Memphis

Why is it such a sin to want to see attractive football and results at what is, still, one of the biggest clubs in the country? I've read so many journalists and fans alike referencing the more attractive football we've played this preseason -- how fucking low are the standards for attractive football now? We still look scared shitless to try and control a game, even against teams against whom we should be asserting possessional superiority. We once again have to rely on a talisman to provide moments of magic; otherwise, we are as functional as it comes. Utterly bland. It isn't wrong to want to watch something entertaining. Football is supposed to be fun. Watching it certainly shouldn't be a chore. Self-defeating and self-limiting bullshit has turned a lot of our fans into sad mouthpieces for an even sadder regime.

Just watched the Skysports video again - the answer in full is: Only this genius would bring up just trying to get through the January window as part of an answer about the season expectations in August.

If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail. He has one philosophy of management - fear. Fearing the opposition to the detriment of developing an actual attacking philosophy, fear of his own players getting too far forward to avoid losing shape. Fear of setting the bar too high in case he can't reach it. Fear of being found out -- again -- that he's out of his depth. Fear of any player he can't fully control. Fear of pulling a Portsmouth. Fear of spending big on the wrong player. No one respects a fearful leader. No one -- players or supporters alike -- can be inspired by a manager (and a Club) scared to try.

Against Blackpool though, not sure they have 11 actual professionals out there...

http://i.snag.gy/o5CbD.jpg From today's L'Equipe on Lyon. My French is terrible; I think the last few sentences say something to the effect of Lyon wanting to reduce losses so may well be forced to accept our offer on Lacazette. Could be totally wrong there. But they feature a prominent photo of him in their season preview pages and feature him in Lyon's projected starting XI, so...

Some more Stuart Pearce quotes from his interview on BBC Nottingham radio - http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0240klv (starts at about 5 minutes in): "As I sit here now, I can't defend the decision to sell them because it wasn't my decision. I'm very disappointed that they've done that and the only upside I've got is I think the nature of the two boys is that they're outstanding kids and they'll want to do everything they possibly can to push us into the Premier League." "For me, it's not a great business decision. I've seen players like the Chambers of the world going to Arsenal for 16 million and we sell two of our better lads, in my opinion, at cut-price." "To be fair to both individuals, they're pretty loyal to Nottingham. I think they'll give their lot -- if they don't they won't be in the team. I get the impression that I've got two good kids on our hands and hopefully for our sake and for Newcastle's sake we can improve them as footballers." "Players were sold without my sanction. I'm pretty disappointed in that."

Judging by the shambles in his absence, very much the new Cabaye.

Seems like a waste of a good opportunity yet again. We have rarely, if ever, done anything productive in preseasons past under Pardew. Even prior to the 11-12 campaign, the preseason tour in America was a complete disgrace travel-wise and preparation-wise (and I was in Kansas City to see it). So today we set out a side with MYM yet again out of position despite having tons of evidence that he's never a fullback; we used a central defensive partnership that we've seen a lot and know is suspect, instead of using that chance to either see a younger player like Satka or MYM with one of Colo/Taylor/Williamson, which would be a useful thing to see given the unlikelihood of us signing another proper CB. Could have used Sissoko in the middle to see how that might work. Didn't. Played Abeid for some reason even though he's got no chance of featuring this season. Same with Armstrong. Put Perez and Armstrong up front and put a midfield behind them incapable of playing it on the ground, thus negating whatever they might provide. Obertan comes on to do whatever he does - good or bad - which doesn't matter as he isn't going to feature, either. Just a colossal waste.

"Facker" is nailed on

From Ryder's Twitter: "Facundo is a good presence on the pitch, a big guy at 6ft 2in, a player who has gone to the Ukraine and has been OK." Alan Pardew Boy, that's a hell of a compliment.

Due to differences in insurance policies, one club's medical may be far more stringent -- or may look for more specific conditions -- than another's. Certain providers have very particular things that must be seen before they'll sign off on a player; it may well be that a medical with us would be perfectly fine. Although there was this back in January 2013 after initially going to QPR... http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/loic-remy-warns-qpr-he-can-1546337

I do find it hard to believe a Chilean paper would have a full spread complete with numbers and salary info if it weren't extremely sure there was something there. That wasn't a little transfer rumour blurb thing, that was a damn full detailed piece. It is an odd one but it fits our profile of wanting versatile players with a future increased value. He can play all over the pitch. We have tended to push the boat out a little farther for those types.

http://images.elmercurio.com/MerserverContents/NewsPaperPages/2014/jul/22/MERSTDP002PP2207_768.jpg

http://tvnz.co.nz/football-news/newcastle-utd-dedicate-nz-tour-fans-killed-mh17-video-6033470 Video of Pardew in NZ saying those above comments and more; turns off his usual smugness and conducts himself well there.

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/389691/Newcastle-still-chasing-Sporting-Lisbon-star-Eric-Dier Still? Don't ever remember being linked with him... Would love to dare dream we'd be linked with a highly-regarded young CB but not a chance.

Reading the Chron is a lot like the books I read to my 2 year old. "Riviere is good. Riviere is good at football. I like Riviere. Olivier likes Riviere too. He used to play football. Riviere is fast. He is not slow. He likes to be cheered. I like to be cheered too. You will like him. He will like us."

Same guy posted this thing: Looks like a lounger rocketing into space. Good signing.

One example chart says: .4 to .49 non-penalty goals per 90: Good. .5 to .59 non-penalty goals per 90: Very good. .6 to .79 non-penalty goals per 90: Probable Top 20 in Europe .8 or above non-penalty goals per 90: Probable Top 5 in Europe

NPG90 = Non-Penalty Goals per 90 minutes

"It's bye from me, Mike (something)" "And bye from........myself, Roy (something)" Perfect conclusion. Never change, lads.

Terrific - if a bit late - scouting report on Ayoze. Guess Chrome finally loaded Wikipedia on his phone.

Lockwood put in a "Lockwood-style challenge" on Wor Ayoze. "Presumably South American" Perez! HAHAHAHAHA

Roy > Gary Neville