AlanSkÃrare

Fuck letting go of Marveaux. We are mad if we do that now.

Look forward to seeing him in the middle. Hell of a player when used correctly, which was evident last season.

Not fussed, he apparently wants to go. Good luck Demba, you've been brilliant.

£5m sounds like a good deal tbh.

Great start to the window if this comes off. We've been crying out for a new RB for two years.

I think playing like we did in the first half yesterday is what this philosophy/approach/system/whatever should be all about. Defending through possession. We need to stand better prepared for counter-attacks, something we haven't been exposed to that much over the past season or two because of our defensive and considerably deeper set-up. The problems of keeping a coherent defensive line has been exsposed, with only Coloccini capable of thinking in that dimension. However, we also need quicker players. Anita in midfield is closing down and shutting down space for his opponent really well, in the same manner we used to see Cheick do last season. His role in this system has to be the out-and-out ball winner, sitting in front of the back four and protecting them without any restrictions. His performance yesterday was so different from the one he gave us last season at the Emirates, and the season before. He ate them alive on those occasions, looks like he's being held back by this "don't get booked" stuff. This system needs to be kept, we have the players to play it going forward. We need to learn another defensive approach and the players need to gain more experience while we need players more comfortable on the ball. These past games have given me hope about Pardew again. Like Dave said in another thread, I'm absolutely scared to death that he'll reflect upon these games as games where we were too exposed and now revert back to the old formation and system. But he spoke about having to control possession better to move forward and how we need new players in order to do that. Clearly wasn't given them, even though Anita fits in perfect. Someone like Debuchy and a proper ball playing more physical player to step in along Coloccini would be a start. I'm not saying Mats Hummels, but someone like him.

Andy Brassell ‏@andybrassell Word around Lille is that Mathieu Debuchy to #NUFC is imminent (via @AntoinePlacer/@lavoixdunord). LOSC cost-cutting. Brassell knows his stuff

He was brilliant tonight, classic Ba performance. Strong as an ox and scored two. One of the best strikers in the league.

The football has improved drastically. Going forward we look good value and we have an ambition to control possession. Our first half today was magnificent even though we missed Cabaye, Anita and Ben Arfa. We need 2-3 players. We can't use Perch, we can't start Bigirimana (Not that he was that bad, it's just a sign of how thin we are), we can't have Streete and Campbell on the bench for this sort of game. We can't bring on Tavernier. We need cover for Tioté when he's as off form as he's been. We need cover for Santon as well. We need to find a solution to Cissé's situation. Whether that's Ba leaving or not I don't know, but I can't think of many other ways forward. He's offering shit when played on the wing. He was at fault for two of their goals today in my opinion. That shouldn't happen. He's a striker, nothing else.

Huge game. I think we'll get something. Probably a draw.

Horrific performance. Looked tired as fuck mind.

I love watching him. Such an excellent link between midfield and attack. Him and Anita are massive positives.

I don't think Ba is really pushed. He's exceeded expectations massively, he's looking for a pay rise that - looking at other strikers in the league who score similar amounts of goals - isn't beyond reasonable. However, the figures being quoted are figures we're never going to be able to determine whether they're accurate or not. Therefore, I reserve judgement on Ba's actual demands in relation to what we are prepared to offer him. But in my eyes, a player signing for a club, exceeding expectation to the degree that he has, is entiteled to a better contract. I also fully appreciate and agree with our financial structure in terms of wages. I just don't think Ba's ability and the sort of wages that comes with it is in line with what we can offer at this moment; hence the situation where him leaving might solve more issues than him staying.

So... Krul Simpson Perch Coloccini Santon Bigirmana Tioté Marveaux Cissé Ba Obertan Would be my guess. Campbell and Streete are involved again. I reckon they're not far away from getting some gametime. Would be interesting to see what Campbell can do in Obertan's position.

Lifelong Everton fan. Probably gonna go there. Alright, didn't know. Beautiful if that happens.

Lewis Holtby is leaving Schalke at the end of the season. We have to be in there. Free transfer as well.

I suspect Guardiola's insane reputation to implode within his first 6 months, wherever he goes. Unbelievable how highly rated he is after controlling what is probably the best team the world has ever seen.

That Sexual

He was terrific again. Hope he's ok.

I love this club so much it hurts.

Anita better be fucking ok. Great performance. Fuckin great performance. Found my belief in Pardew again. That's the spirit. However, Anita would be integral to turning our season around. If he's out, we're in trouble. Also. Simpson and the offside trap for their 4th goal.

What the fuck is going on? We've been brilliant. Anita, Bigi, colo unbelievably good.

Christmas pretty just ended over here. Nevertheless: Merry Christmas! I love this forum with all my heart.

Reasons kept to himself? Why can't he just shut his mouth? I'd interpret that he's quite certain Ba is off. And if that's the case, him playing Cissé wide is looking more and more like the most moronic shit ever.