Our worst defeat against Sunderland in 34 years has left an awful taste in the mouth. It wasn’t just the defeat as we were beaten fair and square on the day, it was the manner of the defeat and the lack of effort displayed by any players in what is arguably our most important regular fixture of the season, especially in a season in which the only thing left to go for is to beat and finish above them lot!
Alan Pardew has come in for a lot of stick post-Sunderland, and so he should should, but as Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa admitted to the press earlier, the players – a lot of whom escape criticism from fans in favour of piling more pressure on Pardew – must take a fair portion of the blame and collectively they need to start putting things right pretty **** quickly.
Tiredness was used an excuse after the match and I can sort of get that, if we got to say 60-70 minutes and started to look weary, but to look knackered from the first minute and bereft of ideas for the duration suggests to me that it was more than tiredness at fault. Whatever is blamed or whatever is wrong needs sorting, hopefully tomorrow at The Hawthorns.
West Brom:
Steve Clarke will be without the services of Peter Odemwingie and Izzy Brown who have been ruled out due to respective knee and groin injuries. George Thorne and Zoltan Gera remain sidelined. Youssouf Mulumbu serves the second of his three-match suspension following his red card picked up against West Ham while Liam Ridgewell is doubtful.
Newcastle:
Tim Krul (dislocated shoulder), Cheik Tiote (hamstring) and Sylvain Marveaux (groin) are the latest additions to the NUFC treatment room. Krul will be out for the rest of the season whilst the severity of the injuries of Tiote and Marveaux are as yet unknown.
Rob Elliot is fit to play after shaking off an ankle injury picked up against the Mackems while Steve Harper will be available to deputise if needs be.
Fabricio Coloccini is training again although won’t be considered for selection with the home game against Liverpool next weekend looking to be the game he could make a return in.
Looking longer term, Haris Vuckic is still sidelined and it’s not good news for Ryan Taylor. Having been out for eight months after injuring his cruciate ligament the former Wigan man had resumed training and was closing in on a return to first-team action. It’s now transpired that having battled back from one serious injury he has now suffered another cruciate injury and will miss the bulk, if not all, of next season also.
Previously…
Newcastle have won the last two fixtures between the two sides with Papiss Cisse grabbing one of those last-gas winners against the Baggies earlier on in the season handing us a 2-1 win at St James’ Park.
Our last trip to The Hawthorns produced one of the best away performances I’ve seen from a United side in a long time as we ran out 3-1 winners in a game we pretty much dominated from start to finish. It would be nice if we could do it again tomorrow but I doubt it.
This will be the 117th meeting between the two sides. So far West Brom have won 43 times times compared to 42 wins for United.
At The Hawthorns it’s not as close and we’ve generally struggled there in recent years, with last season proving to be an exception to what is pretty much the rule when these two teams meet in the Black Country. In total 57 matches have been played at West Brom with the home side winning 26 times compared to just 13 victories for the Magpies.
Stats and facts:
West Brom (along with Everton) have used the fewest players in the league this season (23) whilst United (32) have used more than any other side.
United managed to maintain 66% of ball possession against Sunderland – their best possession figure of the season – but still lost.
In total, Newcastle have had 47 attempts at goal in their last two league games against Fulham and Sunderland yet have just one goal to show for it.
West Brom have won seven penalties so far this season. Only Chelsea (9) have won more.
Chris Brunt could make his 200th league appearance for West Brom whilst James Perch could make his 300th club career appearance if selected.
Final thought:
I’m really struggling to get myself up for this game following the result last week. That defeat and the manner on which our players allowed it to be inflicted has really knocked the stuffing out of me and it will take a performance of immense magnitude for the players to earn my belief back.
Dramatic? Maybe a bit but I, along with scores of others, feel so let down after last week that it’s only the players and manager who can make it right. It’s up to them to do just that against West Brom tomorrow.
Howay the lads!
Date: Saturday, 20th April, 2013
Time: 3pm
Venue: The Hawthorns
Obertan with his second. Could he be our saviour.
Toby le Rhone(Quote)
Is it true Pardew said there has been a massive over reaction to the derby defeat from the fans.
Players and managers move on fans do not. Fans are for life not a five year deal.
Toby le Rhone(Quote)
Dreading tomorrow i hope we set up to take the game to them and not sit back soak up all the pressure. I find it hard to predict a win these days. We can’t seem to score more than 1 a game and always seem to concede. I am going to go for a 1-1
In total, Newcastle have had 47 attempts at goal in their last two league games against Fulham and Sunderland yet have just one goal to show for it.
WHAT!!!! I find that stat unbelievable
Santii(Quote)
I think West Brom will be a difficult match for us. We don’t have an organized way of attacking (unless Benny can start and make a huge difference which is possible). I’m not sure we’ll see much different from Pardew in the way of formations. Cisse will lead the line and Gouffran will probably start on the left. Hopefully Benny on the right. No Tiote or Marveaux so probably Cabaye and Sissoko in the midfield with Anita? The back 4 would probably have to be Simpson, Saylor, Mbiwa, and Haidara (hopefully after last match’s Jonas disaster). A 1-1 draw would be a decent result considering our recent form.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Sorry probably Debuchy at RB instead of Simpson if he is fit? Not clear on that.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
G2 ,Is Debuchy out then?
KIMTOON(Quote)
Gouffran is not and never will be a wide player and needs to be played through the middle with Cisse not twenty yards away from him standing on the touchline where Pardew played him last week.
The problem with Gouffran and Cisse is neither a good hold up player. Both are penalty box players.
Toby le Rhone(Quote)
Toonsy ,Got to agree we need a good win to lift us all but most importantly we need those bloody 3 points and I’d take it ugly as @%&£ if we have to.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Kimtoon, I’m not sure whether he is fit or not? Anyone else know? Toby I would have to agree the Gouffran as a wide player experiment has not gone well. The only balls that really seem to work for Cisse are crosses fro wide positions that allow him a direct shot on goal. Gouffran seems best breaking through the middle and shooting himself. I hope Cisse can keep himself onside more often.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Obertan hat trick. Get him a taxi to West Brom tonight
Toby le Rhone(Quote)
——————- Elliott —————-
Debuchy – Saylor – MYM – Santon
——— Cabaye —- Jonas ———
—- Sissoko – Benny – Gouffran —
—————— Cisse —————–
Unfortunately I think that is probably our strongest 11 available to us tomorrow and the bench isn’t gonna look too tasty either I think.
Our only potential hope is that WBA seem to have taken their foot off the pedal since getting their 40 points. Normally I’d be confident or getting something from this one, but I ain’t gonna be counting any chickens
Sharpy17(Quote)
Santon is out Sharpy mate. Probably Haidara at LB? I might switch Benny and Sissoko around in your formation as well. Otherwise that might be the starting 11.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Sharpy
Agree with that eleven. Some incredible talent. it is amazing our coach can’t get them to play as a team
Toby le Rhone(Quote)
I would like to think that the players are itching to get out and prove that last they arn’t the waste of space players that showed no heart or desire last week so for me we need atleast a point, but if the players play to their full then 3 pts could be ours.
Toonsy you mentioning Coloccini got me thinking that I hope he struggles to get back in the 1st 11 because I don’t think he has the right to walk back in, so I hope that Pards makes the right choice with him.
Big Dave(Quote)
Toonsy, I share your deflated feeling after last weekends battering. Pinning all our hopes on the creativity of Cabaye when the lad is obviously running on fumes is a real risky situation, but we don’t have many other options.
I fear that even if the team comes flying out of the blocks we still don’t have enough about us to get anything out of this game. Our football especially away from home has been pish poor this season, cannot see things improving with a half strength team psychologically fragile after a battering by the makkems… 🙁
Munich Mag(Quote)
Goals against: 59! What does that say about Pardew’s emphasis on defence in training etc.? Shockingly poor and we have 2 very good goalies in Krul and Elliot. The attack is weak and one dimensional as well. Over reliance on Cisse. Not enough goals from Gouffran and Shola, and Ben Arfa constantly injured. It’s a dog’s breakfast of a season.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
G2 – aye I wasn’t sure on Santon but yeah I’d go with Haidara at LB instead. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if Pards put Jonas LB and Anita or Bigi or some other strange choice next to Cabaye.
TLR – you’re dead right there mate, trouble is though the talent aren’t even playing as good individuals at the moment either. They all seem to be behind Pardew off the field but for some bizarre mad reason they just aren’t clicking on the field – not for more than 20 of 90mins they’re not anyway.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Here are some league standings for teams over the last 6 seasons (this season in brackets because incomplete:
Spurs 11th, 8th, 4th, 5th, 4th, (5th)
Everton 5th, 5th, 8th, 7th, 7th, (6th)
Bindippers: 4th, 2nd, 7th, 6th, 8th, (7th)
West Brom: 1st (Champ), 20th, 2nd (Champ), 11th, 10th, (8th)
Fulham: 17th, 7th, 12th, 8th, 9th, (10th)
Newcastle: 12th, 18th, 1st (Champ), 12th, 5th, (13th)
I didn’t pick any of the obvious teams (top or bottom), just teams I think we would like to as good as or better than. Which does our record most closely resemble in the Ashley years? I would say we are bracketed by Fulham above and West Brom below (relegated twice to our once). So how do we rate the Ashley performance?
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Obertans hat trick illustrates the gulf between reserve and first team and no more, sorry to say.
A draw would be very welcome tomorrow but I wont hold my breath.
Toby @2 – I have given Pards a lot of slack but if he did say anything like that he would have to walk on that comment alone, after of course getting his pants pulled down and whacked on the **** with a shovel. 👿
Tsunki(Quote)
Pardew did say the derby reaction was heavy handed. I would disagree. Trying to deflect criticism onto a few idiots who acted up isn’t very bright either. Oh well we should be used to it by now. I realize right now Pardew is feeling fairly sensitive about the team’s overall performance this season but get used to dealing with it Pardew unless we start seeing better displays.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Based on the six year performance I would rate Ashley as a mediocre or lower owner given the resources, supporters, ground, single club city we have. Mediocre or less. It’s not a lot to get excited about is it?
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Having looked at the numbers a fair bit now for the last few years I would say we shouldn’t get too excited about the Ashley plan. Bring in foreign players who are cheaper to buy and pay? At this point it may be still too soon to judge but it certainly hasn’t been as big a success as we hoped. Still I’m still hopeful we will see a very good side built around our foreign players. Settle on a manager who gave us one decent season and give him an 8 year contract? Also not clear how this will work out but doesn’t look very good right now. Improve the youth and reserve teams by wholsale releases and bringing in huge numbers of foreign players? Not clear about that one either but again lets give it another season or two (at most). Stick with Llambias for not very obvious reasons except he’s a buddy? I think that one answers itself.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
i hope pardew do not make another mistack tactics and make a team for playing offensif and strong football…not a afraid tactics and a team for defending like a sic dog under rain. 👿 and please ❗ mr pardew ❗ put on hatem ben arfa on the pitch 1frst min to last fucking min ❗ behind demba cisee. ..on his best fucking place ❗ ❗ ❗ thank u very very much ❗
djebs9(Quote)
G2 – Has Ashley owned the club for 6yrs already has he mate?!
Sharpy17(Quote)
I guess all this means I’m leaning towards saying we have a mediocre owner who leans toward hiring easily controllable mediocre men for the main management positions, leading to mediocre team performances on average. So if we’re hoping for mediocrity as supporters you could say we can rest easy, our time is here!
GeordieTwo(Quote)
It will be 6 years come June 7th 2013 Sharpy mate so I’m only slightly ahead of myself. Still I think there are enough facts out there to begin to assess his period of ownership. I wish I could say it was better but it’s all there to see. Really only 1 decent season in the last 6 including this one. How much longer is he going to need do you think to really make us a consistent top 8 side. I’m not going to hold my breath.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
The bindippers, everton and spurs (except for 1 season) have all been in the top 8 for all 6 seasons. I don’t even need to mention top 4 clubs. So where do we really stand with this fella?
GeordieTwo(Quote)
I guess you could say 2 decent seasons out of 6 since we won the Championship but to me as soon as you talk about a lower division it’s a waste of time and doesn’t really expose the truth that we weren’t good enough to stay in the Prem back then.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
G2 – I wasn’t being sarcastic mate just can’t believe he’s been here that long already 😯
It doesn’t make great reading to be fair like does it. I got a bit of a slating on here last week for suggesting our current aim should be to establish ourselves in the top 8 rather than going for that 4th spot as some were suggesting. Based off those league positions I stand by what I said.
The accountants among us will probably tell you that of those teams we have the most balance to our books – and that counts for something I suppose.
The fact is though that we currently have around 15+ players in our squad that could or should be close to achieving that top 8 spot on a fairly regular basis. In fairness, 5 of them were only bought in Jan so I’d be hopeful that the next few seasons show a vast improvement.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Yes a good summary Sharpy lad. I was suprised to see how long it has been as well. I would agree that we’re in no position to try for top 4 next season after what we’ve seen this season. I see little or no evidence we could sustain the type of performance needed to get into the top 4. In fact I wouldn’t be surprised if top 8 is a very big hill to climb for us mate. Still we should be hoping for at least 2 good incoming in the summer and a bit of turnover in the squad. I would like to see us continue to loan out the better young players as well. We can talk about slow progress but going from 5th to 13th certainly hasn’t been a good example.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
G2 – I think the season in the championship should be seen as a big success. I know it’s a lower league but there were big changes to the squad, we had a very inexperienced manager and we surpassed 100 points in winning the league which not many teams achieve.
I think there was some rebuilding to be done at the club but its fair to say that’s been done now and everything is in place to push on.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I can see your point of view Sharpy. It was one of Ashley’s better moves to keep as much of the squad as he could when they went down in order to get back up quickly. That is a definite positive but still the overview on 6 years isn’t terrific. Next season will be a huge one for Ashley. If we continue to stumble around in the bottom 10 and play unattractive, defensive football the pressure will be huge yet again for a change for the better. No more Kinnear’s, or even Hughtons but a proven manager with not only a decent amount of experience but also with a track record of winning something (not the Johnstone Paint Trophy). I still see it happening that way bar a dramatic turnaround by Pardew.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
G2 – I agree about loaning the quality kids out but get rid of the ones who aren’t doing it. However I personally think we need 4-6 newbies in the summer to give us the strength in depth we need. I’m not sure that will happen, even so I believe we will see improvement next season and beyond – hopefully.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Thanks for your input Sharpy mate, I was getting fairly lonely on here ranting on to myself. 😆
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Yes I think it’s good to be cautious about predicting the future for us with Ashley as owner Sharpy. It’s not clear at all to me what might happen if we start off poorly next season. I would have to agree it would be good to get at least another 4 incoming but very unlikely after the January dealings. Ashley will want to see huge improvement from the current team plus 2 replacement players (for Colo and Ba) as we talked about on here before. If improvement doesn’t come everything will be up in the air next season with Ashley trying to decide whether to stick with Pardew or not. Personally I think the lower we finish this season the less time Pardew will have in the next one to turn it around. And that is probably only as it should be.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
I’m off for a few minutes now but back soon to carry on the discussion if anyone’s still willing. 😀
GeordieTwo(Quote)
No sign of Pugnose, the Kingmaker, since @ 331 yesterday, I picked myself off the floor, ripped the bedsheets off him and Big Dave, the usurper, exposed their little false claims and raised a toast to “England and St George”.
Come on little Starfish, man up and answer for your tender bedfellow, the slippery little eel … Razz
Blackley & Brownlie(Quote)
G2 – dead right it’s how it should be. I said a few weeks back now that Pardew has never managed a team in Europe before so this season has been a learning curve for him as well.
He does have a very depleted squad for our remaining games but I’d still expect us to finish closer in points to 10th spot than 18th.
I think we can both agree that this particular season can’t end soon enough though mate.
Anyway, it’s my bedtime buddy, so we’ll have to continue this tomorrow. Good speaking to ya man.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy – closer to 10th!? shock
I reckon you fail to see the seriousness of our plight.
Blackley & Brownlie(Quote)
I bid thee, PUGNOSE, KINGMAKER, VALET and MOST LOYAL SERVANT to THY TENDER BEDFELLOW, who goeth by the name of BIG DAVE, get thee out of thy sack, put on thy garb, and answer such questions that thy victor and most annointed king, whom thee hath so declareth, hath so refuseth to address for a good length in times past. Perhaps, when thee hath found thy breeches, thee can telleth where THY FINE BEDFELLOW doth stand, for he be one of the most notorious of slippery knaves of this realm.
Blackley & Brownlie(Quote)
PUGNOSE, should THY TENDER BEDFELLOW believeth Squire Pardew hath not the right and most suitable of bearing to hold that most holy of office, and fulfil and acquit with honour and good workmanship his sacred duty, why doth THY TENDER KNAVE fail so to declare that he be so removed from this office and banished from this kingdom, and dispossessed of that so aforementioned crown hereinafter and in perpetuity, as it be such custom for the bringer of such darkest of times?
Blackley & Brownlie(Quote)
B&B – we current are 4 points from 10th and 5 points from 18th. I didn’t say I expect to be competing for 10th spot, just closer to it in points than to 18th spot. I’m under no illusions we’re in a **** storm, but I do think that is an achievable goal.
Reet I am off this time. Sleep well all.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy – I’ll catch up with you tomorrow at 16:55.
Blackley & Brownlie(Quote)
Aye Sharpy mate I agree as well. I think we need to be closer to 10th than 18th. In other words we need points out of these last 5 games. I don’t much care which games as long as we take 3 or 4 points from them. Is that asking too much Pards and Ashley?
GeordieTwo(Quote)
PUGNOSE, I bid thee, should thy jester, BIG DAVE, believeth veritably in his heart that this most favoured club could ne’er possesses such better holder of such great office than SQUIRE PARDEW whilst JABBA, that overlord of much revile and protestation, commandeth this realm and fiefdom, and should he allegeth with such certainty of mind that JABBA hath treated many fine and good manager, players and peasants in such manurial and excremental manner and with such disregard and with such devilish tricks that would invoke God’s wrath, and should he believeth SQUIRE PARDEW be not the right man on whom such great honour ought be bestowed, wherefore doth he not give such pleading, and record in these annals for all times hence for to give lasting testament to such treason, that the aforementioned JABBA be banished from this realm in perpetuity?
Blackley & Brownlie(Quote)
@B&B
Have you hit your head and woke up with an Old English accent 😀
Santii(Quote)
PUGNOSE, THE KINGMAKER, I beseech thee further, pray tell and give sincere reason and just cause why BIG DAVE, O SLIPPERY EEL, wilt not declareth who be his chosen and most annointed successor to SQUIRE PARDEW without fear that such grant of favour bring upon his name the highest of mockery?
Blackley & Brownlie(Quote)
I bid thee, PUGNOSE, pray giveth reason that BIG DAVE, THY LONG TIMES BEDFELLOW, refuseth to pronounce and declare the name of his most preferred successor in title to SQUIRE PARDEW, for it becometh him so to do, for he hath mocked and pilloried B&B, that fine noble of this realm, whom thee hath declared so roundly and most avowedly defeated in battle, for THY SLIPPERY BEDFELLOW hath brought ill to the repute of that said fine noble, and hath shunned him for such long times refusal to pronounce and declare in same and like manner the name of his most preferred successor in title.
Blackley & Brownlie(Quote)
when you break it down we have an english manager with english coaches in charge of a continental group of players by and large with plenty “technical ability”…….would a decent history teacher be capable of getting the best out of a group of talented maths students???? i think not
buddy(Quote)
PUGNOSE, O KINGMAKER, I bid thee to declareth that which preventeth BIG DAVE, THY TENDER BEDFELLOW, from giving pleading unto JABBA in such following manner:
“Sir, I plead in most humble, earnest and sincere manner that thee banish SQUIRE PARDEW from thy realm and annoint in his stead another squire of greater repute, such noble squire who commandeth the trust of thy common people, to take that place and mantle such that no longer doth suffer thee and thy good people of thy fiefdom these darkened times. I commend to thee SQUIRE [X] for I trusteth he will serve thee well, but I beseech thee not to banish SQUIRE PARDEW if it is thy will to foresake SQUIRE [X] and to annoint in lieu SQUIRE KINNEAR or SQUIRE HARRY HOTSPUR or some such other person of same or similar standing and repute.”
Blackley & Brownlie(Quote)
apologies…i promise i can speak proper and eloquent english! i will endeavor to do in future
buddy(Quote)
no panic well pick up the 3 points we need today
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
hi lads…. hope pardew not make another again mistacks tactics and make a team for playing offensif and strong football… 👿 not an afraid fucking tactics and a team for defending like a sic dog under rain. and please mr pardew 👿 put on hatem ben arfa on the pitch 1frst min to last fucking ❗ min behind demba cisee. ..on his best fucking job… ❗ thank u…
djebs9(Quote)
@53 big agree
Say what u want about carrol he’d of fought for the team I’m not saying he’s the answer to our prayers but we need some spirt injected before we’re a roll on your back team like arsenal became with to many imports. Better technically than us but we have a physical old league u need a blend
Ice pup(Quote)
Buddy – I wouldn’t bother trying. Noy many would understand it anyway 😆
toonsy(Quote)
B&B – Calm the pugnose stuff. Its boring and not relevant. I don’t mind people going off on tangents or having “banter” but at least try and keep the topic going for a bit first 😉
toonsy(Quote)
Pup – I think you’re right about Carroll, no doubt he would add something extra to our squad. My only problem with a possible return is the suggested £17m Lpool want for him and his likely large wage demands. I’m just not sure he’s be value for money mate.
Sharpy17(Quote)
@Santii post 3: We can only score maximum 1 goal a game if we are lucky and if Cisse manages to stay onside.
Pardew has managed to destroy this side into a side unable to score, unable to keep a clean sheet and unable to dominate in midfield.
Now he is tacitly blaming Cabaye’s form by saying he is tired and this is one of the reasons we are playing poorly. Not his tactics or his lack of preparation just little factors that have nothing to do with his managerial ability.
We are definitely positioned well off where we should be. We should be with Everton fighting for that fourth place but instead we are flirting with relegation with one of the strongest group of players in the league of whom top european teams are scouting.
Pardew’s list of mitigating circumstances grows with every game circumstances which he thinks are only singular to us and do not affect anyone else.
Off with his head even a monkey as manager would do a better job.
michael12(Quote)
Morning folks! Huge game today with the spotlight on everyone particularly Pardew. Understand HBA is again only on the bench today. With Marv out and Cabaye off colour it’s hard to see where the creativity is going to come from.
With no Tiote I’m hoping it will be Perch starting. If I’m being honest he’s arguable been one of the only plus points all year. He really has become a reliable and resourceful player – what a transformation since he first came. Whenever I’ve seen him in the team we look so much more balanced and comfortable. He does the simple things right and brings a certain calmness to the midfield.
Anyway, like I say there’s a big spotlight on Pardew today particularly in light of his comments yesterday. Personally, I want him out – don’t want to turn this into another anti Pardew bashing but clearly you know when it’s not working. But this is a chat best saved for the end of the season. For now we all need to get behind the team. I’ve been playing with the BBC results predictor and I’ve got us just about crawling over the line.
Today reminds me of the similar outcry from the Brighton game with everyone in uproar. I think we went to Norwich and got a bore 0-0 and if I’m honest, if offered that I’d take it again!
southerngeordie(Quote)
Well as I said today is a perfect chance for the players to go out and show that they are better than the **** we seen last week , eventhough Pards has to take lots of blame there is noway he told them to go out and play so ****
Big Dave(Quote)
I don’t have a good feeling about this one……..
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Aussie thats the best news I have heard 😉 keep up the good work 😀
Big Dave(Quote)
Is it just me or doe’s anyone else love sat 3pm kick offs 😕 it seems like it’s been a long time from we had one
Big Dave(Quote)
Big Dave 🙂 🙂 🙂 I hate the 3pm games mate, 11pm kick off my time..
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Buddy@49 and Icepup@54, spot on there both of you’s.
In Pardew’s defense or perhaps criticism, he is obviously a prime believer in this French or foreign influx at the toon. However, if you buy something foreign and you cannot read the operating instructions then it stands to reason you aren’t going to be able to operate the flocking thing.
Perhaps we should all shake this delusional idea out of our minds that just because they are French or foreign then they are beyond reproach. All things French are not all brilliant imo. Perhaps this is the reason why we are stagnating somewhat this season, perhaps the step up for some players from the French to the EPL hasn’t been managed properly by the club ?
However, this is a discussion for another day imo. What should be furthermost in our minds is that we get over the line this season by remaining in this league. Next season is something completely different, what will be will be. Get the points in the bag, achieve safety, and get this issue put to bed.
Cannot see it starting today though 🙁
Munich Mag(Quote)
Dave – You’ll have mail in a few seconds 🙂
toonsy(Quote)
Toonsy no probs
MM have a bit of faith lad 😉
Aussie stop complaining 😀
Big Dave(Quote)
G2
I don’t remember us being a consistently top 5 under FFS, do you?
Or for any other period in our past for that matter. We’ve always been ***** with flashes of brilliance.
I think there are two Ashley phases – pre relegation, and post relegation. Happy with post relegation Ashley – even with the summers mistakes he’s tried to rectify them in January. This season has been one of our worst in terms of under performance – every single person at the club has let us down.
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
@Pup
I’m not sure he;d fit, and he’d probably be too expensive, and I still think he was a judas (though it benefited us) but there’s no doubt there was a greater spirit with him Nolan and Barton at the club. I actually loved our first season back in the top flight, the 6-0, the 5-1, Besty’s hattrick, the 4-4, it was great.
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
ST – A lot of the players have underperformed badly and let us down which seems to escape the attention of a lot of people 😉
toonsy(Quote)
@G2
Yeah the thing is, football is about trophies, but it’s also about enjoyment, and this season aside, the last 3 years (from Champ to last year) of Ashley’s tenure have been brilliant excitement.
If we had the option of going back to the point when Freddie sold the club and reversing his decision, with him staying at the helm, there’s not a chance in hell I would say yes.
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
Aye toonsy, can’t think of a single player who could hold their head up high tbh, Santon was good first half the year. Dare I say Williamson is one of the few that has consistently performed to the standard (which isn’t great) he is capable of 😉
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
Could someone clarify this question ? Has Obertan been injured ? Why did he start yesterday for the reserves when he have first teamers dropping like flies and have a weak bench were Shola is our most potent weapon.
Does that effectively mean that Obertan is not in the squad for WBA although we spent 3 mjill on the guy.
Don’t get me wrong, we all know how frustrating the guy is, but what is the deal with Obertan exactly, has he slipped so far down the pecking order now that he is nowhere near the first team ? Strange really after how Pardew was so intent on bigging the guy up a few weeks back. There again Pardew did the same with Iron Mike before ever so publicly condemning him to the also – rans 🙂
Munich Mag(Quote)
Big Dave, wasn’t a complaint mate, just a statement 🙂 please do not critique our players, it’s Pardews fault and that’s that 🙂
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Eminem, cheer up big fella, ya turning into a misery guts mate 🙂
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)