Sifu

Shola getting a run of games Our strikeforce (forwards) when Ba goes to the ACoN = Best, Ben Arfa, Shola, Sammy, Lovenkrands [i've put Ben Arfa in there as he will be integral/key to our forward play when Ba's gone even though he's not a proper striker]

Oh Rafa....

Giroud is another target, apparently he has a release clause of 10 million euros. I think it's a reasonable fee so I hope Ashley goes for it.... But first thing's first, we need a CB!

I see Bordeaux have climbed to 10th in Ligue 1 They had a terrible start to the season so it's good to see them in the top half at the halfway point of the season. (Though, they're 5 points above 18th).

Need someone to start scoring goals as well as Ba........howay Leon! Tbf, as much as I like Leon I dont think he could hit a barn door. When Ba does go to the ACoN, I'm expecting Best upfront on his own with Ben Arfa behind in the number 10. So we really do need Best to rediscover his goalscoring form. Agree, cant see anything but that. If that is Pardews plan, he somehow needs to get Best & Ben Arfa some game time together. Yep, there's really no-one else. I'm definitely not trusting Shola to score the goals when Ba's away. Concerning the latter part of your post, there's the FA Cup game against Blackburn......

Need someone to start scoring goals as well as Ba........howay Leon! Tbf, as much as I like Leon I dont think he could hit a barn door. When Ba does go to the ACoN, I'm expecting to see Best upfront on his own with Ben Arfa behind in the number 10. So we really do need Best to rediscover his goalscoring form sooner rather than later.

Apparently, Celtic are interested in Kris Boyd.....

Any word on their next manager? Rijkaard was rumoured and I'd absolutely love that. Thought Rafa was linked with it a few weeks ago? Indeed he was. Rijkaard has recently been thrown into the mix though.

Not to write him off completely, but it sure as hell justifies dropping him to the bench. Dropping him could be the incentive he needs to buck up his ideas. Some one on one coaching would probably do him some good too because as it stands, he is making all the wrong decisions on the pitch. Definitely not going to write him off completely, like I've said before, I'll give him the full season to prove himself.

He always looks a miserable sod, but there is no way he can be enjoying his football here. Considering he's getting loads of stick from the fans in the stands, it's understandable why he'd look miserable atm (plus his form has been shite so a look of personal reflection possibly).

I don't mind Best though he should really learn the offside rule. It's getting beyond frustrating now seeing him standing in offside positions.

Like some have said, our second goal was great play in that Ben Arfa saw the pass was on and when it was put through Ba reacted quickly to it. It's things like that (and their link up play in the City game) which should indicate that Ba upfront on his own with Ben Arfa behind him in the number 10 can work. The understanding is definitely there, they just need a lot more playing time together to develop it further.

Well only geordiemonster and Ethi. Well I don't know what the Enrique body language thread was BUT the fact is Enrique's body language suggested he wanted to leave and it is an undisputed fact that he no longer plays for us..... Yes monster.... if this guy wants to leave he can i am not a big fan of people who can not pass balls accuratly his is the worst i have seen. 20 mil ha .... Mick's Helcophter should be used again... Are you on the wind up tonight? It's Ethi, howay. True, very true.

As a few pointed out last night, Pardew did look a bit down as if he knows his tactics/gameplan didn't work and that yesterday's defeat was his fault. For someone who apparently does things with attention to detail, last night was a big disappointment. Hopefully he'll now address the problems with his tactics and choice of personnel. I'm sure he can learn from his mistakes and rectify them accordingly.

Ever since we lost Saylor this season, our ability to defend from set pieces has certainly declined a bit. Sure we were conceding from set plays even with Saylor (a lot less though) but without him, it's now been highlighted as quite a major problem.

Well only geordiemonster and Ethi. Well I don't know what the Enrique body language thread was BUT the fact is Enrique's body language suggested he wanted to leave and it is an undisputed fact that he no longer plays for us..... Yes monster.... if this guy wants to leave he can i am not a big fan of people who can not pass balls accuratly his is the worst i have seen. 20 mil ha .... Mick's Helcophter should be used again... Are you on the wind up tonight?

Worrying about going down? Nah, sorry like but that aint happening. I'm worried our great start is going to be completely wasted, but that's about it. We're 4 wins and a draw away from the 'magical 40' and not even half the season is gone. There's no chance we're going down. None at all.

Where's the relegation-o-meter thread?

I don't think Simpson is that bad of a crosser tbh. He puts more crosses into the box than Obertan anyway which is somewhat worrying. I think Danny can still improve on his crossing though, with Obertan misfiring (and well delivering essentially nothing into the box), we need Simpson to deliver more consistent balls tbh.

I'll be nervous as fuck on the day but it has to be watched. Think I'll watch it in the pub, at least I'll have some drinks alongside me to calm me down....

If Simpson does need protection, you could switch Jonas to the right and start Ben Arfa on the left in front of Santon. Danny is probably missing Barton on the right tbh

Stick Vuckic in Best's position and replace Obertan with Ben Arfa, two problems solved. :fwap: Was just thinking that. That's quite a solution.

Well only geordiemonster and Ethi. Ah. Meh. I think everyone has to be realistic though and realise that he probably is on the radar of clubs like Chelsea or Man U (simply because he's a f***ing good player) and that they probably can afford to spend £20m+ on him and that there'd be something wrong with him were his head not turned by links to these clubs. Probably the most important thing is that he has a price and the buying clubs know that. Fair enough, out of the players who are most likely to go next month, Tiote is probably the most likely. But I personally don't think he looked like a player tonight who clearly wants out. Just looked short of match fitness to me. Pretty confident he won't leave next month but summer is another matter....