Parky

mackems.gif Looks more like an extra large Cheese string. Sagna's hair in its pre-match environment. http://www.fatuous.co.uk/images/cheesepin/serve.jpg mackems.gif

Because Allardyce is renowned for struggling against the big 4? Hate this "big 4" phrase. Why not "big 5" or "big 2?" Anyway, it doesn't matter what we do against the "big 4" if we do shite against all the rest. Well considering one of his points was about how Sam will cope with one of the bigger sides then I think its quite relevant. I doubt his comment needs to be taken so literally, tbh. What he's saying is something like, "how negative will Allardyce be against some of the better teams?" Fact is, if we beat the "big 4" and lose against everyone else we'd be relegated. The point you appeared to be making is that at Bolton, Allardyce had a decent record against the "big 4." Well, my take on that point is that at this stage it's irrelevant what his record was against the "big 4." BTW During his time as Bolton manager we were in the top 4 a couple of times (making us one of the "big 4" at that point in time) and I recall us thrashing them more than once. Regardless of the defeat. I think the defence is much better already than last year although there is still the odd unwanted error. The problems now for me has shifted to the midfield which normally supplies the cohesion and fluency to a side....Dare I say we are still missing a 'fulcrum'. This is also being hampered by some bizarre positioning and team selections.

mackems.gif

There is somethng amiss at the moment and SA's thinking seems riddled with caution and deferance to clearly the whipping boys of the league.

Yes. I have a feeling Mike's ambition for the club far outstrips 'the safe hands' of Allardyce. Looking at MA's bravado in the business world he is for me anyway far more a 'big picture' man than SA. But there is time for SA to adapt and I personally give him two seasons if he delivers a top 7/8 finish. However and I'm guessing here, getting Euro football might well be the baseline by which he is judged this year. The Jan window will be crucial and tell us a lot more of what is going on in various heads.

Owen would be my choice. Anelka is very good at pulling def out of position with his floating out to the left and such...Ideal to create doubts and space for Owen to thrive on. Imo SA tried his hardest to get rid of one of the two (Owen/Martins) with all his repeatedly bleeting about get out clauses and such. Anelka's mobility is what really got the 433 at Bolton working.

and no.... The stripes will make him look wierder as well if that is possible.

Yes and you are the paragon of stablility something I can only aspire to. I think my comments have been measured so far. Not calling for his head am I? Never claimed I was, never claimed you did. I'm angry at his attitude to away games against poor sides that is all. I think you are as well as are many others and I think imo we have a right to be. There are many other good things he's doing in the background and he shows all the signs of constructing a good base and paying close attention to detail and preparing the side. But it is clear he gave out the wrong signals to the side (and the opposition) before the Reading game. It is also clear he is stubborn and lacklustre regarding selection and hasn't adapted (yet) to the 'bigger club' environment and expectations...This will be the undoing of him, and it isn't something I want to happen.

Yes and you are the paragon of stablility something I can only aspire to. I think my comments have been measured so far. Not calling for his head am I?

Spot on. The fact of the matter is that your average football fan these days is stupid, at least when it comes to football anyway. Andy may be right but that post was in response to jack j who i think went to his first game in the early 60's. SA is proving to be mind numbingly predictable though. Too much heading as a player?

I think people are more angry with SA's approach to such games ie the sops about 0-0's etc...

I would try Roze there. blueyes.gif I suppose he is our most footballing CB but Faye has played more in CM than Roze. Faye then! Anyone but clumsy and clumsier.

I would try Roze there. blueyes.gif

Telegraph: "Here's more bad news for a Tottenham board again squirming with embarrassment — surely they appreciate the indignity of a manager's dismissal spreading through the crowd at a match he is supposed to be supervising — and it concerns the director-of-football system they keep trying to operate. The Spanish are going off the idea. Or so Rafa Benitez, the only Spanish manager in the Premier League pending Juande Ramos's arrival at White Hart Lane, was saying on Friday. ''Some people in Spain are starting to think we might be better off with the English idea of the manager being in charge of everything," mused Benitez. He was not being mischievous — although Liverpool's manager must have enjoyed the respite from questions about his own future that, in truth, appear a little ludicrous just five months after he steered the club to a second Champions League final in three seasons." Parky gets support from his favourite whipping boy? mackems.gif

Agree with this, though I wouldn't favour playing him at home either. For an experienced player, he loses all composure under pressure. Correct. Also he's a very correct player and tries to be too correct missing out on a lot of options when he has posession.

*Sam flicks through his plans to recruit another swathe of defensive players*

Jol knew he was out regardless of results. Disgraceful. http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2200773,00.html

The clock has started.

One of the great modern day managers no doubt about it...And he isn't finished yet.

Did he admit a tactical blunder of Rome burning proportions?

Hopefully he'll end up here. I wonder if Ramos would see 0-0 draws against clubs like Derby and Reading as good results? http://www.newcastle-online.com/

Hopefully he'll end up here.

Well said. Though it could do with some midgets. Cheers Andy. Few pints later and I'll blank it from my mind. :-[

Feel better now. http://www.newcastle-online.com/

Sam, Don't make me take the gloves off.