Ashley17

3 good games plus Spurs & 40 minutes against Liverpool. I'm loathe to include Spurs because they had about 30 shots, we were hardly water tight, but a clean sheet is a clean sheet I suppose. In truth, I don't think we've seen enough of him at centre half in the league to say for sure if he's any good or not, but we've seen plenty of the other three to suggest they aren't. When a team went more physical, as Everton did, he really struggled, and from the games you've listed they are teams who generally get the ball down and play. I can't see us buying anybody better than him so for that reason he's definitely worth giving another go.

Didn't we look at this the other night and decide Williamson & MYM played 3 games at centre half together? Not sure where 2 months is coming from.

Didn't realise Arsenal are paying £16m for Chambers. Blimey.

Just watched this back, minus the last 6 minutes when the programme over ran. Worries me that Pardew keeps dabbling with 3-5-2, although it was nice to see long spells of pressure from us. Not sure that was down to the formation though. Too many square pegs I think but no doubt he'll try it again with the full set of players. How did West Ham lose both of these games? Hope de Jong's alright, he's going to be a real asset.

He's bugged the fax machine

He did the flip against Coventry and I remember thinking it was a bit over the tor the top for a 4th round FA Cup game. Little did I know it was the most energetic he would ever look

Is this run of games City (cup), Chelsea home and Spurs away? Or was there another I've forgotten about? He did well in those first two but considering the amount of times Krul dug us out of the shit against Spurs I'll not get excited. He and Williamson are a good combo as Williamson seems a decent organiser and three clean sheets against those teams isn't to be sniffed at. Like I said, the potential is there so I'd rather we at least tried him in his best position but idiot boy seems loathe to do so

He is popular because Pardew hates him. He has rarely shown much in an NUFC shirt. I do however think he has more potential than any of our other centre halves given his skill set. He's had to play a lot at full back, unfairly, but that doesn't excuse for example why he just threw Eto'o to the ground for no reason, or even playing at centre half against Everton he failed to even attempt to head the ball clear from a big punt downfield. The likes of Taylor have made a similar number of mistakes and yet still remain though, which is inexcusable. For this kid to be 4th choice, particularly in the games where we had nothing to play for at the end of last season, seems utterly bonkers to me.

Why are they signing Chris Eagles? Is it just a joke they are running with?

Shortly shortly

To me, Pardew owes him massively for helping dig him out of the shit a couple of seasons ago. A couple of last minute assists kept Pardew's head above water and he still never really played him last season. Whether something went on behind the scenes I don't know, I remember being impressed by him in a midfield 3 but that's another role he never got given again. He was talked up as the only one who could play Cabaye's position and see those passes but again, all talk and we'll have Sissoko in that number 10 role being a target man.

Here's what I've gone for (about the 5th re-draft) - I've tried to justify my side to make myself feel better: GK Foster - At £4.5m, given WBA's opening games this seems like a good idea Krul - When Foster has slightly tricky games, Krul's look a bit easier. Also considered - Mannone/Pantillimon in the same budget, but don't know who will be number 1. Also Guzan but Villa aren't the best and weeks 4,5 & 6 look painful. Considered de Gea (£5.5m) plus somebody at £4m who will likely never play but de Gea will play most games barring injury. I like my keepers to get save points though, and I'd rather not have no sub keeper. DF Filipe Luis - Cheapest Chelsea defender along with Azpilicueta at £6m, but who will get the full back roles? Is he a rotation risk? Ideally need to upgrade to Cahill. Debuchy - Safe choice, should get some decent attacking points. Evans - Seems the most likely to play at centre half if fit, would be sacrificed if I use the de Gea option above. Dann - Pulis loves a clean sheet and their first 3 home games suggest it's on the cards Chambers - Cheap and cheerful at £4.5m, Southampton's start (GW1 aside) looks points-laden. Also considered - Cameron from Stoke at £4.5m with nice home games but will he play? Lescott/McAuley from WBA also like a goal but would mean replacing Foster. Vlaar at £4.5m will be a steal if he moves somewhere competent whilst Davies going to Spurs makes him viable at £5m MF Ramsey - Cheaper than Alexis and hopefully picks up where he left off. Hazard - Chief pen taker now Lampard has gone, hopefully he patches up his differences with Mourinho Mata - Man Utd's start means you need to capitalise Odemwingie - Finished last season in good form but at £6.5m might be sacrificed, though Stoke's opening games are decent GW3 aside Ward-Prowse - See Chambers Also considered: Every bugger else! Could do Yaya for Hazard and Fabregas for Ramsey or any number of similar alternatives. De Jong at £7m is tempting but happy to invoke sods law and not pick him FW Rooney - Similar to why I included Mata, great opening fixtures for Roonpig Dzeko - With Negredo out for 2 months I've opted for Dzeko, needed a Man City presence Long - Hull have a decent start and with only £6m to play with, here we are. Also considered: Remy at £7.5m but Liverpool have bought the world and I need to see where they play him. Liverpool's start isn't that enticing with tricky GW2 and GW3 so might see if people panic and sell him and his price comes down more. Keen to see where Bony ends up too. In terms of budget options, Steven Fletcher is £5.5m and if he's up for it he can be a threat

4-0, good goal from Armstrong

Here's tiny Campbell, on for Coloccini. 80 played

Gouffy off, Armstrong on. Taylor off, Satka on. Haidara off, Dummett on. 75 played

"Oh fuck off!"

Don't think Sammy will be here too much longer. Think Pardew has Aarons ahead of him now and he's in the last year of his contract

Abeid for Colback and Sammy for Aarons - 68 gone work readers

Decent from Perez

3-0 to NUFC

Perez on for Riviere

Inswinging non-floaty corner, what is this shit?

Feel like I've been watching this for hours already

Well, it's not always been pretty but there's some decent causes for optimism, even if the opposition are shite. De Jong seems a really clever footballer, doesn't always do the obvious which is welcome. He has a good eye for a pass as you would expect. Not loads to say about Riviere but he's got a goal and an assist so he'll get confidence from that. We look canny quick on the break, I imagine that'll only improve further with Cabella and even Janmaat. Colback is ok, he's left footed which is a little bit of balance for once.

What an atrocious passage of play