Unbelievable

It would be good if he started showing it on the pitch regularly if he is indeed massively underrated and a much better player as you suggest.

1) Pardew did have one good season in that 2.5 year, and his first half season wasn't bad either. He got some credit for his 5th place finish 2) Hughton was sacked off under no fan pressure at all for having a promoted side safely in midtable, so we know Ashley can have a mean streak 3) Pardew himself indicated in the press before the end of season meeting he expected it to be uneasy. You don't think for a second they gave him a pat on the back and opened a bottle to celebrate? Aye, but Pardew is here to stay forever, regardless of what happens and we are guaranteed to not ever have a good season again under his helm. Sounds legit.

That's less than some people on here want for Tiote, who is inferior. They also have no incentive to sell him. Udoh said Gala interest is real, though. Lovren is just a big name who happens to be a thoroughly average player. He is young enough to still have potential and was alright maybe two years ago, but I'm not impressed. Southampton will need more than one to fix their defence anyway. I don't think Mikel is better than Tiote; they're about on a par, and I'm yet to see Mikel have a convincing season like Tiote's first here. Considering how expensive and sought after Mikel was when he arrived in English football, he's done very little to justify the hype.

Excellent! Now all we need to do is replace Williamson (2m) with Douglas (free) and we're set defensively.

lot of conjecture there tbh, i'm starting to move towards the viewpoint that they'll stick with him come what may i'm aware that's based on nothing but opinion as well mind Your fatalistic approach that next season is a write off before it's even begun is conjecture too, as I'm sure you realise (do you?)

Alright boys and girls, everybody go out of the pram, collect the toys you hoyed out yesterday evening and neatly put them back in the pram, for now. Thank you very much.

This

NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

Don't get me wrong, i think you're quite right and agree with you. It's just Pardew and his tactics that make it a complete unknown. We will concede goals but i think the ridiculous amounts has been down to him and his tactics as much as it's been the fault of the players. He started off well but other managers have just sussed him and his tactics out imo, and the results have reflected that. Possibly, not certainly. We will see. If results don't improve he'll be sacked off sharpish anyway. I like to think it's been made perfectly clear to him that this season wasn't acceptable by any measure. They cut him some slack however for last season. One season of overachievement, one of underachievement. He will not be allowed another.

Not just because we sign one more defender. I never said that. We also got 2 new full backs and a centre back in January, who have had half a season to adjust. That's a full back four. On top of that, with a little bit of luck, we may also get our esteemed captain back, focused and committed to the cause unlike last season.

Have we even looked like recreating that kind of form, since the first dozen games of which you mention, it's been terrible and i tend to form my view over the nearly two season since rather than just those twelve or so games. If you want to discard half a season proof that we can be solid defensively (could say full season), why do people base their opinion on how we could be much better going forward on a period stretching 6 matches in the same season? Both things happened, and both things are true: we can be better defensively AND going forward. It wasn't half a season, we conceded 51 goals in that season. 34 of them away. Like i said, under him we have been terrible for concededing goals especially away. Pick a few games out of that lot if you like. It doesn't change the overall pattern, under him our away record for the last two seasons is played 36, won 10, drew 10, lost 18, scored 48 conceded 71. It's just terrible. One goal short of two conceded a game average. Not exactly sure how you can't defend that like. Again, do home games not count? We conceded 17 at home that season, which puts us third, with second only conceding 2 less than us. I'm not defending this shambolic mess of last season, but to say we can't be solid defensively is nonsense.

Have we even looked like recreating that kind of form, since the first dozen games of which you mention, it's been terrible and i tend to form my view over the nearly two season since rather than just those twelve or so games. If you want to discard half a season proof that we can be solid defensively (could say full season), why do people base their opinion on how we could be much better going forward on a period stretching 6 matches in the same season? Both things happened, and both things are true: we can be better defensively AND going forward.

First half of the season before last we were (amongst the) team(s) that conceeded the least goals in the league. Did we only play at home?

Well, we were VERY solid defensively the season before last, especially in the first half of that season, so it's incorrect to suggest Pardew doesn't know how to set up a team to defend effectively. I feel we have suffered from a lack of stability in personnel, especially in defense where understanding and confidence in each other is crucial. I said so at the time (first half of this season) and pointed out in the first 10-15 matches we always had at least one, and often multiple changes in our back 5. Also, the quality of player coming in meant quite a drop in ability. Hopefully with more able defenders at our disposal (Mbiwa, Debuchy, Haidara and possibly Douglas/A.N.Other) and less games to play next season we can get off to a good start next season and build our confidence up again. Having a focused and committed Colo available to lead the defense is massive as well. All in all I'm pretty confident that we can do better defensively than last season. Now for being more effective going forward...

Douglas/Saylor with Colo (if he stays)/Mbiwa would be the strongest set of centre backs we've had in living memory. Add Santon, Debuchy and Haidara to that for the full back positions, Perch as a reliable utility man, Anita as a fallback option and the kids to add squad strength (if they don't go on loan) and we'd be looking very strong in defense at least.

Good player, but based on age, fee and wages Douglas is a better option.

Certainly. Both have pace and strength in spades, and can play a bit. Douglas brings height that Mbiwa lacks. Could form an excellent partnership for years to come imho.

I think the homegrown rules would be a problem..

Doesn't sound unreasonable at all to me to ask for some proof of disability in return for 1.5 free season ticket...

Don't want to be dragged in? Are we hoping by the end of September nobody will have made a move and we get a free pass at him..?

Even if true, he was in the match day squad, was he not? He's a professional footballer, he should be able to handle two matches a week.

Sounds legit

HP Sauce?

I'd play him ahead of Saylor anyway.

The fact that club are his current club's title rivals does make it a cuntish thing to do tbh. If he had any respect for Dortmund or its fans he wouldn't take this stance.