Omg is that a win to us he has predicted, dont normally see that!!

Also anyone seen that Steve Bruce has said we have all but signed Wilson Palceous from Wigan, jus sorting out the structure of the payment and thats it. Is he the defensive midfielder we needed?? only time will tell, 21m for diarra, i guess 14m for him doesnt look quite so bad now

Provided we sign Palacios (whether he's a good buy or not time will tell, don't know a lot about him to be honest and running the show against our midfield away from home is not difficult) here would be my team for Sunday:

Gomes

Zokora Woodgate Corluka Bale

Lennon Hudd Palacios Modric

Defoe Pavyluchenko

With Modric dropping inside (a free-ish role perhaps) Bale can provide an overlap on the left. Portsmouth will almost certainly sit back with one up top so we should have ample possession.

Not sure if I should feel upbeat because he has faith in us, or worried because he has given us the kiss of death...

yeah...know waht u mean....please be right lawro..

if we sign him, i dont think he'll slot into the team this weekend. I think it may be:

Gomes
Corluka Woodgate King BAE
Lennon Modric Zokora/Huddlestone O'Hara
Pav Defoe

I cant picture Harry deviating from this too much!!

I just hope we sing "F**k Off Craig Bellamy" to the tune of Berbatov's song.

Though we might get done for "Indecent chanting"...

I'm sure some idiots might join in with you, but I'd be reasonably pleased if he signed, although I'm at a loss to explain why we need both him and Defoe. Surely a target man is a greater priority.

On the surface Defoe and Bellamy are similar type players - speed and size - but in reality are very different.

Defoe likes the ball at his feet, drops deep some times, is selfish around the goal, gets caught offside due to poor timing of runs, does not work hard across the line and is easily pushed off the ball.

Bellamy likes the ball in front of him, has pace to go at and trouble defenders, pace to sit on the shoulder of the last defender (goal v Newcastle), is aggressive up front and a constant threat for defenders, can bring other players into the game, has a short fuse.

Playing the likes of Hull away from home a forward line of Bellamy, Defoe and Lennon playing on the break a la Villa would be a threat. At home they might find space behind some teams limited, so another approach would be needed as the likes of Wigan sit in.

I don't like Bellamy in the same way I don't like Rednapp, but if he pulls on the shirt I will support him.

im fed up of hearing some of the crap. as long as we get out of the hole we are in i couldt give a monkey's who we sign.... some people think we have a god given right to be in the premier league - well we dont and unless we start proving it on the pitch we are in trouble... some of you would rather we played championship football than sign certain players... well i think differntly. id rather us sign whoever we need to stay in the premier league and build from there. as long as they their job i will support them. .. i remember several people moaning about signing woodgate and now i bet they join in with rest of us when we sing his praises.

BAE is still suspended team will probably be

gomes
charlie woody daws bale
lennon zokora modric ohare
pav defoe

is BAE back from suspension for this week's game? I would play him rather than Bale at LB if I had my way.

If we sign Palacios I would play:

............Gomes
corluka king woodgate bale
.........Huddlestone
.......lennon Palacios
............Modric
.............Bent

Our best games have been with Bent playing just ahead of Modric. Huddlestone brings presence, shooting, and a great range of passing. We need to play Bale because he is a great player - he just needs to get his confidence back with a win.