“We’re three games away from a crisis. That’s the nature of the game. You can’t get carried away.”
“We’re doing well. Everyone’s working really hard everyone’s in with each other. It’s no different to last year except we’re winning games. We’ve got a couple of guys who can score goals. I’m no different to where I was last year.”
Those words are from Perth Glory manager Kenny Lowe after his team clinched top spot and another A League victory on the weekend. If you take a look at a Pardew quote about our recent run of good results it appears the two men a reading from the same hymn book.
Pardew says “”In my younger days I might have been carried away by a run like this, but now I won’t.
“The results are much better and confidence is high and we’ll just keep doing what we’ve done from the start of the season.”
It really does highlight the fickle nature of football and the demands that are placed on players and managers. A few weeks back Pardew couldn’t take a trick and it is pretty to safe to say that no fan would have shed a tear if he was sacked. Sure some would have questioned the sacking but realistically, most would have rejoiced the fact! Now after a few wins the pressure has lifted some what and there is a small ground swell of support for Pardew and his staff. However, there can be no doubt that if we were to lose a few games on the trot, that small amount of support will dry up as quickly as it appeared. Pardew is fully aware of this and you can see that his comments are a little more guarded these days for fear of getting too far ahead of himself.
When we talk about players, take a look at Obertan and Abeid, two players that were almost deemed surplus to requirements at the start of the season. No one could have foreseen the emergence of Abeid and the resurgence of Obertan. Pardew has dropped a few of his trade mark quotes stating that he always kind of knew that Obertan and Abeid had it in them to make a mark but you have to take what he is saying with a large pinch (bucket) of salt. Both players have played well once given the chance to start and Abeid in particular has generated some excitement with his no nonsense displays in the middle of the park. Like Pardew, a few bad performances will see their stock drop dramatically and given the cut throat nature of the game, they might not see playing time again other than brief substitute performances. Players do have one major advantage in regards to their fortunes and that is they are in control of their own game and how they perform is squarely on their shoulders. Most fans will cut some slack for a player who is down on form if they are giving their all. However if the effort or commitment isn’t there, players can go from hero to zero in a heart beat.
Fans are fickle, that can’t be argued but when you take into account the emotional investment they put into supporting their team, it is hardly surprising. We all want our team to do as well as possible and losses are hard to take. Losses can erode patience, rational and create doubt amongst fans and when you add a large portion of emotion and passion, it is not hard to see why the fortunes of managers and players can swing so quickly from good to bad.
This is football though, it is nothing new and it won’t be changing any time soon, it kind of reminds me of an old saying – “Winners are grinners and losers can’t be choosers”
So let’s enjoy this moment while we can!
Looking forward to Scotland v England tonight, should be more entertaining than the qualifiers anyway.
kIMTOON(Quote)
And Brisvegas: you are probably right that the journalists have their knives out for NUFC because some of them have been banned. However, one of the banned journalists did some digging to try to correct the story. Also, with very little direct news coming from SJP you can see why the story could have been started by the famous “someone close to the club”.
You probably think this is a non-issue as it happens all of the time. Nevertheless, we were doing quite well and it would have thrown a spanner in the works. It is also the international break and I am a bit sick of Rooney news.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
A bit more on this Brisvegas: I don’t understand your snarky comment to me unless you are just pissed off with me farting around with Troy. It seems that as Kimtoon said we are drip fed very little information from the club. The journalists are annoyed at not being able to talk to anybody and having press officers intervene at Pardew’s press conferences. There really is no transparency in the club, and who knows what to believe from journalists?
Is it any wonder that we would be fed false information from ALL sides?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
See Wonga are taking their logo off kids shirts and gear. Sensible move since their image is as low as it gets right now. Then we have Milliband describing Sports Direct as a TERRIBLE company for the way they treat employees. Well done NUFC for choosing the best as always.
georgio(Quote)
When AP said Colo would be OK after the WBA game you just knew he wouldn’t and be out for a while. So … apparently Taylor’s fit. Taylor and Dummett. Abeid is a bigger miss. Doubt if Tiote’s fit so expect to see Anita. QPR will like that!
georgio(Quote)
So Colo is out. Perfect time to put Rrmie Streete in the mix. Id go for this for QPR:
—————–Krul—————
-Janmaat-Streete-Saylor-Dummett-
———–Colback-Raylor———-
—————Sissoko————-
—Cabella—————-Sammy–
—————-Ayoze————–
Subs: Elliott, Willo, Haidara, Tioté, Gouffran, Armstrong, Cissé
I have every right to think we have to win this game without Colo, same at Burnley, West Ham will be a tough one. But we can beat Chelsea at home, no doubt
Cholo A. Sall(Quote)
Make Raylor captain, we’ll be a threat at set piece. And oh, lets give a good challenge to Joey Barton, a player who I respected during his time at Newcastle. And lets deal with Charlie Austin. Wouldnt mind if Willo or Haidara plays instead of Streete, but its the perfect time to show faith and give him his shot. Wouldnt mind if Streete and Dummett start as Cbs but its unlikely I guess
Cholo A. Sall(Quote)
And if Tiote is not fit, its time to put Bigi in the mix instead of Anita
Cholo A. Sall(Quote)
I’d be fine with either Streete or Dunnett paired with Staylor for this one. I don’t care to see Willo in there.
If Tiote isn’t fit I think we’ll see Raylor get the start with Colbeck and Sissoko
MDS(Quote)
MDS, agree mate, hoping to see Raylor play again, I like his work ethic.
kIMTOON(Quote)
MDS I am a bit worried about R Taylor encase he gets injured. Maybe as a sub.
Icedog sorry for the late reply but I am gutted about all these injuries. I can’t help but worry about our poor defence at the moment. I think Ashley could have done a little bit more in the transfer market. Another CB was what Pardew wanted and we choose to ignore his advice. I even read comments about Ba returning in january.
Terry(Quote)
I would take Ba back but can’t see it happening.
Terry(Quote)
Id take Carroll back, hope he’ll lower his wages to play football again. With the Ayoze Cissé or Arma you, you need a Andy Carroll to create space for them.
Cholo A. Sall(Quote)
Cholo under the conditions he stays fit. Andy Carroll is a good player on his day.
Terry(Quote)
Trouble is Allerdyce will want 10-15 million for him. A high earner plagued by injuries. West ham would be the only winners getting rid of him.
Terry(Quote)
Perez will only get better and at 1.5 million a very good deal. I know G2 will agree with me on this but Ashley could get a very nice profit on him when the big clubs come calling. I feel the same will happen to Janmatt eventually. His been very good for us this season and he can create assists and score when given the chance which will also make Ashley a big profit. We have got to offer Aaron’s a new contract or we stand to lose million’s. Although we have some good player’s I am just know we are a selling club.
Terry(Quote)
Kim and others from earlier posts,
Think you might be onto something with injuries – your comments got me thinking back to the days of Big Sam, Prozone, and massive backroom staff – even then we were bad for injuries.
Is something clearly wrong at the club with the training/physio? Have a look at the two links below as they are the most relevant that I could find. A bit of an assupmtion I admit, but I think we’d be in the top 3 worst clubs for player injury over the last 10 years. If you could convert some of those missed days into points…?
http://www.physioroom.com/news/english_premier_league/2011_12/injury_analysis.php
http://www.sportingintelligence.com/2013/06/17/newcastle-hit-rock-bottom-of-the-2012-13-injuries-league-170601/
Matey(Quote)
If Colo is injured and Saylor is fit, I’d go with Saylor and Dummett at CB. Streete would start on the bench for me like.
As for Ba and Carroll, I don’t want either of them back. Ba was offered an improved contract and ****** us off, so he can crack on.
Carroll wouldn’t fit with the pacy counter attacking football we seem to have adopted. I’m not saying he’s not good at what he does – when fit, I just don’t really want to see us going back to playing a target man.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I agree Carroll doesn’t fit but would provide a different option at times. For a small fee Id consider it but since that’s not going to happen, no thanks.
Terry all but 3-4 clubs are selling clubs by the definition. That’s the game today. So long as the club keeps buying or developing youngsters with promise it selling shouldn’t be a worry. They just can’t have a situation again where they don’t add to the squad over multiple windows. Ideally you’d like to add a first teamer and youngster per window…
MDS(Quote)
Injury concern aside Id still start Raylor if Tiote’s out over Anita. If we’re down sub him off for Arma. If we’re ahead sub him off for Gouffron or Willo. He doesn’t have to play the full 90
MDS(Quote)
Matey@392, Interesting links, cheers. Didn’t we make changes to the pitch at the training ground? anyone know for sure. Only wondered if there is a problem with pitches or the training regime itself. Do they do enough running ? a lot of them look really out of breath very early on in games at times. Of course none of this accounts for international injuries unless we are to assume that fitness levels are below par in the first place. What ever the reasons we do suffer an inordinate amount of injuries.
kIMTOON(Quote)
Sharpy17- The argument saying Carroll doesnt a pacey conter attack team is a lazy argumenet. Reminds me Rodgers saying that Carroll didnt.fit his passing football. Having a way of play is one thing, but if you dont have alternative options, you will show your limits.And Carroll fully fit would bring another dimension to our team, whether we play 442 with him and Ayoze, or 433 with Sissoko making runs behind him, make no mistake about it. At the end of the day, a style of play is counter productive without alternative. And Carroll would be more an alternative than a Lacazette for example, who is similar to Ayoze or Armstrong in terms of type of striker. And I wont sign Gignac at all. I wont sign Carroll for £15m, but for £6-8m, less or on loan with option, id have no hesitations. But if its not Carroll, we have Siem de Jong who Id put as lone striker upfront and who can be a false 9 type of target man, and bring Ayoze as supersub or put him on left wing like he did in Spain. He is the type of player able to score without being the poacher
Cholo A. Sall(Quote)
And with Carroll., we have a chance to score a lot more from set pieces, as we’ll have a big man to help on defensive set pieces, this is key in this league. And really, we let him go for £35m, I have no problems if we resign him for 1/3 of that price tag.
Cholo A. Sall(Quote)
Chris Smalling starting again i see; Shawcross, Caulker, Curtis Davies, Eric Dier, Tomkins & Saylor (I know hes knacked at the moment but hes been ignored for years) all more deserving of a chance in the England team than this clown
Not one reason for his inclusion other than who he plays for. Note Cleverley & Zaha arent getting called up anymore since leaving man utds reserves for regular football… 🙄
CC(Quote)
From the Northern Echo:
“Pardew also confirmed he will be without Fabricio Coloccini for three games.
The defender suffered a calf injury in the win at West Brom and will be missing for the games against Queens Park Rangers, West Ham and Burnley.”
So the nasty, sh!tstirring journalists were at least half right and who knows if Taylor will be available for QPR.
I thought the interview with The Evening Standard was decent and he only put his foot in his mouth once. He said that he had a very hard time at West Ham and was surprised to be there after they lost 4-0 to Millwall. Well, Alan you lost 3-0 twice to the Mackems here and the irony doesn’t dawn on you? Maybe because it was a London paper he didn’t feel the need to mention that.
Still, I can take his patter a lot more when we are winning. That didn’t even annoy me, I just thought typical Pardew 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Cholo – a lazy arguement like Rodgers?! 😆 They nearly won the bloody league!. I reckon his arguement held some weight mate.
They did it with the ‘entertainer’ ethos of out scoring the opponents regardless of how many goals conceded. They were pretty 1 style footy last season and it worked for them like. Arsenal are pretty much 1 style footy and its had them in the top 4 for the last 15 seasons of something now. If you find a system that works, don’t buy players to change that system, buy players that will improve it.
Your arguement is pointless anyway coz we aren’t going to buy Carroll for £6-8m and Ashley wouldn’t pay more than £10m, so for me Carroll isn’t an option.
As for making Perez a super sub when Siem returns, why?!. The kid is bang in form and scoring goals. I’m a big fan of Siem, but for me you don’t change a winning team. If we are still playing well and Perez is still in form he stays in.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy, I don’t see AC back at Toon either but the Rogers thing and Liverpool I think is more he just didn’t fancy him like. They did do well last season, outscoring as you say. But they did well for one reason and that was Suarez, now he’s gone they are nowhere near winning the league and what’s more they are still weak defensively. They were weak last season at the back but Suarez masked it to a degree. Funny how as Troy says our **** squad currently sits above them, not that I’m expecting that situation to remain with our defensive injuries racking up.
kIMTOON(Quote)
Kim – I disagree. Suarez was the main reason, but to say he was the only reason is being unfair to the likes of Gerrard, Sturridge, Courtihno and Sterling.
Rodgers biggest mistake (IMO) is that he went out and bought 5-6 good players, rather than 2-3 top players. I can understand why with them being in the CL and needing depth to the squad, but how many of his new signs have actually played CL footy. When you look at Rodgers summer signings, it looks as though he has bought players that allow him to play various systems – but for me he’s got it wrong. He should have broke the bank to sign Alexis Sanchez and Danny Welbeck IMO. They would have been a perfect fit for their style of play last season.
But back to NUFC, and I think we are playing good football with that 3 man midfield and 3 fast paced forwards. If we are recruiting new players, then IMO we should improve the players in those positions rather than trying to change things. That’s what the most successful teams seem to do, and it makes development through the ranks far more straight forward.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy I think the thing with LPool is that they needed both depth and quality. They took care of the depth but now they need to add two stars to that team if they want to get back to the top of the table. They tried with Balotelli but that was a mistake
MDS(Quote)
Sharpy – have to agree Liverpool squandered a fair amount of cash on players who barely improved the team. 25 mil on Lallana? I mean, surely you’re already hoping that Coutinho and the Mackem will surpass Lallana’s ability given they are a few years younger. Crazy buy. They still seem to be getting more first team time over him so why would you bother buying him! Lambert was meant to be a different option, but most people saw it as a waste of money really. It was a sentimental choice. He was solid but hardly outstanding for Saints, he got put on the wing there sometimes so that pikey Osvaldo could play up top – says it all really.
They also had a few players playing above their usual standards, and now they seem to be below standards. Mignolet is getting slated, but he’s not a **** keeper, he was the only reason the mackems didn’t get relegated with about 15 points on the board two years ago. Lovren was very expensive, but he’s a better player than he’s showing. Then again, Saints look solid regardless who is in the back four – and perhaps more surprisingly – regardless of who their manager has been.
That must say a lot about their behind the scenes coaching. They invest well in that area and it shows at most levels of the football club.
Newkie(Quote)
I wonder if the Pardew knockers take into account the horrific injury list we have yet we are 8th in the league?
YCMIU (You Couldn’t Make It Up) 🙄
Troy Stavers(Quote)
MDS – Liverpool defo needed depth, but IMO if you loose Suarez you get the quality in before depth. They focused on trying to juggle the PL
and CL this season, when what they should have done was focus on making sure they were top 4 again this season – ie CL qualification again. That’s what attracts the quality and if they don’t get CL footy this season (which looks highly unlikely), then they aren’t going to sign quality players.
Newkie – I agree. Had Lpool added say Sanchez, Welbeck (or Ba) and Alex Song to they team I think they would be looking very different.
Sanchez plays a similar role to Suarez. Welbeck or Ba would cover an absent Sturridge, and Song would offer the defence better protection.
They blew big money on players who either can’t get into, or haven’t improved their first team at all. Spurs did a similar thing when they sold Bale.
I think the thing with the Saints is that Koeman knew what style he wanted to play, and went out and bought the players to play HIS way. He kept the players he knew could fit his system and allowed those who would to leave – for huge money. He then replaced them with equal quality but in most cases cheaper – ie Shaw with Bertrand. Lovern with Alderwiereld, Lallana with Tadic and Lambert with Pelle. Koeman has been fortunate as well though, that not only have all the newbies settled straight in. But the existing players also didn’t loose heart at what happened to their team team in the summer and all seem to have bought into Koemans way.
They still have an excellent youth system there as well and it’s the Dutch way to develop those players, so I reckon it Saints can stabilize the boardroom, they have the players and coaches to have long term success.
Sharpy17(Quote)
We got a terrible injury list Troy but I still expect us to beat a struggling QPR’s side at home. I know they say the team’s fighting relegation are the most dangerous side’s and that. I do think West ham will be a tougher game all together and I don’t think Burnley will be easy as everybody thinks. December is the month that scares me if I’m being honest. If we could keep a 50/50 win ratio that month I will be extremely happy with Pardew and the players. Hopefully a couple of new faces in january might strengthen our chances.
Terry(Quote)
Troy – they fully acknowledge it. It’s the injuries that have enabled him to stumble across the winning formula – which has us sat 8th and saved him his job 😉 😆
You really need to start giving the clueless crew some credit mate
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy I do think Rodgers is prioritizing a Top 4 finish- he said as much the other week when questioned about the tream he put out in their last CL match. Did he go about the ladt window the wrong way? Possibly but they did end up with Some highly rated youngsters who will like come good and be there a long time. He probably underestimated the effect losing Suarez would have. Losing Sturridge has really hurt them too. Had they just signed Bony or Remy instead of Balotelli theyd be in good shape
MDS(Quote)
Sharpy
Exactly; Without injuries forcing his hand he would have plodded on with Riviere, Williamson, Gouffran, Anita etc.
Irritating *****: If **** results dont get him his own stupidity will, His next “incident” & predictable half arsed jokey apology wont save him again…
CC(Quote)
CC – yeah but then were the losers coz who could possibly replace him?! 🙁 🙄
Sharpy17(Quote)
Dear me. He’s getting criticised for using Riviere now? If he hadn’t have played him he would get criticised. He didn’t buy him so he had to test him out. YCMIU.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
I don’t believe Riviere was injured anyway. He dropped him on form didn’t he?
Troy Stavers(Quote)
the first match Riviere didn’t start was the draw at Swansea when Cisse started. He came on as a sub in that match, suffered a knock, and hasn’t been fit since (I dont believe)
MDS(Quote)
SHARPY@403, after Suarez I would only say Stevie G and Sturridge are the biggest contributors. Obviously with the latter being injured it’s had a marked effect this season. Last season he bagged 21 and it’s reported today he’s pulled up in training with the same thigh taking a strain. Coutinho actually only bagged 4 and Sterling 9, Stevie G 13 was impressive but I think he’s gone well off the boil now. I feel Rogers went for quantity over quality in the window, possibly knowing he’d need depth with the CL this season. There is also the possibility that he didn’t want to shell out loads on one or two and possibly lose one to injury leaving him high and dry.
kIMTOON(Quote)
MDS, Pards said in an interview that Rivi was finding it tough being new to PL and young to shoulder the burden up front, so maybe he’s holding him back ,who knows, he does have a knock though but due back now.
current injury list and expected returns
M Abeid Ankle/Foot Injury 2nd Dec 14
E Riviere Knock 22nd Nov 14
F Coloccini Calf/Shin Injury 13th Dec 14
S Taylor Knee Injury no return date doubtful
R Aarons Hamstring Injury 13th Dec 14
G Obertan Hip/Thigh Injury no return date
C Tiote Calf/Shin Injury 22nd Nov 14 doubtful
J Gutierrez Testicular Cancer no return date
S De Jong Thigh Muscle Strain 1st Jan 15
D Santon Knee Injury no return date
C Good Groin/Pelvis Injury no return date
kIMTOON(Quote)
Kimtoon: looking at that injury list will we even have enough players to make a bench? Remember also that Cisse is not on the list and is still carrying an injury.
Hoping that Taylor and Tiote will be fit. You would have to say that Pardew has done a very good job of working around injuries in the last few games and he certainly has his work cut out on Saturday. He will have done a really good job if we get anything out of the game considering he had seemed to settle on a defensive plan and now has to really shuffle his pack.
Pardew is very hard to fathom. Which Pardew do we get, the one that won five games or the one before that who won 1 in 14? That’s what is so frustrating about arguing about him, if you average out his results they look OK but the averages hide the good runs of form and the death spirals. Why did he stick with a losing team for so long and was he then forced to change in desperation and because of injuries?
This week he really does have a valid excuse if we have trouble with QPR. One of Harry’s favourite phrases is that his team is down to bare bones. This week it is his opposite number that has that problem.
Kimtoon lists 11 injuries and add to that Cisse. Of those 12 only Jonas and Good are not potential first teamers. So basically a whole team (Krul is the undoubted number one keeper) is out.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Riviere was dropped initially but with Cisse injured for Spurs he would have started if hed been fit. He wasnt fortunately and with no Shola available to hinder another talented youngsters progress Pardew was forced to play Perez…
CC(Quote)
Oh, and Pardew has said today that he may have to ease up in training because that may have caused some of the injuries.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sharpy-Exactly. Why they didn’t push more for Sanchez I will never know…I don’t believe they wouldn’t have thrown the same kind of money Arsenal did at him, and at the time they looked like the best choice despite Arsenal’s CL stability for so long.
Welbeck’s recent record is good, I still don’t think he’s a top class footballer, but Sanchez is up there with the best. Although I did laugh at that MOTD poll where about 70% of people said they would take Sanchez over Hazard. I bet if that poll was done last year it would have been more like 80/20 to Hazard.
Fickle British public eh
Newkie(Quote)
I never rated Welback to be perfectly honest. Though he’s looked a bit better when I’ve seen him this year
MDS(Quote)
MDS-You’re not alone, he’s been garbage the rest of his career, he even struggled for a game with the Mackems 🙂
But he does graft, and he seems to have hit a purple patch. I don’t think he’s done anything sublime but he is knocking them in, can’t argue with that.
Newkie(Quote)
Eric@418 – I keep hearing how lucky we’ve been because injuries have forced Pardew to select exactly the right 11 in exactly the right positions which of course is the only reason that has led to the exactly right outcome of 5 straight wins.
Surely this is just more luck coming the way of NUFC 😆 😉
Newkie(Quote)
Welbeck would walk into our team that’s for sure.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Would have loved to have Welbeck in the toon team, he’s still young and with Pardew’s tuttleage could have went on to great things. He was fantastic for Ingerlund yesterday..
Munich Mag(Quote)
Welbeck always looked the part but couldn’t finish. All hat and no saddle as they say in Texas. But fair play to him he’s been knocking them in at Arsenal
MDS(Quote)
Just back from week away golfing in Portugal and by the looks of things I haven’t missed much.
We are still getting lots of injuries, Pardew is still the Devil incarnate and Mike Ashley is now imparting misery on Rangers fans and making staff redundant…
All in all same old same old.
Stuart79(Quote)
Kim – you’re looking at it from a goals point of view, but what about all the assists for Suarez and Sturridge?. The likes of Courtihno looks average this season coz Mario isn’t making the runs of Suarez or Sturridge for him to play the passes. I’m not saying its all Mario’s fault coz I think there is too much expected of him. He needs Sturridge, or a Remy with him.
Newkie – I didn’t think Sturridge was all that good when he was in City’s and Chelsea’s reserves mate, but played at Lpool he’s been able to prove his ability. With Welbeck, he was played out of position at Man Utd and done alright in the main, but at Arsenal (and England) he is proving he is a very good CF. I think he cost about the same as Mario – I know which I’d rather have.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy@429, That’s the thing though mate, I have said before it’s more chemistry than design more often than not. You could put a team of stars together but it’s no guarantee it’s gonna work. How many times do we see a team of average players play really well because the fit is right. Last season it worked for Pool because as you say the set up suited Suarez, it’s not working with Mario and defensively they are still weak imo. As for goals, well it’s them that wins games and this season they aren’t scoring as many, infact they’re shipping more than they score. Take us for example, Saylor and Colo work better than Willo and Colo. Colo looks weak alongside Willo, that doesn’t make Colo poor just that the chemistry between him and Saylor would appear better.
kIMTOON(Quote)
Sharpy – to be fair, Sturridge was also always out of position and Chelsea and City, and imo in his stint at Bolton he showed he was a natural goalscorer. He doesn’t really work as hard as Welbeck though.
Welbeck would certainly get into our side – I’m not arguing against that, but to me that doesn’t mean he is a class player. Certainly not on the level of Sanchez. Giroud was also seen as a bit of a donkey for a fair while but he has been banging them in for Arsenal – I’m not surprised Welbeck has done better than at Manure, with the kind of service he gets there and as the main man up top. I definitely didn’t think he would do this well though fair play.
I am surprised he’s scored so many for England though, given how few chances the team makes as a whole! Although I would say it has been against pretty mediocre opposition.
I do think Balotelli is the better footballer, but he is way too inconsistent and if he isn’t scoring he offers nothing. He’d also be a nightmare to handle. Surprised Liverpool went for him when there were so many other strikers in that price bracket who could do the same or a better job with less chance of fireworks.
Newkie(Quote)
Kim – you’re absolutely right, and I think that’s why Sir Alex and Jose Mourihno are such great managers. Both have managed to find that chemistry – Fergie for years at Man Utd and Jose with multiple clubs.
Wenger has found it a couple of times and is nearly there again IMO, but it isn’t easy like.
Newkie – I think Sturridge has more self belief or arrogance about him and he’s certainly the better finisher. But I’m a big fan of Welbeck and his all round play. But I agree, Sanchez is outstanding – I’m not sure about 80/20 for Hazard mind
Sharpy17(Quote)
Anita and Taylor in then. Let’s hope that’s all the changes needed but somehow I suspect not. Surely he won’t drop Ayoze for Cisse? Now that he’s the tactical master again he just might. It’s a game we should, and have, to win. No chicken counting in this household.
georgio(Quote)
We really need 7 points from the next 3. I’ll honestly be disappointed with anything less
MDS(Quote)
So the journalists weren’t wrong about Taylor and Coloccini. Taylor is a big doubt for QPR and that means a month out if he comes back against Burley. If anyone had said at the start of the season that our centre back pairing would be Williamson and Dummett with Streete as cover they would have been laughed at. We all knew we needed more quality there and it was madness to let MBiwa go without a replacement. Let’s keep our fingers crossed the new partnership works, as this will be the first time they have played together, I think.
I don’t think Cisse can play two full games in a week (bloody Senegal) so, impact sub?
We are so short handed. Pardew will have to pull a rabbit out of a hat on this one. If he does it he will get nothing but credit from me. He is partly to blame for our current lack of squad depth because he fell out with a few players who were subsequently loaned. That is less of a factor with some players showing form but not getting a centre back and centre forward in the summer is crazy, and we might pay against a couple of teams that might get relegated. I bloody well hope not as it would undo a lot of the progress of the last few weeks.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I think with the injuries, Pardew has no choice with the starting 11 but I will wait to see what Cholo thinks. Who the hell knows, it almost looked like it was lambs to the slaughter with the team against City in the cup and then look what happened.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – not sure about Taylor being unfit. There again you’re probably right. If so I’d play Streete and Dummett. Can’t stand to watch Willo and although he’s a rookie Streete can’t be worse. It’s a good bet that Abeid will be out much longer than 2 weeks too. Broken toe? Back in two weeks? Rubbish.
I’d also love to know what exactly Tiote’s supposed to have done in the warm up months ago. 😳
georgio(Quote)
MDS – i’d like 7 points, (even 9), but this won’t be easy. Fat Sam seems to be able to fire up teams against us, and the Hammers are properly decent this season, while Burnley will be tough in defence. I’d be hoping to get a draw at West Ham and win the other two, but five points would be perfectly credible, especially with Colo out.
It’ll be Willo and Dummett at CB…
GTE(Quote)
Yeah GTE that’s a far from ideal CB pairing. Time for Anita to step up his play in front of them
MDS(Quote)
Georgio: Pardew said in his press conference today that Steven Taylor is a big doubt. Would you risk him given what has happened with others that have come back early from injury – Aarons, De Jong, Cisse?
Taylor has a history of long term injuries and I would make sure he is 100% before playing him. Losing Taylor for QPR is better than 3 months out.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
So Pardew is the the English Pep now :lol:. Dear me!, the bloke has had a fortnight off and come back strong like! – YCMIU … Pardew could though 😆
MDS – I think with the injuries we have then 7 points would be an excellent achievement mate. I’d be pretty happy with 5 or 6 personally. I think 3 points against Burnley, coz we should have players back by then as well. But QPR have found a bit of form recently and have been unlucky against Lpool and City. I would hope with home advantage we can beat QPR, but with a patched up defence it won’t be straight forward.
West Ham away I hold little hope of anything there. They are playing really well and it depends who we have back, but we could sneak a draw there.
Sharpy17(Quote)
That’s fair Sharpy. I Should probably readjust my expectations with Taylor and Tiote still out. Hopefully we have them back for West Ham at least
MDS(Quote)
I expect to beat Burnley & QPR first choice centre halves or not. Willo and Dummett are solid enough for that sort of opposition.
West ham are a different kettle of fish but id see anything less than 6 a disappointment…
CC(Quote)
So. Assuming the team is:
Krul
Janmaat Williamson Dummett Haidara
Ryan Taylor Sissoko Colback
Sammy Perez Cabella
Literally, The ONLY uninjured players left to form a bench are:
Elliot
Anita
Cisse
Armstrong
Vuckic
Street
Satka
That’s it, unless you call up one of the kids or put in Bigi who was just sent home from Yoevil FFS 🙂
We really are in a tough spot for this match as far as injuries are concerned and the team almost picks itself. The only real question is Ryan Taylor or Anita. As I said earlier, Cisse should not play two matches in a week unless we want another crock.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
CC – you say that kind of opposition, but Charlie Austin turned DeMichellis and Mangala inside out before the break. I fully expect QPR to remain down the bottom, but that does many they don’t have players that can win games.
Yes we should win it, but if the players go into it thinking its just QPR, then I reckon you could get done mate.
Sharpy17(Quote)
So, with perfect hindsight who would you rely on Vuckic, Street and Satka or MBiwa, Marveaux and Ben Arfa? What do you say to that Troy?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
****, I missed Riviere who MIGHT be fit.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
and Gouffran, but everybody says he needs a rest anyway 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sharples@445, there’s a reason why QPR are bottom of the league…but at the same time we need to show them the respect they deserve. I think we’ll cuff them, but hopefully the international break hasn’t taken the wind out of our sails.. The onus is on us being the home team to take the game to them…
Munich Mag(Quote)
MM you swapping Pardew for Pep anytime soon?
Eric Sykes(Quote)