Lotus

I thought that at first but tbf, the complete absence of Williamson at the near post left MYM too much to do. Hard enough to anticipate against an excellent striker, if you then have to anticipate your CB partner being nowhere at a critical moment you can be fairly sure it'll end in a goal.

Nice to see us play with spirit. I can handle us not having players as good as them and i can handle or manager being a complete tactical clown in comparison to Pelliegrini. What i have hated is when we've come into these games without any motivation and conviction so this is a really nice change. Hope we keep it up for the 2nd half.

He really looks to me like he has no interest in being here. His performances are hardly inspiring a bid for him though.

Liverpool should have beaten us really. WHam probably should have scored from one of their set pieces as well.

Play your best players in their best positions. Fairly universal and simple stuff tbf.

No laughing matter, man. That'll probably manifest itself in some form of domestic violence. Does he actually have form for that? I know his wife had cancer and his kids are deaf and he was apparently very supportive of his wife and used to travel stupid distances so he could see his children everyday and help them through their schooling (apparently poor provision for deaf kids in Somerset).

I'm not in anyway passionate about him (think he lacks determination) but didn't some of HF's stats state that SM created a chance for somebody on average every 14 minutes or something? Basically, way more than anyone else.

Loved The Misfits, great band. Saw Danzig and Doyle play a couple of Misfit sets recently. Awesome!!!

Thought we looked good in defence and midfield for 40 minutes. Obviously things changed once we had MYM sent off. Didn't think the HBA experiment paid off. It's a bit of cliche but you hear so many managers say it, play your best players in their best positions. But, tbf to Pardew, if we did have an option like Gomis then HBA would have not got into the starting 11. Just think Pardew didn't have the options.

Good stuff HF. Thanks for taking the time to put that on here. Quite interesting to view it like that.

Actually, he was. Been trying to give this thread as wide a berth as possible, but in fairness Mick, Pardew had and still does have, a pretty good reputation within the game. That's what really counts when you're managing professional footballers. The opinions of fans on or off the internet is very much secondary to that. I have no doubt that Pardew will sooner or later be pushed out of NUFC, but he won't be out of work for long. Just out of curiousity, what job do you hold 'within the game' to know the true thoughts of other professionals on him? Just asking...

That doesn't, I take it, factor in the inherited value of their respective squads? Or, more relevantly, their current market value? Of course. We should expect to be above them because of that. But how many clubs above us have a less valuable squad? Just Hull and Southampton? Genuine question; in your view, is Graham Carr a help or a hindrance to Alan Pardew? I think Graeme Carr's brilliance has been over-hyped. A few of his signings have grown in value, but none more than the likes of Michu or Benteke. Have any of his signings been consistent enough? Have any other clubs come in with breathtaking offers for them? Cabaye attracted some interest to be a bench warmer at Arsenal. No doubt though, he has identified players good enough for this league at prices lower than other clubs have been going out and spending, which I think Pardew should be very grateful for. In terms of value i think it is quite a balanced arguement. Cabaye is good value Does Anita look good value? (think he may go on to but he isn't yet, £6.7M for a guy we've barely played) Santon looks ok value wise Does Debuchey look good value? HBA was good value Does Cisse look good value? Tiote looked good value, now though? MYM, may well go on to be good value, at the moment, not quite the CB we needed. Just a few examples. I think my point was more along the lines of, does Graham Carr identify players that Pardew can use the way he wants to? It's seems quite clear that the players the club is buying don't really fit in with the way Pardew wants us to play. I know some may say that's a good thing but in truth it never can be.

That doesn't, I take it, factor in the inherited value of their respective squads? Or, more relevantly, their current market value? Of course. We should expect to be above them because of that. But how many clubs above us have a less valuable squad? Just Hull and Southampton? Genuine question; in your view, is Graham Carr a help or a hindrance to Alan Pardew?

I don't remember him being this slow when he arrived. His lack of mobility is really affecting his game now I've noticed. He seems to have good stamina and can keep running until the end. Just seems that he isn't that quick neither in the mind nor legs.

i apologise You're spot on. just my perception. Probably clouded by Wullie's insistence that things have never been this bad in 15 years It's much easier to cope with the manager if the players are bollocks. Having to be in a position where players with real talent and pedigree look absolute toss and we can't accommodate Hatem Ben Arfa because he doesn't graft enough is unbelievably depressing. I've never been more frustrated as a Newcastle fan because I can see how close it is, that doesn't necessarily mean things are at their worst. Arguing over Pardew is one thing. I'm not daft enough to get into the debate of whether we should "accomodate" Ben Arfa rather than actually ask him to try and win the ball back when we're in the s***. I have a feeling that Pardew is less unhappy about that and more that he doesn't look to bring others into the game as much as he should.

Actually thought Tiote's lack of pace and awareness had a fair bit to do with their goal. Thought at the time Anita might well have got there to cut that pass out.

This year's Demba Ba. We create nothing of note, no real link up play between the forwards and then this guy just runs up and whacks it in the goal! REALLY hope he stays!!!

So they should, I think most will be happy to see progress over a period of time. Sure, as I said, I wasn't judging what anyone's expectations should be. You're like the forum Tai Chi master

Generally the way. The problem with good attacking players - they're good. Wish Pardew believed that of his own.

I do think HBA took the wrong option a few times against Everton. Just because he's playing on his 'wrong side' doesn't mean a guy with his talent can't be effective. He drifted inside a couple times. Looked better there. He should have done better. He should also have stayed on.

Fulham for example this season. Poor first half and very good second half + winner. You never know when he wakes up He got a 'telling off' as you will at half time from Pardew and benefited from it. That was actually good management tbf to him. I'll give credit where it's due but HBA did nothing different 2nd half tbf. Was well mentioned on here at the time. Personally think the same criticism was justified at Everton myself. Just wouldn't have taken him off for it.

People go on about this 4-3-3 as if it was a well practised formation we're used to getting results with. It worked against Villa, that's it! Have no idea what could get us working, none at all. We could try this i suppose. Lacks width though but seeing as we don't use that well anyway may not matter much... ..........................Back 5........................ ........Sissoko......Cabaye.......Anita........... .................HBA...........Marveaux............. ..........................Remy........................... Feliz Natal!

I think it's the genuine lack of options tbh.

This is what i agree with. He could do better bringing other players into the game when we're going forward. Would make him closer to a complete attacking player if he brought this into his game more.

Out of curiosity, who thinks HBA is a team player?