Rich

The simplicity of that set-up was perfect for Pardew. Defenders who were just expected to defend; natural width (none of these fancy wide-forward types); one defensive midfielder and one creative midfielder; and two forwards who could thrive on crosses and direct play. Simple and thus effective for a manager who isn't smart enough to handle the more complex set-ups that he tries to think about these days. Unfortunately I don't think we have the squad to play that kind of thing now, either players have left (and not replaced) or have gone downhill rapidly. This is the problem with keeping Pardew and yet not backing him in the transfer market. He's shite, you've got to allow for that. Yup. The downside to the continental-moulding of the squad is that Pardew has no clue when it comes to the modern continental systems that these players are used to playing. They don't fit into his preferred traditional 4-4-2 system, and he isn't flexible or clever enough to create a system that suits them. The scouting process over the last few windows was designed to bring in bargain-bin players without any real consideration of where they'd fit, and the hope was apparently that Pards would just make it work, but unfortunately he isn't capable of that. Either the bargain-bin approach needs to change, or they need a premium manager to make it work. I have seen some evidence to the contrary in regards to this point, which makes it all the more frustrating. I'd also take more 4-0 away humpings if it gets you posting more. Maybe. Not really.

I'm not sure how Coloccini was one of our worst, in the first half I thought we only had 3 players and Coloccini was one of them along with Krul and Ben Arfa. Aye, criminal to see his name alongside those others. Taylor was the worst, with Debuchy not too far behind. If Taylor didn't club that dude, would Debuchy be the worst? Because Debuchy was the worst. Taylor's performance was compounded by that moment, but lest us forget that he should have probably had a penalty against him (like Debuchy) before that. While his defending on goal #1 was equally as bad as Debuchy's and his defending on goal #2 was even worse. If we're just basing it on first half, Taylor was the worst.

I'm not sure how Coloccini was one of our worst, in the first half I thought we only had 3 players and Coloccini was one of them along with Krul and Ben Arfa. Aye, criminal to see his name alongside those others. Taylor was the worst, with Debuchy not too far behind.

It's almost as senseless as someone having a Tapatalk signature on every post they make.

Best the utter weaklings can do either side of singing about Shola and Pardew. Cretins. Ron, man. Really think this fan rage is somewhat misplaced. I was looking at the screen tonight thinking "daft cunts" at those that paid money to go and watch that in the flesh, then I took a look in the mirror at someone who was sitting at home like a mug doing exactly the same. Only difference is Sky got my money instead of NUFC, which is just as bad if not worse. I don't think it is at all. The fans are refusing to fight for the club in supporting this nonsense. I can see where you're coming from but I think it's pity more than anger that I feel towards them. However, I've been where they are so I can appreciate why they still turn up. There are times when it's all you have, and for some people it's all they'll ever have, they live for it. I can't be mad with people for supporting the team, which is what most of them are doing at the end of the day. Fair point. I just wish people would see the big picture. Surely virtually nobody enjoys the rubbish we serve up at SJP and on the road these days. I have to say despite it all, tonight was the first time I can ever remember sacking it off before the final whistle. The first and last time I can remember before this was when we found ourselves 3-1 down at home to Leicester in 1997... I sat there like a dumpling in SJP feeling some sense of duty when the Mackems were running us ragged last season, but tonight at 3-0 just felt like my tipping point. Suppose everyone has their limit.

What does this guy stand to lose from trying to play an attacking, attractive brand of football?

Best the utter weaklings can do either side of singing about Shola and Pardew. Cretins. Ron, man. Really think this fan rage is somewhat misplaced. I was looking at the screen tonight thinking "daft cunts" at those that paid money to go and watch that in the flesh, then I took a look in the mirror at someone who was sitting at home like a mug doing exactly the same. Only difference is Sky got my money instead of NUFC, which is just as bad if not worse. I don't think it is at all. The fans are refusing to fight for the club in supporting this nonsense. I can see where you're coming from but I think it's pity more than anger that I feel towards them. However, I've been where they are so I can appreciate why they still turn up. There are times when it's all you have, and for some people it's all they'll ever have, they live for it. I can't be mad with people for supporting the team, which is what most of them are doing at the end of the day.

Seemed to control the ball well from Krul's goalkicks He did, typical knee jerk stuff tonight. Passes to him, immediately crowded by 3 city defenders, no options on, no link between him and midfield (again). Sure his touch was poor tonight but he's getting slated for not being an out ball target man tonight. He can actually link play just fine (he did it plenty when he first arrived). Well thank fuck for you two. I know he tailed off badly fairly soon after as things generally descended into farce, but people don't half let rage cloud their judgement on here at times. While i'm not raging, i tend to think a players first touch is very important, even more so for a front man to bring others into play. He was terrible and has been for ages, hopefully he'll get back to form, giving him a strike partner to hold the ball up will help, but he should be able to do the basics himself. He was far from terrible at the start, which was all I said initially. Just wanted to bring a bit of balance. Not disagreeing that his touch has been appalling at times and that it ended up going that way again tonight.

Best the utter weaklings can do either side of singing about Shola and Pardew. Cretins. Ron, man. Really think this fan rage is somewhat misplaced. I was looking at the screen tonight thinking "daft cunts" at those that paid money to go and watch that in the flesh, then I took a look in the mirror at someone who was sitting at home like a mug doing exactly the same. Only difference is Sky got my money instead of NUFC, which is just as bad if not worse.

I'm sure he said that before the game. Aye, bid came in Sunday night but it wasn't us that told Cabaye about it.

Seemed to control the ball well from Krul's goalkicks He did, typical knee jerk stuff tonight. Passes to him, immediately crowded by 3 city defenders, no options on, no link between him and midfield (again). Sure his touch was poor tonight but he's getting slated for not being an out ball target man tonight. He can actually link play just fine (he did it plenty when he first arrived). Well thank fuck for you two. I know he tailed off badly fairly soon after as things generally descended into farce, but people don't half let rage cloud their judgement on here at times.

You mean Aguero. Oh aye, soz.

Thought Cisse started fairly well

According to my eyes it was 4-4-2.

It was 4-4-2 from the first whistle.

We played 4-4-2 tonight.

Oh David.

If you're thinking about starting a collection I'll happily chip in.

Definition of a 1/10 performance tonight, just can't defend one-on-one.

How has that managed to be worse than I was expecting it to be? Return of later on.

Go us.

I'm sensing a common theme here. Derisory bids all round in a bid to unsettle players in the hope it unsettles them to forcing in a move.

Eh?

Would be over the moon with that.

It's time for Joe Kinnear to shock the world.