Lenny

I'm more concerned about Tiote's persistent injuries. This is becoming a major worry and I'm surprised more people haven't started to worry about this. Didn't Pardew say in pre-season that he was in the best condition hes ever been in? Obviously talking bollocks. Just because a player is in good condition doesn't mean they are immune to injury...

Some of his passing was just brilliant during the patch last season where played 4-3-3 and won 6 on the bounce. Be gutted to lose him, he really is class. Agree he needs to be further forward, and and if playing 4-3-3 provides him with that platform then I'd rather we went with it.

To be fair, I think they showed enough against Man City to be optimistic for the season. Despite the fact that Rodgers seems like a bit of a loon, unfortunately they'll probably do alright this year. Sincerely hope I'm wrong though

Good game to be fair.

Oh

Eh, that really a handball?

Yay

If he stays fit all season, we'll be in for a decent season. So, so good.

I only watched the second half, but Obertan wasn't THAT shit for the 45. From what I saw Amalfitano should have started ahead of Gosling.

Don't want to write a player off etc, but I just don't think he'll be used enough to be a decent player for us. We have other players in both defensive and attacking midfield that offer more in each role, whereas he doesn't really offer a lot in either. Maybe a season's loan somewhere would be best for him, although I wouldn't be too bothered if we got rid.

Fuck work for making me miss this.

Pards is obviously speaking with a different French accent to Cabaye.

Maybe HBA told him how his name is pronounced seeing as they, you know, work together daily...

Nah he's from the Caribbean mate. Boom boom!

That was quite handy though because I couldn't remember the burst of pace from Anita that everyone was raving about. Looks a bit nippy!

I was quite pissed during this game in a pub full of Spurs fans, so missed a lot of what was going on. Didn't realise just how well Ben Arfa played.

I tried to make a video of his every touch for the spurs game on Windows movie maker yesterday, but it was just too much hassle on the windows 7 version. There's someone on youtube who keeps updating a compilation video of HBA, but he plays hideous music like Black eyed peas and Rihanna over it. I would much prefer the original audio, the volume of the crowd whenever Ben Arfa receives the ball is almost embarrassing, but i love it If anyone can point me in the right direction for some good free software for doing football compilation videos I'd consider uploading his every game with the original audio and commentary. It's the 21st century go pirate some software ffs Very apt username

Just watched that video, hard to believe he plays for us. He really is incredible. Also, re: the Bolton goal, I don't know if he meant it (wouldn't be surprised if he did tbh), but the deft little bit of lift he got on the ball to get it over the on-coming tackle is just outstanding. I remember at the time some (non-Newcastle fans) were saying it wasn't that good, but to do that, at that speed is just genius.

Yep.

Hasn't he made some comments in the past suggesting he wasn't massively interested in coming here? Possibly a reason for our apparent lack of action? In all honesty, if he's not going to buy into what we're about I'd rather we looked elsewhere. Hopefully that's what we're doing rather than not looking at anyone.

His passing was a bit iffy first half, but I'll attribute both his and Cabaye's slow starts down to having knocks/fitness concerns.

What's going on with Huddlestone these days? My Spurs supporting mate used to rave about him a couple of years ago.

I think Tiote is more than good enough to play for most teams in the league personally. To say he only excels when we're on the back foot is a bit harsh too, if I remember rightly he run things when we beat Chelsea last year. I also think Tiote's short passing is superb, and he is always around to receive a pass which is a very good trait of a defensive midfielder. I do, however think that he wants to do more than just what he's good at sometimes, and tries to be all-action, i.e. playing long balls, and shooting when he shouldn't etc. When he plays his game, there aren't many better at what he does, IMO.

Haven't seen enough from Marveaux to have a valid opinion of whether he could play as part of a front 3. From what I have seen he certainly looks very technical, but looks like he might be better suited to sitting a little deeper and pulling the strings.

I'm not saying it wasn't stupid, but I've seen an article saying the FA should throw the book at him/make an example of him etc. You would think he inflicted pain on the guy going by some peoples' reactions. IMO he should receive whatever the standard fine is for placing your hands on an official is, and then be forgotten about. It was a silly mistake that wouldn't have been thought twice about had it not been on air/in the public eye.