This Top Right Position

[sirpiechucker]

Now in my opinion the reason the Ambrose debate is dragging on is because we all believe that Ephraim is too lightweight to play on the right of a 4-3-3 and that Parker is too inexperienced so we need someone to fill the void. It's becoming more obvious as the pre season goes on that Mackie will play on the left, Helguson or Clarke in the middle and currently we have Ephraim or Parker to play on the right with Buzsaky, Faurlin and Derry as the midfield three. But are there other options that Warnock and Co should be exploring?

This formation seems to be flavour of the month as we saw it used quite a lot in the World Cup (except by England) and most teams had a lot of success with it. With Taraabt unlikely to sign for us and IMO Ambrose likely to stay at Palace we do need someone who will score goals from this position. We've been linked with Smith, McAnuff and now Walters so it's looking like Warnock also thinks this is a problem area.

Ambrose did have a very good season at Palace and had a better scoring rate under Neil then under Paul Hart (12 in 34 followed by 3 in 12) but he could just be a one season wonder. McAnuff has never scored goals frequently and neither has Walters so should we continue to pursue any of these players? Should we give youth a chance or are there alternative options that Warnock hasn't thought of yet?

[Magic]

McAnuff is the answer if we're looking for someone on the right hand side of a front 3 imo. Of course we had the answer before greedy fat tangerine man decided to cash in on Routledge..

[Jeffro]

Ambrose is ok, not in Buzz quality. Ephraim will get found out as per usual once the opposition quality improves. To be honest I dont expect us to spend any money , therefore would be more than happy for JP to play that role, as he is young, hungry and obviusly Warnocks faith in him has improved him no end.

[swede]

What about Routledge? Gosling and Jonas on the wings for N´castle.

[stanley75]

Agree with all this. Selling Routledge was a spectacularly short sighted and silly thing to do. Hogan not up to filling the slot. Buz is better than ambrose but shouldn't be played on the wing to get best out of him.

What sort of player is best out on the wing will depend a bit on who is the striker in the middle. If we believe what we are told we don't know who that is yet (next bus along will reveal our superstar perhaps) that yet so difficult to say who should fill this slot. If it is to be Clarke we need someone to score the goals for him.

[kingo]

Got to say that I had hoped this Ambrose saga was over as I would preefer Tommy Smith in that position as he has had several seasons of scoring from that position. But I trust NW to know what he is doing.

[DelTrotter]

Moses.

[G.T.P]

to be fair, you cant blame the club for routledge going, he hated it at the bush. proper detested it, he didnt even want to come in the first place, and then when he did it got even worse, he had to be sold.

[stanley75]

Fraid I don't agree on Routledge. Club wanted the cash, not rid of a problem. There was a lot going on (in Board room and dressing room) at the time and I don't actually think much thought was given to it at all. If it had of been we were ripped off. It will cost us more to replace him with someone as good.

Moses nice but can't see it happening. McAnuff keeps getting mentioned but they seem pretty clear he aint going and no sign we are testing their mettle on it. Smith more likely if we were prepared to pay (something!) but personally not a big fan tbh. I am guessing this will be left as a "make do" position. It will continue to irritate me watching the pretty clueless Hogan over there but there you go. We've all read Bernie's Evening Standard insights to bring us back down to earth.

[jams1234]

Why did you sell Routledge?

Serious question, I was bemused at the time.

[stanley75]

In my opinion? Money. No one was really in charge of the team (we were turning managers so fast they had no input and the comings and goings were done from the Board room and on a balance-sheet-basis).

Lots of rumours abounded at the time that it was a big buck move with some sort of major pay off if Newcastle got promoted. Load of old tosh. They punted him out coz they could make a quick buck to limit losses.

[DelTrotter]

Why did you sell Routledge?

Serious question, I was bemused at the time.

When Flavio was about to leave he decided to sell our players who earned a lot or he could generate a transfer fee for. Sold routledge quickly so he could get a price before he left. The orange pr*ck sold our best player of that season so far

[Hertford Hoop]

Why did you sell Routledge?

Serious question, I was bemused at the time.

Wasn't it to do with add on fees if he played a certain number of games? £1m seems to ring a bell but I ain't certain

[Scarlet pimple]

Huge loss.

[G.T.P]

In my opinion? Money. No one was really in charge of the team (we were turning managers so fast they had no input and the comings and goings were done from the Board room and on a balance-sheet-basis).

Lots of rumours abounded at the time that it was a big buck move with some sort of major pay off if Newcastle got promoted. Load of old tosh. They punted him out coz they could make a quick buck to limit losses.

im telling ya, he hated it here and cried like a baby 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. had to go.
i was told by the man who knew.