Sifu

Little Man Syndrome.

Think they were close to signing him, then for some reason, the deal just never went through. Also, quality last sentence there! Ha. You saying they needed more lube? Ha, yeah, that would have helped!

Think they were close to signing him, then for some reason, the deal just never went through. Also, quality last sentence there! Ha.

Rosicky

Job done.

Pretty much, Arsenal have been terrible.

Penalty. This to really finish off the tie.

Arsenal's first meaningful attack.

How does Rosicky still start games for Arsenal?

Game over.

Thierry's coming on. 45 minutes to salvage something.

Goal. Robinho.

What a goal.

Don't know why but can see Arsenal winning this. Henry to score the winner.

That pitch at the San Siro isn't the best like!

Fucking hell. That's fucking disgusting. What a cunt.

I definitely think this is true. There is that argument that if you change a formula that has served you so well for most of the season then why change it? Such an argument has substance really - at the start of the season, with the emphasis being on defensive solidity, we were becoming harder to beat and that certainly worked in our favour. I guess any significant changes now could knack us between now and the end of the season. If this is Pardew's view then I can understand it tbh. In terms of the football we've played, it has been pretty at times and at other times, downright atrocious but sometimes a mix of a passing game and direct football can work to our benefit (see the Man U game at St. James'). From what we've heard, Pardew does have an attention-to-detail approach when it comes to deciding on the tactics and that can only be a good thing. Of course, he has got it completely wrong at times but with mistakes, comes experience and I hope Pardew is learning from them (he certainly learned from his mistakes from Stoke last season and set us up to a brilliant win this season). I also really think that Pardew had different plans for us during pre-season. I actually do believe that he wanted us to pass and play this season but because our pre-season turned out to be a terrible one (Ben Arfa getting injured, Tiote's visa problems), I reckon Alan had little choice but to throw his initial plans out the window and to work on something else (which has gone well tbh). If the next pre-season goes well (and if we finish this season strongly of course), can see us playing a different type of game next season, one which I think will be much better than some of this season's showings. Too many assumptions tbh. Even with the current formation and safe tactics we are employing right now, there is alot of space for improvement. Even for the typical crossing game, we can look more dangerous and efficient. Maybe there are improvements since the beginning of the season but i just dont see the translation on the pitch. There's always room for improvement really. I just think that, having thought it about it quite a bit, the "safe tactics" has somewhat worked wonders for us this season and I reckon we'll continue to reap the benefits from it imo. With the position we're in atm (and with our aim higher now than it was at the start of the season), I guess it's the case of "it's better to be safe than sorry".

As harsh as it would be to do it, Guthrie must make way for Cabaye and Tiote. Like Dave has said, they are simply a class above him. Cabaye gives us more of a motor in CM and Tiote gives us reinforced solidity in midfield too. I've said this before, Guthrie has proved to be a more than capable backup to both Yohan and Cheik so by that reckoning, I would very much like him to stay. I'm hopeful that he'll sign a new contract and I think he will. He will get his opportunities next year with us - Tiote will presumably be off to the ACoN again so there's always a chance for Guthrie to play. Having said all that, if he feels he needs to move, then it would be understandable.

Think Shearer would take a managerial position if he was given the financial backing. IIRC, the lack of funds was why Shearer didn't take the Cardiff job?

They all look horrible though if I had to give an award for the worst, it'll be the Man U one.

Indeed. Though seeing as Ba (and Cissé) weren't available to Pardew (and thus his "preferred system" couldn't be properly used) think Alan wanted to experiment a bit there and see if such a system had some merit and guess he also did it because he wanted to somehow integrate Ben Arfa into the team. The signs were a bit promising (the QPR game and the first half in the Fulham game being key examples) but with two consecutive defeats (Fulham and Brighton) in such a system and with Best and Shola playing, Pardew probably thought that he should stick to Best's and Shola's "strengths" and play two upfront (and hence use his previous system). preferred system or no the ploy of jonas in the middle with best wide left doesn't need 2 games. the QPR game we got the result, the performance had little to build a new startegy on. I really thought Jonas did well in the middle. It gave him a free licence to roam around which meant he had more influence on the game imo. Certainly linked up well with Ben Arfa.

Indeed. Though seeing as Ba (and Cissé) weren't available to Pardew (and thus his "preferred system" couldn't be properly used) think Alan wanted to experiment a bit there and see if such a system had some merit and guess he also did it because he wanted to somehow integrate Ben Arfa into the team. The signs were a bit promising (the QPR game and the first half in the Fulham game being key examples) but with two consecutive defeats (Fulham and Brighton) in such a system and with Best and Shola playing, Pardew probably thought that he should stick to Best's and Shola's "strengths" and play two upfront (and hence use his previous system).

So they're playing him up front? From what I've read, think he's being played in an advanced midfield role but the MK Dons fans want to see him upfront.....

I definitely think this is true. There is that argument that if you change a formula that has served you so well for most of the season then why change it? Such an argument has substance really - at the start of the season, with the emphasis being on defensive solidity, we were becoming harder to beat and that certainly worked in our favour. I guess any significant changes now could knack us between now and the end of the season. If this is Pardew's view then I can understand it tbh. In terms of the football we've played, it has been pretty at times and at other times, downright atrocious but sometimes a mix of a passing game and direct football can work to our benefit (see the Man U game at St. James'). From what we've heard, Pardew does have an attention-to-detail approach when it comes to deciding on the tactics and that can only be a good thing. Of course, he has got it completely wrong at times but with mistakes, comes experience and I hope Pardew is learning from them (he certainly learned from his mistakes from Stoke last season and set us up to a brilliant win this season). I also really think that Pardew had different plans for us during pre-season. I actually do believe that he wanted us to pass and play this season but because our pre-season turned out to be a terrible one (Ben Arfa getting injured, Tiote's visa problems), I reckon Alan had little choice but to throw his initial plans out the window and to work on something else (which has gone well tbh). If the next pre-season goes well (and if we finish this season strongly of course), can see us playing a different type of game next season, one which I think will be much better than some of this season's showings.

That's good news but I wouldn't start him tbh. Bench duty please. On the day, we need to attack Wolves (their defence is woeful really) and Raylor, simply put, isn't the man to petrify their defence. Sure, bring him on if we're struggling, his set-piece deliveries would be valuable. One thing which I might go with though is that in future games, if we want to be "conservative", Raylor could be a good choice for a starting role hmmm. only way he should play is if we tell cabaye to push on all the time (wont happen) The way I see it is that if Pardew goes with a defensive-type plan for a certain game, I think Raylor could be a good choice to start on the right in that: - Firstly, he'll offer Simpson some much needed protection; - Secondly, when he decides to push forward when he has the ball, he'll be able to provide the odd great cross and; - Finally, his proficiency from set-pieces would be an asset. Having said that, Jonas on the right would be a good option too (and probably a better one in fact). I do sometimes forget that Raylor is actually a limited player but I really think that he has looked decent on the right (mainly for his role as protection for Simpson though).