Lotus

He's such a gobsh*te, he really is.

Still not sure how best Anita can fit into our midfield. Cabaye isn't as effective as previously. Tiote looks like he's trying all the things he shouldn't and neglecting all the things he should. Marveaux can't handle a CM role imo. Sissoko had a good couple of games and then he looked devoid of any idea of how to influence a game.

Would you sack Pardew if we won our first game of next season and didn't drop out of the top 5 all year....assuming the style of football remains....workmanlike. No. Would you?

Colo for player manager. He'd defo stay then...

The first half was like you say, just one of them games. It's strange Pardew stopped using because of that half. We battered them in the second half, hit the woodwork three times iirc. Aye i think we did, then again it was easier for them to sit back with such a lead. I just don't get ditching a system that won 6 games on the trot (iirc) because of one poor half. The best managers do switch for certain games but always use a certain formation as a default, then tweak as they see fit. I honestly think he didn't understand the system. Didn't understand why it worked and didn't understand what went wrong when we lost playing it.

This is one of the reasons I hope we don't buy Carroll. TBF Pardew hasn't really demonstrated a love for 4-4-2 that much. It worked against Manu last season (at home) because they had Carrick and Giggs as their 2 CMs and they were easily out worked by Cabaye and Tiote. Even then they had a good 1st 20 mins against us.

If we play 4-4-2 i don't think we've got the CMs for it currently. Tiote and Sissoko possibly have the athleticism and definitely have the strength for it but they don't have the passing ability. Cabaye i think would be exhausted trying to do everything. Perch hasn't the quality. We also don't have wingers who can whip a cross in. So, for 4-4-2, the way we'd play it with Carroll, we'd need a couple of wingers and at least another CM - an all rounder.

Good post but its highly unlikely that A) Pardew will be sacked and that B) Ashley and co will have heard of any of them never mind actually look to appoint any of them. Its either Pardew or someone of his ilk, i.e. cheap, out of a job, British and a bit of a yes man. The powers that be have no real ambition for NUFC because ambition requires significant investment and risk taking. They have even stated publicly that a top 10 finish is a target and anything else over and above a bonus. That's the way things will always be under Ashley. We may finish 5th once or twice or qualify for Europe the odd time but that will be the bonus aspect rather than the real target of the club. Thankfully, Ashley is on an exit trajectory. Although that could take another 10 years to materialise... So basically a similar shortlist to the one Spurs had when they appointed Christian Gross and Jacques Santini. Whilst I cannot deny quality, people should not be denying the risk involved when the manager we have already got is not that bad. The grass is not always greener. I guess their point is though, when you barely escape relegation with 2 games left to play (which is where we were upto last week), there are a few green patches around, actually.

I said this a while ago. I reckon that's why Pardew gets so buddy buddy with the players, don't think he has any leverage with them otherwise!

Well we already know all of that though, just looking into the reasons behind it. Well, tbf, stats won't tell you the reasons behind it, just how often a particular event happened.

I think HF is merely highlighting that some of the criticisms of the team may be hyperbole. The results have been bad but it may not have always been for the popular reasons. He can talk for himself but i'm not under the impression he's of a mind that Pardew is a good choice for the squad.

We played as a unit last season. It was a negative unit, but it was an remarkably rigid system for at least the first half of the season which proved very effective. Do you give Pardew any leeway on not being able to get back to any sort of consistency on that front due to injuries? We're very poor at transitional play, both going forward and back. My opinion was that last season we had results some of our performances didn't deserve. This season we have, by and large, had the results our performances have deserved. I'm certainly not in the 'anyone but Pardew' camp but there are a couple of attainable options i would have instead of him (with Prem experience which i think is important).

A far bigger problem has been an absense of goals from else where in the team (from open play).

Oh, one thing i have noticed about Pardew, he's pretty good and reflecting and identifying past mistakes. He's hasn't shown much ability and anticipating oncoming problems though.

He hasn't grown with the potential of the squad. Personally, don't think he has it in him. We can meander along at his potential or we could look for someone to get more out of the team than he does. Reading that, it's an easy decision. The next bit is a lot harder.

Good point!

Looks like a good prospect on YT. 6 assists in the league this season out of 27 starts doesn't sound so good though. As you say though, could be a decent squad addition if very cheap.

For a while in the 1st half we were passing quickly, keeping a good tempo, players moving around to receive the ball. Looked like watching someone else!!! Was a nice series of passes that led to the disallowed goal too. Quite enjoyed that 10 minute period tbf.

This game really making me change my mind about Martinez! Love their attitude, polar opposite to Pardew tbh. RM is about fearless incisive football. No doubt will feel differently when concede 4 in the 2nd half

Excellent option in the last 15-20 minutes if the game is stretched. Good news.

Concur!

I think having him and Marveaux for the last 2 games would have been a massive bonus.

Think he'll do quite well myself. Which is a shame!

HBA for me. I doubt you'll be right about that. Wrong Again Ronnie is a good moniker. W.A.R.