Dr Venkman

Part of that is a lie, Alan.

It's a bit daft but after seeing last nights results I fancy a shot at this, get through this one and we'd have just a good a chance as anyone.

While I don't rate Cattermole as a footballer in any way whatsoever, he does have the ability to stop teams playing when he's having a good day, and there's always the possibility he'll maim one of our star players. The real bonus if he's out is that they'll have to move someone like Colback or Gardner into the middle alongside Larrson. They won't be able to cope with the intensity of Tiote and Cabaye and it'll have a knock on effect on their defence as they'll have to replace which ever midfielder moves from full back.

Lets hope he's started doing some attacking training this season

The argument is to look for a player's value before writing him off. Even if you yourself personally have to look like an anonymous cyber twit in the process. That's fair enough although I think it's a red herring. A player like Obertan may have value, that's for other clubs to decide, doesn't make him any better a footballer.

The high horse brigade are hilarious at times Ridiculous isn't it. I particularly like the 'scapegoat' angle. A scapegoat for what exactly? We had a tremendous season last year, we didn't need a scapegoat, Obertan was just rightly called up on being shit. It's the same this year. I don't condone abusing our own players or booing or any of that but people are going to get frustrated when you're continually shit, that's football.

Like I said earlier in the thread I think it's actually a defensive tactic, less chance of getting caught on the break if we lose a header at the back stick.

The fans excuse is laughable.

Realistically how much do you think he needs to improve to become a competent player? Not effective, competent.

I've completely had it with him like, predictably awful every time he gets on the pitch. Never makes anything happen, one decent display against Atromitos where he still didn't create anything counts for nothing considering how bad he's been in every other game. Get rid asap.

Haha, THIS! All their fucking songs are this tune, soooooooo shit and laboured in a brummie accent.

It was a poor decision from Pardew to bring him on because he's shit.

He's definitely better than Simpson Mick.

He's shit.

I'm with you on this Wullie, just as I was last season after a few games when people were questioning him, but I'm a bit concerned about his lack of movement. Last season he was constantly running backwards and forwards across the line and always looking to make space. He's just running up and down the pitch at the minute, nowhere near as productive in terms of pulling defences about.

Aside from the obvious footballing ability on show today I loved it when he kicked off with the ref, could hear him shout from Level 4, he's really fired up at the minute.

He's improved this season, more consistent. Still think he's shackled being on the left though, we've seen him run into the oppositions half enough times now to know that he can't really supply a killer ball from that side. Give him a shot on the right, we really need someone who can beat a man and whip a cross in for the sake of team balance, he could be that man.

He only coaches the defensive side of the game though. We badly need some sort of cohesion going forward, Ba and Cisse can't play as a 2.

I'm just worried that he's not trying to address any of the issues we had last season.

Mixed bag today imo. We won, but my concerns over the formation are still there, it's just not good for creative football when you've got wingers on the wrong sides. I also thought he completely ballsed up the last 20 mins by removing HBA and Anita from the right (where all our success came from) just to give Obertan some time. Why? He's shown next to nothing and the game needed Shola. Don't even want to discuss the free kick tactics in here. Still massive room for improvement imo, and I do like Pardew.

Was gonna start this exact thread myself. We won a free kick on 28 mins which was in a brilliant position to hit the space between defenders and keeper, Cabaye drilled it to the back post. Having given it some thought today I actually think its a defensive tactic designed to not get caught on the break by a defensive header at the near post.

I've said it a couple of times before but if they think they've got concerns now they need to take a long look at Villa and see where they're heading. Only they won't be able to attract a manager anywhere near as good as Lambert to sort out Marty's mess.

It's not the actual hoofing that bothers me so much, it's the little nudge to the right with the outside of his boot. Steven Taylor? He can pass the ball a lot better than Williamson.

Pardew achieved something quite unique last season, in that he turned us into a team that usually wins these sorts of games, but also into a team that never actually WON them. I predict the same today, we'll nick a goal and grind it out. For that reason I'm not all that confident tbh, theses matches are usually awful to watch.

Good job (for them) that Fletcher's had an unreal start to the season.