quayside

Yes that's a fair comment. Agree with this. We played a bit of a mixed style under Hughton, there's no way it was all hoof balls and knock downs though - at our best we played some really entertaining football, some of it direct and some of it on the deck. You could say the same for Bobby Robson's teams, not that I'm saying that Hughton's wasn't more direct. You could argue we've played better football this season in terms of keeping it on the deck (if you think that's all that there is to it - I don't) but back then we had less technically adept players but wouldn't often sit on a lead, and were generally involved in more entertaining games. Sorry don't think there was much that was mixed about the football under Hughton. We may have had a more attacking philosophy but the football was long ball, set piece and knock downs. It worked with what we had though.... I bolded the key part. With that squad it would have been stupid to do anything else. There were signs that he wanted to move to a more footballing style though with the attempted purchase of Victor Moses and Ben Arfa. In any case, the point is, he used the squad he had in a manner which played to their strengths. Something which I'd argue is Pardew's biggest failing. I do have a lot of doubt that he had much to do with Ben Arfa arriving, or any player transactions for that matter.

Yes that's a fair comment. Agree with this. We played a bit of a mixed style under Hughton, there's no way it was all hoof balls and knock downs though - at our best we played some really entertaining football, some of it direct and some of it on the deck. You could say the same for Bobby Robson's teams, not that I'm saying that Hughton's wasn't more direct. You could argue we've played better football this season in terms of keeping it on the deck (if you think that's all that there is to it - I don't) but back then we had less technically adept players but wouldn't often sit on a lead, and were generally involved in more entertaining games. Sorry don't think there was much that was mixed about the football under Hughton. We may have had a more attacking philosophy but the football was long ball, set piece and knock downs. It worked with what we had though....

Sorry I must have missed the post where someone called him a c***. It's long been the fashion on here to think that Chris Hughton is a clueless arsehole. I'm just trying to fit in. It's not what I think and I have made clear the respect I have for him - but whatever......

Yes that's a fair comment.

Sorry I must have missed the post where someone called him a c***.

It was utter s***, as it is at Norwich now. Good man, but enough of this garbage. Agree. There's some sort of myth developed that we played "good football" under Hughton. We really didn't. It was based around getting the ball into Andy Carroll (normally in the air) whether from a set piece or open play and opposing defences not being able to handle him. This was especially so in the Championship season, but also applied to quite a few games after we got promotion when Barton was fit again and able to deliver the long ball or set piece. Ask the mackems - we stuffed them mostly using that tactic. Ask Kevin Nolan as well, he was at the business end of quite a bit of it! Tron said above that he used the players at his disposal well - and that's fair enough, but it wasn't pretty. Someone may well feel like saying this post is bollox, but I'm calling it as I saw it. And just for the record I really like Chris Hughton and believe he did a great job for the club. He took on the job and got us promoted when we needed it and he stuffed the mackems, massive respect for that. But he did not do any of it by playing what is normally defined as "good football".

It's weird how things change over time. Most people now look back on the Allardyce era with loathing (although he probably doesn't as he sits in his Spanish villa aptly named Casa St James). Judging from the mood of this forum these days I would'nt expect the same level of dissent if Pardew was sacked.

: "It's always tough to come to Upton Park and get a result. I think we did well to contain them to very few chances. I was hoping for a moment of magic from Hatem in the last 20 minutes to maybe nick it, but I don't think neither me nor Sam can complain about a draw here." the time will come again when its your turn - cunt.

Fair play for getting away with that comment, i'd probably have an IP ban on me by now Ahhhh, if only I had the power. Nah, love him or not Brett makes for.........intere.......intrig......differe......well, stuff. I'd certainly get bored with page after page of relentless posts which amount to very slight variations on the theme of Pardew being a clueless prick. As it stands I do have a look in here now and then to see what the current line of debate is....

Demba Ba is 28ish and has a "knee" issue. We took a bit of a punt on a free transfer and we got considerable value for the money we paid him. We then got someone to pay reasonable money (buyout clause) to buy him and offloaded the injury risk. That's the way the club will see it. Suited us and suited him. Unless Chelsea would look at a loan I can't see any sort of deal and even then I'm not sure what effort he would put in for a half season loan? We need a new striker who is mobile, physical, (and maybe can also score a goal) and should look for someone new to the club with something to prove.

"Stoke have won two and drawn two of their league games in December but their improved form is not a big surprise to me. It was always going to take their manager Mark Hughes a bit of time to get things right after taking over from Tony Pulis and they are starting to look more like they are Hughes's team - they are hard to play against but they try to play football too. They were short of goals at the start of the season but slowly that change of style seems to be kicking in. Newcastle are also on a good run too and they have gone under everyone's radar a bit. They are sixth at Christmas and people seem to be forgetting to say what a good job their manager Alan Pardew has done. The Magpies are at home, where they have only lost once in the league this season, and I think they will keep their run going. If Pardew is not careful, he might end up qualifying for the Europa League next season. I am not sure he would want to. That sounds a bit daft to say but Newcastle have a very good first XI yet their squad is not the strongest and they only have to look at Swansea to see that competition can become a hindrance. Lawro's prediction: 2-1"

Much much better squad though.

The Spurs gig is a huge one. I don't care what the circumstances are, you don't hand it to some cocky youth manager that's done f*** all. Makes the club look a bloody joke. Maybe he's really good, though? Might be inspired. Of course we'd like to see it all end in flames, but who knows for now. The only thing that's weird is how soon they've done it. I think Levy made a mistake appointing AVB, apparently he was impressed because AVB pitched up for the interview and did a Powerpoint prsentation. There's a technique to managing a squad thats in transition, you have to keep all the players (including those who are ageing and on their way out) on your side. AVB failed at this badly at Chelsea and if rumours are to be believed he's lost some of the squad at Spurs (as well as the owners). Levy found himself in the stupid position where there was little or no choice but to appoint someone like Sherwood, as there's no one else around and available worth appointing at the moment. I can't believe Sherwood is earning much so if he gets paid off its not going to amount to much. Imo AVB always over analysed and over thought - maybe the squad will respond to a less intellectual approach

AVB clearly had pissed in the chips. It's mid season no one of any real standing (with PL experience) is available, also consider the risk of a foreign manager coming in now to a new league and with a squad that is still bedding in. Levy likes Sherwood (allegedly) so gave him the gig, he probably won't do too much harm and he might actually provide some entertainment after the stilted football AVB was overseeing. If it doesn't work out then Sherwood gets binned at the end of the season on a cheap payoff. I can see the sense given the circumstances. Levy gets some stuff right at Spurs (commercially mostly and getting value in the transfer market) but sweet Jesus he's made some absolute f*ck ups when it comes to the way he hires and fires managers.....

We seem to do business in January these days.

I'd say that probably happens quite often. Roeder, Robson and Keegan (twice) for us for a start. Mostly yes but the 2008 version of Keegan didn't win a game for two months after he was appointed.

More like 41 years.

The old saying about mantelpieces and fires comes to mind.

Fair enough, respect your support. But I think that Moyes will really struggle to get the club to the level that Ferguson had them at when he left. Let alone move them forward. You're welcome to come back and beat me if I'm wrong.

Believe.

Yup. You do almost wonder if Ferguson set the whole Moyes gig up in order to ensure that his own legendary staus was enhanced. Moyes was a sort of credible replacement but was going to struggle to maintain the level they were at and is never going to threaten to take the club to a higher level. Ferguson also had the power to name his successor and make it happen - a touch of Machiavelli . bit like Tony Blair & that pudding Brown Oh yes

Yup. You do almost wonder if Ferguson set the whole Moyes gig up in order to ensure that his own legendary status was enhanced. Moyes was a sort of credible replacement but was going to struggle to maintain the level they were at and is never going to threaten to take the club to a higher level. Ferguson also had the power to name his successor and make it happen - a touch of Machiavelli .

I have met Graeme Souness (twice) and was shocked at what a nice bloke he is. Whereas pretty much everyone who's spent lots of time with him thinks he's a c***. I can only speak as I find. Mind you I've not compared notes with everyone who's spent a lot of time with him though.

I have met Graeme Souness (twice) and was shocked at what a nice bloke he is. In the early 90's, I had a conversation with OJ Simpson on a plane and thought he was a really down-to-earth guy. Not good on a plane though.