alpal78

Ok next question, after these incidents (Nolan on Anichibe and Guthrie on Fagan), did our manager (Pardew, Houghton) came out with tosh like there's not a bad bone in his body or did we accept responsibility and tried to make amends. Makes me sick hearing Martinez extol the good virtues of Callum Mcmanaman

We've been victims of several horrible tackles in the last few seasons including De Jong on HBA and yesterday involving Haidara. Naturally these tackles usually result in serious injuries and often long recovery period. Just wondering when was the last time our players inflicted a long term injury on an opponent. Maybe I just don't remember, but can't think of any incident in the last 2-3 seasons when a player of ours broke an opponent's leg for instance. Maybe an incident involving Guthrie but that's about it?

Not sure why some like to be so pessimistic even with clearly our best player. Just enjoy him FFS

I'd perhaps agree if it wasn't about to be saved by Krul anyway. Ya but we can only assess the value of that contribution based on what actually happened not 'if's scneario. I've just told you what actually happened. Huh?? What actually happened was that Jonas cleared the ball and nobody knows whether Krul would have saved it otherwise.

I'd perhaps agree if it wasn't about to be saved by Krul anyway. Ya but we can only assess the value of that contribution based on what actually happened not 'if's scneario.

We countered on the floor very well a few times today. Must read the "if a better team" thing every week. It's up there with last seasons "luck". We beat a good side today. We beat a better side in Chelsea. Can we stop with the pointless "Ifs", not many seem to do it when we lose. I must have missed those counter attacks on the floor that you are referring to or you're dreaming. First 3 goals were all resulting from diagonal balls over the top i.e. Gouf for the 1st, Cisse for 2nd and Debuchy for penalty. Never said Southampton was a bad team, in fact was quite impressed with their high tempo pressing and intricate passing. But there are at least a dozen other teams who are better than Southampton, at least that's what the league table tells us, so not sure what you're on. There's no escaping that most of our attacks yesterday was very one dimensional and its absolutely reasonable to say that a better team/manager would have realized this and changed things around to neutralize this approach play

Aside fom the two pathetic start where our players was caught like rabbits in headlights, also noticed that most of our attack came from quick diagonal balls over the top. Granted not as bad as hoofball and can be a weapon when used effectively. But we need to vary things a bit, get control in midfield and bring the ball to our forward with more passing. We were for all intent and purposes playing a 4-5-1 for most of the game with Cisse upfront and only Gouf (and Debouchy for the penalty) making a break for those early balls over the top. A better team with centre backs sitting deeper or faster defenders to catch up would have neutralized this tactic. Just not sure we've got plan B except for Shola

FIFA 13 live feature says it will be Rob, that's the end of the debate

Yup when Robert was here, many (not me) were complaining on his corners and free kicks when they don't work out. Now that we don't have him or someone with his ability, people are saying how good they were. I had no problems with him taking on those shots, because when it did worked, it was a thing of beauty and that's what football is about, having memorable moments. Hate it when we just lump the ball with no direction from a corner and just hoping someone would attack it. Since we don't train (enough) on set pieces, everyone just stand around when a corner is taken. The weird thing is that Pardew acknowledged that this was one of our weaknesses and yet has done nothing to address it, which suggest to me that he has no clue on what needs to be done!

Agree with this. It also makes the image a bit too 'busy'. We have similar concerns and are looking at some alternatives. I like the original simplicity of the design and the concept that to the people it means something to they will know the score and scorer. I think there is a balance to be found and hopefully I'll find it... By the way we will be randomly selecting a request from our Facbook page at 1pm so head over to Facebook.com/PixelReplay and get involved I think the balance is by including the name of scorer, name of both teams and time of goal but in discreet small white form in one corner of the T-shirt such that it does not distract from the actual goal.

I disagree with this. These goals are memorable events and having the score and date provides context of the day. Makes it more memorable. By the way if this hits big time, you might want to consider filing some sort of patent or intellectual property protection. Otherwise some fucker will just copy your idea.

He's still making some blinding saves and has become increasingly sloppy.

Any update on the injury? Good that it's not broken, but still looked serious

I'd buy if the name of the match and full score are included.

Nope doesn't work that way coz you can't change a winning team. They've won the last 2 games, so we must wait for 2 defeats to balance things out before having the audacity to change a winning team!

Like he was ever going anywhere else. Yup he's too scared to play in a team without the world's best midfielders behind him!

Didn't look injured when he came off last night. Where's this from then? From the Sissoko thread though I could have been whooshed, hence the question

So no Sissoko then, out injured?

So since Carroll is still admired by some on this forum, would you guys take a Carroll for HBA straight swap? Or how much would cash would have to be included in the deal (either way)?

What has always impressed me is his accuracy in placing the ball. He does not even need to add power much lash at the ball the way Gerrard or Lampard does. He simply takes a look at the keeper's position and place the ball at a distance that the keeper won't be able to get to. It's almost like he actually did some calculation at the back of his mind before shooting.

The reason why there is such polar opposite opinions on Jonas is that it depends on what you expect from him. If you want an attacking winger with skill on the ball, dribbling and good crosses, then that is never going to be Jonas. But if you want a defensive winger who runs his bollocks off and provides cover to the full back to protect a lead, then Jonas fits the bill. I'd start Marveux and Jonas to come on if we need defensive reinforcement. For the record, I thought he did reasonably well given his role on Tuesday. Cabaye's goal originated from his cross indirectly and that goal line clearance was as vital as any goal. There's no doubt that Jonas is now the weakest link in our first 11, and since Williamson and Simpson can no longer be targets, some fans including here on NO latch on to him and dish out unwarranted severe criticism. I will not be surprised if he was in the top 3 players for the most ground covered last Tuesday and no don't come out with stupid comments like you can get anyone to just run around. You need stamina (loads of it), good positional sense and some moderate pace to do the sort of covering that Jonas does, not just any fucker can do that.

I just want to add that there is a world of difference between sitting back and holding on to possession and using quick counter attack to kill of a game which teams like Man United have mastered as opposed to the panick clearing the ball at all cost, with no outlet and only to have the ball launched back at us within 10 seconds that we seemed to have mastered at least this season. They are not even comparable. One is mastered by teams that go far in the Champions League (coincidentally also why the England team of late do not go beyond QF in the World Cup) and the other practised by teams that are usually favorites for relegation.

Did you also count how many knock ons he headed to err nobody? I saw it once. If I missed any, it was twice at most because he only won 2 aerial duels. The majority of hoofs were way over his head or directed away from him. Ok I don't know where you're getting your stats from or what constitutes winning aerial duels, because I definitely saw Shola 'passing' to nobody for quite a few times.

Daylight robbery My concern now is that we a mega mid either in the next 2 days or in the summer and the club sees it as a cash in. I like the way he handled Jonas, real captain material. In fact I'd go as far as saying that he'd make a better captain than Colo although Colo is the more indispensable player.

In practical terms though, its pretty tricky to trap a ball with no one but Villa defenders around you. Granted. I would be more forgiving if he tried to trap the ball and failed due to Villa's pressure as opposed to trying those knockons that had 0% chance of success.