Lotus

I think that's a bit simplistic TBH, you could equally say Cabaye isn't quick enough and can't beat a player. Well not really, because Cabaye is as calm as they come and has the ability to keep us ticking. If he was quick and could beat players he would probably going to Real Madrid for about £60m instead of PSG. All true, but I'm talking about his theoretical ability to play the number 10 role. A position that is traditionally more about creation/goals than keeping the side ticking over. Bergkamp wasn't quick.

OK, to match your nuclear sarcasm... we should use one of our other specialist number tens there instead. Is that the only formation available then? Yes, yes it is. More than likely we'll play 4-4-2 with Shola and Remy up front. Unless we actually sign someone, of course. That might change things. If we get De Jong then i reckon it will be 4-4-2 with De Jong and Remy up front.

I think when your bench consists of players like Mbiwa Haidara Marveaux Ben Arfa Cisse, you can say you have a very good squad. You can say Liverpool's is better than ours, of course it is, but they've spent s*** loads of money to get it. We've built it up slowly and relativley cheaply. Not went wild like they did. I think when your bench consists of players like Mbiwa Haidara Marveaux Ben Arfa Cisse, you can say you have a very good squad. You can say Liverpool's is better than ours, of course it is, but they've spent s*** loads of money to get it. We've built it up slowly and relativley cheaply. Not went wild like they did. A mid table team with a VERY GOOD squad. Righto.

Can't believe you don't. Why would I? Its not my money. Its not the clubs money. The money doesn't get re-invested. I want the player. It does just not the way anyone wants ie transfers Ok, im glad we can get more bore-holes. That would be wasting money as we have already got one and dont need more. Please keep up Multiple redundancy?

OK, to match your nuclear sarcasm... we should use one of our other specialist number tens there instead. Is that the only formation available then?

He's never convinced me in the number 10 role. Seems to get crowded out by the opposition midfield and then tries to do too much Yeah, but we have created a forward role that Cabaye was occupying. Also, I'm hoping he won't feel the need to try as hard if he knows he's playing for a while. Look at the 5th place season, the amount of little passes and one-twos he played with the forwards was brilliant. And he interchanged beautifully with other members of the front 3. I just think that the conclusion that he's not suited for a central role has been reached far too early. True. He's only approaching his 27th birthday. I'm sure he'll learn how to play it at some point.

We do NOT have a very good squad. Liverpool have a very good squad.

Wonga deal was according to them (not that I trust the c***s) much better than the Northern Rock/Virgin Money one as well, wasn't it? Didn't they say at the time it would "put another player on the pitch"? I think they did They didnt say whose pitch

He might get a game if Gouf is injured. I can't see how Cabaye leaving presents HBA with more opportunities though. They are vastly different players.

Not only is it SSN but it's also an extremely stupid statement in it's own right. Not worth commenting on let alone quoting

Why force him to play players he doesn't like? In a system not suited to them?

Eye sight test?

Always been an average CM. Handful at AM as a bulldozer. Should be alright as a flat track bully then.

Good point! That's why people who are good at motivating others ar held in such disregard. There's just no need! How are you motivated to do your job? Im not saying a good half time team talk doesnt have an effect. What im saying is, so does your MASSIVE salary, your MASSIVE bonuses, a big crowd, and most importantly, you should be motivated as a professional. Said more simply. There are 12 people to blame for our exit. Not 1. Sport psychology not a strong point for you then? Ok, you're right. The players have nothing to do with it. Football is just like playing Fifa, with 1 man solely responsible for success. Apologies No. We both know neither of us has said anything like that or pointed to either extreme. If the players occasionally had put in somewhat ineffectual displays, especially against 'lesser sides' we could probably point to their complacency. As it's been a feature since Pardew took over, no matter who the players have been, the weight of probability points to a leader who isn't very motivational. And that's important. SAF wasn't (apparently) the greatest tactician, he chose good coaches for that, but he definitely knew how to get his players incredibily hungry for victory and to remain focused on winning. I understand where you are coming from, but I think what you are saying is that Pardew has a VERY NEGATIVE effect on motivation/morale in cup games, because the players baseline level for a cup game should be highly motivated, given their role, their salary, their bonuses and thousands of fans singing their names.......................... RIGHT? I wish the salaries were more of a motivator but i think, in effect, it does the opposite. They earn so much that glory isn't really important anymore. You can finish your career so rich that you don't care how you're remembered.

Who cares, he still ran the show for them every time they attacked. He was literally Man Utd's only threat. Yes there was a couple of situations where he shot at distance when he could have brought the ball further in or slipped another player in but he's only 18, plenty of time to learn decision making. Picking out that point from that game, is woeful stuff. Wouldn't have even got to pens if he hadn't stepped up and got them back in it with a lovely 1-2 then cross. Did he bollocks. He was constantly throwing himself on the ground, giving away free kicks and shooting from anywhere when there were far better options. Took the corner that led to goal, created the best chance of the game with Hernandez then produced magic to get them to pens. Who else for Man Utd did any damage in the slightest, he ran the show for Man Utd to the extent it was like a one man team going forward. Not just this game either, been like that for a couple of month. What was his tracking back like? Couldn't tell you, don't really pay attention to that part of his game. Could have just stood on the half way line all game and i wouldn't think any less of him. Not his job to defend. Is it a FB's job to support the attacks? Depends if you have instructed them too, there job is to defend primarily. Some managers like a FB with the attacking qualities and place a lot of emphasis on this, others are happy for them to concentrate on their position and let the wingers do their stuff. An example would be Jose and Chelsea...he likes his FB's to defend and not venture forward all gung ho. Martinez at Everton gives his FB's the license to roam and support. Not the Chelsea i've watched this season. Lots of their width comes from their FBs. Think you've just fallen for a common myth there.

Every year? The way we do? Like a damp squib? With different players each time?

I'm not, personally. Do you have kids? where's this going? i've hated my job for the last 1.5 years, absolutely hated it, but it pays well and kids are f***ing expensive not sure how that helps pardew not being able to get a team to bother their arse in cup games tbh it had nothing to do with football. Was just wondering if Polic had bairns as that's probs on of the few things that motivates me at work. Keeping them fed, clothed and sheltered!

Good point! That's why people who are good at motivating others ar held in such disregard. There's just no need! How are you motivated to do your job? Im not saying a good half time team talk doesnt have an effect. What im saying is, so does your MASSIVE salary, your MASSIVE bonuses, a big crowd, and most importantly, you should be motivated as a professional. Said more simply. There are 12 people to blame for our exit. Not 1. Sport psychology not a strong point for you then? Ok, you're right. The players have nothing to do with it. Football is just like playing Fifa, with 1 man solely responsible for success. Apologies No. We both know neither of us has said anything like that or pointed to either extreme. If the players occasionally had put in somewhat ineffectual displays, especially against 'lesser sides' we could probably point to their complacency. As it's been a feature since Pardew took over, no matter who the players have been, the weight of probability points to a leader who isn't very motivational. And that's important. SAF wasn't (apparently) the greatest tactician, he chose good coaches for that, but he definitely knew how to get his players incredibily hungry for victory and to remain focused on winning.

Who cares, he still ran the show for them every time they attacked. He was literally Man Utd's only threat. Yes there was a couple of situations where he shot at distance when he could have brought the ball further in or slipped another player in but he's only 18, plenty of time to learn decision making. Picking out that point from that game, is woeful stuff. Wouldn't have even got to pens if he hadn't stepped up and got them back in it with a lovely 1-2 then cross. Did he bollocks. He was constantly throwing himself on the ground, giving away free kicks and shooting from anywhere when there were far better options. Took the corner that led to goal, created the best chance of the game with Hernandez then produced magic to get them to pens. Who else for Man Utd did any damage in the slightest, he ran the show for Man Utd to the extent it was like a one man team going forward. Not just this game either, been like that for a couple of month. What was his tracking back like? Couldn't tell you, don't really pay attention to that part of his game. Could have just stood on the half way line all game and i wouldn't think any less of him. Not his job to defend. Is it a FB's job to support the attacks?

I'm not, personally. Do you have kids?

Good point! That's why people who are good at motivating others ar held in such disregard. There's just no need! How are you motivated to do your job? Im not saying a good half time team talk doesnt have an effect. What im saying is, so does your MASSIVE salary, your MASSIVE bonuses, a big crowd, and most importantly, you should be motivated as a professional. Said more simply. There are 12 people to blame for our exit. Not 1. Sport psychology not a strong point for you then?

Who cares, he still ran the show for them every time they attacked. He was literally Man Utd's only threat. Yes there was a couple of situations where he shot at distance when he could have brought the ball further in or slipped another player in but he's only 18, plenty of time to learn decision making. Picking out that point from that game, is woeful stuff. Wouldn't have even got to pens if he hadn't stepped up and got them back in it with a lovely 1-2 then cross. Did he bollocks. He was constantly throwing himself on the ground, giving away free kicks and shooting from anywhere when there were far better options. Took the corner that led to goal, created the best chance of the game with Hernandez then produced magic to get them to pens. Who else for Man Utd did any damage in the slightest, he ran the show for Man Utd to the extent it was like a one man team going forward. Not just this game either, been like that for a couple of month. What was his tracking back like?

Good point! That's why people who are good at motivating others ar held in such disregard. There's just no need!

Good point and good idea.