Kanj

Defence. My bad.

You can easily see the difference between a bad team with a plan, and an organization that doesn't give a s***. It's not great supporting a bad team, but it's easier when you can see that there is a plan in place, and people capable of seeing it through. I don't think that's happening here. Yep, 100%. I know my Tampa teams all have good ownership doing what they can (within their means, be it extravagant or not) and the plan is to build a winning culture within the organization to build a winning team(s) be it through shrewd scouting, recruitment, winning now, draft, etc. - the plan is all there for those teams, it may not be working right now but there is a plan. For Newcastle it's the opposite. The goal for a sporting organization is the trophy cabinet right (for the most part) the key measures of success are trophies and/or titles and our owner's only care is doing the bare minimum to maintain premier league status is a disgrace. Our plan isn't even the stated top 10 goal that does its rounds, there isn't a plan. There's only an end result they care about, no relegation. Sickening.

The Mapou thread has turned into the state of our defense thread....

There is a very good shout that Newcastle United means just as much to me if not more than the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (my home town, 1.5 hour drive away, 20+ years supporting NFL football team). So our current state, absolutely bothers me and its not that I don't care - I wish at times it didn't bother me as much as it does - but currently I'm at a loss for what is happening to us by the man who owns this club, the way he runs this club, the people he has hired in positions at this club, and the culture that he's destroying(ed)

It makes you wonder how those "error prone" defenders have all been capped at various levels. Or won league titles, or played in the champions league, or world cup/euros

Something to this: If players prior to their time joining us were committing LESS errors whether they played in league, European cups, international play...yet they come here and look like absolute messes...

mother f...

deep down I wish Dummett was a right back so he and 'Sadio could be our cover for RB and LB and really push Debuchy and Santon.

Think the tide in the press is turning very rapidly on AP now.

- Our fullbacks need to stay at home the next few matches, no more venturing up-field until we solidify ourselves at the back. - If we change our back 4 it should be MYM - Willi - Colo - Dummett --> its absolutely essential we continue to let MYM develop into this league, even if he has to play at a back position before getting the confidence to play centrally // with a better partner to suit his skill set.

And hasn't managed since 2006...

?

------------Krul--------------- MYM---Willi----Colo---Dumit --------Anita----Sisso-------- ----------Cabaye-------------- --HBA-----Gouff------Remy

A manager who doesn't have a defeatist fearful approach to every single match. That's who I'd go for.

Offensively, Mapou has hit the best right footed cross from a RB I've seen in our shirt in the past few years that isn't named Ryan Taylor in that European Match that Cisse scored but was offside. He's a better dribbler and probably would nt get boxed out and stuffed every single time he tries to take someone on like Debuchy. Defensively, he's quicker will probably sit more not exposing us as much and he'll still be able to learn the English game. Finally he's a f***ing leader, well documented at that, and I'm sure he's seething at what's going on this season - he's too much a winner. Hope to f*** he's not going to sit for any long period of time.

I'd rather he sit and learn the game or adapt to it at RB over Debuchy and eventually move central when we get a capable partner for him long term.

Great little story ScotBear.

Former rock of a CB, captain of his club in his early 20's, confident as fuck, budding international player who was being rated by everyone watching him...he comes here and suddenly becomes "shit" - sorry, a young player can absolutely get ruined when he's being led and trained by an absolute impostor of a manager we've got. He was playing under Rene Girard, a top top footballing man and now he's under the expert guidance of Alan Fucking Shit Pardew.

We'll get 3 points there. It will be ugly, but we'll do it. Ben Arfa to get back on track....

Care to elaborate for us who didn't want to endure pardews excuses/voice/face/upper lip? What was said??

Dummett i'm with you on but please no CBs as FBs i hate seeing that it causes major imbalance. Normally I'm with you on that comment, in most cases but I've felt Mapou was great when played at RB - he won't wander to far forward and he's got the recovery pace that Debuchy lacks. I'm a huge Santon supporter but I'm 100% on board with getting Dummett time to play.

Would have been great to see this lad play with Douglas ffs.

Should we even consider, until Saylor comes in? Mapou - Willo - Colo - Dummett

I just want to sign someone who doesn't shit himself when he sees a guy like Lukaku or Benteke. Someone who isn't beasted in the air every fucking time as well...