Think pj shouldnt tell players they r playing until nearer kick off. Can p..s others off after training hard. As for ellington! Who cares useless money grabber.

I partly blame the weekend's loss on Leadbitter. It was the most stupid sending off I've ever seen at a game.

He'll be very important if he can keep up his recent form, though I'm not convinced him and Drury will work, maybe not even him and Hyam, but that could be the way to go. Bowyer is just too slow. Boro are a decent team, we need a midfield combination that will really hold it together.

Bringing in Sonko would also be very tempting if it were me.

McCarthy
Edwards Sonko Smith Cresswell

JET

I partly blame the weekend's loss on Leadbitter. It was the most stupid sending off I've ever seen at a game.

He'll be very important if he can keep up his recent form, though I'm not convinced him and Drury will work, maybe not even him and Hyam, but that could be the way to go. Bowyer is just too slow. Boro are a decent team, we need a midfield combination that will really hold it together.

Bringing in Sonko would also be very tempting if it were me.

McCarthy
Edwards Sonko Smith Cresswell
JET Leadbitter Hyam/Drury Murphy
Martin
Chopra
....?

have to say im glad leadbitter is back but hopefully hyam or drury will be alongside him because i dont think bowyer is up to the task, he really hasnt been on his game lately and has been giving the ball away far to often when he hasnt needed to, as for ellington, why is he still here, hes done nothing at all, hope scotland stays here over the summer because i feel he has alot to offer still and think him and chopra with enough games together really might work out really well :) and COYB tomorrow night!!

Ellington has done nothing as he's barely played.

It seems he's basically not the required standard, but to say he's done nothing is harsh on him because he hasn't had enough game time.

It is funny how all the "Leadbooter" bashers have vanished.

I don't understand why he gets so much stick. He is a decent player and still young, I hope he signs a new deal.

I think if he moves to another club people will then see he has quality and a lot to offer.

defintely missed leadbitter against watford, glad he'll be back tomoro and hoping he pens down a new deal as well. (not on stupidly high wages tho)

Just imagine what Ellington and Bullard have cost us in wages, Kennedy likewise, we could have done more in the transfer market without those on the wage bill

would like to see Bullard back on the bench with Hyam starting.... from what i have heard much more lively than Drury on saturday. Agree about Sonko, him and Smith possibly.... always thought GL had a lot to offer just wasnt showing it. fingers crossed he has found form, and we can sign him up (so long as he hasnt found form to get a contract here or elsewhere)

I am fit Paul. Can I make the bench?

I have no club so I can be registered to play.

I am 50 stone and have two left feet. So I have a better chance of scoring than Ellington.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ im also a clueless plonker who likes to get attention

Garv Ellington is not good enough & we need to get rid asap.

Garv .. the 2nd card was stupid, the first a poor decision by the ref after a good tackle.

Well said Special A ... totally agree ...

ADDuctor strain ? That's clearly why he's been adsent.

Garv that would be my team. Bowyer sadly ran out of gas on Saturday and can't see him being offered another contract. Glad no one has called for ALB people seeing sense at last.

Leadbitter has been excellent. It's wrong to blame him for the Watford loss - that was due to abysmal - schoolboy defending. 100% PJ's fault for not addressing the GK and CB positions (he's had 15 months).

Very pleased Leadbitter (although he will leave this Summer) is back even though the manager should have adequate replacements if key players are missing.

jas you must be sooooo excited a loss at the weekend and lots for you to blame Jewell for, i can picture you rubbing your hands together sat come final whistle, thinking of all the various ways you can use it to get at PJ. Two losses in 11 games, dont forget that stat if you want to offer a 'balanced' view. three weeks ago Leadbitter was slatted by everyone, a few good games and he is the best thing since sliced bread. Surely Hyam (who you said was sooooo unfairly treated) Drury et al are more than adequate replacements both of which got to play a part?

I think he was a little unlucky to get sent off in the first place against Burnley. Has been excellent in recent weeks. Is he playing for a new contract? Who knows just keep playing the way you are and you won't do no harm.

Bluelady are you related to Jewell he has had 14 months and what has he done the worst defensive record in all leagues no GK no RB no CBs, Bullard on a fortune along with Bowyer please tell me what they have done this season the club is no further forward and you reckon hes good I suppose you still think we will make the playoffs some people make me laugh JEWELL OUT

Eaton ~ afraid your joke is a bit too high brow for here.

Garv ~ Definitely need Sonko in for his pace (thats the type of joke we have here)

Certain irony in this 'Leadboots' love in. He is still the same player he has always been, just being used better.

Righty...you make some very good valid points and of course you are correct about the defence, cant disagree, i also cant and wont defend Jewell he has dropped some real howlers. You ask what has jewell done in his 14 months in charge? well first of all his first job was to keep us in the championship following Keane's disastrous spell in charge, mission accomplished. Then lets look at his good signings as well as the poor, Cresswell, Drury, Jet ( what a prospect and he is only going to get better) Chopra(probably going to be our first 20 a season striker, since shefki), Lee martin has really matured under Jewell( my player of the season)
If we are going to mention the poor defensive record, lets also mention our goals for column, only the saints have scored more at home, and the fifth highest away scorers in the division. This is all relevant, not right to mention one without the other. 2 losses in our last 11 games, certainly suggests improvement to me. No this season has not been good enough, no one disputing it. I have enjoyed watching our football going forward. I am not satisfied with Jewells failings, But his successes cancel those out imo. the result is we will finish mid table. If(and its a big if) he gets the 3/4 signings that are so obviously needed i think we could have a season to remember next year. I prefer to think of the glass as half full. Is Jewell the man? i couldnt say yes he is, with enough conviction, but i think he has done enough in recent weeks to suggest he could be....Bluelady also makes some very good points and offers a balanced argument....Coyb

I disagree that Mr Jewell has not tried to plug the defence problem. He tried in the summer by signing Cresswell, Stockdale, Collins and Sonko. For a while it worked well. Then in the winter he tried to sign the three Protsmouth defenders. We didn't get that deal, but that happens. Now all the talk is of trying to sign more players and that may well be part of the solution. There is another way; try playing what we have. This season is pretty much finished (we won't be promoted or relegated) so why not give Ainsley and Cropper a decent run in the team? If they come on as Cresswell has done it may save the club a small fortune.

Righty...you make some very good valid points and of course you are correct about the defence, cant disagree, i also cant and wont defend Jewell he has dropped some real howlers. You ask what has jewell done in his 14 months in charge? well first of all his first job was to keep us in the championship following Keane's disastrous spell in charge, mission accomplished. Then lets look at his good signings as well as the poor, Cresswell, Drury, Jet ( what a prospect and he is only going to get better) Chopra(probably going to be our first 20 a season striker, since shefki), Lee martin has really matured under Jewell( my player of the season)
If we are going to mention the poor defensive record, lets also mention our goals for column, only the saints have scored more at home, and the fifth highest away scorers in the division. This is all relevant, not right to mention one without the other. 2 losses in our last 11 games, certainly suggests improvement to me. No this season has not been good enough, no one disputing it. I have enjoyed watching our football going forward. I am not satisfied with Jewells failings, But his successes cancel those out imo. the result is we will finish mid table. If(and its a big if) he gets the 3/4 signings that are so obviously needed i think we could have a season to remember next year. I prefer to think of the glass as half full. Is Jewell the man? i couldnt say yes he is, with enough conviction, but i think he has done enough in recent weeks to suggest he could be....Bluelady also makes some very good points and offers a balanced argument....Coyb

Special_A and LollITFC - to address the point about being a Leadbitter knocker, as i have been one for a while and in my opinion with good reason...

At the price tag he was signed for he needs to consistently bring all attributes of a midfielder needs to a game every week. It's not enough to just be tidy on the ball and retain possession. For a 'goal scoring midfielder' his goal return and his ability to break in to the box hasn't been good enough since his arrival. He's also not a great ball winner and doesn't boss the midfield. Set-pieces are also wayward so for these reasons and several others I and many others have been disappointed with Leadbitter and rightly so.

Yes i'm delighted he's shown a bit of form of late and started to find the net...but after 2 years + and now rejects a contract offer...come on! Yes, he's a lot ot offer but too little too late in my opinion. I'd like him to sign purely on the basis that he owes this club and should show the doubters what he needs to do week in week out not just at the end of his contract when he's in the shop window.

Has ability but hasn't been good enough until late.

Agree with your point though Garv. If on a yellow already, why get another in the 93 minute with a stupid tackle! Highlights why he should never have been skipper for me!

Jas0999 - I will make a bet with you now on this forum that next season Jewell will guarantee us a top 6 finish. Your point about defenders and the 15month thing which you like so much: Jewell has consistently identified targets to bolster the defence but they haven't come off. That's the nature of it. I'd rather that than a buy for the sake of it ala Roy Keane and Priskin for example!

Must say Leadbitter has played well in the last 4/5 games BUT what about the other 3 years ? He has not been played out of position all the time.

I still think that one good c/half would change this side around, along with a goalkeeper, organise the rest of the defence we need one in the style of De vos.
i can remember him saying to another defender 'just clear it up there and let the rest of the team get on with it' Both our full backs are very attack minded, that's ok by me but they let far too many crosses come over into the box. So you need a goal keeper who will comand his area and a good strong c/half

If Scotland stays and Murphy stays we are still a bit short of forwards, I would like to see a young big striker added to our squad, maybe Wickham back on loan? As cannot see him getting much game time at Sunderland next season.