morpeth mag

Whilst I have no problem with the team Ferguson picked i think he got the tactics wrong by leaving too much space between the midfield and defence. They had to press as a team or defend deep depending on the circumstance and they did neither. Was disappointed in Valencia and Henandez showed his youth. Giggs showed his age and the effect of outside pressure. Scholes was better than Carrick.

There's also the age factor as at 29(?) he might only have 2 or 3 years left as a premier midfielder. Personally I like him but he's not worth breaking the bank for and I'm not sure if other clubs would pay him £60k pw even if he was a free transfer. I think a deal will be done at some stage.

Went in to the box office yesterday to discuss my move. They said they have only just started to look at moves and had 4000 to work through. They were all on paper and they were therefore unable to find my request and told me I had to wait. Sounded like they were snowed under with one old gadger and his dog  on the case.

He went back to France but returned for the new kit launch and stayed for today.

We were unable to keep the ball once Smith came on. Ferguson is a much better left winger than Lua Lua. Simpson can't defend. Shola is pants. Lovenkrands is not a premier player,

Nothing we didn't know. Over to you Mike / Alan. Happy spending.

done but we're in 6th place

Don't be too hard on Krul today. He was positive all game coming off his line to clear and whilst he got it wrong for their second goal; every young keeper has to learn. Keep the faith.

No point in not playing Krul. We're safe and it's time to see what he can do ready for next season.

Got the same email even though they have my form - I hope its because we asked to move. Phone call imminent.

Good call from Pardew - he's more than a winger and from the bits we've seen of him so far he isn't going to hug the touchline. I think the other option is to play 433 and use him as a wide roving striker.

I thought Pardew deserved credit for the HT re-organisation which deserved to bring 3pts. I thought our lack of depth on the bench showed and we need HBA to exploit the breaks that came near the end. Defence was agains solid.

tactical understanding based upon u21 games where he played different formations to good effect to suit our strengths

Would be pleased with him - good tactical understanding of the game to go with Pardew's motivation - who knows a couple of decent signings and a win at the SoL and it will be Chris Who!!

Nolan, Barton, Colo amd Williamson were the only players to come out of today with credit.

You need energy to play in CM in this division - next please

Didn't think they'd work well together based on last season but these past two games they have been a real threat. Credit to this is partially with Barton who has put some excellent balls into the box.

Always felt he didn't do enough in CM but as others have done must give him credit today - not for his goals which he always delivers - but for his general game and the pace he set closing SAFC down. Don't forget we had a CM less than SAFC but he and Tiote (and Barton) were excellent. I think we all under estimate his leadership of this team.

krul

Back 4

Routledge Guthrie Smith Lovenkrands

            Vuckic

            Ranger

Crime and punishment. Part of the problem in the game is that the punishments are minor compared to the penalty if caught cheating/fouling. I have been advocating a 20m 'penalty' for any yellow card to stop technical offences. I also think that there should be a severe sliding scale for teams relating to dangerous play but the penalty should quickly become a points loss. This would force the clubs to manage the problem themselves. I also think they should use video playback for retrospective punishments with one game bans for offences. For example they could stop holdiong in the box overnight if they reviewed every game and gave a one match ban to any player caught holding another player on two or more occasions.

Doesn't look up to the PL to me. Own goals happen so I'm not fussed about that but his general use of the ball, crossing etc is not up to PL standard. I don't rate Simpson or Raylor either though Simpson is the best of the three and I wish we could bring on Raylor for dead ball kicks only. Said before we should go for Hutton at Spurs.

Give him his chance - he deserves it and won't let us down though there are bound to be mistakes as well as brilliance.

He'll sign when we get to p400

Seen how many 1-1 scores there are today?!

Disagree with wullie as I thought Barton was the only decent midfielder. Thought we edged the first half but that CH showed his inexperience with his substitutions and change of formation. The first change was too slow in coming and should have been Ben Arfa through the middle for me. What we saw next is that Nolan cannot play in CM in 442 - they should have scored sooner on the break as a couple of times they had extra men - and this was with 25 mins left. Then to bring on Shola on the left(!!), Lovenkrands on the right(?), with Nolan and Ben Arfa behind Carroll just gifted them the ball too much. We did make chances but all shape and quality went.  Jonas and Enrique were as poor as I've seen them in a long while and I'd be surprised if Perch lasts as a RB.

PS Had money on Williamson at 28-1 for the first goal - couldn't believe it when the ball hit the post and stayed out. That type of day.

another shaggy dog story