Lotus

When i think of Celtic 'hard lads' kicking off at groups of Toon fans who were with their kids i can't help but wish the same fate for the hoops tbh.

The same, but jizz. You'll cry a river of jizz? Aye, that's some plumbing Ian's got there, man!

Why do we the British have Gibraltar still? Just trying to cling to last of our Empire..... Probably similar reasons to Spain wanting to keep Ceuta...

The biggest change in football style (i think) for him will be the pressing he will have to do when we don't have the ball.

Matt Phillips - Blackpool. Plays wide in a front 3. Quick, tricky, strong, young, stuck in the CCC for another year.

I not sure i should put this question in the 'Realistic' thread but what's happened to Ross Barkley from Everton? I thought he looked like a superb player in the making. Excellent athlete, tall, strong and quick, great technique. Just needs game time to learn the game. Thought he looked a sure bet tbh! Hasn't been featuring for Everton and i can't see that he's injured. Needless to say, would love him at NUFC / pipe dream...

Tbh, given the money they allowed him to spend and the fact they were in Europe for next season, they really should have stuck with him. It's not like they were bottom half of the table. Managers get so little time in these days. Not saying he would have got it right (obviously hoping he relegated them..) but, he should have been given longer to turn it around.

Me too!

Ba is great when he has another forward to do the donkey work. See performances alongside Cole/Best/Shola (against Manu anyway). Cisse isn't that kind of player.

Steven N'Zonzi could be a good addition.

We've looked so much better as a 4-3-3.

He's only really looked good in a 4-4-2 with Best working the channels for him (and Shola throwing himself about against Manu).

His time has peaked here. Poor footballer. Needs to go! I hope this is sarcasm...

You're right. We've sucked playing 4-4-2 and long ball a few times already this season. We've also played a lot better stuff than this. Not today though, apparently!

We're more effective as a 4-3-3 imo with our players.

He was good last night. Very tidy and disciplined. Really stepped up when Tiote went off too. Not a headline grabbing performance but he was essential to us limiting their options.

Same. At the beginning i thought it was obvious he was gonna be the avenue their goals were going to come by. He got it together though. Although, to be fair, Chelsea's passing didn't exactly expose him. I thought Torres' movement was superb but the balls they were putting his way often gave Williamson (and the others) just that fraction of time to get better positioned for a tackle/interception/jump.

Stronger, quicker and better in the air than Simpson. More assured in the tackle. I think he's probably more comfortable with the ball than Simpson too. Should be Perch's position to lose now. Just thought he was great defensively last night.

Had a good game. Got done for Torres' cross but that was nice skill from Torres. When he hit that loose pass to Colo though (Colo was at LW at the time). So stupid, CB out of position - hit risky ball - massively increase their chance of a counter! ! ! ! Otherwise was good to see, had Sturridge in his pocket. Great with the ball too.

Definitely, it's his biggest strength for me, he allows things to happen with no tension at all. Even his debut goal, the relaxation on his face and in the rest of his body is total. And the one from the HBA cut back where he repositioned effortlessly to sweep it in, total calm. It really is a gift. Monster of a striker.

He looked better but not as good as earlier in the season. Still not reading his teamates as well as he used to. Put in a strong performance though. Used his body well.

He is seriously calm when he's going to take a strike. Just so relaxed and focused. Like there's no one else there. Can't teach that.

Why are in a different formation? What did i miss?

think about it. Wormy might be alluding to the fact that posters on here weren't happy with Pardew even when we were winning (includes me at times).