The 6-0 capitulation against Liverpool has caused a storm on Tyneside as rumours of rifts and cliques have been made public resulting in United falling out with members of the press and even going as far as banning one publication and it’s reporters whilst embarking on a PR offensive to deny any of the aforementioned rumours. I was half expecting to see images of Cabaye and Pardew picking flowers together but alas they never materialised!
The commitment that was lacking against Liverpool and in recent weeks will be under the microscope once more as both manager and players look to bounce back from such a humiliation. It’s crisis time at United and we need points desperately if we are to make sure we don’t end up relegated for a second time within the space of four years.
No doubt looking to get one over us, West Ham have an array of former United players and staff who all have their own reasons for wanting to pile the misery on us. Andy Carroll and Kevin Nolan are of course former players of Newcastle United and both played a huge part in ensuring we returned to the Premier League. Then there is Sam Allardyce who, not content with getting a huge payout for being sacked, also likes to get one over on us each time we play. The Hammer will not lack motivation, that is for sure.
West Ham:
Allardyce has no fresh injury concerns ahead of the visit of Newcastle. James Tomkins (calf) and George McCartney (knee) are again likely to miss out but apart from that Allardyce has a full squad to choose from.
Newcastle:
Mathieu Debuchy will miss the game due to suspension following his sending off against Liverpool last weekend. Massadio Haidara and Sylvain Marveaux are doubtful as they nurse respective hamstring and groin injuries whilst Tim Krul, Davide Santon, Ryan Taylor and Haris Vuckic all remain out.
There is better news regarding Fabricio Coloccini though who is likely to return to the side after missing the last 12 games with a back injury.
Previously…
West Ham are looking to do the double over us this season after Kevin Nolan ensured his current club took all three points away from his former home earlier on in the season.
Prior to West Ham’s relegation, we managed to do the double over them with a 5-0 win at St James’ Park following a 2-1 victory at Upton Park. The goalscorers for us that day – Kevin Nolan and Andy Carroll!
Upton Park has been a happy hunting ground for us in recent years. We’ve won three of our last five trips to West Ham and drawn another one of those five with our only loss in the last ten years coming courtesy of a 3-1 defeat back in 2008.
The Hammers have had the upper hand over us at their ground over the years however. There have been 58 meeting between the sides with West Ham winning 29, United winning 15 and the other 14 ending in a draw.
Overall, home and away and in all competitions, United to hold a slight advantage having won 49 meetings between the two sides compared to West Ham’s 38 victories with 35 draws having been contested between the two sides in their 122 clashes to date.
Match stats and facts:
West Ham have only lost once at home in 2013 (Tottenham) and have only lost four home league games (Arsenal, Liverpool and Everton) all season.
Newcastle have the second-worst away record in the Premier League having won just one league game on the road all season.
West Ham goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen has made a league-high 155 saves this season.
Newcastle have the worst defence in the league having conceded 66 goals this term, one goal more than relegated Reading, two more than relegation rivals Aston Villa, and four more than 18th placed Wigan.
Final thought:
Once again I find myself dreading the weekend and wondering just how bad it will be rather than how good we can make it. I honestly would love to see a reaction after last weekend but I just can’t see it. I’ve almost resigned to the fact that we’ll get relegated and will only get saved if Wigan fail to bridge that five point gap and I honestly can’t see us picking up another point this season given how we’ve been “performing” for quite some time now.
Suffice to say, I’d be delighted with a point!
Howay the lads!
Date: Saturday, 4th May, 2013
Time: 3pm
Venue: Upton Park
Rather than slating the press can we show them up by putting in a performance worthy of the black and white? Even if we don’t win can we at least look like we’re trying to?
Vuckic is out? The only thing time I hear him mentioned is on the injury list. I swear he must be in love with a physio, it’s Goal! all over again.
Toonsy, do us all a favour and predict losses for our last three matches, we need all the good luck we can get at this point. 😉
Newkie(Quote)
I can see us getting a draw like.
Nee fear! 😎
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Just want the game over and done with now tbh ,all the fun has long since been sucked out of this season. We have to get goals tommorow as I’m convinced AC and Tugboat will score .
KIMTOON(Quote)
Troy ,I would be happy with a point and a win V qpr that would see us on 41 and hopefully safe.
KIMTOON(Quote)
“Toonsy
Oh how people cried for a 4-2-3-1/4-3-3 😳
4-4-2 is dead 😳
Match preview up in five minutes 🙂 ”
When have we ever played a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 system? I haven’t seen it yet. Maybe in the Chelsea game we used that system.
All I’ve seen is 4-3–1—1 and occasionally 4-5——1 which occasionally reverted to 8–1——-1?
At the end up the day, you can call it a 4-3-3 but if Cisse is left isolated and the two wide men hardly get beyond the halfway line because they are glued to our wing backs arseholes then it isn’t really a true reflection of that system is it?
Personally, this week, especially because we are missing our fullbacks I’d like to see this formation…. 3-4-3…
______________________Elliot________________________
__________Saylor_______Colo_______Mbiwa____________
Simpson_______________Tiote___________________Jonas
_______________Cabaye______Sissoko________________
______________________Ben-Arfa____________________
____________________Cisse_________________________
Ideally Santon would be there instead of Jonas, but….
I’d look to exploit Gouffran and Obertans pace later in the game. Maybe Anita could come on Simmo if we needed a bit more going forward.
Taylor needs to do a marking job on Carroll and Tiote needs to do the same on Nolan. Simpson to control Jarvis and then hope Cabaye, Sissoko and Ben Arfa can control the midfield.
??
JJ(Quote)
Exactly JJ, exactly.
Its not just the numbers of the formation written on the teamsheet that dictate the success of a tactic.
Surely you lot MUST realise that by now?
Its how they are set up to play and the philosophy they adopt too. It also matters that you have people in positions they are comfortable playing.
Our 442 failed because our wide men were set up to hang back and spend most of their time helping out the fullbacks. When they did get forward they lacked the ability to provide decent crosses.
Our current formations are failing because we are generally playing far too deep. Cisse is often isolated and when he is the only goal threat we have you can afford to isolate him as it dangerously reduces our supply.
Pardew insists on playing players who are badly out of form and often exacerbating the situation by playing them in positions they aren’t particularly strong in. Our philosophy has been horribly negative too.
Pootle(Quote)
^^^cant afford to isolate him^^^
Pootle(Quote)
I know it all looks doom and gloom but the toon will not get relegated! Newcastle will beat qpr who are truly a terrible team! The five point gap will be vital and decisive in the end. Wigan will be distracted by the cup final and that will be the major difference in the end! However, I think you will be well beaten at the Boleyn on Saturday! There are just to many reasons why the Irons will be up for the game not for them to play well enough to beat you! Keep the faith and we will see you next season! COYI!
Philtheiron(Quote)
@Kim
The real test of character will be if we go a goal down. A team in turmoil and an unsettled dressing room normally hide and capitulate.
Lets hope all this anger has bonded them.
“When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hold on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time to put on a full Nelson neck crank”
Les Kellet 1975
Troy Stavers(Quote)
@JJ
We’ve played 4-2-3-1 basically all season!
Remember people annoyed that Cisse was playing right wing?
Sissoko has been playing at the top of the “3” near every game since he’s arrived.
@Kim fair point on the Ba and Cisse similarity comment. It was more just the bizaare way that minds have been changed. Think toonsy summed it up quite well in his last comment 😉
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
@Troy
6-1 Leyton Orient comes to mind.
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
RIP Grandad Les – you’re an inspiration! 😎
Troy Stavers(Quote)
*As in the anger from that performance was the launch pad for our successful promotion season
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
@Philtheiron – I hope your confidence is misplaced and we grind out some sort of result tomorrow. Alas, I don’t see it. Allardyce is a master of beating us (although you could say that about any PL manager this year) and Nolan has a point to prove. And, to be fair, West Ham have an incredible home record this season.
My head says a West Ham win, but my heart says a draw is manageable if the players are up for it.
blip(Quote)
Grandma Baba , that goes for you too. 😎
RIP Grandma Baba Vanga. 1991-1996
I used to love my two weeks summer holiday at your house in Dunston. 😉
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Soz Grandma – 1911- 1996 RIP 😯
“In every egg their is a yolk”
I never used to understand Baba’s saying like. 😯
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Unbelieveable. It’s not working so it’s not really that formation.
Out of interest after we won 5 games in a row but lost to wigan 4-0 all playing the same formation, were we playing the real 4-3-3 when victorious but played 2-2—-1—1—–1–2—1—-1——————-1 when we lost?
Pootle-your point just backs up what I am saying. we ALL recognise the lack of movement and lack of support, hence why it won’t matter what formation we play-if we play gash we will get beaten regardless. Pardew needs to get more miles out of the boys and embolden them to attack, and the players need to recognise they are not pulling their weight either.
Newkie(Quote)
Solano,
You only emphasize my and Pootle’s point.
That its a false negative formation as attacking players are either playing far too deep OR completely out of position in roles they aren’t comfortable with…
JJ(Quote)
It’s quite amazing how so many fans watching the same games, same players see such different things especially about formations. Lots of people talking about us being too deep against Liverpool. That’s not what I saw. What I saw was our midfield 4 staying in a straight line and doing what Pards told them (his only new tactic from the last 20 years), which was press them high up the pitch lads. Barca do that.
The gap between midfield and defence was often 20-30 yards that Henderson or Coutinho just ran through.
Never mind, 1-1 tomorrow.
georgio(Quote)
Cisse is isolated because Sissoko storms forward and rarely lifts his head up to spot a run and doesn’t pass..then he knocks the ball too far forward and gets robbed. Every game it seems to happen..
Newkie(Quote)
Georgio-aye, the only thing that unites us is anger 😈
Newkie(Quote)
Newkie,
I’ll agree that it doesn’t matter what formation we play, the movement and passing and attacking intent just isn’t there.
I’ll also agree with your comment on Sissoko being unaware in the final third.
But I don’t believe I’ve seen the side play a true attacking 4-3-3 formation.
Our wide men are ALWAYS too deep.
It just seems to me that Pards plays too many players out of position and too issues too many defensive responsibilities leaving us at least one supportive player short in the attacking third.
JJ(Quote)
TOONSY you seem down along with many others who can blame you after what has been dished up lately,but i think things wont change ime afraid 🙁
icedog(Quote)
At least we all seem to be in agreement that we are far too negative in possession…
JJ(Quote)
PHILTHEIRON@8 ,Glad you have faith in us ,cos mines rapidly running out. 🙄
KIMTOON(Quote)
Ice .To be fair it ain’t us who have to face writing the post match reports .I’m not surprised Toonsy is down, I’m on the verge of slitting me wrist meself. 🙁
KIMTOON(Quote)
People mocked me when I suggested Sissoko was having to play right wing. He’s never looked comfortable so far forward and loses the ball far too easily. He’s a box to box midfielder, he needs a lot of space to get up to speed. Good player yes. No 10 no. Has Gouffran been tried as a striker yet? I’ve seen him helping Haidara a lot.
georgio(Quote)
Kim – I really struggledd after Sunderland but it was worse last week 🙁
toonsy(Quote)
KIM we were only asking for three points for weeks not anything out of this world,couldnt even give us that 🙁 to see other clubs fighting for there life on the pitch,what do we see sweet fanny adams 😥
icedog(Quote)
Toonsy .I bet mate ,lets hope you don’t have to write a relegated match report 😥 Actually if we go down I wouldn’t bother mate ,it’s not worth the stress .
KIMTOON(Quote)
If we can just draw the next 2 games, just imagine the extra pressure wigan will be under. I’m not suggesting for one minute that we set up for a draw, but come on, lets have some positivity here. Howaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay the Lads 2-2
Porciestreet(Quote)
The huge problem is we haven’t got anyone in the club who can play up front with Cisse competently enough.
That has been major flaw in the team building plan, rubber stamped by Pardew, Llambias and Ashley. 🙄
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Porciestreet – if we draw the next 2, then Wigan need 2 wins and a draw to go above us on goal difference.
They could manage that with Swans(H) – win, Villa(?) – win and West Brom(A) – draw.
We NEED a win.
blip(Quote)
Ice ,It’s incredible isn’t it ,how long we been trying to secure those 3 points,it’s only 3 games but seems an eternity now . I think it may take a win and a draw 41 to be safe though ,not even certain a win puts us safe. Still can’t get over them wankers losing on monday night. Fecking bad enough having to support them ,but to let the side down so badly ,mackem twats ,I had to take a shower after supporting them. 👿
KIMTOON(Quote)
JJ-There we go, stick with agreeing with me and it’ll all be rosy 😛 we have gone deep because we are fearful…our left backs show great ability going forward yet can’t defend to save their lives..we’ve gotten deeper out of fear, fear of conceding and not getting back in to games. Hopefully that mauling has convinced pards we need to get at them as soon as we can. Put sissoko alongside cabaye as at least one of them has put effort in this season, the other one is basically undroppable. Would be nice to get benny and marv either side of cisse at some point as well…
Newkie(Quote)
Newkie ,think Marv is still out with his groin 😕
KIMTOON(Quote)
Troy@32-we’ve needed a striker who can “fashion out” their own chances for years. Can’t say yet whether goof can do that. We’ve had monsters like carroll who will dominate when given the right ball, or players like Ba and Cisse who score incredible goals from half chances. But really, how often have they made their own, with strength, pace, trickery or skill to beat a man? When we don’t have benny we have nobody to do that. Sissoko is learning but far too raw.
Newkie(Quote)
I don’t think you can top last weeks performance for embarrassment like. Something has to change tomorrow or we are looking at certain relegation.
I am really dreading tomorrow like and the fact i seem to get a little optimistic before every game thinking we are going to win makes it even worse for when we just don’t turn up.
Santii(Quote)
Kim-yeah remember you saying 😥 was thinking of the last two matches.
Hopefully it’ll be goof and benny and somehow they’ll both be great..
Newkie(Quote)
@Troy
In January no one was asking for someone to play up front with Cisse though. Everyone and their dog wanted a striker as back up/competition, but wanted forward wingers to play either side.
You could argue that in Gouffran and HBA we have those players 😯
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
Newkie,
Exactly, the more nervous he gets, the more negative Pardew gets.
That is the biggest single factor why I feel he isn’t good enough for the job, because when the going gets tough, he goes into his shell and he spreads his negativity through his players…
The more we try defend the more we concede.
People often wonder why Wigan always make a laye run…
I think its a lot to do with what the teams around them start doing.
Wigan continue to look for wins. While the other teams desperately try to get that vital point… They settle for points, or desperately try cling to one goal leads.
At the end of the day, they put too much pressure on themselves and they choke.
We have choked. Let’s hope we can get three points somewhere. Before the pressure is too much..
JJ(Quote)
ST-agreed. Those that asked for a top striker in wanted him to replace cis in the 11, not partner if i recall. 4-4-2 was still dead then, it hadn’t yet made its recovery as present 😀
Newkie(Quote)
@Trumpet
I thought it was widely agreed that we needed a striker to replace Ba. We tried to get Remy but failed.
We always knew Ba would leave in January yet we did little to resolve the pending problem.
We should have had a replacement last Summer.
Whether that striker would play alongside Cisse or try and oust him or at least give a different option if Cisse was struggling.
I look back on this season and realise how badly prepared our squad actually is.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Not denying we need to replace Ba. 100% sure that people didn’t want the replacement to play alongside Cisse.
Troy did you see my post yesterday? Fill in the gaps in our current (or recent) starting 11 had the board not belatedly stepped in, in Jan with Sissoko/Debuchy/Mbiwa/Haidera/Gouff. It makes horrifying reading 👿
@Newkie we need a defender with more attacking qualities, Simmo is the worst player we’ve ever had!! *Fast forward a couple of months* 🙄 😆
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_Euro_2012_Group_D#Sweden_vs_France
I can really find much as at work, will have a look this weekend. I think the whole HBA behind the striker (as much as I’d like it), hasn’t really happened throughout his career. Surely a reason for that?
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
Toonsy don’t be a negger lad 😀 I can see us getting something out of the game.
If we can’t get fired up for tomorrow after all the **** this week then the team has been lost.
Big Dave(Quote)
JJ-Aye, but we have recovered from thrashings albeit in much safer positions. I think tomorrow will be the crucial indictor in whether he has cracked for good or whether the result has in some way freed him to finally go for the kill..if we can at least attempt it and nick a point we should be in good stead for 3points at qpr..but arsenal will lick us on the last day i reckon
Newkie(Quote)
Solano-you’ve not been blown away by debbie? He’s a french international don’t you know? Infallible.
I know what you mean about benny in the hole- I wanted it out of hope rather than reasoning/experience. I said he’d played 3 times there before or so and was gash, but he was also returning from injury. It was purely because Ba/Cisse partnership was unsustainable with our **** midfield supply. But players can change…was worth a shot back then but doubt it’ll be tried now. Stick him on the wing from the start in 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 or whatever we play nowadays and get it over with.
Newkie(Quote)
Troy@15-Don’t suppose that was on market lane 😉
Newkie(Quote)
I don’t know why we all think we’ll get owt from QPR , if we get beat tommorow then confidence will be on the floor and Remy will steal any that’s remaining. Time to man up and go for it tommorow ,i do NOT wanna see defensive play all game .
KIMTOON(Quote)
Enjoying all your comments. West Ham are difficult opponents away but it’s not as if we’re playing Man City. A point can be had if the players keep their cool and actually pass the ball and move into good positions instead of panicking and driving it 40 yards upfield for Cisse to chase. We have a decent set of midfielders but Cisse can’t be the only target man. Ben Arfa must be used properly. Get him the ball in the attacking half with a chance to run at their defense. He can make a huge difference and start creating space for others. Gouffran can stretch them as well. If we revert to what Pardew has been having them do in the last few games we will lose. Misuse of key players has been killing us.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
We need to keep a cool head and take the pressure out of the game tomorrow. Retain the ball in the side and defend as unit.
If we go gung-ho in attack we’ll get battered.
Pardew has it all in his hands with the team selection. Cabaye mate, your time has come. You really need to show us NOW if you have the nads for all of this, and that you can take the game by the scruff of the neck, or are you just an average midfielder.
I have a sneaky feeling we’ll pick up a point tomorrow.
Munich Mag(Quote)
Spot on Munich mate. The key will be the midfield and working as a unit to get the ball to Ben Arfa and Gouffran as well as Cisse. We need players in their box more often, not just Cisse trying to poach. This should be a game we can compete for points in. Last season we would have laughed if someone said we couldn’t get a point away to the Hammers. They aren’t that good either. If we can keep Carroll and Nolan under control we should get a point. We don’t dare give them the space in the attacking half that we gave to the mackems and bindippers.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s game. I think we will see a committed display from the lads after their comments this week. We should be able to beat teams like West Ham. If Pardew gets the team right I think we will. Now there is some optimism for you 😆
My team for tomorrow…
4-4-2(Diamond):
—————Elliott—————
M’Biwa-Saylor–Collo-Perch
—————-Tiote————–
———Cabaye-Sissoko——
————–Ben Arfa———–
———Cisse—–Gouffran—
Subs: Harper, Williamson, Anita, Obertan, Jonas, Sameobi, Shola
Oblong(Quote)
We have to use the speed of Gouffran and the ball control and vision of Ben Arfa properly. I don’t care what we call the formation but we have to have possession in the attacking half with the ball at their feet more often. Cabaye and Sissoko have to focus on getting the ball to them and Sissoko has to focus more on passing than trying one man attacks with his head down. There is no way to predict what Cisse might do tomorrow. He could shoot wildly and go offside more often than not or he may score a brilliant goal but it will take a big effort from our other attacking players to give us the consistency we need. And we can’t just play decently for one half of the game.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
On a side note I see Scott Sinclair is available this summer. Would be a great singing in my opinion. He is on my wish list:
Carroll
Sinclair
Siem de Jong
Chung Young Lee
Oblong(Quote)
G2, a point which we all seem to forget is that West Ham need the points too to be absolutely safe. I still think a point is there for the taking though if we show a controlled defensive unit.
We are not as **** as the Liverpool performance, where we were toothless and got battered, but people have forgotten that we were pretty good in the first half against West Brom, and if we can recreate that type of performance over 90 minutes then we’ll bring home at least a point.
Munich Mag(Quote)
I’d be worried about using Tiote to anchor the back 4 Oblong. He has been shaky all season. In trying to avoid yellow cards he has lost his confidence and effectiveness. I’m also leery of playing Perch at fullback. I would rather risk Simpson at RB and Mbiwa at LB. Simpson has played some decent games when Debuchy was unavailable. He is poor in the attacking half but if he stays under control and just passes out to the midfield he should be fine. Ben Arfa behind Cisse and Gouffran sounds so obvious but it means we would be very narrow in attack unless Cabaye and Sissoko act like wingers in attack. I don’t think Pardew will go this way tomorrow. We need to keep a proper line at the back and stay compact. Short passes and through balls on the ground in attack. Ben Arfa must get some shots on goal.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
G2 they say you win nowt with kids,villa are doing just that even when they have been beaten you could see the 100% effort they put in the next game thats why i would give young cambell a run out, defenders hate pace but would pardew use him like that? i would start the kid just to run at there defence for the first half a switch him in second half after all he may just have no fear,we couldnt be any worse than we are now imo
icedog(Quote)
Aye Munich Big Sam will be hungry for the points and he won’t have to spend any time motivating Carroll and Nolan. If we can frustrate Carroll early on and not give up too many corners and free kicks it will neutralize Carroll and Nolan’s poaching. A big if perhaps but it will be a must to get anything out of this. Really it’s up to the players to stand up and be counted tomorrow. Play like it means something. There is nowhere to hide on the pitch. Our key players have to play well. A win would take all the pressure off and leave us with a better feeling for the summer.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Your right icedog it would be a risk to start Campbell but Cisse has been so poor in many games that it should have been tried already. It shows Pardew’s lack of confidence in the squad. How many times has he thrown Shola out there with no result? I think he has 2 league goals this season? Yet we threw away Peter and Best before replacing Ba. It makes my blood boil and I point the finger at Ashley and Llambias. Truly clueless.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
G2, I think Jarvis on the right wing is the man to watch tomorrow. He is a tricky winger who can call us all sorts of problems, with Carroll and Joe Cole looking to pick up the pieces.
**** man we have a lot of injuries. Three regular left backs injured is a tad unlucky …. we could really do with Santon’s attacking qualities, but we’ll have to do with the Jonas Shuffle tomorrow most probably.
Munich Mag(Quote)
Icedog, that would be a baptism of fire for young Campbell. I agree with you, if you’re good enough you’re young enough. Obviously the bloke in charged isn’t convinced otherwise he would be starting games by now.
Munich Mag(Quote)
G2 aye i blame the two jokers,and i would be brave t/morrow and play three up front in some way cissie,goofy,cambell but pardew would never be that brave and will set his team out to try and get a point
icedog(Quote)
Your probably right about starting Simmo instead of perch and play M’Biwa at left back. I just hope if Simpson plays that he is committed to the cause especially after been left out the squad completely recently. I also agree with the worries about Tiote. He looks a different player this ssason and i think its because he is trying not to get booked. Pardew won’t go with a team like that he will have to get Jonas in there somewhere.
I’d guess..
4-2-3-1 (that will catch them by surprise 😆 )
—————Elliott————–
Simmo-Saylor-Collo-M’Biwa
———-Tiote–Cabaye——–
Ben Arfa—-Sissoko—Jonas
—————–Cisse————-
😯 🙄 😯
Oblong(Quote)
Surely our striker options must be the weakest in the entire division thanks to the owner and his flunky. We have: Cisse, good sometimes but in reality a very poor season considering he has been the lone target man for a large number of games now; Campbell, clearly Pardew doesn’t think he’s ready yet; Shola, mostly hopeless and past it now. What was Llambias thinking. We knew Xisco and Ranger were hopeless at least 2 seasons ago and finally got rid but who was brought in to replace them? And on top of that we sold Best and released Peter. Llambias is a fool with no clue.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
That lineup @65 looks more likely from Pardew Oblong mate. Yes I can see him pushing both Tiote and Jonas into the lineup for their experience in this crucial game. Jarvis will have to be watched carefully Munich @62. He has pace and can cross the ball, which makes Carroll far more dangerous to us. From what little I’ve seen of Campbell ice @64 he looks full of desire to play and shows no fear. Therefore we probably won’t see him tomorrow with Pardew pulling the strings. I’m cocked and ready to explode if we get a poor performance and useless tactics from Pardew. 👿
GeordieTwo(Quote)
MM nice to see you being upbeat keep it up lad 😉
Geordietwo @ 66 your spot on there, though saying Pards doesn’t think young Campbell isnt right doesnt mean much as he thinks Strolla is ready 😆
Big Dave(Quote)
I would have loved to have had a decent season and be praising Pardew to the skies. For me anywhere from 7th to 10th would have been very acceptable. I felt we over-performed last season and were not going to finish in the top 6 but this? This is rank ineptitude from several key management individuals in the club. To leave us threadbare in striking options for half a season. To fail to observe where our weaknesses were last summer and strengthen the side for the large number of games to come. To spout the same nonsense about how fantastic our bench players and youngsters were over and over again. For me these are inexcusable and grounds for sacking. If we had an owner with a clue it would have been done long ago.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Aye Big Dave @68. Unbelievable from Pardew. Surely this must be Shola’s last season with us? And if so we need at least 2 incoming strikers. One to replace Ba and one for Shola. Then bring Campbell on for several appearances next season or probably a better option loan him out to someone with a clue like Poyet to develop. If this coming summer isn’t full of activity for us it will be beyond belief. Ashley needs to cut the ties to Llambias and get a football man in before it’s too late again. Surely Ashley can’t be kidding himself any longer that wor Derek is effective in his postion?
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Big D@68, I lost the worry beads down the back of the sofa mate…they’ll be back out again though tomorrow tea time if knacker Ned and his troops don’t put a full shift in. 😆
Munich Mag(Quote)
G2, that is the big worry tomorrow mate. If Cisse is off his game, we have nowt going forward. If we then concede a goal we’re we’ll cattled.
Munich Mag(Quote)
were we not flat as a pancake against fulham when young cambell came on and also set up our goalscorer and hasnt been seen since
icedog(Quote)
MM we have been **** and are in a bad position but if we have no hope what do we have ? We might aswell lie on our backs and surrender, and there is enough on here that have give up so we need to keep the faith 😉
Big Dave(Quote)
If you sit in the managing director’s position surely you have a huge white board in your office with all the positions shown and the players you have available to fill those positions. You would do the same for the reserve and academy sides. Beside each player’s name you look at current performance levels, injuries, depth, and requirements (ie. players needed). You can do the same thing on a computer and make a powerpoint presentation for the owner if you have a clue). What would such a board look like for us? How could you look at the striker depth this season and not shake in your boots? If Llambias can’t do this then how much useful information does Ashley get about the team? And how realistic have the player’s evaluations been by the club given the statements released last summer by Llambias and Pardew?
GeordieTwo(Quote)