Agree- Sears just won't cut it for me- Carew needs match fitness so he must play

Has Bellamy signed for anyone yet- I am sure I will get slated but I think he could be the poacher we need- experienced and still 12-18 months left in him. Failing that I'd take Michael Owen not that he would come- surely there must be some East European somewhere worth a try or African as yet undiscovered, I would also like to see Anton return and feel that is a real possibility as he has struggled at a cash rich Sunderland.

re Faubert- I must be the only fan that actually thinks he can have a part to play- when going forward he has looked better than Sears and his crosses if we play a Carew up front will be deadly- OK so he is not a great right back but then he wasn't signed as one was he. He also had to help out when he did play midfield as it has been years since we have had a good right back. This is a long season and we need a big squad of positive and confident players- I suspect we will use 20+ players this year and for some games (home) Faubert gives us something different. Sears for me has produced nothing and Collinson is not a winger, Piquenne is not naturally a wide man and neither is Noble so it doesn't give us much option does it.
We must find a fast poacher with confidence, I cannot think of anyone we presently have that fits that bill but I do not know the reserves well enough- Sears, Hines are just not physical enough and the rest too slow so perhaps we have to think outside the box and play Barrera in behind Carew and Cole with Parker, Nolan and Noble as a 3 man midfied
Also thought Illunga had a great game against cardiff with the one slip costing us and unfortunate- he got forward, ran with pace and worked hard for his first game is a long while.

all three represent a step backwards and would have no value to us going forward- finding a decent striker is not easy at this level and division given we still do not seem to have cash to invest- I think Zamora might still be tempted if he knew we wanted him, Bellamy may just now be too old and Rich to care- I really cant see the issue of buying Shane Long - we all know Parker will go just before transfer day for $4m to Spurs, Cole will also go and all we will hear is that it was too late for anyone decent to sign! AGAIN

Its weird and frustrating- 20million for Nasri rejected yet nobody in for Parker who is a far better player- OK so he is 30, everyone wants success now and Parker gives you that for 2-3 years. Some of the money banding about for average at best players astounds me. Therefore, whatever we may believe if you said Carrol was 35million, 25M for Bent, then any offer less than 10m is silly for Cole. If he played in a side that was successful, had a decent strike partner and did not have to try and hold the ball up to rest our defence then I can see him scoring 15-20 goals a season. If he had an Arsenal or Chelsea shirt on everyone would be valuing so much more. At WHU last year he was playing alone, under pressure and unfit/injured. Why sell him now when if we do get promoted a Cole like player would cost us twice what we get now. What will 7M buy us?, we can't even get some Posh player to join us -instead he believes the prospects at Brighton are better

Ian- I think you are spot on- same side brings confidence and results. Playing Ba through the middle would allow us to play Piq left, Obinna right and still have hitz Noble and Parker which is a far better combination. Cole again missed the best chance of the game, I know he works hard but every week he misses too many opportunities and perhaps a rest will re inforce his desire

I would like to see Parker rested- Spector to be given his chance as he has improved massively and maybe one of those leaving so we need to see how he plays in a confident side. For me Ba stays in- in a hot streak so why change him but potentially he could partner Keane if fit just to see how it goes.
I would also like to see Collinson, if fit get a run at some stage.
Saturday was great, the only player not playing well for me is Bridge- shows money is not everything
I would also be tempted to rest one of the back three- perhaps Gabbidon gets a shot only to protect against unwelcome injury- Stoke are a physical team so Tomkins, Da Costa, Gabbidon, Bridge-
Noble, Spector, Hitz and Obinna
Ba and Piq
Subs- Keane, Collinson, O Neil, Parker, Upson, Cole

Green obviously first name down for me

Agree with what you say in the main, at centre half we have problems but for me Upson's injury creates the chance for Tomkins and Da Costa to shine and I feel both going forward to next year represent our best central defenders. I am sure most will disagree but Spector can also play CD, with Noble, Parker and Hitz in midfield we may have limited opportunity for Spector but he does look more solid than Reid- not saying much I know.(even Piquenne looked more solid when forced to defend against Brum than Reid does)
I think it will come down to goals scored rather than goals conceded in sealing our fate and we now have, arguably, the best front line of those in trouble- Wolves, WBA, Wigan, Blackpool- Villa for me will do enough not to get involved in the mix. It also suits that our games, on paper, appear harder. How often do we see 6-13th place teams almost give up at the end of the season. I would much rather play Blackburn and Sunderland than Wigan and Wolves when it gets to a survival fight.
If fit- Green, Bridge (I am not a fan but we have no choice), da Costa, Tomkins, Jacobsen, Hitz, Noble, Parker, Obinna, Piquenne and Ba with Cole, Collinson maybe, Hines, Keane, Spector, Sears on the bench is not a bad side. If we need goals then a great bench.

Cant remember such a bunch of positive results- lowest above 5, are you appealing to a new audience or are we starting to put a decent team together. Low marks for subs acceptable but Bridge 100 grand a week, looks iffy to me. First game he was a fault for at least 2 goals, against Blackpool he showed none of his experience in a young back 4 and where was he for the Birmingham goal- not goal side that is for sure. Oh for Deprela

Hi Ian, I actually think 38 points will be enough- I cannot see Blackpool winning more than 2-3 games, Wigan the same as Wolves and they would be my choice for relegation if and it is a big IF we can win the home games against lower competition and collect 3 points on the road somewhere- perhaps the double of Spurs!
Highlight for me the weekend was that we battled till the end, the side looks more balanced although I prefer Faubert at right back for home games if O Neil is in front of him to give us a better option going forward. Cole looked poor and we must start Ba and Piq with Obinna- Keane must learn to earn his place and push the team on not complain when he mis reads a pass
Not down and not out which means another no sleep Saturday night here in Aus watching at 01.00 in the morning