Cronky

He can make things happen, so is well worth persisting with.

Centre half has been an inappropriate term since they changed the offside rule in 1925, from 3 men to 2, and it became necessary to drop the centre half back into a position between the two full backs. It's lasted an insanely long time though. The usual 1-11 numbering system is based on the pre-1925 system of 2-3-5, with two full backs numbered 2 and 3, 3 half-backs 4 to 6, and 5 forwards 7 to 11. Despite the fact that formations are now very different, the old numbers have an influence, particularly in defence.

We'll have to see how he adjusts, but at the moment I'm not optimistic. He's got some tricks, but it feels like he's still trying to play like he was in France, where players have more time and space. A player like Modric or Silva has the skill to compensate for his physical disadvantages. I'm not sure that Cabella has that.

One trouble is that everyone else has improved. With the TV money, medium sized clubs who can stay in the Premiership can actually build reasonable sides by attracting good players from all over Europe. (eg Swansea, Southampton). The proportion of a club's income that comes from gate receipts as opposed to TV has shrunk, so I think that's equalled the standard a bit amongst the non-CL contenders. A reservation I have about our transfer policy is its inflexibility in not looking at players who are reaching the end of their careers. Sometimes one or two veterans can add a lot, particularly in terms of leadership, on and off the field. We're relying on young players coming through and, so far, that's yet to bear fruit. It's now really difficult for youngsters to break into the first team through the ranks, unless they're really good. And at our club, there's pressure. I don't agree that everyone else has improved at all, at least not wholesale. Teams can always push for the cups, Europe and the CL. Doing that with the players that we had, despite Pardew being our manager is proof enough to me that those places are up for grabs when the 'big teams' are falling under par. Everyone has this idea that it goes Man City, Chelsea, Man United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Spurs but it's never that simple, Liverpool and Spurs fall short regularly and those places HAVE TO be filled by other teams. Look at Everton, Southampton, look at us a couple of seasons ago. It's an absolute myth that it's all sewn up. It's what SSN and those clubs want you to think. I don't see a problem in having a good old head in a team, or in a squad. I agree with that providing it's one or two. Teams with older heads are generally shit in a league that relies upon physicality and pace. When I said that teams have improved, I wasn't thinking of the CL, I was thinking of the teams who generally fill the places from 7th to 17th. The top four is still very tough to break into. I can't agree with you on that. You had Man U, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal monopolising it for quite a few seasons, and the only real change has been Man City burrowing their way in by spending vast amounts of money. We've managed it twice, Everton once and Spurs once, and that's all. That shows that whilst it's not impossible, it's very difficult.

One trouble is that everyone else has improved. With the TV money, medium sized clubs who can stay in the Premiership can actually build reasonable sides by attracting good players from all over Europe. (eg Swansea, Southampton). The proportion of a club's income that comes from gate receipts as opposed to TV has shrunk, so I think that's equalled the standard a bit amongst the non-CL contenders. A reservation I have about our transfer policy is its inflexibility in not looking at players who are reaching the end of their careers. Sometimes one or two veterans can add a lot, particularly in terms of leadership, on and off the field. We're relying on young players coming through and, so far, that's yet to bear fruit. It's now really difficult for youngsters to break into the first team through the ranks, unless they're really good. And at our club, there's pressure.

I think the general outside opinion of Pardew is that he's a solid pro who doesn't deserve the criticism he gets, because he's handicapped by working for an owner who runs a tight financial ship, and who is prone to erratic decisions (eg Kinnear as DOF). No more than that, really. In fairness, although there's been a few dissenting voices, he generally seems to get the support and good opinion of his players. We still seem to be able to attract French players, and if the word on le grapevine was negative, the likes of Cabella wouldn't come. Despite the fact that he's been with us a while now, I still haven't made my mind up. He seems to be a conservative, defensive-minded coach, but I don't think he's had the very best of players to work with. He may or may not have more to offer, with better players.

Ah, you were being serious. A CB!!!!!!!! lol Good spot. He really looks to have found his feet at CB.

Cabella, Sammy and Ayoze all struggled to keep hold of the ball. It was a very lightweight attack, but somehow we found a way of winning.

The players seem to lack motivation. Milner was the only one who seemed to care tonight. The quality is obvious. Even with 9 men their ability shone through and they were creating chances. But it's no good going out there thinking that 75% will be good enough against inferior opposition.

I imagine that Pardew will be thinking that Keegan's support would have been a lot more useful 2 or 3 weeks ago.

Very unwise of Pardew to draw that comparison, given his position, but...... A large number of supporters did turn against Sir Bob. It didn't reach the level of aggression that Pardew has faced, but it was there. And I think it was a factor in his decline and fall (although not the only one).

I'm one of his defenders, but even I would not describe Pardew's approach as 'Cavalier'. It's quite the opposite. He's the arch pragmatist. Was that feature tongue-in-cheek?

Does Chamakh ever have a good hair day?

Well worth a mention. He gets criticised for his attacking but his run made the goal and he chose the right option in passing to Sissoko rather than crossing. In defending, he seemed to be getting much tighter to his opponent and not allowing them to turn. It worked well for him.

I've not see Diarra recently, but if he's playing to his previous standard, I've no problem with that.

Last season, with Suarez, Sturridge and Sterling, Liverpool could attack with great pace. With only one of them, they're a different team going forward. Defenders are under far less pressure.

There are quite a few reasons you could cite. But there's pressure in being the front runner, and neither the manager nor the players had the experience and composure to close things out.

Said we should have had two reds. Sissoko and Janmaat Well Janmaat should have gone. He lost his temper and lashed out. He needs to cut that sort of thing out, because he could have lost us the game. It's reminding me of the season we finished fifth - we're not dominating any games, but we're getting results through an organised defence and taking our opportunities at the other end.

Can I ask you what makes you think this? I genuinely don't see it at all. There's not a lot to choose between them, but I'm not surprised that Dummett has edged ahead. I think CD had a good point when he said that Haidara took more risks. Dummett is playing very conservatively at the moment, but I reckon there' s more to come from him going forward, once he gains more confidence and his judgement improves. He's not the clogger that some on here seem to think. By contrast Haidara's touch on the ball is more erratic than his supporters believe. Last night, he looked quite clumsy going forward on two or three occasions. It's true enough that he's more enterprising, and he's the better athlete, but he's still at the beginning stages of the learning curve. It's very tough for young defenders in the Premier league, because the standard is now so high that they only have to be slightly out of position, and they're done. Both look a bit vulnerable in defence at the moment, but again I'd back Dummett at this moment because he plays with that bit more aggression and he's good in the air.

Normally, I go easy on referees, but the penalty decision with Obertan was ridiculous. From the position of the players, there was no way the defender could have cleanly got the ball.

That's a real bastard draw. Away against a Premiership team who'll be out for revenge. Yuk.

He's improving with every game, and did a steady job out there tonight. I think Pardew likes tall full backs, because he doesn't want them to be a soft touch for crosses to the far post. Trouble is that kind of full back isn't quite as nimble and if they're slightly out of position, they don't find it as easy to recover. But I do think Dummett has more potential than Haidara.

That is a bad side. We are going to get overrun in midfield.

Ayoze has looked very confident and relaxed, considering the jump he's making from the Spanish Second Division to the Premiership. If he makes a mistake, he shrugs it off and he's back looking for the ball. He's got a good attitude. Physically he's at a disadvantage in this division. It just remains to be seen if he can overcome that.

I think it was a problem for his older bro as well. If we get 60 good minutes out of him, that's fine.