Anybody still optimistic about this season?

[1959_60]

Ed, 59/60 spends a lot of his time on the top of mountains, it's the rarified air that does it.

Yes, but up there I can see the bigger picture - thats what makes me so wise

It's really too simplistic to say that we need to throw money at it. Many clubs of our size or a bit bigger have gone down that road and suffered the consequence.

I'm sure we tried hard to add numbers but, for example, WBA wanted far more than we were willing to pay.

Personally, I think that we are not far off. We are crying out for creativity and someone to control things in midfield. Brady and Defour have been "touch and go" to be available all season but it hasn't happened yet. These two players (assuming they start playing like they did last season) will transform us. Much more control of the game and a lot more ammo for our front men.

Sticky spell without doubt, but this is when Sean is at his best.
And 12th in the league with seven points from the last three games...things could be worse.

I suggest you all get yer boots on and climb a mountain. You will see things more clearly then and be a lot more positive

[edlea]

"Brady and Defour have been "touch and go" to be available all season but it hasn't happened yet. These two players (assuming they start playing like they did last season) will transform us."

I love this.

The longer they're out, folk are talking in mystical tones like they're a combination of Messi & Ronaldo.

I would honestly be amazed if these two combined start 20 games this season. Would you hang your hat on that happening?

And just supposing they did - would they get us out of the sticky stuff?

[1959_60]

"Brady and Defour have been "touch and go" to be available all season but it hasn't happened yet. These two players (assuming they start playing like they did last season) will transform us."

I love this.

The longer they're out, folk are talking in mystical tones like they're a combination of Messi & Ronaldo.

I would honestly be amazed if these two combined start 20 games this season. Would you hang your hat on that happening?

And just supposing they did - would they get us out of the sticky stuff?

Ed, just pick your best team from our squad - including Defour and Brady - and I think it would look pretty good.

Mine would be, (4-5-1)

Hart
Lowton, Mee, Tarks, Ward
JBG, Cork, Defour, Hendrick, Brady
Vokes/Barnes/Wood/Vydra up front (depends on the opposition)

Sometimes we might consider 4-4-2 with Vydra coming in for Hendrick and either Vokes/Barnes/Wood partnering him up top.

A good set of options off the bench as well with Westwood/Lennon/McNeil in midfield, Long/Gibson/Taylor/Bardsley in defence, loads of goalies and several options up top.

I think Defour will be ready for Man City and Brady will be very close too.

Onwards and Upwards!

[The Bedlington Terrier]

At least Defour and Brady can get the ball on the deck and play bloody football! I went to Bournemouth last season for a night match and Brady played the Cherries off the park.

Defour ran United ragged at Old Trafford and none of our other lot can do that!

[blueheeler1]

"Brady and Defour have been "touch and go" to be available all season but it hasn't happened yet. These two players (assuming they start playing like they did last season) will transform us."

I love this.

The longer they're out, folk are talking in mystical tones like they're a combination of Messi & Ronaldo.

I would honestly be amazed if these two combined start 20 games this season. Would you hang your hat on that happening?

And just supposing they did - would they get us out of the sticky stuff?

NO

[Supersub6]

"Brady and Defour have been "touch and go" to be available all season but it hasn't happened yet. These two players (assuming they start playing like they did last season) will transform us."

I love this.

The longer they're out, folk are talking in mystical tones like they're a combination of Messi & Ronaldo.

I would honestly be amazed if these two combined start 20 games this season. Would you hang your hat on that happening?

And just supposing they did - would they get us out of the sticky stuff?

Two players are not responsible for getting us out of the sticky stuff, as you call it. The responsibility lies with the whole team, which includes management and players. If they perform to the best of their ability it gives them every chance to pick up points and that is the name of the game.

[The Bedlington Terrier]

I've always thought of outfield players like percentages. 10% for each player. Brady and Defour make up 20% of what I consider to be our FIRST TEAM.

Lowton, Mee, Tarkowski and Ward 40%.

Gudmundsson, Cork, Defour and Brady 40%.

Not at all sure about the front 20%, but for arguments sake let's go with Vokes and Vydra.

Start ripping 30/40% out of any whole 100% and you have a problem. That's what has happened to us.

If we can get a settled side I think we will be OK, but getting played off the park by Cardiff and Huddersfield is not giving me a great cause for optimism.

[Supersub6]

"...........If we can get a settled side I think we will be OK, but getting played off the park by Cardiff and Huddersfield is not giving me a great cause for optimism."

The simple fact is that we improved our position with the win at Cardiff and they stayed without a win and we shared the points with Huddersfield so we remained the same number of points above them and they still have not won a game.
I am sure that both Cardiff and Huddersfield will feel far worse than we do with these results.

It's only a game!!

[sinkov]

I am sure that both Cardiff and Huddersfield will feel far worse than we do with these results.

I'm sure both sets of fans will be encouraged by the fact that, poor as they are, they know there is at least one team in the league that's a whole lot worse than they are.

[Supersub6]

I'm sure both sets of fans will be encouraged by the fact that, poor as they are, they know there is at least one team in the league that's a whole lot worse than they are.

Yes--- Newcastle!
The fans can be encouraged as much as they want, however, the bottom line is that neither team beat the Clarets and that is what matters.