Lotus

What's weird is that i said about 100 pages ago this guy should only play on the left. Didn't take much perception. You could see he wasn't suited to anywhere else. Whenever he looked half decent at Manure, it was on the left too. Why does it take our manager so long to see that? It really baffles me.

I actually think that's a very good thing. By all means moan on here, but during the game support the team including the manager. I don't think that means that the match day crowd aren't unhappy with him and this season though, certainly not the people who sit around me anyway. It is. What it does show is a willingness to persevere with the current setup, reasonably confident that things will improve. I think most people, with common sense, would agree that sacking the current encumbent is not the answer to our woes. I think that would change fairly sharpish if we slipped into the relegation zone mind. At this point it would be hugely symbolic. I disagree. I think most of the anger would be directed towards Mr Ashley. Yeah there would certainly be a lot of that. I've never lost sight of the fact the summer was a f***ing disgrace, even though I think Pardew should be doing a hell of a lot better. The message it sent out was arguably even more damaging than the physical deficiencies. A lot of people have. I'm not going to try to claim that Pardew's doing even remotely well. However, my stance hasn't changed since before these three less than winnable fixtures. The season is a write off, but I don't believe the majority of the blame lies at Pardew's feet. We will be fine, though. It'll be interesting to see the approach to next summer should we stay up, ie if it's any different. Being tight has its benefits but not when the outcome is a fall from grace like this. Pardew needs to be telling them that this just isn't good enough, whoever the manager is. As johnnypd posted elsewhere, there seems little foresight whatsoever from above. They think they know best all the time despite admitting to knowing f*** all about football. I've no doubt that whatever moves we make this month will be to the detriment of any summer plans. Can you expand on that?

For the occasional thing he does well he gets so much more wrong.

He knew the guy was going to pass and tried to limit his options.

Not sure Pardew's got the stones to tell him to keep exceedingly simple. Think Pardew just feels we're lucky to have him.

He wasn't much use in either 6 yard box.

He's a coward.

We look like the concept of 3rd man running is a completely alien concept. We can't defend it and we certainly never implement it. At times we're just so 1980s!

He lacks bottle. That's his biggest issue.

Got high hopes for this kid but he's f**king shite with his left foot.

He's always been greedy but he seems especially reluctant to give it to Cisse. Looked to me that Cisse was more reluctant to give it to Ba, actually. Academic now though.

By his standards he has. Should have done better when he broke with the ball and 2 to aim for. He took about as far away from them as he could before trying to cross it. On the whole though i'd be looking to get him running in behind their RB because he'll murder him for pace.

Started well, but faded badly after 20 minutes (quelle surprise!). Take him off for Bigi, go 433. I agree. Shola's not even doing much in the way of defending from their set pieces. I'd get him off.

Not today he hasn't. Fellani dived.

He has been.

Not sure Shola's adding much to our play.

Did he 'frisk' him?

Agree. Only if Pardew believes he won't give 100% though. Would defo have him on the bench, however.

Would be stupid if we don't get a decent CB in.

We should sit a little deeper and play on the break. We've got the players to do that.

Imagine if we had someone anywhere on the left with a decent left foot. Bring so much more balance to our play.

Aye, you're right the Xmas tree looks tasty! Will we see it though!!

His defending for the 3rd was pretty poor as well. Yeah, it's just that the 4th meant it was over. He just stood there. He did his best going forward though.

Funny, i just feel i know exactly what he looks like!

He's just called him out as acting 2 faced and cowardly, which is exactly how he's carrying on. Fergie btw, not Woody!