Sifu

Just had a look there, he wasn't even playing today! (Nor was he on the bench).

The mackems losing by quite a large margin would be nice. Though I suspect it's going to be a close game.

The tempo is too slow and they don't create that many clear cut chances. B'ham worked hard and had a very solid shape. I see, thanks for that. Nice to see Hughton doing well with Birmingham like! Though Chelsea really need to win the replay.....

Should be fun as always.

Just seen the Chelsea-Birmingham result. Credit to Hughton and a discredit to Villas-Boas I guess? (Were Chelsea that bad?)

Warnock would actually fit right in at Leeds.

As i said if we find a replacement for Pardew, he must be a top manager if not dont risk the transition period. We have being through many s*** managers since Bobby but not one has being a top manager. Still waiting for the club to open to eyes really. Didier Claude Deschamps actually made some real position comments when we had the position available, and look who we go on and employ. Realistically though, who else could possibly work under the conditions Ashley has set? Jamie and the magic f***ing torch the way this lad is going on Find a manager who doesn't need a transition period? Keegan is the only person I can see capable of that and I can't see him coming back any time soon. Read the post, if not for a top class manager ( who would have a better chance or likely to get it right) or dont risk another average manager through another transitition Every manager, be it a top class one or an average one, has to go through a transitional period at a new club (that is, he has get to know the players already at the club; bring in his own personne/get rid of people from the old regimel if need be - essentially it's a massive shake up/new era/new style etc). You silly boy, quality manager = instant, guaranteed success. It's how logic works. Ooops, silly me indeed! D'oh!

As i said if we find a replacement for Pardew, he must be a top manager if not dont risk the transition period. We have being through many s*** managers since Bobby but not one has being a top manager. Still waiting for the club to open to eyes really. Didier Claude Deschamps actually made some real position comments when we had the position available, and look who we go on and employ. Realistically though, who else could possibly work under the conditions Ashley has set? Jamie and the magic f***ing torch the way this lad is going on Find a manager who doesn't need a transition period? Keegan is the only person I can see capable of that and I can't see him coming back any time soon. Read the post, if not for a top class manager ( who would have a better chance or likely to get it right) or dont risk another average manager through another transitition Every manager, be it a top class one or an average one, has to go through a transitional period at a new club (that is, he has get to know the players already at the club; bring in his own personnel/get rid of people from the old regimel if need be - essentially it's a massive shake up/new era/new style etc).

As i said if we find a replacement for Pardew, he must be a top manager if not dont risk the transition period. We have being through many s*** managers since Bobby but not one has being a top manager. Still waiting for the club to open to eyes really. Didier Claude Deschamps actually made some real position comments when we had the position available, and look who we go on and employ. Realistically though, who else could possibly work under the conditions Ashley has set?

And breathe.

Not really. The series got really crap after PES6 tbh. FIFA09 onwards......brilliant.

Hope this is true, €5m is a bargain. IIRC, he can cover anywhere in defence even though he's primarily a CB? Hopefully the existence of our French contingent here will help to sway his decision (as well as the opportunity to play in the PL).

I think this too, hmmm. Still, fair play to him for doing it.

Just seen that photo of the St. James' graffiti. Got to say, fair play to whoever did that tbh.

We need to attack Wolves from the off and for that reason, Ben Arfa should start. Just can't see Raylor/Obertan causing the Wolves defence as many problems as Ben Arfa.

Indeed but in general, I like the new layout.

What a goal that was from Topal in the Stoke-Valencia game.

Meh.

This ref is rather card happy.

Nice own goal.

Good ball, good run, good finish.

What just happened with the Porto player? Wasn't paying attention....

This is the very tactic I fear will massively backfire. You cant defend your way to a champions league spot if thats what he is going for. We need to actually want to dictate matches. That being said, even aiming at the CL is redicilous and would be such a pipedream that really - where we are sat now - we have absolutely nothing to lose. And that is why I think its such a crying shame to play Ryan Taylor, Obertan etc over Ben arfa. Why not hope for some magic and some screaming 3-pointers in the bag? Big assumption right there, and Im not sure we can conclude with such a thing based on an interview. Has any of his previous clubs played pass-and-move swansea style? Additionally, Im not sure Pardew was the pivotal part in signing cabaye or any other player for that matter. He may have his preferences in regards to what position he needs strengthened, or key attributes ( ie: pace for instance), but I dont think he has neither a definite say nor can he pin point any spesific player he wants signed. I suspect its a combination of Carr, Dekka, Mike and with some input from Pardew if need be. January window was telling in that respect, we cried out for some defensive strengthening and came out with a striker ( not that I complain ) Bottom line is I think players such as Cabaye - at that price - would have been signed regardless of who our manager was, so I dont think you can say "since he is a pass-and-mover, therefor Pardew wants to play pass-and-move fotball". Thats a bit too easy. What is blatantly obvious though is that Cabaye is deployed way deeper than his initial ( and imo preferred) position and as an advanced centre midfielder, was it 15 goals he smashed in from that position in the 2009/2010 Lille season? He has been a bit of a disappointment for me this season tbh, and I dont think using him as a "everywhere" midfielder is optimal, he is far too talented for that kind of cleaning job. In terms of transfers, I really do think that Pardew has some input in them but in the end, any potential transfer is really down to the financial constraints in place. I may have made a lot of assumptions in my post but I genuinely do believe that Pardew wants us to play a passing game (or even a mix of direct football and passing it along the deck) - we shall see next season methinks. Regarding Cabaye, he is still adapting to the PL imo but admittedly aye, he is playing deeper than I would like him to most of the time. But I think as soon as the Cabaye-Tiote partnership in CM properly clicks, I reckon Yohan will be more influential in games (I know, it's another assumption but again, I'm confident it will happen). I can understand your concerns that "playing it safe" might end up backfiring but I'm cautiously optimistic that this won't be the case. Though I would like Ben Arfa to start games/get an extended in the side sooner rather than later (please Alan?). One thing we have to do though is to make sure we win against the lesser teams (starting with Wolves next weekend) and push on from there.

Nah, it'll be Barry De Jong Silva Yaya Nasri Balotelli That makes more sense.