Cruel blow for Krul
That has not been the case. Tim Krul, whilst on international duty for Holland, injured his elbow which now sees him facing a race against time to be declared fit for Monday nights fixture against Everton. The club itself has failed to disclose any information regarding the Dutchman’s injury but reports in Holland are suggesting that this injury could see Krul out for four weeks.
With making no defensive additions during the summer transfer window, the back wall of our team seems rather weak. Injuries happen throughout the season but it has been just our luck that we have suffered a number of injuries one after the other.
Steve Harper is on standby for the game at Goodison Park, having last played in the first leg of the Europa League match against Atromitos. Hopefully Tim Krul will be fit enough to take his place in between the sticks on Monday night after having a tremendous season for the Toon last season, but if he isn’t then at least we know Harper can fill in.
It is unfortunate for Alan Pardew’s side that there have been so many injuries for him to contend with. The international break should have allowed these injuries to be dealt with and allow the players to return to the side, but it hasn’t quite happened like that.
However this question does come to mind: Should we have avoided this defensive crisis by making additions to the squad? Or is it just unlucky for us to suffer this many injuries in one area if the pitch all at the same time?
Author’s note: I’m heading off to move to the North East in the next couple of days so I can start studying Sports Journalism at Sunderland University. So I won’t be on here for a while whilst I settle in but I have left Toonsy plenty of articles for you all to enjoy!
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124 Comments
I think its a bit of both to be honest , I dont think anyone can deny we should of brought in 1 if not 2 defensive recruits before the window closed but to lose an entire back 4 and a keeper is plain bad luck! But as people will rightly point out that is the risk we ran in not getting players in. Hopefully the injuries to Collo and Krul dont keep them out of action for too long and players , as they did last season , step in and perfrom well.
And good luck Zoe with the course!
Agree with JT @ 1. You can expect a few injuries throughout the season, and even to have a few weeks of crisis, but to get it so early on is a bummer. A couple of signings would have helped.
Good luck with your course, Zoe.
Zoe good luck and good read, with Krul Idon’t think it’s a real disaster because if he’s not fit we can call on Harper.
But as for the rest of the defence we can thank Jabba and co for not strengthening what was allready a weak area with even more games to play, but we can’t complain because he saved us from doing a Rangers
Well technically we did boost our defence in that we brought in Anita and arguably Good without losing any defenders. Considering Anita is a better right back than Simpson we’ve done great business haven’t we….
No club can cope with several injurieis, Manure have had to play Carrick at CB already for example, we’ve still not pushed Tiote back, although I wonder if we ever would…
Anyway I just hope the club doesn’t risk any of the players. I’ll take the loss providing we don’t worsen any of our current injuries.
Shit happens.. we have cover, give them a go and if we are found wanting, then we can complain. Big Dave, I agree with you, Ashley did save us from doing a Rangers
you have certainly changed your tune 
Newkie Anita I think was brought in as a MF, and if you can tell that he’s a better RB than Simmo after just half a game thats some talent spotting skills, as for Good I haven’t seen him play at all and Pards did say he was a future prospect, I don’t really see him as a current back up, but I take it you have seen enough of him play to suggest we have strengthened
I cant see Good getting many games this season but I think Tav will so he is an extra body there. Unproven but still a player who will get game time and hopefully improve. Crazy thing is we have 6 players in the squad who can play right back ( Simpson , Tav , Raylor , Perch Santon , Anita ) and 4 maybe 5 who can play left back ( Raylor Perch Santon Anita and *Ferguson* ) the problem is we are relaying on too many utilite players and we could be well found out over next few weeks.
* I think Ferguson will be used as a left winger but I think he can play lb as well.
What about Taverier? I haven’t really seen him play except the games against Atromitos where he looked pretty suspect on the right. Too early to tell with him, but has anybody seen him play a bit? Is he mostly a CB or RB?
Dave-i’m taking the piss re yesterday’s article as 50%+ of Ed’s blog think Anita is already better than Simmo at full back. Obviously I think that’s bullshit, but regardless of where he was brought in to play the fact is he can cover for full back and what I was getting at is technically that is strengthening. Not as much as I would have wanted, but we do have more defenders.
Some people seem to think Willo is useless and we may as well play only 10 men, so surely any defender, regardless of where they are from is strengthening of some form or another
Now Harper is back in favour we can get away without Krul, Last season would have been a different story.
Centre half will obviously be Williamson who struggles against certain (pacey) opposition but i reckon he will be in his element against Fellaini and Jelavic in the air.
BTW Id love us to get one over on Jagielka after his comments this morning, Love to see how they would have dealt with the fixture pile up and injury problems weve had. It will click into place soon for us and Everton will hit the skids when they lose a player or two to injury guaranteed…
FSOTC-He is mostly a full back. However he does have decent composure on the ball and above average pace for a CB and he’s done alright when he’s played there. However he just doesn’t have the size or strength for it imo.
4/9 of our injuries are hamstrings. Is there a problem with our physical training?
JT-you also forgot Jonas who can play either side, Gosling on the right and Marv who also used to play left back. Quantity over quality eh…its a sports direct wet dream.
In a bit of a Rod moment, I dedicate this song to our beloved owner.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hiKQqky4ng
Haha Newkie! And cant Saylor play right back as well? Ba is tall and good in the air , stick him centre half
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@Aussie
I’m willing to forgive. Where can I find your apology? Which thread?
Krul pulled off some magnificent saves last season. He must have saved us many points.
Huge blow for him and us.
Harps is steady but not as good as Krul.
Awright, Newkie. Thanks.
Off to work for me. Later, folks.
I don’t think anyone – including within the club – would argue that we didn’t need more players in; it’s just that the owner’s appetite for risk is higher than that of most supporters. It’s not a comfortable situation, especially with our usual Christmas injury crisis arriving just a couple of matches into the season.
I’m more worried about CBs and strikers than full-backs, as we’ve got lots of options there. Fergie, Saylor, Anita, Jonas – all pretty good cover.
FSOTC @12 – I think you’ve got a point. An injury isn’t about luck, it’s a matter of conditioning and biomechanics. I’ve said on here before that all clubs should take a leaf out of the late, great Speedy’s book and make all players do at least 4 hours of Ashtanga yoga a week. You can be hit by a truck (or even Tiote) and just bounce off if you do that.
Anyone not familiar with Ashtanga: it’s the utterly knackering version. Take a look at this, and spin on to 1:06.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaZFO1a1Sks&feature=related
Ignoring the soundtrack, watch what they do and ask: if they can do that, how much would it take to pull their hamstring?
It may also make footballers behave less like utter pricks. You can hope…
One thing I will say in harps’ favour is that he’s more of a precise kicker than Krul
To be fair, Tiote just seems to be one of those players where it will come and go, part and parcel of his exhaustive and risky tackling methods? Lunging about will always cause hammy troubles. As for Colo, he was injured in the international set up wasn’t he and not with us?
Still we seem pretty notorious for injuries, never worked out if its the physio coaches, training drills, the training ground or just our bad luck. Combination of all three I suppose.
I think the severity of our defensive injuries has been magnified by our failure to sign cover during the transfer window. There is a bit of a hang over amongst fans from the transfer window and seeing these injuries pile up is like further punishment.. We need a few wins on the bounce to lift the mood me thinks
Healing by Baba Vanga
Apart from prophesying, Vanga was believed to be a healer, but only through herbal medicines. According to her, people had to heal themselves only with herbs from the country they live in. She prescribed washing with an infusion of herbs and spices, claiming some beneficial effect on the skin. Vanga did not oppose mainstream medicine, although she thought that taking too much medicines is bad, because “they close the doors, through which nature restores the balance in the body with herbs.”
Baba was often seen giving out clover and doc leaves outside her pit colliery terraced house in Gateshead.
It is alleged NUFC used her for alternative medicine in 60′s 70′s & 80′s.
David McCreery is one beneficiary of Vanga’s potent treatment.
He grew 3inches in height following treatment and still remains at 4ft 11in.
(this is an extract from Baba Vanga’s memoirs written by her grandson Troy)
Well I’m resigned to us getting thumped by the toffees such is our injury jinx ,but sincerley hope I’m wrong. Everton have won their last 6 home games with a return of 19 goals and just 1 conceded
Let’s hope our lads have woken up a bit more since the Villa game.
Bloody hell Kim, that glass is well and truly empty now
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@Kim
I can’t call this one at all. We haven’t played well this season and there’s been a few off form and now we have injuries.
I went to the away game at Goodison last season and we never showed up. We were played off the park from start to finish.
I always hope though! Not even Grandma Baba can foresee this outcome from beyond the grave.
Her crystal ball is cloudy.
We are due for a good game an Everton are due for a poor one.. 2-1 to the Toon I reckon
I can’t believe nobody’s had a crack at that video. Nobody else watch that and imagine what the squad’s faces would be like if you asked them to do it?
Tumbleweed…
Just trying to get the conversation off the usual re-stating of the obvious. I think I may have been Trumped by Troy’s Vanga reference, though.
I’m not confident about the next few games, tbh. Bit of a reality check is due.
Still – get the shite out of the way early…
HideControversy
Vanga was widely known to be close to Lord Westwood , the then chairman of NUFC. It is alleged Westwood & Vanga had an extra marital affair however both denied the allegations vehmently.
Her husband Les Kellet came out in public to quash the rumours on ITV World of Sport to millions of people.
Dickie Davis was another celebrity who was alleged to have had a secret liaison with Vanga but Kellet approved of this and never denied it as they were great friends.
Vanga lives on in the folklore of Tyneside as one of NUFC’s greatest supporters. She alleges she went to every Toon match home and away for 10 consecutive seasons, being blind and only her psychic powers to allow to see the games.
(an extract from Baba Vanga’s memoirs by her grandson Troy)
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@Whumpie
I had a look at the video but it’s 1.30hrs long.
Just finished watching it now so haven’t had time to comment.
My god that instructor is bland!
@lee_ryder: Pardew on internationals: “We want to know what the players are doing in training. We are sending them away on our pay.” #NUFC
This is a joke. How disgraceful do we sound, I’m sure the players will enjoy hearing that.
Troy – yep, he could send rocks to sleep. There’s a great demo he does where he looks like a pretzel trying to sodomise itself, but I can’t find that on youtube. The bit at 1hr 6 mins on that link is pretty close, though!
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@whumpie
I haven’t been on for a while because unlike some I’m still fuming we didnt add to the squad, so much tht it has dampened my appetite for bantering re Nufc.
Re the article – as they say – you make our own luck in life – the negligance from those above have almoat deserved this. Not that they will care.
I have been reluctant to read the bad injury news this week as it winds me up further. And I was already steaming
This morn I came across L.edwards Telegraph column, which was basically about the failings of our board in the close season, and their obsession with gambling, skimping & saving.
Net spend 3 million. One good player in.
Some things can’t be sugar-coated.
Now we are 3 games in, having played awful, some players heads have obviously dropped, and now we have injuries piling up.
In the Telegraph article it mentions Cabaye and Cisse mainly, but I could throw Colo in aswell.
Whilst i totally agree players should play well or try regardless of any situation, you can’t blame them in some ways, each of them no the have to play the majority of the games with little rest, and our best players will be disheartened we didnt replace the shit ones, like simpson ad willo, who are that bad they can’t make poor England squads.. And to top it off, they probably realise – have a sht season this year and most will be off.
Aussie, I reserve the right to have my glass half full
. Seriously we got thumped 3.1 last time and can’t see any other outcome this time with a weakened back line.
It’s got nothing to do with luck. If you have a decent squad you deal with it. Sadly we don’t and I really have no idea what our defence will luck like in the next few games.
Chickens home to roost!
I forgot to add aswell, our best players know now they can get moves next year.
It almost sounds like a plan by the decision makers at the club.
One more season then we’ll sell them. Remember only Pardew’s has came out and said he wants to keep them. Llambias basically offered Tiote not so long back.
With the spending this summer it smacks of a desperate sitution where the manager had 2 choices: sell and buy or….get what we got…
I thought in the last 3 years we’ve made pretty big strides, but failure this year could set us back a decade.
I don’t think it’s a question of luck, simply because injuries are part and parcel of football. I think if there is a positive in the negative, then it would be that our current situation will indicate just how strong our current squad is. I think it’s fair to say we all would have liked to see more players signed in the summer, but if by not signing anyone allows someone like Tav to emerge and prove himself then that’s a really good thing. I think one of the positives from last season was the likes of Raylor and Perch proving themselves as capable squad players.
Pardew has asked the fans to be patient, and I’m prepared to be so long as the gets rid of the players who don’t cut the mustard and replace them with players who do. We still have afew players on the books who aren’t contributing to the team, they need shifting as well as bringing new players in.
With one of Tiote, Collo and Krul missing we might stand a chance…but all three. I can see us getting a thumping at Everton.
Looks like Krul, Colo, Tiote and Simpson are all out of Everton game
The Toffees have been handing out a few cricket scores recently as well.
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@Sharpy
I agree. I think we need to be patient and see if the likes of Bigi, Ami, and Good cone thru.
Those were the signings along with Anita that Pards is happy to rely on.
Bigpapa, ffs mate lighten up. We’ve won one, lost one and drawn one, not great but not bad. The way you are carrying on, you would think we had lost all of our games. And now based on your own negative viewpoint we are going to lose all of our better players next season? And please enlighten me as to how we will be set back a decade after this window? Or were you just saying that for dramatic effect. Everyone is disapointed that we didn’t add the players we needed but I would swear the world as going to end as a result, based on your posts.
We were going to struggle with this one anyway regardless of injuries, The fixture list hasnt been kind to us. Playing Spurs at sjp and everton and chelsea away from home in the first four games and ending up with 4 points isnt the worst start ever and were through to the next stage in europe to boot.
Once we get monday out of the way it gets easier, It will look much healthier in a month or two…
Bigpapa @ 37 a decade ago we were in Champions League
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@Johno
A decade ago we were in the Champions league.
Aussie fan – please tell me how I am wrong for posting an opinion on a blog?
No drama to see here mate – so your telling me that if we sell players of Cisse, Cabaye, Tiote and Ben Arfa quality that a) we can replace them and b) will we ever move forward?
My point is that this is the first time in over ten years we’ve had a decent team which need a few players to ‘help’ them, and yet all we seem to do is piss about and unsettle players and clubs.
Look at out dealings in the summer? We needed a centreback – yes?
Who did we try for? Douglas at less than 3million
Debuchy deal was nonsense – we could of had him for reasonable money.
Then we need a striker – yes?
Pardew let it slip we bid 7mill for Carroll, so what were hoping for? If i was liverpool i would of told us to F off, and they did.
But they had no other targets seemingly and have now risked us going back years – a decade?
What was happening in the last 10 years Aussie? I think you’ll find we lost Shearer and sold our best players, Bellamy, parker, dyer, Robert, Solano, etc.
A few additions would of helped us retain our better players and help us try and finish higher in the league, now we have unsettled players, who are in poor form either way and now know we’re on a long road to fucking nowhere!
Some were right on here – some on here have been brainwashed, I remember some saying we should only pay this and that for players – when we shouldnt have to worry about that, no one can be happy with the way things are currently. We dont even have a sub striker ans were in Europe, and finished fifth in the biggest and richest league in the world.
If things are rosy to you Aussie you need to wake up!
10 year ago we were in the chamions league, and I seem to remeber a pretty fast nose dive midtable mediocrity since then…..
Ffs. Last season was the highest finish in 10 years…which is when things started to go downhill for us, or have i missed something?
Accounts on the predictions of Vanga are often controversial and distorted by the media. One recent attempt to systematically summarize the existing knowledge about Vanga was made in the documentary “Vanga. The visible and invisible world”. The movie includes interviews with some of the people who met Vanga in person, including lifelong Toon fan Norman Wisdom, season ticket holder 1975-76 little Jimmy Krankie and arguably the most iconic Geordie of all time, Jody Marsh.
Researchers have studied the phenomenon of Vanga in the attempt to establish whether she has any extraordinary capabilities. One of the first studies was initiated by Gateshead County Council in 1977. Reportedly, some of the studies concluded that about 80% of predictions of Vanga turned out to be accurate.
If only Vanga was alive today to predict the Everton result.
(this is an extract from Baba Vanga’s memoirs printed by her grandson Troy)
Bigpapa – regardless of signings, I think most would have been happy with 4 points from our first 3 fixtures, but I know your point was that we haven’t played well. The players will be disappointed with the lack of signings but as for this the best players having to play every game thing – surely that’s what they are paid handsomely for isn’t it?!
I would have prefer to see us get in a LB, CB and CF in during the window – but we didn’t – so it’s time to get over it and move forward with what we have. It’s time to see what’s in our squad and if players can step up like Perch and Raylor last season then brilliant.
If not, then players need to be moved on. It’s time to ask questions of the likes of Williamson, Perch, Tav, Gosling, Vukic, Marv and Oba. With the likes of Ranger and Xisco needing to be moved on, we need to know which players are worth keeping and who is the deadwood that needs shifting. We are still building from our relegation and if we take a step back from last season, that doesn’t mean we are moving in the wrong direction if we are moving the right players in and out. The next few windows will indicate if that is the case or not. If so then fine, if not then I’m with you.
Bigpapa we didnt start our nose dive til 2004/05 when Souness came in. That is not 10 years ago. If we were set back a decade ago we would have a team competing in the Champions League!
Wow, BigPapa, who pissed in your bovril?
Seriously man – it’s you who needs to wake up! Ten years ago we were already well on our way to being screwed; the club was being run off overdrafts with no clue as to how to sustain it.
In case you’ve not noticed, we’ve had a fantastic season, following two other very good ones – all way beyond expectations. Yes, we’d all have loved to see more players in, but clearly they weren’t available for the right deal, so there was no deal – simple as.
As for “Debuchy deal was nonsense – we could of had him for reasonable money.”
How the hell would you know that? The evidence quite clearly points the other way; that Lille asked for something NUFC weren’t prepared to give, be it sell-ons, buy-outs or whatever.
We’ve played 3 league matches. We’re mid-table. Yes, we’ll probably get spanked by the toffees (ooer missus
) but lighten up man – you can’t go jumping off a bridge as soon as we hit a rough spot!
Btw Bigpapa Im only busting your balls over the decade thing. I do get what point your making. Just unfortunate you picked a time to where we had a good team
I do realise you mean if we dont build on last season momentum we will just slip back to mid table.
Not sure why everyone is saying we are going to get beat by Everton. Everton are a good team however I think Cisse will come good Monday night
Actually, I should apologise to BigPapa too – I get the point, it’s just the sheer level of misery and hyperbole. Given that the only changes we’ve had are Loven, Best and Guthrie out, with Bigi, Anita and… er… that other fella… in, I think the addition of European footie is more likely to impact our results than any squad changes.
But that’s the point, I suppose: if you move into Europe, you would expect to up the squad to deal with it. What we now have is a gamble that younguns will fill that void. Looking at our younguns – Vukic, Fergie, Tav, Campbell et al… actually, that’s not such bad odds.
Johno – I’m saying we’ll get beat because I’m usually wrong!
I think it will take time to sort this all out but we do have injuries to key players and we don’t know how well the team will play with a few squad players in the side. Llambias will probably lie low now until he sees how well we play in the next month or so. He didn’t strengthen the club at the positions Pardew said we needed to strengthen. He picked up a couple of decent youngsters and Anita, not terrible but we weren’t weak in the midfield. If we do take a tumble in the league table he should be the one to to sacked unless Ashley was actually directing the offers himself, which I doubt. The club has a stable financial foundation now (except it owes Ashley about 200M pounds) but at least the external debt has been paid off. I would have preferred to strengthen at RB, CB and striker but instead we brought a few more midfielders in. Now all we can do is see what the results are like this season. We need several more games under our belts to really assess our chances.
Bigpapa on Pardew’s comments
I think it’s fair to be honest, we’ve allowed our captain and no1 keeper to go out to play for their country and yet both manage to injure themselves in training. I’d think monitoring what they’re doing would be sensible.
Didn’t Everton get beat 2-0 against WBA before the int break?!
Everton looked very good in their first 2 games and very average against WBA.
If we get our heads out of our arses and focus on playing well and winning games, then a win against Everton would really kick start our season, and we have enough in our squad to out score Everton.
Newkie @ 9
I just read it and quickly replied before I had to do abit 
BigPapa @ 47 well said lad
Sharpy
If Cabaye and the Dembas can finally hit form on Monday we’ll out score them. If Tiote picks up were he left off, Harper remembers what a ball looks like and Taylor/Willo don’t do something stupid we shouldn’t concede many either.
Sharpy the way things are going with our back 4 Everton would have enough to outscore us
Andy/Dave – if the injured players are still out, then we we go:
————–Harper———–
Anita/Saylor/Willo/Santoon
Benny/Cabaye/Jonas/Marv
———Cisse–Ba——–
With Benny allowed a bit of a free roll to find space and be as dangerous as possible. Personally, I think that line up is as good as the WBA team that beat Everton.
Zoe – sorry, forgot to say good luck with your move. Don’t forget the Sunderland is on the Metro line, so you may have to be educated in Scum land but you don’t have to live there
Thank goodness we have Ben Arfa
Sharpy
Think Tiote’s back so Jonas can play LM with Tiote next to Cabaye in CM.
Andy – I’d keep Marv on the left and try and get some decent ball into the box.
I’d either start as I’ve shown and have Tiote on
the bench rather than throwing him straight in, coz Everton have a busy midfield. Failing that, Tiote in as you say and Jonas on the bench ready to cover a multitude of positions.
I hope that he has either Campbell or Vukic start on the bench as well, coz the Villa bench lacked any attacking variation IMO.
My apologies, just saw that Toto is in fact not ready for the game, perch is though so I’d play him at CDM/RB, though pards may opt to play bigi
A lot of lads and lasses go on about Marveux and say play him on the left. From what I have seen of him this season and his brief appearances last season is he is a better player when he plays inside and he always wants to come inside. Never seen him dash down the flank.
Who would be prepared to drop one of the front two on Monday and which one. There is thoughts if we go with Ba, Cisse and Benny we will get overrun and out numbered in the middle of the park. I would leave Cisse out.
Also hope Pardew goes for Perchinio instead of Williamson despite Feilani being an aerial threat
Toby – I don’t know 100% about Marv, but what I do know is that Jonas out wide is fairly ineffective offensively. I’d like to see Marv used on the left, if he’s provides opportunities to score, either by whipping balls into the box or playing through balls or having a pop himself, then great, if not then it’s time to get rid.
Andy – if perch is fit then play him DCM I place of Jonas, but only if he’s fully fit. If not, jonas in Perch on the bench.
I think it is bad luck to have 3 of your top 8 or so defenders hurt so early in the season. Still we are better prepared for it this year as Staylor is healthy and Anita looks like he can do a job at RB if called upon. Perch/Anita-Willo-Staylor-Santon isn’t too bad all.
Anyhoo, was watching the US-Jamaica the other night and klinsman deployed a 4-1-2-1-2 and thought that might be the formation to get the most out of Ben Arfa and unlock the mystery of the Ba/Cisse partnership:
Perch————-Willo———STaylor——-Santon
—————————-Anita——————————-
—Cabaye ———————– ————–Jonas—-
—————————Ben Arfa—————————
———————–Ba————Cisse——————-
Is Harper a shoe in to play on Monday?
And nae wonder Manure are one of the richest clubs in the world charging £45 for a Capital One cup tie, midweek, live on sky and a match between two reserve sides. Robbing cnuts
sharpy
aye, that’d work, though I don’t feel that marvauew offers much more than jonas crossing-wise, and jonas is the vice cpt, so unless Harper is named captain(good chance of that) then Pardew will play him on the left.
MDS
Do you think Cabaye has the pace to play that far wide?
I’m actually quite annoyed by what Jagielka said, Pardew as not in the wrong to say that Newcastle were a better team than Everton as we were several places above them and overall played better football, and was recognised because of this. Don’t like Jagielka anyway, shouldn’t be anywhere near the national team as he’s shite. Stevie T is a much better defender yet Phil has had all the chances because he plays in national favourite(
) in Liverpool (granted he’s also not injured as much) making him an ‘ideal’ defender.
I don’t get this bandwagon belief that Simmo is a better defender than Santon. If both Santon and Simmo were instructed to defend and not support the attack, I’d think you’d find Santon is a better defender.
I don’t get all this negativity about injuries and lack of summer signings. Its a big squad and a long season; most of our rivals are in the same boat and will suffer the same problems at different times.
Little Verne Troyer – Have you got that Jerry Marsden 45″ oot ya gob yet? A good shot by Toonsy to get it down your pit, knock you off ya stool and wedge it vertically between ya nashers.
Now pick ya sel off the floor, stand back on ya stool, jump as high as you can, and apologise to Toonsy unreservedly this time.
If I’ve managed three (possibly four) comments in a row, either another thread has started or everyone’s pissed off in good time before the Ozzies wake up.
Troyer – One more thing. Don’t ever be tempted to appear from your hole wearing those ridiculous LFC pyjamas and undies. You’re a disgrace to the good name of our family.
I’m living dangerously here. I’m off to bed before the little possums plug in.
I’m not as brave as Rodz, although I’m starting to feel as lonely as him. Nearly midnight. Its too risky. I’m definitely off. One more refresh only. If the ozzies are on, I’ll pretend I’m not here.
Bigpapa, I was catching some zzzz’s when you replied.. Everyone is entitled to an opinion but to be frank all you are doing was whinging about things that haven’t happened yet.. So why don’t you save up all those whinges for when/if it does happen. Then you can whinge to your hearts content..
Saw on Eurosportnews that Van der Wiel signed for PSG. Isn’t he one of the defenders we were supposedly interested in – he was happy to stay in the Netherlands I remember reports saying. 6m Euros.
Vegas ,I’m starting to think that if we were interested in anyone last window other than Debuchy it was no one we knew about as I can’t believe we were so incompetent to lose out on so many.
MDS@71 ,Not a bad formation that but I prefer Cabs further forward also would prefer Tiote in the Anita slot when fit.
Bris – I think there were ‘reports’ linking us with him at the time we were signing Anita from Ajax.
We may well have enquired about him but I think he’s a player that believed his own hype. Chelsea were heavily linked with him aswell last season and I think he wanted Champions League football and big wages.
I’m sure Kim is right. Debuchy was the main RB wanted by Pardew and as such any other player was little more than an enquiry.
It wouldn’t surprise me if we go back in for Debuchy in Jan, maybe even Pieters aswell if he proves his fitness.
Seem to remember under Roeder we had a number of senior players out and we had to rely on back up players and the team went on a very good run which ended when the senior players returned. We should encourage reserve team players and increase the competition for first team slots.
Pardew
“I felt at the start of the year, when we looked at the centre-half situation, that bringing someone in would stand in the way of two players with great futures at the club – James Tavernier and Remi Streete.
“We won’t be calling on those guys just yet but we will somewhere down the line.
“If they want to make their move, this is the year to do it.”
http://tinyurl.com/8exj87y
@3hours
Unfortunately that statement would have more credibility if he hadn’t earlier said he wanted a centre back and confirmed he was in the market for Debuchy.
I’m not too disheartened. Has Vidic got a replacement of the same quality? Has Kompany? Has Vermaalen? The Coloccini injury would have hurt us even if we had brought in a defender as that defender would most likely have been Saylor’s back up so nowhere near Colo’s level anyway.
I would sell Tiote if a 25M + offer came in.
He’s a class act, but he’s made of glass. He missed a third of last season and will most likely miss a similar amount of games this season.
I mean my ideal would be selling him and using it to fund Douglas/Debuchy – say 15M for the two at the most. Anita into midfield. 10M on a right winger/pacy forward.
3hrs it’s funny we never heard that from Pards before the window closed, or we started getting a few injuries.
Solano @91 , I can’t argue with that logic it makes sense ,but it would have to be that much money to even consider it .Tiote is immense for us he really is, but as you say looks very injury prone and gets a fair share of cards too. It’s a shame really as he seems one of the players who really want to stay in Toon,he likes Newcastle and isn’t keen on London apparently. I also really like him and it’s a shame we’d even have to think of letting him go in order to bring a couple in .
Dave@92, My thoughts exactly ,smacks of damage limitation.
Afternoon all. Just got back from a reccy in Belgium and been pishing my bags catching up with the blog. This bit in particular really tickled my fancy!
Troy Stavers
September 12, 2012 at 20:45
I can think of one poisonous character on the whole blog and thats Toon Chicken.
I had no idea I meant so much to the sad old git!
Big Dave –
Cringeworthy all this talk about how buying a CB would of hindered the development of Tavernier and Streete.
Whats the development squad for?
With all due respect, neither should play CB in the Prem this season. Start them off at at FB or in the Cups against weaker teams.
How will our team look on Monday?
If Anita’s FB is Bigi going to start at 18 away to Everton?
I could guess it will be,
Harp
Anita Tayl Willo Santon
Benny Cabaye Bigi Jonas
2 Dembas
When it should be, 433. Last year when Cisse was taking every chance we could start 442 and be solid, this year we need to take more control in matches and 442 restricts that.
I’d play Ba or Cisse on the wing and tell them to get used to it. Apparently Cisse’s head’s dropped so shove him out there.
Seemed to score for Senegal but has so far looked like shockingly bad for us.
Is that as we haven’t created chances for him or he wasn’t trying as much as for his country?
Why on earth doesnt Ba play for Senegal? He has looked a lot better than Cisse so far this season.
I would like Marv or even Oba to start cos Benny aside our midfield has poor in the opening games playing 442.
Bigpapa@96, I still think it’s the Ramadan thing causing the slow start to our Dembas,least I bloody hope so. Cisse hasn’t become a bad striker overnight and I think that amazing goal for Senegal will boost his confidence no end ,I predict he’ll be much better from now on. My concern is the other end tbh ,we are gonna need maximum concentration for the full 90 plus to not let any in V Everton.
KIM >
I agree our defence is gonna be suspect, have Taylor&Willo ever played together and played well?
Who in midfield? if there is no Tiote we are a poor team when we play 442.
The Demba’s are a concern, playing together up front does not seem to work for them, Chelsea away but apart from that they look like they dont enjoy playing with each other
All our better games when they both started were 433.
Look at how Arsenal play Podolski on the wing. Why can we not play Ba there and keep him happy?
I think we needed to address that LW slot if Ba didnt wanna play there. As a team it suits us much better
Is my craic so bad?
come on lets be having ya!!
Kim next we’ll hear that we didn’t replace Best or Lovens because it would hinder Campbells chances
Big Papa a lot of fan’s will buy that crap, imo the younguns with potential should be loaned out to give them vital experience of regular 1st team footie, rather than become experienced bench warmers because that won’t do them much good.
Wouldn’t you like to see our better your players lining up a Toonsy shirt BD. Who knows they could do really well… not buying Pardz moments tho, don’t get me wrong..
Sorry, feckin virtual keyboard… meant to say – better young players lining up in a Toon shirt BD.
‘Pardz comments’… fuck I’m on a roll.. must proof read comments
Aussie ,Wake up man
Bigpapa > It’s easy to address the LW slot ,just tell Ba to get out there and play ,after all he did it for West Ham without a big song and dance from what I remember .
Kim
long day for me… 
Glad to see Pards talking up the youngsters. I don’t care if it’s by design or out of necessity, I’d like to see some of them get a shot. Don’t get me wrong, this Board has a uncovered some gems and has a better track than most in terms of buying, but you need to have both to be a top club IMO
I agree with Pardew that the likes of Tav and Streete should be given the opportunity to develop and prove their worth. But I also agree with those who question the timing of these comments, bearing in mind Pardew was talking about wanting a new CB in back in Jan.
I do think we have some decent looking defenders coming through the ranks who should be given the chance. When you look at the likes of Boro who have develop some very decent looking players, and we should do the same.
What I don’t understand though is, if he doesn’t see Tav and Streete being ready just yet, why not loan a player in with an option to buy?. Douglas or Yanga for example could have been loaned in with us paying their wages. If Streete comes on well, or they don’t take to the EPL then send them back – nowt lost.
Or buy Yanga as he sees us as a stepping stone to Milan. Write a £15-20m release clause in his contract – sell him to Milan next season or season after for a profit and then Streete should be a ready made replacement.
Bigpapa @ 102 Yeah it’s about as engaging as Big Daves’s and Troys posts, and Little Troy. As engaging as a stuck record, if you’re old enough to remember such things.
Pards does seem to be contradicting himself a bit, although it’s hard to tell as the article claims things which he hasn’t said directly, at least not in that interview, so I’m not really sure what to make of it.
Meh, managers to it all the time, if it can bring the best out of our players, I don’t really mind if he lies much, providing its just one of those little encouraging white lies
Bris @ 111 – I’m watching you and waiting for you to post something interesting …
Tav spent time on loan last seaon with a few clubs and I got the impression Pards felt he was ready to go into the first team squad so Im not surpirsed he is in the first team squad. Streete is a strange one. I would never even of thought of him been in an around the 1st team squad. I think Pardew is trying to back them publically to give them a confidence boost. He has no other options but to put his faith in the young players now. He could hardly come out and say they arent good enough. But it does make Pards look a little silly
JT-Agreed, I would have like to see Tav go to a CC club for a few months because I genuinely think he’s a player who has benefited greatly from being loaned out whilst others like Vuckic have maybe stalled. But it seems injuries may have forced our hand, plus I am happy for him to play a part in Euros and cup matches so not too much of a problem. Streete did surprise me though..
Bloody hell, I think aussie’s poor spelling is catching
http://www.teamtalk.com/match/261588/lineups
Everton seem to have the opposite problem to us. Severely lacking in the CM department. Gibson is out for a few weeks which is terrific news. Probably means they are going to have to push Fellaini back which weakens them up front. Not sure how good Naismith is.
We could really dominate the centre this game. Time for Cabaye to step up and show that tenacity and creativity that makes him a worldie potential.
@Newkie I’d like to see Fergie & Sameobi in the fizzy as well in an ideal world.
I still truly believe that our year in the Championship made Carroll as a player. He was gash for the first half of the season as well. Only came good after January.
If you can take the physicality of the Championship then the Prem is a soft breeze.
ST-Would have preferred if Pienar was out, Gibson doesn’t worry me too much, other than his massive hoon shots.
Solano-Agreed, Vuckic last season should have got way more than that one month to Cardiff as well, although he was unlucky with his various injuries and then the fact he had to be called back because of our own injuries I suppose. He at least is within a chance of starting, Sammeobi and Fergie could be of use as impact subs but that’s about it…Always a problem deciding if and when to loan out, but its one thing we’ve never been very good at IMO.
@Newkie
His record for Everton is impressive though. He played 30 league games in a row (14 for Everton, 16 for Man Utd) without losing. Even this first loss for him against WBA doesn’t really count as it was 0-0 when he got injured.
Just one less superstition to deal with anyway
The other thing is that Pardew now has to be seen using Tav and Streete this season. If he keeps putting Perch at CB and RB or Anita at RB – then he’s talking poop!. Also, are these comments covering up an unsuccessful summer window, or an early indication that he’s expecting little or nothing to happen in Jan again.
ST-I take that as he’s usually only played when his side is confident of a win, and therefore allow him to play and rest a better player. Certainly the case at manure
Aussie i’m not really sure what you were saying mate so you would need to explain it better
Unlike your countryman Brisvegas as his personal insults are quite clear and show how engaging and clever he really is
B+B @ 113 he did say something interesting onetime I think
about Library archives or something, but im not sure if your old enough to remember 
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