Incognito

Without a doubt, Taylor/Tiote/Jonas being out at the same time was a blessing although i'm fairly certain Taylor/Jonas wouldn't be in regardless. Still fancy Tiote to creep back into the side at some point but no way is Remy/Mym coming out for the other two. Pardew hasn't even been giving enough praise for which deserves for how well he has actually utilised Ben Arfa and got him playing some of the best football of his career, really think the way he has handled Ben Arfa here has been superb. Except for when he selected him to play on his own up front in sub zero temperature on a plastic pitch in Russia/ Ukraine after being out injured for a month or so with a muscle injury.

Keith Burkenshaw was a terrific manager. Wish we had given him the job after Harvey.

Aye, but Ki will. Well, at least he's not in danger of scoring any goals Neither's Loltidore.

Is that for real ffs

Delusion American Pride's post shows tremendous knowledge.

Yeah but the Mackems have no stars.

Thought it was the correct decision actually at that point. Tiote is stronger defensively than Anita and that's what we needed at that time just to see out the game. Thought Tiote did ok when he came on and that's a role I'd be happy for him to continue as rather than starting every game. Disagree completely that Tiote is better defensively, he's just more noticeable because he charges around like a bull. Anita reads the game well and is decent in a tackle as well. Bit of a general comment but the term defensive/defensively is used really simplistically these days. For example, one player might be better in the tackle but a good defensive midfielder - above all else - is excellent in possession. It's obviously a massive cliche but the best form of defense is attack; you can't concede if you've got the ball. That's why Anita is, by a million miles, a better 'defensive midfielder' than Tiote is. Jonas is better as well, tbh. I just don't know what Tiote brings to the team these days. When we signed him he was the 'defensive midfielder we've lacked for years', but that was because, aside from the novelty of having someone there with a bit of bluster, he retained possession extremely well. But nowadays he's absolutely useless in the final third and a massive risk when played deeper cos he loses the ball a lot. The fans over hyped him and he believed the hype. If he keeps things simple and knows and understands his limitations he will be an able back up.

I hope everyone of them is shite week in week out. To be fair to them, they rarely disappoint.

Only played them twice plus two cup ties the same season and we've yet to win. Should have won the Cup tie at their place iirc.

In which case you need to follow another team. Thanks Inochi. You're welcome Wireside.

In which case you need to follow another team.

Id play him down on both counts:D

He's fucking shite . Couldn't hit a cow's arse with a banjo.

Fabpou Just had one thanks.

We owe Hull from our relegation season Hope we utterly annihilate the horrible cunts.

There's been relevant mitigating factors people are happy to ignore so it's a pointless debate. Some people are almost upset he might be on his way to proving them wrong. Bitter-sweet for the boo boys... You're ignoring possible relevant mitigating factors now, ie Jonas' fitness.

I thought we made them look horrible and he deserves some credit for that. Oh absolutely, I'm not taking anything away from the team, I'm just saying it's a step in the right direction but we're nowhere near the level we should be at. What level are you expecting of this squad? From this squad? Considering we have better players than the season we finished 5th I'd say realistically top 9. Competing with Everton behind the top 6-7 clubs. And you think we are nowhere near that level (finishing 7-9th) this season? I don't think we're that far off really, and the thing that would stop us getting there is not Pardew imho, but similar to last year, injuries hitting the first team. Absolute travesty we couldn't get a few more players in over the summer. Football is a fickle game. Beating Fulham at home with a last minute goal and then another late winner to Villa shows improvement it doesn't show much more than that at the moment. I don't see us as a top 8 team at the moment. I think we still lack a bit and rely to much on Ben Arfa. Maybe I'm just hard to please, but people are getting way ahead of themselves. With that said we definitely have a squad capable of a top 8 finish. Form since we got the new players in January: WWLWLWLLWLDLDWL LDWW 8 wins, 3 draws, 8 defeats These players have shown top 8 form for the eqivalent of half a season now. With Remy, a fit Ben Arfa and Coloccini, and the likes of Debuchy, Mbiwa, and Anita having improved a great deal since January, we should look a decent side, if a little light up front. Is 8 wins and 8 defeats really top 8 form? 27 points from 19 games? 54 points comfortably gets you 8th place the last 3 seasons. Wowser, that's stunned me..well in that case I reckon top 6 should be the aim...I'd want more than 50% but I'm greedy and a tad unrealistic I guess

He's in the bottom one though. [cloughiemirrorimagegag]

Inochi is correct, he will get the chances in this new creative style and once one goes in, he will go on a goal scoring run, I'm sure of that. All strikers have lean spells and if goals is all you have to your game it must be tough going but he is too good a predator to go much longer without contributing positively.

Must be a toughie that, Alan.

I thought we made them look horrible and he deserves some credit for that. Oh absolutely, I'm not taking anything away from the team, I'm just saying it's a step in the right direction but we're nowhere near the level we should be at. What level are you expecting of this squad? From this squad? Considering we have better players than the season we finished 5th I'd say realistically top 9. Competing with Everton behind the top 6-7 clubs. And you think we are nowhere near that level (finishing 7-9th) this season? I don't think we're that far off really, and the thing that would stop us getting there is not Pardew imho, but similar to last year, injuries hitting the first team. Absolute travesty we couldn't get a few more players in over the summer. Football is a fickle game. Beating Fulham at home with a last minute goal and then another late winner to Villa shows improvement it doesn't show much more than that at the moment. I don't see us as a top 8 team at the moment. I think we still lack a bit and rely to much on Ben Arfa. Maybe I'm just hard to please, but people are getting way ahead of themselves. With that said we definitely have a squad capable of a top 8 finish. Form since we got the new players in January: WWLWLWLLWLDLDWL LDWW 8 wins, 3 draws, 8 defeats These players have shown top 8 form for the eqivalent of half a season now. With Remy, a fit Ben Arfa and Coloccini, and the likes of Debuchy, Mbiwa, and Anita having improved a great deal since January, we should look a decent side, if a little light up front. Is 8 wins and 8 defeats really top 8 form?

What's their obsession with whipping out the bedsheets for us? Hope the daft cunts enjoyed watching their team get embarrassed. Eh? That's our lot.

It's the way we've played in the past game and a half that has been good to see. If you play with that much attacking intent, the results are bound to follow, and it's what we've been saying all along. Credit to him for today but this could have happened months ago with what he has at his disposal. As I say great result, excellent performance and long may it continue.

He's spot-on when he compares the 2 performances, he had way more going right for him today than against Fulham. It's a 7 or 8 out of 10 performance versus a 10 out of 10 performance. By nature, Ben Arfa should have more joy when we're the away team and there is more space to play in though. Pardew was also going on about him improving his consistency, which I think is a bit rich considering he's usually the best (or one of the best) of a bad bunch. Keep him fit, trust him and let him play, we don't have to worry about his consistency because he'll generally be our most threatening player. Some days it'll come off, some days it won't so much but he'll always have that threat. Ahem it's frett mate.

To the tune of That's Amore by Dean Martin When the ball hits the net A free kick's all you get Altidoray