Elma

Found the article and that bit in particular infuriating. All these years of mostly defensive work, and we've never looked a solid unit anyway. I don't know if it's true but am sure I once heard he trains defensively for four days a week, working on how to stop the opposition, before spending one on setting up and looking at ways to break them down. For what it's worth I think it worked and we did look a solid unit in the season we finished 5th. I think he lucked out with personnel as Cabaye arrived to partner Tiote and we knicked Ba from West Ham, before picking up Cisse in Jan. Not sure how much he had to do with those signings, but Colo and Steve Taylor were also impressive together until Taylor did his achilies. In fact, the back four was pretty much constant which helped. They would still be my preferred two as I don't rate Williamson and in that spell they proved how well they can play together. I've always hated this negativity from Pardew though, the 3-1 loss to Liverpool that year did my head in as Ba was so isolated, but we looked good when he got support. We were 2-0 down by then though as Pardew had worried too much about them before KO The signs were even there that season....

Agreed. But what I meant was we needed a 15 goal striker and a commanding centre-half with prem experience in the window to at least let him churn some results out of his 'defend and try to nick one' turgid football. He didn't get them so he's screwed....he will take this current group down if he's given long enough.

We've the wrong set of players for Pardew too.

Glad I jacked in my season ticket at the end of last year now. Nothing will change until Pardew and Ashley have gone. I actually think we'll go down with this squad under Pardew. It's worth at least mid-table in the hands of a competent manager though.

I don't know him but I know others at the club who work with him. Ultimately I'm happier it's him there than Llambias or Kinnear as he has a greater connection with the club and no historic connection with Ashley. He's always going to tow the party line in the press though.

Beat Pardew to it by a few hours

Personally, I think we'll see him back way before Xmas.

Completely agree. Should have done that anyway at Tiote's expense, regardless of the Cabaye stuff.

Think it will be this: Krul Debuchy Saylor Coloccini Yanga-Mbiwa Cabaye Tiote HBA Sissoko Gouffran Cisse Not sure if Krul or Elliott in goal but I'll go with Krul. Will more or less be 4-5-1 with Sissoko doing his best to support Cisse. That means little or no service and pretty much accepting a slow, painful defeat.

What a great exemple of intellectual dishonesty ! "According to the British historian Niall Ferguson, France has participated in 168 major European wars since 387 BC, out of which they have won 109, drawn 10 and lost 49: this makes France the most successful military power in European history - in terms of number of fought and won." Was it Digby Jones who said, "You can always rely on the French to be there when they need you...."?

5-1 wasn't it? Kevin Carr double save (like Almunia's) then Keegan header (which was a bit dodgy as he was leaning on the defender a bit)

Adam sent off....come on Spurs!

Unwell. Team as expected based on what I heard earlier. Only questions were whether he would consider Marveaux fit enough to start ahead of Jonas and whether it would be 4-4-2 or 4-3-3. Official site going 4-3-3 and if Jonas is going to play then for me that's probably preferable. Provided it is 4-3-3 and doesn't end up 4-5-1 anyway..... Santon didn't even travel.

It does. Wigan play Villa last match, both can;t catch us. Would love to see Spurs win today to keep the pressure on Arsenal to win on Tuesday too....then a draw may be enough.

Ive read this as well, but not sure if true. Will Santon replace him. http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/SPORT/Pix/pictures/2010/11/24/1290616081830/Mike-Williamson-007.jpg Have to hope it's not true I guess - where's this coming from? I've heard it too. Taylor unwell apparently - Williamson expected to come in. Probably be a back four of Debuchy, Colo, Williamson, MYM Looks like wide players will be HBA and Jonas, with Marveaux on the bench. Unless Marveaux has done enough in training to convince Pardew he can start. Suspect Pardew will go for Jonas though. Don't think Santon will be involved at all.

To be honest my initial reaction is better than this year's kits. Would prefer the home without the blue stripes, white back and sponsors white band, but I'm happy to be back with plain stripes. Yeah it could have been better though. I really like the simplicity of the change kits and glad to have yellow back. As a child of the eighties that seems like our true change colour to me. The biggest thing for me is whether or not it will have Premier League badges on the sleeves.

Moreorless that I think, but Tiote in for Haidara and Jonas left back. Sissoko behind Cisse.

Looked like he injured himself doing that....didn't really get above a trot in the last 10 mins and wasn't moving freely at all. Hope he's OK for Sunday.

I think he will rest any with any sort of fitness issue ahead of Sunday. Were the gap only one goal, it might have been different but with a two goal deficit I think he might be more cautious with his team selection. Think that HBA will be on the bench though to try and get some minutes ahead of Sunday.

I don't think Cabaye will play. I think Pardew will prioritise Sunday.

For what it's worth I think Pards will. Wouldn't be surprised at all to see him on the bench on Thursday.

I think the squad could cope without Obertan too...would get him off the wage bill.

Due back in training this week I think. No I think he's already been back training but Fulham home is the more likely return. I heard full training from Tuesday this week but you might be right...does a keeper really need that much training under his belt after a short-ish lay-off? In saying that, there's no need to rush him as Elliott's done OK.

Due back in training this week I think.

He's due in training on Monday so I wouldn't be surprised if he is. Hopefully back for Fulham all being well. Would be a big boost as if Debuchy is out for any length of time then we can switch Mapou to right-back (would need to do that in the Europa anyway).