This weekend sees our lads take on Spurs. We were originally supposed to be playing this game on Saturday the 25th but due to Spurs Europa league commitments the game has been pushed back to Sunday.
That’s a bit of a shame really because it would have been nice to catch them tired after a game on Thursday. Mind you I am basing that on how well we played when we backed up after a Europa league fixture, so maybe I might be reading a little more into it than I should be. Saying that though, Spurs have flattered to deceive a little this season, their form in the past six games has seen them take only five point from a possible eighteen compared to our massive haul of six points. So maybe I should be feeling a little more confident about things going into this game. Couple this with the fact that we won the corresponding fixture 0-1 last season and all things suddenly start looking a little brighter. This one is a hard one to call, actually all of our games are hard to call when you take into account our indifferent form. If we turn up and put in a real shift, I think we can trouble Spurs. Their recent run of form is no better than ours so they could be ripe for the picking. From what I can gather at this stage we should have everyone that started the last game fit and ready to play. Spurs will be without Fredrico Fazio due to a red card but I have no real insight to their player injuries to be honest. For me Erikson and Chadli are the players to watch out for. They have both been the stand out players thus far from the games I have seen them play in. The both play with a lot of energy and we will need to shut them down to limit their influence on the game. For us, I would like to see Sissoko and Gouffran lift their game and have more of an impact on proceedings. To be honest, I would like to see them both benched as a bit of a kick up the backside they both need. It won’t happen so let’s move on…
I am not sure whether I should even bother with formations because we really only play the one and from what I have seen of Spurs, they line up the same way. So expect to see Soldado and Cisse running aimlessly around their forward lines as they try and play in a system that doesn’t suit them.
So to summarize, I really think we can snatch a point or three from this fixture, Spurs are not playing well and they will be tired from a mid week game. All we will need to do is defend well…actually… forget the point or three call… I will be happy with the away point 🙂
How do you think we will go?
Would be well pleased with a draw but I fear Spurs will be too much for us.
Big Dave(Quote)
Spurs will win 5-0. Easy !
Danny Towner(Quote)
Thanks for the new thread Aussie
would love to see us having a go at them after their euro match yesterday, as it has to be a factor, but I’m expecting more of the same ‘containing’ ****, with a side serving of ‘hope’ that we are still in it after 70 mins.
ie much the same as it always is. 👿
HTL
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
If Krul makes another 14 saves again we might just stand a chance but I can’t see that happening unfortunately. I will go for a 4-0 win to Spurs unless Pardew goes 5 4 1 then the score might be lower. Hope I’m wrong and the players pull off a great victory.
terry(Quote)
Last seasons game was one of the most frustrating 90mins i have spent at the lane.Krul was like superman an incredible performance that i never want to see again.
Good luck for the rest of the season after Sunday.
Wyart Lane(Quote)
A great big tonking is on the way…
Stuart79(Quote)
There’s no doubt that Spurs have the better team, manager and form. But it 11 v 11 for 90mins, and if Pardew sets the team up the right way and we have a go, then we do have players who can win us the game.
I don’t expect he will like and if (as I expect he will) he repeats the Leicester team/set up then I don’t see us getting anything from the game.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Aussie – your lass won’t be happy with this deluge of comments on her article 😳
Can’t see anything other than a good tonking on sunday. There again that’s what I said last year. That win was one of the most surreal games I’ve ever seen. Unlikely to see a repeat in this lifetime.
Been looking at the Chron again. Every photo i’ve seen of chubby Charnley he’s clutching bits of paper in both hands. Any theories? Betting slips?
And Sharpy – see you’re at it again – who are those players that can win us the game? 😉
georgio(Quote)
—————————-Krul——————————-
Janmaat——–Taylor——Coloccini—-Dummett–
—————————Tioté——————————-
—————-Colback———Abeid———————
——Obertan————————————Ameobi-
————————–Ayoze/Arma———————-
Ryan Taylor should have a midfield reconversion. He got a very decent right foot, works hard, can have more impact than Anita.
Cholo A. Sall(Quote)
Ferreyra could play too
Cholo A. Sall(Quote)
If Tioté aint fit:
—————————Krul——————————–
Janmaat——Taylor——-Coloccini———Dummett
————————-Colback——————————-
——————Abeid———-Cabella——————–
——-Obertan——————————–Ameobi——-
——————–Ayoze/Arma/Chucky——————–
Cholo A. Sall(Quote)
Cholo: When Pardew wins he sticks with the same team so the only change from the Leicester starting line-up will be Tiote for Anita. Taylor will keep his place because we kept a clean sheet. Barring injuries, it will be:
Krul
Janmaat
Taylor
Coloccini
Dummett
Tiote
Colback
Sissoko
Obertan
Gouffran
Cisse
It will be one up front again-Cisse. Let’s hope we don’t leave him as isolated as usual.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And Cholo: if Cabella starts I will send Troy a 10 pound gift certificate for KFC, that’s how sure I am it will not happen.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
We all know that Pardew is going to go with hard workers for 70 minutes, which he includes Sissoko and Obertan as. His strategy will be to have them as runners to support Cisse when we break.
If we just hoof it to Cisse, then we better hope Krul plays as well as last year. Didn’t we get hammered at home by Spurs (4-0?)
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric Skyes, these are my teams incase Cissé Tioté are unavailable. We all know what he will do
Cholo A. Sall(Quote)
Cholo:
The subs will be:
Elliot
Haidara
Anita
Williamson
Cabella
Perez
Riviere
Therefore, I disagree quite a bit with you about who Pardew will choose.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sorry Cholo: I thought you were trying to guess the lineup.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Im sure he’ll try to play for Cissé or the striker playing by playing on the break. We need smarter players in the final third able to make assists. Obertan has to play, but Sissoko is a bit wasteful in his decision making, Gouffran offers **** all except hard work. But Ive got no doubt that Ayoze Sammy or Aarons would work hard if they play instead of Gouffran
Cholo A. Sall(Quote)
If he plays Cisse up front alone again we will lose, simples.
kIMTOON(Quote)
I didn’t see that Cisse might have a knee injury. Hopefully it is a minor flare up but it is not a surprise as a reaction to being out for four months with a knee injury and Pardew admitting that the NUFC doctors had said not to play him. But, fingers crossed, eh!
If Riviere isn’t fit either, then we will be playing a traffic cone as the single striker as that is what we will have practiced with all week as they have never played Sammy, Perez, Gouffran or Obertan in that role.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
happy days 🙄
kIMTOON(Quote)
Siem De Jong will be out until January, like we didn’t see that one coming 🙂 First he has a knock, then we find out he is on crutches. Last week Siem says he saw his surgeon and he should be off the crutches soon. Turned out he had a torn tendon, but they never mentioned surgery. Today, Pardew says Siem won’t be available for Christmas. Not unless he is doing panto or something as that has been about as much use as he has been to us so far.
I will be shocked if we see him before March. This has been the Chinese water torture of news – drip, drip, drip. One more bit of bad news after the other when they knew from the start this was a bad injury. AND IT HAPPENED BEFORE THE TRANSFER DEADLINE.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
after the heroics of last weeks superb display battering the highly impressive Leicester 1-0 I think we’ll be back to normal this week. a loss is on the cards.
Pardews records doesnt include many back to back wins..
mark(Quote)
Pardew Press Conference – We Haven’t Got A Clue.
Aha! It’s what I’ve been saying. He says it would be better to be out of the relegation zone. Really Alan? What gave you that brilliant idea? He says there is more pressure when you’re in the bottom 3. Staggering that you realized that as well Pards. What’s next? That we should try to win a few games possibly? I await the Pardew words of wisdom with tremendous excitement.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
There’s a rumour going around that Pardew has realized it’s not good to be in the bottom 3. Probably nothing to it. Press bollocks no doubt.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
We do have the odd back to back losses under Pards though Mark mate. What is our consecutive loss record under him? It’s 5 or 6 in a row from late last season I think. Get ready for a run like that unless we can beat QPR at home.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Percy said:- “We go to Spurs and have to be disciplined and offer a fret, it is about trying to attack the game and get a win.
“I can feel a little bit more confidence in and around the camp but we have to improve results, full stop, going forward.”
.
I am really looking forwards to Percy’s all new tactic of being disciplined (lol) and offering an attacking fret. Should be good to watch.
I’ll report back on his success or otherwise on sunday.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
1-1 and a surprise but welcome point for the toon
obertan the scorer
Munich Mag(Quote)
MM have you been down the beer tent again 😆 oba has scored his yearly goal already 😉
Big Dave(Quote)
Big D, just trying to remain positive when surrounded by neggers mate 🙂 😈 😈
It’s only a matter of time before Obertan replaces Cabaye in the French national team. At least Obertan is getting a game. What a bargain buy 🙂 Did we really get SO much money for Cabaye… I hope he took Michael Owens bench-warmer blanket with him to Paris 😆 😆 😆
Munich Mag(Quote)
Big D, to answer you’re beer garden question…no I haven’t mate 😆 😆 I’ve given up the gargle 😉
Munich Mag(Quote)
**** without footie, hate having to wait until sunday or Monday, plus all the teams around us will have played and it just cranks up the pressure. 🙁
kIMTOON(Quote)
And it’s a 1.30pm game and I will be cooking 👿
kIMTOON(Quote)
Infact we don’t get another 3pm KO until we play QPR on the 22 nov
kIMTOON(Quote)
Just watching the build up to the WHU v City game and they are talking alot about Sahko – £3.5m from Metz.
Did your scouts miss him? – which considering the fact most of them are based in pissing France would be criminal. Or did Ashley n Charnley decide that £3.5m was too much for a Ligue 2 player? – in which case they badly messed up there like.
Sharpy17(Quote)
The other thing about this game is both teams playing with 2 up front. City the traditional 4-4-2 and WH playing the diamond. City currently 2nd and WH are 4th and both playing enjoyable football to watch – yes, even Big Sams WH are playing decent football.
From Pardews point of view, it has to be worth going with 2 up top like.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I’m obviously on my own on here today 😛
But I hope our boys and Pardew are watching this WH game today. They have really impressed me to be fair. They are obviously outclassed by City, but they are working really hard when they don’t have the ball – giving City no time at all. But when they have the ball they are really having a go and break quickly. It makes a huge difference having 2 forwards, but the full backs are getting forward and Downing is getting in there as well.
There is no reason at all why we couldn’t adopt this approach with the squad we have – if Pardew was prepared to.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Going with 2 strikers is an option, but we need the best duo possible, and dont think Cissé and Riviere will work toghether. 1st because Riviere is ****, 2nd because both a n9. But I think a Sammy Cissé partership could/would work with Sammy as Target man(With pace and skills), Cissé-Cabella would work, de Jong Cissé would work, Ayoze Cissé too, Arma Cissé too. But the option of playing 433 with smarter/more creative and less wasteful players than Gouffran and Sissoko, that could work. For example Cabella as attacking CM, with Colback and Abeid(If Tioté injured) is an option. And Sammy on left flank is to consider knowing he links well with Dummett, and we can hoof it on him when needed
Cholo A. Sall(Quote)
And if Aarons is an obvious option as LW, he can do it on right wing( ala HBA when we had Ba Cissé HBA upfront) Sharpy17- The Diafra Sakho case is another proof that our scouting network is a joke and need to be changed ASAP.
Cholo A. Sall(Quote)
And one thing has to be said about West Ham, even with quality signings they made, they still have some Englishness in their team, Aaron Cresswell is better than most of our LB and is a fine LB. Downing is at a very decent level. And I read on this forum that Noble wasnt good enough for us: Really? lol. We need more balance between English players and foreigners who have to bring quality
Cholo A. Sall(Quote)
Chollo – I agree that Cisse and Riv wouldn’t be a natural partnership – but I disagree that Riv is ****. He played very well in the cup game when he had Armstrong up there with him. Those would be my partnerships – Cisse/Perez and Riv/Armaz. I think Sammy is better wide left getting the ball into the box – likewise Oba on the right. De Jong would play behind the front 2 for me in a diamond formation when he’s available.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Riv aint ****, but even at a Ligue 1 level, he’s nothing more than average. But still can get better because of his pace. Sammy Ameobi has the attributes to be a very decent second striker, in the way his brother did when played with Shearer or Ba or Carroll, but with more talent and pace. And Id like to see Sammy/Cissé playing toghether. But my favourite formation for Spurs Game at the moment would be a 433( with de Jong, Santon and Cissé injured)
————————–Krul——————————
Janmaat——Taylor——Coloccini——-Dummett
————————-Tioté——————————
—————Colback——-Abeid———————-
—–Obertan——————————-Cabella——
————————–Ameobi—————————
Cholo A. Sall(Quote)
Chollo – re the scouts mate, that’s my point. Did they pick him up, but the board decided £3.5m was too much for the lad – maybe the scouting is good but the board are too often looking for the bargain.
Re Aaron’s – I see him as our little Raheem Sterling personally. What little he has featured he looks seriously exciting and I agree, I think he will play most of his football in the left channel.
I also agree that we need more English players balancing the team out. I know Colback is not the most talented, but I do like his workrate.
I’d happy see Noble in our side, but Shelvey would be my first choice. I’d go for Aaron Lennon from Spurs as well personally. I think him on the right and Aaron’s on the left would be bags of pace and a great balance.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy mate – stop thinking at a level beyond the comprehension of Percy.
😉
For the record I totally agree with you. We don’t have the players for a 4-2-3-1, and we do for a more simple 4-4-2. with or without the diamond.
I can’t fathom Percy’s thinking most of the time, which is why I say he is out of his depth in the EPL. But he keeps trying to be clever and falling on his **** 99% of the time.
I can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
If Tioté is injured, put Abeid or Colback DM, and bring Sissoko in. And the best team we can put for me for Liverpool (with Cissé and Aarons available) next week is this:
————————–Krul—————————-
Janmaat—–Taylor——-Coloccini——Dummett
————————–Tioté—————————–
—————-Colback——-Cabella——————
—–Aarons————————————Sammy-
—————————Cissé—————————
Or Cabella instead of Sammy and Abeid with Tioté and Colback
Cholo A. Sall(Quote)
Sharpy17- I dont see Aarons as our Sterling, I see Aarons as our own Aarons and I hope/want him to be better than Sterling is.
Cholo A. Sall(Quote)
Sharpy17- On flanks we already have Obertan(hope he gets better) Sammy, Ayoze and Aarons as possible choices,even Arma can do a job there. Id get rid of Sissoko Anita Gouffran Riviere at least if I had the opportunity and try to bring Abeid and Bigi around 1st team, with the return of de Jong. Shelvey is a great talent, and we should of sign him when he left Liverpool. I see Derby’s Thorne as a good prospect too. Upfront, wont dont have to sign a pacey striker as we already have Ayoze and Armstrong, possibly Sammy. If we have one striker to go for. Id go for a Target Man
Cholo A. Sall(Quote)
Chollo – I’d certainly have Oba and Cabella wide, but I think Sammy would get no support and would get nowt against a far more physical Kaboul. I don’t think Colback or Abied would get forward enough to help Sammy either. I don’t see us scoring with that line up at all mate.
4-4-1-1 for me mate:
———————— Krul ——————–
Janmaat – Saylor – Colo – Dummy
Obertan – Tiote – Colback – Cabaz
——————— Perez ——————
——————— Cisse ——————
If Cisse is out then Rivière. I’d have no issue seeing Sammy on the left in place of Cabella either personally.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Or for Jordan Rhodes
Cholo A. Sall(Quote)
2-0 to wet spam now ffs 👿
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Sharpy- Abeid has the abiliy to go foward and be that attacking CM who can contribute in the final 3rd.
Cholo A. Sall(Quote)
Sharpy- And Cabella would be more useful behind Cissé, he can swap time to times with Ayoze P.
Cholo A. Sall(Quote)
Teams like West ham, Villa, Hull, Palace etc. spend entire games chasing shadows, Stealing goals from the odd effort on target and cling on by their finger nails.
We cant continue to have so much of the ball and create as many decent chances without results turning in our favour eventually
CC(Quote)
But for me Abeid Colback Tioté toghether can allow us to win the midfield battle in the physical aspect, and if Abeid can support upfront, we can go fast on the break
Cholo A. Sall(Quote)
Chollo – neither Perez or Armaz are wide men mate, and I’m sick of see us playing players out of position.
Obertan is our best option at the moment, but I’m not convinced he is all of a sudden going to become a first team regular – he only has to have 2 below average games and Pardew will give him the hook again I reckon. I think Lennon would work in a 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1.
Boots – Pardew tries to be too clever with what he does (or he thinks he is). When we’ve been as poor as we have this season, it’s a case of going back to basics – 4-4-2 with square pegs in square holes. Gouffran and Sissoko look uncomfortable in their positions and none of the forwards we have are alone strikers, so are being asked to perform a role not natural to them. We have Cisse, Rivière, Perez, Armstrong and Gouffran (who I see as a 2nd striker – not a wide man) – 5 forwards who all suit a partnership, and we keep isolating them.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy- Perez played LW at Tenerife, he got pace, and get get past his opponent, Arma is a striker, but his talent and pace,can allow him to play Left Winger and cuts inside, for me that’s not playing out of position. And these are young gunz, I have absolutely no doubts that in other to play, they would be willing to play on flanks. Its like when people said Sissoko played out of position when he was of the wing, thats lazy and at the end of day, he plays better there. Who said Barton played out of position when he played Right Midfielder? The “Out of position” thing is completly overhyped. Obertan is not our best option, but he deserves to get a fair chance. My first option as RW is Aarons, and dont need Lennon for me.
Cholo A. Sall(Quote)
If we want a winger, got resign Marcus Maddison, who played for Gateshead and now is making it at Peterborough.
Cholo A. Sall(Quote)
Chollo – see I think Cabella is more creative and Perez is a finisher, so I’d have Cabs wide and Perez thru the middle.
I like Abied and would certainly be in ahead of Anita for me. I haven’t seen enough of him getting forward to say mate, but he had a good game against Palace in the cup (despite the sending off). I like a team with wide players though mate. It gives more options IMO and the likes of Cisse look more dangerous with balls coming in from wide rather than thru the middle – as he just gets caught offside way too often.
Sharpy17(Quote)
If we want a midfield, go sign Geordie’s Rotheram BEN PRINGLE, one of the finest left foot ive seen in English Football, out of contract this season, and who showed that League One aint enough for him, and now who is becoming a quality player in the championship.
Cholo A. Sall(Quote)
Perez is a complete deal, he got the talent to score, to dribble, to get past his full back on permanent basis, so ok he is a striker, but Ive seen worse than a guy like him playing in a 3 man attack on left wing, and Cissé proved that he could score in 433, because he had great chemistry with Cabaye HBA Ba, was full of confidence and actually got service from other players. So 433 or 442, the deal remain the same, we need players looking for the assist around Cissé
Cholo A. Sall(Quote)
Chollo – totally disagree buddy. Aguero has pace and talent – would you play him on the left?. I’m all for having versitile players, but they should be played in their preferred position primarily IMO.
Aaron’s is a left footed player – why play him right?. Aaron’s left and Lennon right would give great balance. I have no problem with them switching during game time if it offers greater threat, but set them up to create chances for our forwards first mate.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy- Aguero is far more a natural striker than Ayoze, and I repeat, Ayoze played LWinger at Tenerife, so its not as he cant do it. Aarons is a left footed player? HBA too and he did well he was on right wing of a 3man attacking playing in 433 so for me that’s not an argument. At the end of the day, there is a collective effort to do, and an individual one. I’ll keep Ayoze as impact sub and put Cabella on the left. But for me a 3 man attack with Aarons Cissé and Cabella or Sammy has everything to work
Cholo A. Sall(Quote)
Messi is left footed right? He started on the right side of a 3 man attack at Barcelona, that allowed him to cuts inside and be more of a threat. And I believe Aarons can play on both wings, he’s not a limited as that. And Ayoze can play as striker, as second striker, as left winger too.
Cholo A. Sall(Quote)
HBA starting for Mrs. Doubfire at Anfield…
Fans Should Own The Club(Quote)
Can’t believe the position Wet Spam are in 😯
kIMTOON(Quote)
Chollo – I would set it up a different way mate, but that’s not me saying you’re wrong or that I don’t think your way wouldn’t work. What it does suggest though is that Pardew does have a number of options within this squad – he just has to be brave enough to try them. I’d be happy to see him try 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 rather than his currently set up tho.
Kim – I watched the whole WH game today and they were honestly worthy winners today. They worked really hard for each other and Song, Valencia and Sahko were excellent – Cresswell as well actually.
If Big Sam can change his ways then there is hope for Pardew yet .. isn’t there?!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Just put bbc1 on to see Russell Brand hijack the last bit of Fat Sam’s interview.
kIMTOON(Quote)
Sharpy I didn’t watch it as was really busy earlier, the soccer Saturday boys said they were hanging on at the end but played well. Who would think Fat Sam could get them playing that well, then again he’s nothing if not organised . Hammers fans all wanted him gone last season, wonder if they still do, they said he didn’t play the West Ham way what ever that is. 😉
kIMTOON(Quote)
Scum 2.0 down now
kIMTOON(Quote)
would be really helpful if we could get a win tomorrow 10 points would put us 15th or higher I think.
kIMTOON(Quote)
Kim – WH played some ugly football last season and the fans had every right to be unhappy.
I think their turn around should be inspiration to Pardew and board. WH actually spent £15m on both Valencia and Sahko – not bank breaking money, but a clear sign that they were ready to back Sam. They brought in other good players too, but perhaps the best addition has been Teddy Sheringham to the coaching staff. They seem to have totally changed their mentally and they are reaping the benefits now.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy ,aye it’s amazing what a bit of vision and forward planning can achieve.
kIMTOON(Quote)
Lets not forget the same vision and forward planning was in place when West Ham signed Boriello, Carew, Diarra, Roger Johnson, Maiga, Rat, Petric, Armero, Nocerino, Chamak, Wellington paulista, Pogatetz, Joe Cole, and McCartney since they were promoted.
Harsh thing to level at NUFC considering the ammount of time Carr spent scouting a lot of the players we have signed, Pre contracts we have agreed and young lads we signed in advance. Most of the problems come after the players have been signed not in the actual planning to get them here…
CC(Quote)
CC – If you’re happy with the boards level of backing and what Pardew is doing with the squad of players he has, then that’s for you mate.
By listing the players you have just proves my point tho. WH last season were a side on the decline. Their owners said in the summer that it wasn’t good enough and changes had to be made. They were prepared for those changes to be made with SA remaining as manager – and they have made them.
Ashley similarly stood by his manager – however he did not fully back him in the window and the results are there to see.
Sharpy17(Quote)
“This is the strongest squad I’ve ever had”
When the manager comes out with a statement like that, surely it sends out the wrong message to the owner/board.
The board (knowing nowt about football) probably accepted this statement as gospel, so why should they fork out for a striker and centre half ?
A case of motor mouth yet again from the clueless one. 👿
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)