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?
Boots – he also said in the final week of the window that Charnley was still working on getting a CF in mate (nowt about a CB like).
But actually, Pardew is right. It probably is one of the best squads he’s ever worked with – capable of alot more than he’s getting from it at the moment. But it is still short of probably 3 players – a CB, a CF and a wide man IMO.
Sharpy17(Quote)
aye Sharpy and that’s all he had to say. 😕
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Latest Pardew comments:
“I’m going in with a whole new approach. A whole new mindset. We’ll be setting up not to lose by more than 3. I feel that gives the players the right attitude. And if we score it’s an extra bonus for us. A sort of treat away from home. And I know it would please the travelling supporters no end.” 😯
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Yes, Pardew is a brilliant manager all right. He has figured out that it’s not good being in the bottom 3 and there is more pressure when you are in the bottom 3. He probably still thinks we have a strong squad. Yes Alan, so it the squad is strong why are we in the bottom 3? Could it have something to do with the quality of our management possibly? And if not then surely we don’t actually have a strong squad? Which is it going to be Alan?
GeordieTwo(Quote)
I love arguing about how we’re actually a tremendous team who just happen, by some mysterious circumstances to be in 18th place. Because that’s what Pardew would have us believe. He is an idiot, going nowhere, towing us along for the ride. The team is poor. It deserves to be in 18th place and he is a sad sack manager.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Fat Sam does not change his way of play, but, he has the right players to d it at the moment, that why it worked!
Cholo A. Sall(Quote)
“Ashley similarly stood by his manager – however he did not fully back him in the window and the results are there to see.”
He wasnt backed enough to get us into europe but to be 3rd bottom ?? We finished 10th last season and spent £40m, we should be higher considering the standard of the league.
P.S If he is shorthanded why on earth did he shoehorn Yanga Mbiwa, Ben Arfa and Marveux out and name Jonas in the squad and not Ferguson…
CC(Quote)
CC – I’ve said all along that this squad is capable of more than what we’ve seen so far. But read your comment back – why didn’t the board back him enough to be competing for those Euro spots?.
He got rid of those players coz his incapable of managing them – simple as that.
Sharpy17(Quote)
CC, It’s less about numbers and more about quality imo, I don’t consider our defence as quality and yes I know they signed Lassie from Forest but it doesn’t help us now and nor does letting Mbiwa go either without cover coming in . That is what I mean about forward planning and the what if situations that inevitably arise. Same with De Jong, clearly Pards wanted to build around him, he said as much, but what now he is long term injured?.
kIMTOON(Quote)
CC We didn’t spend 40 million, Mike Ashley propaganda.
Debuchy 12 million, Cabaye 20 million, Forster 3 million and whatever he saved on wages over the summer. I am not impressed with LDJ, Riviere, Carbella!!
Terry(Quote)
CC, I also think Big Sam has a much bigger say in who they sign too. The board wanted more entertaining football this year so provided him with what he asked for.
http://talksport.com/football/allardyce-credits-summer-signings-taking-west-ham-another-level-141025120822
kIMTOON(Quote)
Cholo A.Sall, The Hammers are far more attacking this season than last imo.
kIMTOON(Quote)
Kim I fear Siem will be another sick note. Maybe play 15 minutes and get injured again. I would have Shola over Riviere. I forgotten that loan players name so he must be ****. Carbella waste of money, headless chicken running around. The only one I rate is Perez and Colback so far.
Terry(Quote)
Colback was free and a sensible choice. Perez cost next to nothing. I really envy Southampton right now. They haven’t been in the league as long as us and they play some good football.
Terry(Quote)
Terry, yeah Colo’s mate Chucky, apparently not been impressing at all in training 🙁
kIMTOON(Quote)
Terry ,yep De Jong is a real worry for me, starting to think they knew he was injury prone when they sold him to us.
kIMTOON(Quote)
Hope I’m wrong though as he looked ok to me from the little seen like.
kIMTOON(Quote)
Kim was it Pardew that bought Ba to the club ? He should have a say on transfer’s really. I’m sure Carr a good scout.
Terry(Quote)
Kim I would love to be wrong and see some sexy football again. Sorry for saying a Rudd Gullit line but G2’s defiantly right about dross football. I just don’t understand Ashley at times. Surely he must see our weaknesses and try and address it. I’m not talking mega bucks here. Just some new ideas because Pardew, Carver and the rest have the team so disorganised and playing like frightened rabbits. Bring in some good coaches with new ideas.
Terry(Quote)
Terry ,Well I think so, Ba was at West Ham and doing well prior to us so he wasn’t an unknown quantity like. Unlike Stoke who I believe turned him down over his knee we took a chance.
kIMTOON(Quote)
Terry, yep the coaching set up needs an injection of new blood, Would love to see Les Ferdinand or Andy Cole coaching the forwards .
kIMTOON(Quote)
Kim I would take Les and Andy Cole over what we currently have any day. Even Andy Cole on his own would do me and he has medals to his name.
Terry(Quote)
It’s our midfield and defence that defiantly needs better coaching. If Ashley is so hell bent on keeping Pardew then get the best staff behind him. He needs help, no offence Troy. Tony adam’s as head defence coach, David Ginola as head defence coach, Andy Cole as attacking coach or Les Ferdinand. New ideas ?
Terry(Quote)
Terry, Pards does the defensive coaching so pretty sure he won’t have anyone stepping on his toes, after all he is doing such a sound job 🙄
kIMTOON(Quote)
I would be getting hold of Jonathon Woodgate and get him in as defensive coach next season. He’s young enough to understand the modern game and our young defenders would response to him I reckon. I would absolutely take Ginola as midfield coach – mental that we haven’t already. Sir Les would have been a great coach too but his head of football operations or some ***** now at QPR. I would be interested to see what would happen if Tino came in. It would either be brilliant or a huge flop – nowhere in between I reckon.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy would defiantly have Johnathan Woodgate in as defence coach. I agree he know’s more about the modern game. Pardew’s still stuck in the 1980’s and the premiership has advanced since then. Ginola could try and influence the midfield about being more creative and Cole could probably influence the attack better than it is now ?
Alan wants to give the fan’s attacking ? So hire the best coaches to make that possible. It won’t happen over night but people will see the improvement. If Ashley hasn’t noticed this already. It’s going to cost extra but its cheaper than player’s Sharpy17. Even Troy must admit that attacking football isn’t Pardew’s field. A fitness coach is a start dont get me wrong and the new training facilities is good. Let’s take a leaf out of Southamptons book. Do you think there player’s got that good over night ? It’s having proper coaches and investment when needed.
Terry(Quote)
Absolute naivety again. We have the captain of our club, an argentine international and 30 yrs old. Mike Williamson and Steven Taylor are very experienced.
Why do these players need a defensive coach. ?
I’ve never heard so much rubbish in my life. The facts are, they have been coached continuously by top coaches,but if you haven’t got the ability then no matter how much coaching you get then it makes no difference.
Why do people try and look for excuses or blatantly miss an obvious point, when it stares the astute in the eyes. 😉 worrying.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Demba Ba was the only punt on a crocked “sick-note” player which actually came off. Our record with the rest, De Jong, Marveaux, Ben Arfa and the bloke we nicked from Everton were not so successful..
Munich Mag(Quote)
Troy @102, are you trying to say you can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear ? 🙂
I personally think that for 1 million quid, Mike Williamson has been an absolutely fantastic signing for the club. He is only doing his job, like the rest of us. It’s not his fault that Pardew has made him his number 1 centre half. What is Willo supposed to do, refuse to play ?
Munich Mag(Quote)
Woodgate’s nickname at Leeds was Village (as in Village Idiot). I am not sure if he would be able to pass the coaching badges.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
“if you haven’t got the ability then no matter how much coaching you get then it makes no difference.” 😕
What Tory is saying, is that the three defenders he mentions, are **** and not good enough for the Premier League.
But then in another breath he likes to mention the 5th place finish, that won Percy Manager of the Season etc. (with the same 3 defenders 😳 )
The fact is that ALL defenders make mistakes, even the very best ones.
But at the top level of football it is all about small percentages that win or lose games. This is where decent coaches can help to make the difference.
Percy is not and never will be a decent coach, and the muppets he has supporting him (carver and stone) are even worse.
If a good coaching set up is irrelevant, then why does every team employ them ❓
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
I watched el clasico and I am not even sure if that is the same game that we play?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Lets have a look at Barcas defence yesterday:
DANI ALVES (Right-back) 5
Not a great night for the Brazilian, whose right flank was the source of the majority of Real’s most dangerous attacking moments – especially in the first half. Also did little to trouble the hosts going forward.
Tory’s rating: ****
GERARD PIQUE (Centre-back) 6
A generally sound performance with some solid pieces of defensive work, often showing good anticipation to break up Real attacks. However, he was occasionally ponderous and blotted his copybook by conceding the penalty for Real’s equaliser.
Tory’s Rating: ****
JAVIER MASCHERANO (Centre-back) 6
Like central defensive partner Pique, the Argentine spoiled an otherwise decent performance with a costly error, getting tangled up with Andres Iniesta to provide the opening for Real’s third goal.
Tory’s Rating: ****
JEREMY MATHIEU (Left-back) 6
A surprise selection in place of Jordi Alba, the French international was good enough defensively and forced an excellent save from Iker Casillas with a fierce long-range strike, but was guilty of giving the ball away too often.
.Tory’s Rating: ****
Barca lost 3-1 due to the 2 or 3 costly errors of their defence.
Tory would say they were ****. 😉
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Troy, You need to make your mind up mate, talk about confused 😉 You have said many times you wouldn’t turn down a top coach. Now if as you say coaches make no difference if the ability isn’t there then why would you wish us to have a top coach in 😕 ❓
kIMTOON(Quote)
I meant to say, if they were playing for NUFC, Tory would say they are ****.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
A perfect example of our **** poor ttansfer policy is Wilfred Bony. We didn’t see value in paying £11m for him, even though he scores goals galore!
It’s just utterly pathetic.
My self imposed ban is still in place by the way. The club don’t deserve my support so they’re not getting it!
Stuart79(Quote)
Troy – you’re deadly serious as well aren’t you?! :shock:. Firstly, Colo, Willo and Saylor are players in their own right and would be training – not taking the training session. Secondly, I wouldn’t want our young CBs taking their lead from Willo or Saylor.
Woodgate is the best defender I’ve seen in a black n white shirt – Willo isn’t, so when it comes to who I’d want coaching the likes of Satka, Streete or Lascelles – it’s a no brainer.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy17: Woodgate was a natural defender but I am not sure if that always translates to coaching. There are many great players who weren’t that good at coaching and conversely some that were. I can name some, but I don’t think I need to, you know what I am saying.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – granted, and maybe not Woodgate, but we certainly need a defensive coach. We can’t have a set up whereby the young defenders are just learning from the senior defenders – particularly OUR senior defenders. I also think that defensive coaching duties shouldn’t be done by Pardew either. He should be stood back overseeing everything.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy – Percy should be stood down altogether 😉
seriously tho, I agree with what you are saying, particularly that Percy should not be so hands on, but more over seeing.
A good defensive coach is therefore essential.
Fat Sham had a backroom staff of something like 20.
Percy has 3 or 4
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Even Fat Sam put his ego aside a little bit and accepted Sheddy Terringham as his attacking coach on Thursdays and Fridays. I am not sure he had much choice, but he still did it.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Not to tempt fate, but a draw takes us above the Mackems.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
On the subject of Fat Sam; the ego has landed (again). He said City couldn’t cope with them today. I watched the game and it could have gone either way. He is like Pardew in that given even a sniff of success he will brag and act like it is all his masterplan. Next he will be saying he can manage Real Madrid again.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I love the look of West Ham. I wish we had of kept Barfa and used the Remy money on another forward and defender. (or kept Mbiwa.)
Who does the buying for West ham?. Does Big Sam have any say in players. Of the ones we bought this summer only Perez, Colback and perhaps Janmaat have impressed.
I would also like to seem more of Abeid instead of our dutch-dud Anita
mark(Quote)
Troy is it the player’s fault really ? I think Bobby would have this team playing much better than your beloved Pardew. Manager’s and coaches do make a difference look at Southampton.
The best thing for Southampton was getting rid of the useless **** and sleeping with player’s wife’s is good for morale.
Terry(Quote)
Mark
What has Colback done to impress you this season. In fact what has anybody in the squad done to impress you. Over the eight games they have all disappointed me.
I need to get out more.
Toby le rhone(Quote)
TLR
let me rephrase what i meant.
The 3 i mentioned show signs of doing a job here in time, they have adapted quickly into our team. That’s not to say I’m happy, maybe satisfied is a better word than impressed 😀
mark(Quote)
Any links?
kIMTOON(Quote)
Here’s a link a few people on here should look at: http://www.allthetests.com/quiz30/quiz/1387193632/Am-I-Insane
brisvegas(Quote)
Artnoon arl.
Like everyone else I suspect we’ll get done 1-0 today, but I wouldn’t rule out a draw – which I’d take – or even another win. A lot depends on Cisse’s fitness and whether Pardew finally realises that he has a tailor-made SDJ stand-in called Armstrong. I’m convinced that he’d be exactly the combination of determination and skill that we need. Although I don’t see him in training, so perhaps that’s just wishful thinking.
Whumpie(Quote)
OK, so confession time: who else sat down to find a link, not realising that the clocks changed and it’s an hour off yet? 😆
Whumpie(Quote)
Perez is playing and I’d bet he doesn’t touch the ball more than half a dozen times.
Stuart79(Quote)
Pardew persisting with the 7-2-1 formation. We will be lucky to get out of own half.
Toby le rhone(Quote)
While I’m rambling: two things from yesterday…
1. I have to admit being pleased for Wet Spam and even Fat Sam. Brilliant effort, well-rewarded. I’ve never seen Sam blush before, but being repeatedly kissed by a camp bloke live on telly did the trick. Nice stuff.
2. Is it me or are Hull getting exactly the same from Benny that we did, but so far without the sulking? He’s not played much, not done much, and still looks way overweight. I strongly suspect that Bruce is starting to lose patience. Still a brilliantly talented player, though – great run and cross from him yesterday. Shame he looked like he needed a week to recover from it. Cmon Benny – fewer pies and more training, or your career’s gone mate.
Whumpie(Quote)
I would also say this is probably our worst side for twenty years.
Stuart79(Quote)
Feel sorry your the young lad up front. What an introduction. He will never see a teammate
Toby le rhone(Quote)
Wow, Stu – that’s quite a statement. I’m no club historian – but doesn’t that take us back through TWO relegations and the pre-Keegan squad that sat in the lower divisions?
It’s bad, but is it really THAT bad?
(I’m phrasing this as questions because – as you can probably tell – I’ve not got any really hard evidence to suggest otherwise!)
Whumpie(Quote)
I think we’ll lose 27-0 today and Pardew will stick to his favoured system because the guy is too stupid to realise that there are other options. He hasn’t got a clue how to manage a football team. Too busy shagging the bosses cat to be bothered about football I think. He’ll probably tell all the players to have an awful game and try not to look as if they have met each other before. He’ll instruct them to pass as much as possible to the Spurs players, and because they haven’t got an ounce of intelligence between them they’ll just go ahead and do whatever he says.
I don’t see any reason to stay up to watch this pile of **** and in protest I’m going to hoy me telly in the bin. What’s the point!
brisvegas(Quote)
Just been given external email and internet access at work……. Boom back in the game
😈 😈 ➡ 😎
ice pup(Quote)
(4-3-3) Krul; Janmaat, S.Taylor, Coloccini (c), Dummett; Sissoko, Anita, Colback; Obertan, Perez, Gouffran.
Elliot, Haidara, R.Taylor, Ameobi, Cabella, Armstrong, Ferreyra.
Big Dave(Quote)
dry bummed the day like. 😆
hitman(Quote)
FFS. Same *****, different day of failure.
Just how is it that Goofs – decent, hardworking, Goofs – is still starting despite having turned in seven consistently ineffective performances this season? He’s clearly not clicking, whereas Obertan clearly is, and there are people like Sameobi and Armstrong on the bench, crying out for a chance to show what they can do.
I don’t bloody well get it.
Good to see Raylor back on that sheet, though – I hope he gets a run-out. Who knows; we may even score from a set play with him back.
Whumpie(Quote)
If he wont give cabella a try today he’s obv not fancying him at all
ice pup(Quote)
it will be owa in the first 30 mins.
hitman(Quote)
Just watched MOTD2. Must say I am impressed by Schmeichel as a pundit.
Groucho(Quote)
My views have not changed nor wavered like some suggest.
A top coach can make a difference with quality players who have the ability to learn and improve. A top quality coach would struggle to save us this season.
Our players at the back are experienced and have reached their peak and are heading back down the hill with age. They simply haven’t got the ability to improve.
I’ve constantly watched them make basic individual errors that Pardew could not anticipate or prevent.
Simply put, the players are ****.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
So – Cabella can’t get a start, SDJ is crocked, Perez is a sprog and Rivierre is away on a course entitled, “Cow’s arses and banjos: an introduction”.
FFS. Nine new players from the discount bucket by the till.
Whumpie(Quote)
One things for sure you just never know with the toon we can lose 20 games off the trot and put a 3 nil win in the next game
i always have hope / delusional hope
ice pup(Quote)
Whumpie – Personally think the team that played in the Fizzy a couple of years back would beat this pile of *****.
I’m starting to get concerned about the fact that Pardew just doesn’t seem to handle creative players well at all. How on earth can Cabella not get a start!!!!
Stuart79(Quote)
anyone any links up and running yet
Big Dave(Quote)
Cabella not starting is pure lunacy.
MDS(Quote)
@MDS AGREED
Ice Pup(Quote)
HWTL
kIMTOON(Quote)
Two players i dislike see starting,still starting. 🙄
AngelOfDeath(Quote)
not sure if you can find a link for
GO SPORT 2 (maltese) iv got it on here at work
usually i get em off firstrow sports or VIPBOX but if there not working not sure if you can get a stream for our maltese tele dave
Ice Pup(Quote)