Even after relegation I had an urge to look forward to what awaited us in the Championship, but right now I can’t even bear thinking about next term.
Many things need to change, whether it be in terms of managerial personnel, playing staff, or the way they work together and the form they collectively create. Whatever ‘it’ is ‘it’ needs to change or else we’re just going to waste next season as well. Bowing out with a whimper after recent home troubles against Champions League qualifying Arsenal hasn’t helped matters much either.
Don’t get me wrong, there isn’t exactly much shame in that these days and Arsenal away from home aren’t the softies they used to be. There is a reason why they have the best away defensive record in the league, but the truth is that particular record was rarely under threat aside from a few half-chances sporadically placed throughout the match.
I don’t even think we played that badly and even thought that Laurent Koscielny’s 52nd minute winner was a tad fortunate on a number of levels, but it was our lack of intent that annoyed me the most. Granted we had literally nothing to play for as any relegation concerns had been allayed by ourselves last weekend, but after two home defeats on the spin I’d have liked us to avoid a third one, as obvious as that seems.
Alas it wasn’t to be and now we’ll undoubtedly be confronted with a summer rife with rumours of one form or another. What fun that will be.
I’m trying to think of positives from this season and I’m struggling. At a push we finished above Sunderland and the second coming of Jesus, or Paulo Di Canio as he is perhaps more commonly known, but that is a minor consolation considering that same team beat us 3-0 on our own pitch just a few weeks ago. The Chelsea game perhaps? Reaching the Europa League Quarter Final?
I’m sorry that this isn’t much a match review, but there wasn’t an awful lot to write about really so I’ve gone on a rant about our season instead. For that I do apologise and I hope I don’t end up doing the same next season!
Howay the lads!
Newcastle: Steve Harper; Mathieu Debuchy, Fabricio Coloccini, Steven Taylor, Mapou Yanga-M’Biwa; Yohan Cabaye, Cheik Tiote; Jonas Gutierrez, Hatem Ben Arfa, Yoan Gouffran; Papiss Cisse
Subs: Jak Alnwick, Danny Simpson, James Perch, Vurnon Anita, Gabriel Obertan, Sylvain Marveaux, Adam Campbell
Arsenal: Wojciech Szczesny, Bacary Sagna, Per Mertesacker, Laurent Koscielny, Kieran Gibbs, Tomas Rosicky, Mikel Arteta, Aaron Ramsey, Theo Walcott, Santi Cazorla, Lukas Podolski
Subs: Lukasz Fabianski, Thomas Vermaelen, Monreal, Gervinho, Jack Wilshere, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Olivier Giroud
Attendance: 52,354
Newkie – 🙂 Mourinho’s Inter also played very direct.
Currently – and somewhat surprisingly – the EPL is dominated by possession-based teams. We could try to beat them at their own game, but a club doesn’t become Barcelona, or even Swansea, overnight. Even going CIty’s route takes time. What would results be like in the meantime, as the (generously) 10th-best possession team in the league? I think we’d be fighting relegation for at least the next three seasons going down that route.
Pardew’s counter-attacking system is the right kind of answer to this environment. However, it needs work, both in the short- and long-term. He’s admitted that last season was the result of very carefully preparing each match, and this is a good partial explanation of this season’s difficulties. (And that’s not an excuse. It really is a problem to have a manager who can’t deal with European football.) I think there’s reason to expect a decent to good season next term just because Pardew will have more time to prepare for matches.
With that said, I’m hoping that there will be some changes in the backroom staff. AP should take the time to bed in a good opposition scout to streamline his match preparation, and he needs a good set piece coach. These acquisitions are more important than new players.
Wellington(Quote)
Stardust, I don’t think there’s a mismatch, with the possible exception of Ben Arfa.
Wellington(Quote)
Stardust @ 223
Would make a great article… why don’t you pen one!
JJ(Quote)
Wellington,
How isnt there a mismatch? We are purchasing players who like to play football not hoofball. Cisse couldnt suit us any less and is getting slaughtered because he cant be something hes not. I feel sorry for him. We have sold carroll,nolan,barton and simpson is about to go. These players all suit the hoofball tactic. Mbiwa/Sissoko/Gouffran/HBA/Santon/Debuchy do not
buddy(Quote)
Against West Ham I could clearly hear Pardz yelling at the lads to push forward and attack. Even with him giving them stick, the players still looked timid. Look, I reckon Pardz needs to go but the players are at fault to a large extent for not pushing forward hard enough..
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Wellington-true, but theres a big difference between Mourinho’s inter and the way Chelski won the CL imo. Mourinho had a set up where one or two passes after regaining possession would result in a good ground based counter attack usually with 3v3 players. Chelsea were just horrific to watch in that euro campaign, but it was fair punishment for Barca and Bayern missing their penalties I suppose.
I know what you mean about possession as well..I see us being like Everton, except last year we were more successful and this nowhere near. But, in Pardew’s mind, solid defensively, reliant on a full back as an outlet when in possession, rarely putting teams to the sword but capable of the grind and capable of class when on form. That’s an ok blueprint. But I do agree with Stardust, I am confused as to the types of players pards has bought/sold if this is the style he wants..
Newkie(Quote)
STARDUST ive said before we have signed some canny players imo jabba has done half a job with carr he made the right move imo but to pass them on to pardew,but needs to get a manager in who can blend them in the right way its a waste of time with pardew imo,thing is jabba will not spend on a top manager,so ime with dave on this front do we want smoking joe,or another daglish or that dumb dutch world beater ect ect
icedog(Quote)
Buddy,
I’d say Cisse, Santon, Marvauex, Ben Arfa and Anita are the most obvious who don’t suit a direct game.
All of them should be sold if Pardew wishes to play his current direct tactics because they would be wasting their talents here.
JJ(Quote)
B+B i’m no saint ?please explain when was the last time I spoke down to people and treated them like **** ?
As for Djeb I don’t really care if you dont think he was over the top, I asked him to calm down with the foul and abusive stuff and I don’t need your aproval .
Big Dave(Quote)
Big Dave, you were a bit short with me the other day… just saying.
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
I bet if Pards could sell that lot and get Carroll, Enrique, Jarvis, Nolan and Scott Parker, he wouldn’t hesitate.
They would suit his tactics down to the ground.
JJ(Quote)
AMF-It’s confidence mate, the lads didn’t want another mauling. Pardew should have done more to inspire the lads, but I am in no doubt a lot of the lack of attacking display is because the lads lacked confidence in themselves…Perhaps after the toon’s SAfrica trip (and JJ’s assasination attempt on Pards) we can go pick up some French motivational speakers…
Newkie(Quote)
AMF dave is short with everyone hes only 4ft 2in 😆 😆
icedog(Quote)
@Georgio
Please enlighten me to all those other end of seasons where you felt optimistic.
Where are these nostalgic rose tinted glasses people have and were can I get some?!
On HBA, he wasn’t particularly good yesterday, but only because we expect a lot from him. His teamwork isn’t great, it’s the one thing lacking from his game and tbh if he knew when to release the ball he would be world class. He is still incredibly exciting to watch and our technically most gifted player.
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
Newkie 🙂 🙂 🙂
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
The best bit of advice that Carr could give Ashley is to get rid of AP if he wants to stop his investment in good players being wasted
buddy(Quote)
Buddy, I don’t agree that it’s hoofball. If this means anything other than, “I don’t like it,” it means Route 1 passes that cut out the midfield. We just don’t play that way. Direct, for sure, but the long passes come primarily from Cabaye, then Tiote and Coloccini.
There is a problem with going long from the ‘keeper, but it’s not the plan – it’s the result of defenders who are uncomfortable on the ball. We got to see how things are meant to work at the back yesterday, with Harper mainly distributing short to the defenders and the ball being worked forward to give Cabaye space.
Going over the players you’ve mentioned, the first three could be used in literal hoofball teams. For the others:
HBA, for me, needs to play in a team which is prepared to use him as a trequartista, and there are very few of those at a top level. If PSG want to try it, more power to them. There are real issues with trying to fit him into a counter-attacking system, because he just doesn’t defend.
Santon and Debuchy are excellent fits for Pardew’s tactics. We’ve seen him use these players in a couple of different tactical roles, sometimes as Alves-esque “deep-lying wingers”, sometimes just as attacking fullbacks, and sometimes in more disciplined roles. I don’t understand how they made your list.
Wellington(Quote)
Classic Pards line up:
______________________Krul_________________________
Debuchy_______Taylor_____________Colo_________Enrique
_________________Cabaye____Parker__________________
Raylor________________Nolan____________________Jarvis
_____________________Carroll________________________
That would be Pardew’s dream team. I’m telling you!
JJ(Quote)
That nufc.co.uk is a huge sign that Colo is staying!
Where are those that questioned his character hiding now..?! Toon legend. Whenever he goes, he can go with his head held high.
Would he be more inclined to leave if Jonas wasn’t here though…
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
Ice:-) 🙂 I guess he is the opposite of little john then. 🙂
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
It is interesting though, to see the split in fans views on our manager/players and the scums manager/players after both had very disappointing seasons and both were probably happy with their squads in the summer.
Newkie(Quote)
What’s a trequartista?
Is that some kind of Spanish food item?
JJ(Quote)
Aussie @245
Maybe it’s just a college nickname from the showers after a footy game… 😯
JJ(Quote)
W,
Regarding the two full backs you are giving AP far too much credit for their deployment. I think its more a case of them/the team playing well in certain games and not in others. To be honest I even thought yesterday that we hoofed it far too much from Harper, albeit he is better than Krul. I included Santon & Deubchy because they are technically gifted, and not suited to a stifling brand of footie. You say that we have used Debuchy in an attacking role, I would disagree. He makes a couple of runs every game but nowhere near the extent he does when Ive seen him elswhere. Playin with 3 DM every game means we play so deep that its very difficult to the fullbacks to effectively attack. Its all well and good have Cabaye spray diagonal balls for players to run on to but the issue remains that we only ever have Cisse that advanced so its aimless and pointless and merely results in turning over possession
buddy(Quote)
The main change Pardz will need to make is with our wide men. We have no one that can meet or make a cross so we need our wide men to cut/dribble further inside and play short defence splitting passes. Or we get carroll back and we keep swinging wild and wolly crosses…
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Newkie – yeah, Mourniho definitely makes the system easier on the eyes and more effective. (There’s my trademark penetrating tactical analysis at work. 😉 )
JJ – Anita was signed as an understudy to Cabaye. His versatility means that he can fill other roles as well. Despite what gets said around here, Pardew is very tactically flexible and loves versatile players who allow him to shift his system without substitutions. I can’t see why the lad would be upset at his first season in England – young players from the Netherlands rarely adapt so well, and Pardew deserves credit for helping him to settle.
Marveaux is marginal. I think he’s a better fit than HBA just because he’s more disciplined. If we have pace elsewhere in the attacking band (Gouffran or Sissoko), I think Marv can be accomodated. He’s also good for Plan B type situations where we need to break down an opponent that has a lead.
Don’t see the tactical problem with Cisse, myself. Pardew’s plan appears to be to get the ball forward quickly to another player and have Cisse making runs off the ball. We aren’t making that work, but it’s not a bad idea.
Wellington(Quote)
Solano-Yep, and you could see the difference he made to the confidence in the squad. Cabaye is just not leadership material imo. Which leaves us very thin on the ground on that front…
Newkie(Quote)
Wellington?????????
Gouffran playing a deep left midfielder almost Left Back? HBA the same – Cisse played as a lone striker? Sissoko as a number 10?
You serious fella?
JJ – maybe I will fella – I truly believe there’s an imbalance, everyone is doing their job well – Ashley, Charnley, Carr, Llambias – just Pooey is showing his inadequacies on a daily basis. He isn’t up to working with this level of player, so he is coaching them down to his level. Unforgivable!
Whats equally unforgivable is Carver and Stone seem to be training the players to be as fat and unfit as them.
Word spreads quickly – and the advice of the French contingent will be “Non” to other players if this continues.
Pooey has to go for me – his position is untenable.
Stardust(Quote)
I am not particularly clued up on tactics so I am reluctant to say much regarding Pardew in this direction. It is Pardew’s judgment on players that concerns me most eg “we missed the punch of Shola and Sissoko. I know Cisse has his critics (not me) and they are entitled to their opinion but surely there can’t be many who rate Shola above Cisse. How many goals has Shola Scored this year? I honestly believe Pardew might be a nice guy but he is an idiot.
Groucho(Quote)
How many goals do you reckon we would have scored if we had a lampard type mid that made late runs into the box?? We swing in a shed load of crosses but we have no one following them up with a late run.. it is normally a 3 vs 1 stuation in favour of the defenders when we get the ball into box. Just something I have noticed this season..
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Can’t shake the feeling this season was some sort of pre ordained karma to hit back at all levels of NUFC-most notably the owner/llambias who continued to swan about with “i told you so’s” to the fans during the summer. Pards left out the condescending talk until he was well into the season, but he was puffed up with talk of england. The players were full of themselves and perhaps only four or five got themselves going at the start of the season, with none going the distance.
And yes, humble pie for the fans, who thought we’d cracked it with signings and laughed heartily at liverpool, thought we’d banished the relegation scrap for good.
Oh, and of course most obvious/shockingly, how we all laughed when Barton wanted to go to a side who would qualify for the champions league…and where is he now? Things really couldn’t have gone worse for us.
Oh, but still above the mackems 🙂
Newkie(Quote)
Buddy,
Look, if your attitude on Pardew is that he is to blame for all bad positioning and good positioning happens in spite of him, you’re not evaluating him objectively. Managers have strengths as well as weaknesses. 🙂
Take a look at our average positioning at http://espnfc.com/uk/en/gamecast/345595/gamecast.html?soccernet=true&cc=5739. Debuchy and Santon are pushing up as far as Gouffran, while Marveaux and Sissoko create overloads in the centre. It didn’t happen by accident, and Wigan would have lost to it if the referee wasn’t blind. 🙄
Regarding the 3 “defensive” midfielders, this is conterfeit analysis. Cabaye simply isn’t a defensive player. Jonas normally gets used to make up for a very attacking player being used on the other wing – if HBA knew how to defend, we could have a more balanced approach. Regardless, the fullbacks do get forward – and yesterday, it was Jonas who more effectively combined on his side to make the opportunities for that to happen. Funny how these things work out. 😉
Wellington(Quote)
Stardy@222, aye you’re right mate, Goofy and Sissoko started like a house on fire. Way out of order if you ask me.
Munich Mag(Quote)
Stardust,
It may come as a shock to you, but not everyone shares your opinion. 😉 I don’t agree with your description of the roles – except Sissoko as number 10, which was a very astute use of the player.
Groucho,
Shola’s aerial threat is real. He’s not as good as Cisse, but he does different things.
Wellington(Quote)
Aussie-Aye. Problem is I think Sissoko is meant to be that guy, but he is usually standing stationary into the box by the time gets to him. He is poor in the air despite his size. We need to get the ball in quicker so he can speed onto it. Sort that out by taking jonas out the side because every attack dies at his feet and a million argentinian forwards cry out in anguish.
Newkie(Quote)
Wellington@251-You need to play a bit more football manager and then argue with either me or JJ to learn anything about tactics 😉
Newkie(Quote)
Welly@259, I disagree regarding Shola’s aerial threat.
The big bumbling brute WAS an aerial threat, maybe as long ago as last season, but this season the lad has been really poor. It could be down to the fact that the lad isn’t getting any game time at all, I reckon the time has come to put him out to pasture. Thanks for the efforts mate, on your way. Pardew bigging him up and saying we have missed him is plain and simply just ridiculous.
Munich Mag(Quote)
Shola’s aerial threat is real. He’s not as good as Cisse, but he does different things. 😯 🙄
thats like saying Titus Bumhole is reliable and doesnt switch off 😆
since when has his aerial threat been real. yeah ha can jump, about 2″s off the ground but doesnt win balls consistently for such a big stocky lad he should be winning 80% of balls. he doesnt! coz he’s turd.
mark(Quote)
Newkie 🙂 santons pass to sissoko that lead to our winning goal against chelsea is a good example of what we have been missing. Yep everyone loves a tryer and Jonas is very trying… he should be an impact sub now days..
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Aussie,
We’d be a lot more dangerous and Cisse would be more effective too but there aren’t many Lampard types about unfortunately.
Sissoko unfortunately isn’t that guy. But he’s as close as we’ve got.
JJ(Quote)
“Pardew is very tactically flexible and loves versatile players who allow him to shift his system without substitutions. ”
welly, have you been sniffing glue m8.? what a load of poppycock
mark(Quote)
Wellington It is your tactical analysis that makes me glad to admit I am not strong on tactics. Quite frankly although there are some very intelligent footballers around there are a lot who, although good footballers, are not all that bright. I doubt that many can take on involved tactics especially during the heat of a game. What ever happened to the simple game. I noticed yesterday that Arsenal frequently had six players in and around our box. They played with a fluidity that appeared to make shape irrelevant and this you can do if players work hard on and off the ball and ,of course, are fit.
Groucho(Quote)
The thing with Sissoko is he gets into great positions, and he has the drive and running ablity of Lampard. But he doesn’t have the final product.
That’s quite and important bit to have. But I still think we miss him when he isn’t there.
I think Lallana would be a cracking buy in this regard.
JJ(Quote)
BEST COMMENT I’VE READ TODAY::
JJ – maybe I will fella – I truly believe there’s an imbalance, everyone is doing their job well – Ashley, Charnley, Carr, Llambias – just Pooey is showing his inadequacies on a daily basis. He isn’t up to working with this level of player, so he is coaching them down to his level. Unforgivable!
BIGPAPA(Quote)
Mark @266
He does, sometimes when he feels things aren’t going well and we need a goal, he changes from a defensive system with three deep midfielders to a defensive system with five deep midfielders.
JJ(Quote)
JJ, there are lots of players that time their runs into the box well.. I think sissoko could do this well but its hard when you are 50m away when a cross comes in..
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
@jj 😆
mark(Quote)
Bigpapa 269
When it starts with “JJ” its always going to be a highlight mate. 😆
JJ(Quote)
Aussie-exactly. Ideally he’d be around and in space when Marv/Benny beat a man but find themselves with no options. Then cabs can be a bit further back to dictate the play in the opposition half, have a long shot if its on, or haul down the opposition if they counter.
Jonas can be used as a utility sub, and we can keep him for cup games so he can get his spiderman mask out and be a funny ****er.
Just don’t put him in the first 11 ffs!
Newkie(Quote)
Munich – I think I’m on the record as saying Shola ought to be replaced. But Pardew is right to say we missed that type of player.
Mark – he’s picked up 4 goals and 5 assists in 1456 minutes of football this season. Ben Arfa has gotten 4 and 4 in almost 1588. I don’t have an opinion on that, but I find it interesting.
Wellington(Quote)
Absolutely nailed it there Stardust. It has been his downfall in the past, see Tevez’s comments for proof!
Got some fantastic players’ and has asked them to play like we’re Norwich or Stoke.
We need someone with more ambition and imagination to attack teams
BIGPAPA(Quote)
dave @234 agree mate ,and that aussie needs putting in his place 😆
batty(Quote)
only joking aussie 😉
batty(Quote)
Mark,
Clearly you think that someone would have to be brain-damaged to disagree with you on Pardew’s flexibility. May I ask why you’re so confident about this?
Wellington(Quote)
My god did he really think Shola would of been our savior yesterday if he’d been fit 🙄 😳
Aussie@230 I think the lack of players getting forward late on is due to a combination of fear and poor fitness tbh .How many of them went down with cramp before 70mins let alone 90+ ,I think I counted 3 of them . It seems awfull early on to be getting like that ,but maybe that’s nowt to do with fitness ,I’m no expert like.
JJ@243 , Exactly ,spot on 😆
JJ@247 yes food, I think it means toad in the hole …wait, 😕
or is it player in the hole 🙄 😉
Stardy@253, That is my worry too ,that they won’t recommend us because of bullshit man.
KIMTOON(Quote)
**** off Batty 🙂
Don’t ban me Dave, I was kind of half joking 🙂 🙂 🙂
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
3 goals in Europe and one against QPR. not bads as a forward. how many headers?
mark(Quote)
Mark:
His assists against Everton and WBA were both headers. There might be some others in there, because transfermarkt doesn’t count shots that get “tidied up” as assists.
Wellington(Quote)
Mark@282-Shola would have had plenty more, if Pardew hadn’t destroyed his confidence by playing him on the wing, imo 😉
Newkie(Quote)
aussie 😆
batty(Quote)
Newkie @ 284 – 😆
Wellington(Quote)
Welly@275, that is not actually what you said mate. 🙄
This is what you said in fact mate, I’ll keep you right 😉 ……..Shola’s aerial threat is real. He’s not as good as Cisse, but he does different things.
Pardew said he missed Shola, not “that kind of player”. He said he missed Shola. We don’t have “that kind of player” in the squad.
Shola has NO aerial threat. Shola, Mike Williamson and Cisse actually get shorter when they jump. They are all very poor headers of the ball when in an attacking situation..
Munich Mag(Quote)
did any 1 see carrols interveiw last night ?
batty(Quote)
Munich @ 287 – 🙂 I’m verbose enough without getting my whole opinion on a player into every post. Believe me, I have called for Ameobi to be replaced. (If you want to be a pedantic **** about it, I will get out google and find it for you.)
As for what Pardew said, I think that, “It was a shame we didn’t have a bit more punch from the bench in terms of a Shola or a Sissoko” implies wanting that type of player, not that definite player (because he said “a” Shola). I can understand if you disagree because it is ambiguous.
But if Shola has no aerial threat at all, then how did his headers create assists against Everton and WBA? What happened? Did the ball teleport? 😯 Why aren’t we teleporting it more often?!? 😯
Wellington(Quote)
BATTY all i saw was when asked if he would be at w/ham next yr he just said he does not want to comment
icedog(Quote)
I watched the Game on TV after a very long time and found most of the peoples comments about tiote, MYM, Cabaye and etc a bit of judgement.
What I see as most people can see… when capt.Colo plays our defence looks decent and I would keep him at any cost until we find a leader as him to replace him…(this will be the biggest concern for AP).
Next we need a striker/no10 midfielder to get more goals. but before we go on about bringing players in summer as all of you are rit on which position we need strengthening.
Let me talk about our players we have and where they suit the most.
Anita- player with defence splitting passes long passes on the ground and some decent long hoof pass. i would play him where Cabaye plays next to Tiote.
Cabaye- Play him in front of Tiote / Anita as he gives away silly fouls near our box.
————————————-TK——————————————-
MD——————YM———————-C.Colo……………….DS—–
—————————-Anita——–Sisso———————————-
—–HBH————————Cabaye————————Marv——–
———————————-Cisse/AC————————————-
The above team is to attack at home against bottom half teams. This team will score goals.
Play 442 against a tougher team at home replacing Anita for striker.at home
Play 4132 with Tiote away from home bottom half team taking Marvo off.
Play 4321 away from home agains top half team.
————————-TK——————————-
MD——-YMY————–CColo———–DS—-
—–Sisso——–Tiote——–Anita——————
————-HBH———Cabye———————
——————-AC/Cise—————————
Now we will destroy any team with a week middle of the park and should only have trouble with really strong wingers ….. howz it!
Max-T-Million(Quote)
so for me if we cant get results with this team with few more additions then we have coaching/managerial problem so am with” JJ ”
Max-T-Million(Quote)
Munich-you don’t miss Shola? ❓ 😥
Look, I like bambi but he is done. He does offer something else though-he does have punch because everyone is going on about how many fouls he gives away! Some of them have been harsh though, I think the ref gets his whistle out because Cisse has been nice if dogged in his pursuit of defenders, whereas Shola flies into them like a brick donkey 😉
Newkie(Quote)
Newkie – ” like a brick donkey” 😆
True enough. 44 fouls, fouled 27 times in 1456 minutes, Shola definitely mixes it up. (Cisse has made 70 fouls and been fouled 27 times in 3745.)
Wellington(Quote)
Wellington, it will be good to have you around, you can keep backing up anything I say with stats (or just don’t say anything if they go against what I say) 😛
Not that stats prove anything, as everyone is quick to point out as soon as they find some they don’t agree with
Newkie(Quote)
Max T Million, gotta disagree with your selection.
WE need a new winger and to put Benny at No.10, home and away. If we are at home Cabaye should play with Sissoko CM. We need an Ashley Young/Aaron Lennon in my eyes, not a world beater but an all rounder who can cross/pass/score that works hard.
Ben Arfa has too many players trying to stop him each game now. If we had someone to play there that was good and put Benny in the middle.
Its ok getting all Football Manager(y) about our team but we need to sort the manager situation out first and foremost.
If we had a different style, people like Cisse could be so much better, but under Pardew I feel we need that Carroll type forward to play to his horrible tactics of dozens of aimless crosses.
BIGPAPA(Quote)
Welly@289, now now, you don’t have to get all impolite just because you said something wrong then tried to backtrack… 😳
I like you’re style though. 😉
Munich Mag(Quote)
Big Dave,
Are you Toonsy’s Blog Polis/Henchman ❓
😆 😆 😆
TonyGreenSupreme(Quote)
@TGS
You bought your brolly yet? 😉
Dave’s always kept an orderly house ever since I’ve been on the blog. I’ve been hoyed out a few times when the Landlord served alco pops and I used to get steamed but I’m only on the Stella now and I’m following the rules. 😆
I’ve just bought my Toon top and got Pards on my back. Fancy one? 😉
Troy Stavers(Quote)
When posting all these great tactics and line ups they tend to be on the basis that everybody is fit and the manager has a full squad to choose from. That doesn’t happen very often here at NUFC
Premandup(Quote)