week for several hours...I am sure that if Oviedo is good enough to play anywhere in the team, he will.

Dont get to many games, but heading down the m6 with my stepson (a baggie!!!) to take a seat in Gladwys Street. Lookin forward to it...should be a good footballing game.

Really really really dissapointed with Moyes and what he has said. Honestly, Im not into all the OTT bashing...but it has left me a bit dumbfounded. Now he is showing true arrogance and showing his real character. Gutted that he is acting in this manner...its a kick in the teeth for the club, fans and, yes, Kenwright. Pah.

Cheeky bastard Utd have made a joint £28mill bid...breaking news right now on SSN. Bid rejected. It worries me though cos Moyes knows our finances and board inside out. £28mill....grrrrr!!!

I'd have him everyday...not at 7mill though. Maybe 4 or 5 mill. Would be a good addition to our squad.

Not a bad player...but he is an absolute liability, who rates himself too highly. I hope we dont...but if Martinez see's it different, then we gotta trust him and hope for the best.

If the topic was would u rather have bobby or moyes...I'd say bobby. Purely based on his style, both as a manager and football philosphy. Plus, I strongly felt that a change was needed for everyone, for the best. However...the topic is if u could have moyes back now blah blah...can be read in different ways, in my little opinion and is a bollock question.

The club clearly employs a retard at the store...probs the same retard who mispelt wembley on the back of a display shirt a couple of years ago. A secret red?!!!

Nani and Anderson would definately improve our squad. Thats all.

A known issue in the English game is the old gem of judging players by height, size etc. Santi Carzola...immense last year at arsenal. 5'6" at most. Lionel Messi...dont need any intro...can only be 5'7" at best. We do put too much emphasis on size.

Very impressed with Martinez moves so far. From the beginning I have been pro-martinez. IMWT!!! But its far too early to compare to Moyes...and totally unfair to both.Moyes made some shrewd moves in the market...Howard, Jags, Baines, Distin, Coleman, Cahill, Neville, Pienaar, Morales, Fellaini, Saha, Gibson, Donovan, lescott, Arteta, Yobo...not bad really. Also...Messi is a superstar. This kid could be...but isnt yet. Proof is in the pudding.

As Martinez has worked with Kone most days in the past year and knows all of Kones strengths, I trust that Martinez knows how Kone can improve the team. Welcome Kone....give it you have got...thats all I ask.

Ha ha....great stuff!!!

Yeah, the James Vaughan thing was a total joke buddy.

Whats nonsense? Rhodes or the Championship? Rhodes is a good young player and the championship is a bloody tough competitive league. As for the Dutch/Belgian topscorer thing...its a great stat but just a one off, a fluke if you like. Nothing more. Although, its going to be very interesting to see how the current crop of Belgian internationals develop, must be the strongest Belguim team for some time???