Lotus

Personally think Hughton was out on his ear because he was going to make a fuss over the Carroll transfer. That has no bearing of Pardew's ability as a manager, just why i think Hughton was shown the door.

He might put Marv at No. 10 behind Best for about an hour or so and then bring Ben Arfa on to replace him. Would be surprised if Marv could do 90 mins at a good tempo at the mo. Reckon he might need a bit more time what with being out and then doing 120 mins yesterday.

Tbf, although i don't rate Raylor at all i've actually seen him play better this season at LB than Simmo managed in the same game at RB. I don't think Simmo's a particulary bad player but he hasn't had a good start to the season. Problems with his bairn may be on his mind, i know it would mine! Saying that though, i'm not sure i can remember him ever actually blocking a cross because he's stuck to the winger and denied him space! I would think that's a fairly fundamental trait you'd look for in a FB!!

Nee good trying to predict things in the past mate.

I understand that he's not really justifying a starting place at the mo but if we just use him as a sub he'll probably stagnate like he did at Manu. Guess he should start as many as poss until the Xmas at least and let's see if he shows any form once he's comfortable and familiar with the team.

*chuckle* of course, you do realise that now I've said all that, it'll be a 14 goal thriller, don't you? You reckon you'll score one then?

How easily does "HOOF IT UP TO SHOLA!" translate into Italian? ''Lo zoccolo fino a Shola'' apparently.

Except on Saturday it seems, unfortunately!

How are your bairns coming on? Clark, Bannan & Delfounso, etc......

HaHa!!! Of course. Sorry, i've even watched them with Given in goal this season. Apart from that glaring error, you reckon that's their likely line up?

What's Villa's likely line up? ........................Freidel...................... Hutton.....Dunne.....Collins....Warnock Albrighton..Petrov....Jenas.....N'Zogbia ...........Agbonlahor...Bent................... Is that about right? If so i think i would consider ....................Krul...................... Simmo..Saylor...Colo.....Santon Jonas..Cabaye.Tiote.Marveaux .................Obertan................. ...................Best....................... Obertan isn't showing much form but he's there to stretch them and drop into midfield if needed. Jonas helps Simmo out. Marveaux and Santon mean we can cross from the left or the right foot from that wing. Blah blah.

Although i like that i'm not sure about having 2 right footed players on the left side, both cutting in to play a ball.

He's got a few tricks that seem to work. Don't like him in combo with Shola, not sure he'll work well with Ba either. But, as has been said by many on here, 2 similar players upfront is helping us get at the oppostion. Especially as our crossing is non existent or from too deep.

Given what he said in the post match interview about now that the defending is working better he's planning to start concentrating on threatening the oppostion's goal, i'd be interested to see what the tactical plan is. I hope he doesn't just think putting HBA in there will be the cure to all ills.

Would think a right footed LB would be a good shout against a left footed RW.

The fact that we got a point is of no merit to us, like. They had Bothroyd upfront. Lucky us.

The timing of the substitutions is just as important as the personnel.

He missed the most obvious one tbh.

This is the thing that makes me less worried by the departure of Nolan and friends. We should definitely be aiming for the top 10, we are more than capable of doing that even without the second striker signing. LoL

QPR has a discernible and effective pattern of play. They also showed plenty of desire and spirit. We had neither.

Coloccini is covering all the space behind Raylor as well as his won position. Shit needs changing. 2nd half bring Santon on for Raylor, put Marveaux on the left, Jonas on the right, fuck Shola off and put Obertan up with Best. Ba to come on later if needed.

Raylor can't handle this. Needs replacing.

Agreed. I think defenders in the UK have such a fear of giving the ball away any where near their own half that if put under the slightest pressure they send it long. It's so predictable.

He's also said that he doesn't feel that judging Ashley harshly over non spending of the Carroll money is unjustified and premature. I think that is blatantly ridiculous.

I'm started to think he's a WUM tbh.