The College Dropout

Very true. Bould got a promotion but it's not working when it matters. Some new ideas are needed. Still somehow think they'll finish 4th.

Aye, although I can see a comeback for some reason. But really, this really looks to be a watershed day. What I will say, never count Wenger and Arsenal out when it comes finishing 4th. Even if they lose they'll only be 5 points behind with 10 games to go.

Yes, he does take some responsibility. Nobody is denying that. But there's other reasons too. Yesterday, we didn't lose because of Alan Pardew.

At this point, Cisse has probably played more games upfront than anywhere else. You know..... his bad form is probably HIS fault.

I believe in Arsene Wenger, I really do. Terrific manager. But some of this defending man... after all these years. It's just not good enough. Even the transfers. Got the wrong lads from S'hampton & Ajax.

This. I don't feel the manager will be afforded two bad seasons in a row though. Agreed. to an extent.

Which proves the point that Pardew is not a good manager, he has us below the Mackems , it obvious we have better players. Steven Fletcher has scored more goals than Cisse. At some point, you have to look at the players.

How many chances do you think Andy Cole and Les Ferdinand needed to get goals? My guess is that both would have a record of less than a goal for every couple of good chances and both were formidable scorers for us, I wonder why? We’re not creating enough chances and that it down to how we play and it’s not good enough. Did we create more chances in the first half of the season when Ba was one of the top scorers in the league? Is he better than Cole or Ferdinand were? Demba was scoring goals but was forcing the team to play badly. Don't you know? I don't think HE was forcing the team to play badly. He was doing what he was there to do, if it wasn't working then Pardew should have changed things. What was that? Sign 3 first team players. One a dynamic #10. Another an excellent wide forward. A proper #2. And magically heal our CB and influential midfielder? Or... just swap he and Cisse around. Cisse still not scoring regularly and us not picking up points.

I'm not even sure what that means. If Cisse played well yesterday, we would've won. Better? And yet Ba was supposedly playing well for six months and we were losing every week, not managing a single away win when he was here. we've never won an away game with Demba Ba in the side?

Getting results is important and breeds confidence. However, we won't get relegated. So the main thing for me is performance. And the performance was good. Much better chance of keeping HBA and Cabaye with a surge into the top half showing promise for next season. If they see us standing still even after the January investment, what reason is there for them to stick around? If Manchester United/City/a top club want them, they'll leave regardless. A bad result but a good performance away to Swansea won't change that. Realistically, Cabaye playing well will result in Cabaye moving to a bigger club unless we are in the CL. And even then that just increases his price tag.

How many chances do you think Andy Cole and Les Ferdinand needed to get goals? My guess is that both would have a record of less than a goal for every couple of good chances and both were formidable scorers for us, I wonder why? We’re not creating enough chances and that it down to how we play and it’s not good enough. Did we create more chances in the first half of the season when Ba was one of the top scorers in the league? Is he better than Cole or Ferdinand were? Demba was scoring goals but was forcing the team to play badly. Don't you know?

I'm not even sure what that means. If Cisse played well yesterday, we would've won. Better?

Last year we had two strikers who scored 30 goals between them. This year, one half of that duo has put up similar numbers. The other has not been anywhere to the level of the previous season. It's not the midfielders not creating. We've always had someone banging them in for 18 months. It's just the individual player.

yeah alright mate. Same logic mean Catts > Cabaye,

Really miss how he would win us matches consistently. We need another real option up front.

Cisse performance away from a win yesterday.

Getting results is important and breeds confidence. However, we won't get relegated. So the main thing for me is performance. And the performance was good.

Spurs will happily play on the back foot.

For the last 3 years Spurs have had Scott Parker as a key midfielder. Finished 5th and 4th. This year he's taken a back seat.

7 out of 10 today. Maybe even at 8. Won't complain.

Danny Guthrie looked like Steven Gerrard in that division man.

Kezman's been done surely?

Shola Ameobi looked a cut above in teh Championship. Touch, striking of the ball etc. Piss poor league.

No, football teams don't perform on paper or on wage bills. The squad, is 4th best in the league imo. That is where you should finish. With Chelsea faltering, 3rd is now viable again like last season. I would think Spurs slightly under-performed if you did finish 6th but I wouldn't be worried long-term. You're bringing in the younger players to an already youngish set-up. There's no doubting these last couple years have been a window to get into the top 4 though. I agree, long-term AVB looks far more promising than 'Arry. Whose signings and everything he does, is built for short-term success. As for the job he has actually done, it's been good but no better than what Redknapp done..... so far. Personally, with that bit more options in your squad, I have you as favourite's for the Europa.

I don't think Dembele is half as good as Modric was, they've also been short on Striker options. New manager, trying to mould new players into a new system, plenty to prove, i'd say 4th would be a great finish. I disagree. Dembele is different but I don't think he's far away from Modric at all. Even if you think he's not as good by a distance. Modric and VDV for Dembele, Holtby, Sigurdsson & Dempsey isn't a bad deal at all. Same strikers they had last year. Without Dempsey to fill in. What about the 3 first defenders they've introduced? The world class goalkeeper? Would you take last years squad over this? 4th would be great, aye. That's their target and level of their squad. Any less would be seen as a disappointment and a underachievement.