Has our start to the season really been that bad?

Don’t worry, be happy!
The mood amongst fans of Newcastle United has been somewhat downbeat since the start of the season.

I have no doubt that a lot of that is to do with the failure to strengthen the squad sufficiently over the summer.

We’ve not really hit the ground running this season. Performances have been disjointed and some players seem to be struggling for form for one reason or another, but is it really as bad as is being made out?

Obviously we all want to see us playing nice football and steamrolling teams out of the way, but the fact is that we rarely did that last season aside from in the odd few games. Off the top of my head, the two games against Stoke, the home game against Manchester United and the away game at West Brom were the best performances of the season. As for the rest, performances this season are not too different to how we got on last season.

I mean let’s look at some facts. So far we’ve played eight games in all competitions. Two of those have been away at teams who sit 1st and 3rd in the league currently with one of them being against a team that would have been in the Champions League had it not been for one of the other teams we’d played actually winning the competition last season. We’ve lost just one of those games.

Add to that the fact that we’ve done so with a striker who is out of form and out of luck at the moment, an important midfield general missing in the shape of Cheik Tiote, and with two of our first choice defensive unit, including our influential club captain, missing through injury.

We are one point off the points total we had at the same point this time last season, which saw us set a new club record for a start to a season.

So is it really all doom and gloom?

Look, for one reason or another we aren’t playing at our best. Whether it be tactics, formation, players out of form, players under performing or any other factor, we are far from what we know we can do, but we are still picking up points. Isn’t that a good thing?

What is also a good thing is that there is so much room for improvement in our performances. In short things can only get better which in turn will bring with it an upturn in results, especially when we have all of our first team back in action.

Don’t panic, yet!

About toonsy

A lifelong Newcastle fan and current webmaster of this very 'blog who has the sole aim of creating a place by Newcastle United fans, for Newcastle United fans.

109 thoughts on “Has our start to the season really been that bad?

  1. Toonsy I get exactly what your saying , I agree that the transfer window and the recent injuries haven’t helped how some fans feel, add to that that the expectations would have naturally highered after last season.
    I know we’re only 1 pt less than last season but we just look very lacklustre and the players just look off which also adds to it.
    But I for one thing that we are starting to look a bit better now

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  2. its a definite fact that – one game apart – (Chelsea) – we’ve been hard to beat.

    i take comfort from that – once upon a time we’d have keeled over at Everton and shipped 6 at least

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  3. You’re absolutely right. A lot of people have short memories. We got results last season very often that didn’t reflect the performances. Often the after match reports were similar to what we have been reading in the last few days – riding our luck, good fortune and the rest. However last season – and it took a long time before the pundits stopped shouting “haven’t played anyone yet” – we eventually started getting some credit for our football, frankly often not merited but on the performances of some of our “blue chip” stars, Ben Arfa, Cabaye, Krul etc. I don’t see anything far different so far, except we have played some rather good teams in Spurs, Everton and Chelsea. The results correspondingly have been rather encouraging, particularly as you say with the injuries and poor form of some. Too mant fans are looking at lsat season’s league position conveniently forgetting those performances. We are not the finished article but are very much a work in progress – and progressing very nicely thank you very much. I for one can’t wait till Cabaye, Tiote, Cisse etc reach peak form and fitness. The future is good – the future is black and white. Keep on believing – and supporting those in control of the club and its progress thus far, as well as ALL of the players who wear the colours on the pitch. HWTL!

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  4. deffo not doom and gloom, just a few wrinkles need ironing out and lady luck to smile on us now and again. The start to the season is always a tad nervy, as its so important to try and get a decent start.
    We are sitting 10th not 18th, so Im happy with that. I also feel we have the players and coaches to push us on up that table as the season progresses.
    How many times in the past have we seen teams have great starts, only to fall back into trouble by the seasons end. Its about building momentum and learning from mistakes and gelling as a squad.
    We are doing alright.imo.

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  5. I reckon our play is lacking a bit of energy. After Ba ‘s goal and leading up to the pen, you could see the boys had some wind in their sails.. apart from that, we seem to be reactionary and waiting for things to happen.. still 8 points is a good retun 🙂 🙂

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  6. Aussie – divent disagree with me or I might get all radgied up again. 😕
    I had to take a cold shower to calm me self down. 😆

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  7. Aussie I think we were just a bit nervous because we new how important the 3 points were at home.
    If we had scored the pen, I think we would have destroyed Norwich in the 2nd half. Its a fine line with the confidence thing.

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  8. BB, our energy levels in most of the games has been down tho… how ever I do think a converted pen would have seen a better second half against Norwich like you say..

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  9. Hard to add anything to whats been said so far , its the side of a good team to get results while not playing well.

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  10. Solid results wise, Performances a wee bit ropey but up to now a carbon copy of last season with more quality individual players who can win matches in an instant.

    Our set pieces were much better and we could easily have scored from a couple against Norwich.

    Santon, Ben Arfa, Ba and Harper were excellent, Cisse needs a goal like Ba did early last season when it comes he will get on a run. Cabaye will be better with a less radged Tiote alongside him from the start, Same with Saylor when the imperious Colo is back.

    Were not playing well but we are picking up points, If this was man utd or Chelsea they would be trotting out the sign of champions bollocks… 🙄

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  11. Man U had a shocker against Liverpool but they won.. we are not orphans with how we are playing.. Even just 1 goal up I was quiely confident we would get the win.. we are not the easy beats of seasons past..

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  12. Despite the various rumours about unrest in the dressing room, I do believe there is more to this “team spirit” than we realise.
    The club has made great strides in team bonding, and when the chips are down, that counts for alot.
    I’ll bet Cisse feels it too. It was great to see him still smiling, despite that shocking pen miss.

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  13. I think the transfer window left alot of fans very deflated, and the teams performances so far this season have done little to raise the mood (IMO).
    I am not a negative towards the team, I simply have higher expectations of the team this season over last season. The reason for this is simple, our team is the same as it was last season pretty much. I know we’ve had injuries but the likes of Williamson and Perch played plenty of games for us last season so should know what it’s all about. I use those to as examples but actually, they havent been a great cause of concern so much – although Williamson still needs replacing for me.
    I said in yesterday’s article, points wise I’m happy, but performance wise I think we can do alot better – in particular Cabaye and Cisse.
    Let’s not forget that this squad of players were capable of a top 5 finish last season – why shouldn’t we have heightened expectations this season?
    Pardew himself has said we havent played well but have picked up points along the way and is happy with where we are despite not playing at our best. I for one am pleased to hear that from him.

    As I said yesterday, so far OK but capable of better (which is a good thing!)

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  14. Pardz has said that we should make some judgements on the teams performance after 10 rounds, then we will know where we are at… Trust in Pardz, he is the man 🙂 🙂

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  15. aye Sharpy the transfer window is a pain in the nads, and we often feel deflated afterwards. I guess it must affect the players too.

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  16. (THIS IS A GOVERNMENT HEALTH WARNING. THIS POSTER IS LIABLE TO DISAGREE WITH YOUR POINT OF VIEW. ONLY ENGAGE IF YOU AREN’T SENSITIVE AND DON’T TAKE HISSY FITS)

    Couldn’t agree more Toonsy.

    We didn’t play great football for a lot of last season and relied on Ba & Cisse scoring and a lot of times from half chances.

    As I’ve said on earlier threads, our midfield don’t contribute enough in the goal scoring department and that was the same last season.

    I’ve got to say, Perch deserved his Perchinio tag against Norwich. Cabaye did a couple of sweet passes but Perchinio wasn’t outshone by him.

    I can’t believe how far he has come on under Pards. He looks full of confidence.

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  17. Maybe Perchino has always been a good player but too many judgemental fans wrote him off after his first half a dozen games.

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  18. Is the limp Euro performances affecting our overall opinions though? When an 18 yr old 1 million pound lad from Coventry is your best player every time he is on the field…you have either made an unbelievable signing or the rest of em aren’t pulling their weight…

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  19. Off topic.

    A few positives from the season to date is Perch who looks so comfortable on the ball, whatever the backroom staff are doing to these so called average players it is working.

    Same can be said for Williamson too.

    I’ve said the same thing in the past unfashionable players can easily go by unnoticed but Perch and Williamson are breaking away from that tag by each game.

    Perfect example of an unfashionable player is Gutierrez who puts in a shift but sometimes gets slated for not contributing enough in attack…

    …which begs the questions do players who contribute going forward get all the credit except from the GK of course?

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  20. Aussie – I think it’s more the fact that Pardew is now playing him in his preferred DCM role rather than CB. I suppose it’s easier for fans to say ‘Perch was ***** today’ rather than ‘Pardew was ***** for playing Perch out of position today’. 🙄

    Troy – how did young Chip get on at the weekend?, which player did he lead out and did he have a good time?

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  21. Moreno – Is it not just possible that once again the regime HAVE made another incredible signing ❓
    Do we have to pay over the top for a player to be given the tag “class”.
    All class players have to start off somewhere.

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  22. (THIS IS A GOVERNMENT HEALTH WARNING. THIS POSTER IS LIABLE TO DISAGREE WITH YOUR POINT OF VIEW. ONLY ENGAGE IF YOU AREN’T SENSITIVE AND DON’T TAKE HISSY FITS)

    @sharpy

    We both had a great time! Young Chip wanted to walk out with Ben Arfa but was convinced by the lass who takes them round, that you have more chance of being on TV if you walk out with the Capt, who was Jonas.
    He was gutted when he watched MOTD and all you saw was a brief glimpse of his blond mop!

    He says Jonas was rapping and dancing in the dressing room.

    Shola asked him how many goals he scored this season and young Chip, chip off the old block, totally built himself up and lied, telling Shola he had scored 58!!!

    Aussie informs me he was on the live streams looking like cousin IT fr the Adams family. I can’t deny it, he needs his hair cut but he thinks he’s a surfer dude.

    Aussie, I totally slagged Perch off when I read the reviews from Forest fans and his performances in the first season.
    Don’t tell me you christened him Perchino back then. 🙂

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  23. Moreno @ 22 , i think its more we got a good player at a very low price. I remember reading Coventry fans very unhappy they sold him so cheap. He also won young player of the championship last season ( i think ) in a struggling team so I think he has all the tools to be a top player for us. And his performance to date shows that.

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  24. Troy that is great to hear your lad had a great time. Say it was a great experience for him. Did you enjoy yourself?

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  25. (THIS IS A GOVERNMENT HEALTH WARNING. THIS POSTER IS LIABLE TO DISAGREE WITH YOUR POINT OF VIEW. ONLY ENGAGE IF YOU AREN’T SENSITIVE AND DON’T TAKE HISSY FITS)

    If you are not a toon fan and tuned into MOTD, you would think we played scintillating football. I suppose we did for the goal and the chance Cabaye set up for Oba and Ba’s second half chance.

    We missed a pen and won the game. In reality it was a disjointed performance but I won’t complain if this continues and we keep winning. That’s what matters!

    Toon! Toon!

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  26. Your right Troy, not one fan I spoke to back then thought Perch was anything but back up. We rolled our eyes when his name was on the team sheet.

    This is the reason I think the backroom staff and man management of players needs to be congratulated.

    Bet Pardew and co get more satisfaction of the rise of Perchino then bringing in someone of equal quality for say 4-5 mil, because if we were to value him now he would be around that price tag.

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  27. Great article, Toonsy – although I think the win on Sunday killed off most of the doom and gloom going around. It’s a bit like when you buy a car and suddenly notice how many identical cars there are on the road: when we saw a failure to bring in certain players, we were all ready to notice those gaps and did so.

    We do seem to have become a team that wins or loses as a team, whereas previous years have seen us too reliant on a few individuals. We’ve not seen too many shocking individual performances so far, just days when the whole team is just a wee bit off the boil. For me, that’s healthy – especially when you still squeak a result. :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

    As others have said: can’t wait for everyone to find their form; we’re a match for anyone then. Tomorrow’s match may be just what’s needed to re-ignite the likes of Cabaye and Cisse. 😀

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  28. We havn’t had a bad start to the season at all. In fact, I think a win against Villa and we couldn’t have expected any better.

    My concerns are more about the performances. Which has me worried before each game.

    Individuals have been in poor form and some top players have been out:

    Colo and TIote have been big misses and Cabaye, Cisse and Jonas (when playing on the left wing) have been out of form.

    We just don’t play a very attractive brand of football at the moment.

    I think Jonas has been great when playing in a more central role but is poor on the wing.

    Our best players by far this season have been Santon and Ben Arfa. Ba has also shown good signs the last two games.

    Lets see if they improve. But we need Colo back quickly.

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  29. (THIS IS A GOVERNMENT HEALTH WARNING. THIS POSTER IS LIABLE TO DISAGREE WITH YOUR POINT OF VIEW. ONLY ENGAGE IF YOU AREN’T SENSITIVE AND DON’T TAKE HISSY FITS)

    Johno

    I had a grin as wide the Tyne bridge all day.
    My heed is big enough. 🙂

    If anyone saw the bloke carrying the fridge on his back for charity around the pitch before the game, I had ago when I was talking to him in the platinum club.
    I thought it must be made of cardboard.

    It wasn’t like! I’m sure it was full of milk bottles!

    He did 3 half marathons in 3 days! Finishing the great north run on the final day in 2hrs 30 mins!

    He was 15 st when he started training and within 9 months was down to 11 st.

    I’m sure the fridge was heavier than that !

    I’m 14st 7 and I don’t reckon I could carry it more than 500 yds

    He was impressive like leek like!!!
    (That’s 2 likes & a leek) 🙂

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  30. Have to agree with the Perch comments. His flexibility has been invaluable since he came from Forest. He has improved immeasurably too and doesnot look out of his depth in the PL.
    He is deffo stronger in centre midfield than at RB,or CB but has done a good job for us wherever he has been asked to play.
    I also have to say he has put in some remarkable tackles, and simpson could learn alot from him.
    Credit where its due, he has obviously worked hard and deserves the plaudits he is getting.

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  31. Troy – sounds like he had a great time, and not many pre match nerves for Jonas by the sound of it. Nice of Shola to make the effort to have a bit crack with the young uns as well.

    Belter99 – I wish Pardew had done that with Routledge rather than coining out £3m on Overran 🙄

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  32. I would play Cisse and Ameobi againsts Man U.

    Would also give Marveaux a chance on the left wing and play Perch in central defence with Tiote in the middle with Cabaye.

    All these players need game time to find some form. Would rather they got in cup games than league games.

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  33. I think Perch represents exactly what I’d like to see more of, and hopefully we’ll start to judge these cheap, British players a bit more objectively now we’ve been proven wrong a few times.

    I’d stick up for Williamson too – he has an ability to look more flustered than he really is, but the boy’s doing ok as far as I’m concerned!

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  34. Nice article Toonsy. – Can’t complain about points tally so far tbh ,it’s just the below par performances of certain individuals that worries me a bit ,hopefully they will come good soon.
    Troy> Reckon that was a good pairing young chip and Jonas ,two long haired dudes together 😎 Tell your lad I’m very jealous as I love to hold Jonas hand 😉 .

    Sharpy@36 > I agree Routledge is far better than Oba .

    Also agree about playing Cisse and Shola together V Manure tommorow.I want Cisse nice and sharp for Reading so I can see him score a wonder goal in the flesh 😉 😎

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  35. Also agree Perch has been a revelation ,really come good but I don’t like him at right back he’s much better in dmf for me.

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  36. (THIS IS A GOVERNMENT HEALTH WARNING. THIS POSTER IS LIABLE TO DISAGREE WITH YOUR POINT OF VIEW. ONLY ENGAGE IF YOU AREN’T SENSITIVE AND DON’T TAKE HISSY FITS

    @ Kim

    Agree. Perch has shone in the DMF role. That seems his position and if I remember correctly he didn’t play there when he was playing under Hoots.

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  37. Would you mind Troy if I asked how you go about getting your son or daughter as a mascot for the day? My little lad is 6 and just wondering about it is all. Thanks very much!

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  38. In terms of our ‘below par’ performances, I’d love to see Pardew go with the following team and formation:

    ————— Krul ————-
    Simmo – Saylor – Krul – Santon
    ——Cabaye – Tiote – Jonas—–
    ————— Benny ————-
    ——— Cisse ——- Ba ———

    If Simmo is not staying then play Anita at RB. I think defensively and offensively that team and formation would be our best chance of turning in some good performances and win games.
    What I liked about that midfield 3 last season was that 2 would always sit while one – usually either Cabaye or Tiote – would get forward and support the front 3.

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  39. Sharpy- have we cloned Krul and turned him into a CB 😆 Seriously though Iike that formation but I wonder if Anita could take Cabayes place as him and Simmo on that right side could be good .I know it means dropping Cabs ,but he’s off form at the moment so I would give it a try.

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  40. Stevo -the weather was terrible here in the south west yesterday but it’s moved up north now .as I understand it the north is getting another 22ml of rain to come but will clear and the south west getting it again tommorow.

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  41. BB @ 25

    I agree Bigi is a huge talent and never stated otherwise yet your comments make it look like I was attacking the player and the board? 😕

    My question was regarding whether us lot watching absolutely lacklustre performances in Europe has affected our overall opinion of our season so far, unfortunately it seems you spectacularly missed that and jumped to the defence of a player who wasn’t actually being attacked… 😕

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  42. Kim – what the hell have I done there 😯 😳 – that should of course read Colo 🙄

    Kim – I really expect us to bring Debuchy in in Jan, and if/when we do, he and Cabaye could be deadly down the right. If that happens, I’d consider putting Anita in place of Jonas as I could see Anita and Santon forming a good partnership down the right. However Santon and Jonas ain’t bad like.

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  43. Sharpy -yeah knew you meant colo ,just couldn’t resist teasing 😉 .Agree on Debuchy still arriving ,don’t think that deal is dead yet unless we lose Cabaye that is then it might change things. Guess it comes back to ambition really .Still if I could choose I would opt for an experienced CB as our recent injuries show it’s needed, not to say Willo and co havn’t coped mind as they have kind of.

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  44. I think the magic has worn off a bit. Last season we were just impressed with the results and it started to get exciting when we had gone 10 games unbeaten, but we didn’t always play that well and frankly some of those games were draws that we spent defending for our lives. We did start to improve in terms of the football played as the season went on and hopefully that will happen this time as well. The first 4 games were against good teams (or a team playing well) if we win these two games against Norwich and Reading I think that is important to win these games.

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  45. Moreno – aye I was just responding to the fact our best player only cost £1M and came from coventry. I do think we have gotten a gem there, but I get your point. Nay offence lool.

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  46. You know that things are not that bad when our current concern Is the fashion in which we on our last game 🙂

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  47. I feel its been a steady but sure start for us if we are full of faith tomorow we will come away with the win in aint gona give any negetive vibes out. Haway the toon!!!!!

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  48. Aussie – totally agree. Personally I’ve never said things are bad, only that they could be better. That’s the big difference between the start of this season and last. Last season we were winning games poorly and people were waiting for our bubble to burst. This season we are winning games poorly but now people are waiting for us to improve. That has to be a good thing doesn’t it?!

    Kim – I’d agree. Don’t think Willo has been terrible so far, but it not great that he’s our only option if we are without Colo or Saylor. Personally I’d love a Steven Caulkner from spurs or Grant Hanley from Bburn would be a good addition. Young players who are already proving they are capable of playing in the EPL.

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  49. Good article Toonsyt.

    I think last year we had lower expecations fearing seond season syndrome, the losses of keys players, and so many new faces at the club from other leagues.

    Obviously the expectations are much higher this year. But to be fair, we have had a rash of injuries plus the euros seemed to have taken their toll on cabaye and cisse is out of form. I expect both to come good.

    I think we have only had our full squad available for one match and that was an impressive win over Spurs. We just need to get healthy I think….

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  50. Oh good Rooney is to make his comeback for manure tomorrow evening.
    😯
    He has yet to score for manure this season – (must be shyte 😛 ) – but has a good record against us.
    Bring it on fat boy :mrgreen:

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  51. Question :
    if Tim Krul is fit again for the Reading match on Saturday, is he an automatic shoe in, or does Harps keep the shirt ?
    Steve Harper has done well in Kruls absence, and so too has Rob Elliott.
    Seems harsh to drop Harper, but is that the way it works ❓

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  52. Also, after a great performance against Maritimo last week, has Rob Elliott done enough to deserve a start against manure tomorrow. ❓
    I think he has and should be given his chance, but it is gonna be a big game.

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  53. That’s not the best news, BB. However, it doesn’t bother me since we’ll probably start Colo, Tiote, and Cisse against them. And as with everyone else I’m really impressed with Bigi!

    HWTL

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  54. I’m not too bothered about Rooney as he’ll not be match fit even if he does play. Anyway if he scores he scores ,pointless worrying about it ,they should worry about Ba and Shola given last time out. 😉

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  55. My thoughts exactly. Its a bit similar to the crying that went on after we beat swansea. At half time 1-0 up and comfortable there were some screaming we needed to get a hold of the game or we’d be blown away….

    We ended up 2-0 with an easy win, despite swansea’s possession that ceated sweet FA yet people were upset because we couldn’t pass or dominate possession. We didn’t need to. We did what needed to be done and we won, comfortably.

    We’re not yet in the position to be demanding beautiful football week in week out, hopefully we’ll get there and when the team has fully adjusted it’ll start coming naturally, but right now all we need is the wins.

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  56. BB – don’t worry about Rooney mate, Xsico was spotted at the training ground today …. We have our very own super striker coming back buddy 😯 :mrgreen:

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  57. Beardsley-good article that.

    I know it’s a bit premature (matron) and I know players develop at different rates, but I really think Bigi could become even better than Tiote. When you consider Tiote wasn’t even a guaranteed start for Twente and you look at him now at 26…well, think what Bigi could do in 8 years, learning from Tiote and Cabaye 😯

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  58. Newkie – “We’re not yet in the position to be demanding beautiful football week in week out, hopefully we’ll get there and when the team has fully adjusted it’ll start coming naturally, but right now all we need is the wins.”

    Bang on. Its important we dont forget how far we HAVE already come since relegation.
    The football we were playing in the season prior to relegation was even worse than what we have now, with no hope of improvement. Yet now we all know we are going to get better and better.
    we all need a reality check now and again. 😆
    Howay the Lads

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  59. Andy – forget that mate, Cisse wants to wipe that smile off his face and start scoring coz Xisco is coming for him!!! 😈 😈 😆 😆

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  60. does any one think ramos would be a good catch or to big of a fish for us to get he is out of favour with marino and at 26 would be a great catch

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  61. does any one think we would stand a chance of getting ramos from real as he has fell out wth jose eather on loan or on a perminent deal and at 26 a class centre back

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