Come on its obvious a lack of firepower has cost us the last two games. All our goalscoring threat has come from midfield. We ended the game on Wednesday with midfielders playing up front and today almost similarly (dont rate JJ at all). Wouldve liked cup success but I thought that the League Cup would have been the most likely route.

No, my point was we should have gone for a striker regardless of the two injuries. We should have strengthened the attack early on in January, having identified the need and target between September and January.

Europe? We would have to finish 5th to guarantee a UEFA Cup spot or 6th and hope for a spot. Wont be easy.

Big mistake in judgment that we didnt bring in cover in attack earlier (not sure if we will sign someone anyway), but this has possibly cost us two cup games.

Shocking defending. Shows how important Nelsen is in the middle...

Oh well, Lucas has been one of our best players this season, wouldve rather he saved the goal for a more impactful time.

Oh well. We have no teeth up front. Its the exact repeat of the West Ham game at the start of the season. Out of both cups now. Lets hope Hughes finds the right striker, cause God knows we need one.

Yep that same Peter.

Disappointing that we trail having led so early. Feels like deja vu at Upton Park. Lets see what Sparky is made of, otherwise out of two cups in a few days and we will only have the league to play for.

We fought hard and we can all be proud cause we forced United to defend with all their players at home for the last 15 minutes, where they just hoofed the ball up the field. Where was the consistency for the two handballs? Otherwise despite the pressure, I didnt think we would score, simply cause we didnt have a striker. What stood out most is that we NEED a striker ASAP. Kuqi is a workhorse but not much more, and God knows how he has scored the goals that he has, cause his finishing is appalling and right now he looks tired and not fresh like he did 2-3 months ago. Friedel was Superman again, what a save from the header from Horse.

All I can say is the middle away shirt is the most disgusting thing I have seen in my life.

Jazeera Sport 2... Its free if you have Nilesat or Arabsat.

bench doesnt give us too many attackin options. no bellers. no jj. no strikers 3-1 Man U

Big big game, biggest since probably the Arsenal Cup semi last year... Can we nick a 2-2 draw? Lets hope so...

A true cup final if we make it. I dont think we can get more psyched up than knowing we can win the title by winning tonight.

Its a shame about Bellers and with Dickov out, I cant see us getting what we need. Consider a 4-5-1? Dont know... Maybe MGP up front with Kuqi and Peter on the left... We need to sign a striker. Bellamys fitness is worrying. Very very worrying.

Well its interesting to read, any way you look at it, and is food for thought.

My take on the subject is simply how much does it take to move us to the next level and what is the next level exactly. We are around 8th and give or take we are among the clubs battling for 6th - 12th or thereabouts. If we want to go to the next level, I assume we are talking about challenging for 4th spot but that would mean alot of money being injected in not just 5-6 million for a striker. Are we willing to do that? Is it practical? Money doesnt buy everything, just look at Brum, Boro and Newcastle, the latter which has spent 50 million in 16 months and is languishing in 14th spot... Hughes has spent wisely till now and has been careful, if I were the board, Id have a chat with him and see which positions in the first eleven does he think he can improve. A striker is a must sooner rather than later or the wheels on our run can drop...

Interesting that you are in touch with all Leeds fans and all Stoke fans...

I think Cristiano Ronaldo will miss our game too.

Great post.

Hmm somehow I cant see us coming through this, other than a score draw of possibly 2-2.

Hmm..If Souness was involved, then logically Newcastle would be, cause he is their manager now, isnt it?

Lovin life on the beaches of Majorca!

Big blow losing Dickov cause I have a feeling Kuqi is going through a bit of a sticky patch with bad form...Hasnt looked as effective as he did earlier in the season and looks a little tired. Dont have much faith in JJ either, especially with 3 important "Cup Finals" coming up.