thenige

A squad that was considered too small has now let a few players leave and signed no real replacements. Now we have to hope the players left step up and we don't have a injury crisis anywhere near as bad as last year. No way Vuckic or Campbell will be allows to leave on loan now. Most depressing aspect really is the fact that YET AGAIN at some point this season we'll be forced to rely on Shola.

Have to support this stand he's making against Sky and BT, he's a brave man. Basically saying "You've given me loads of money, I'll be damned if I'll spend it making your product better by playing good football with better players." What a guy.

Seems a bit odd to move from a club where you're backup to the squad to a team where you're back up to the first XI. Should just go somewhere where he's going to start every week.

Fantastic work

That's settled it, we're signing Cherno Samba.

To be honest I think we'll be lucky to get through this transfer window without someone making an approach for our Director of Football. I mean, he is the best one in the business right? Hopefully he's turned off his mobile so his head can't be turned like Cabaye's.

Oh Remy. You're not Shola. I think I love you.

Scathing. "These two teams are not very good". No shit Sherlock

One thing I do like is the fact we're trying to play it from the back. Good stuff. One thing I f***ing hate is our lack of movement up front. And yeah, agree with Birtles that the midfield need to get forward and support, Sissoko especially. Have Shola and Cisse touched the ball five times between them (poor bits of control or crap flick headers excluded)?

Urgh. I think I'd rather read the Daily Mail than bloody Vice Magazine.

Imagine he trains with our squad so many days a week as it's fairly close. Saying that he's only played once as a sub since he's been there, so has been a bit of a waste.

Still expecting a Sibierski-esque last minute signing of Carlton Cole to solve all our woes and keep our magnificent DOF's promises.

Well I'm just going to say every player we've got is shit. That way at least I've got a chance of getting some of them right. UNBIASED FTW.

Is dreadful, but if Pardew insists on aimless wellies upfield from the keeper and centre-backs is a better option than playing talented players who are crap in the air. Which is a bloody awful situation to be in because he's a one goal in six striker and one of the laziest footballers I've ever seen. His 'performance' against Brighton last season was the most embarrassing from a professional I've ever seen. Will go down as a cult legend and a 'Mackem slayer' but is a testiment to how badly run this club has been in the last 15 years.

Agree with the decision making comment. Seems to slow the game down when he should just take on a man then try to take on a man when he should pass. Just absolutely infuriating in all honesty.

Shock horror that he's not very good when we're hoofing the ball in his vague direction. Wasted at the club with Pardew in charge. We'll not find out if he's capable or not.

Tonight was a step too far for me. Pick two strikers not great in the air and hoof it at them. I'd tried all this time to stay positive and think how it could be worse. I can't be arsed now. Fucking clown.

I've tried, I've really tried. I think I've always been considered and had worried too much about the grass not being quite so green on the other side but seriously? To set his team up to play like this against a League Two side shows he's just fucking clueless. Absolutely done with the man. Replace him with Shola and Sammy's Mum ffs. Gimp faced cunt.

He only moved to Livorno on loan this morning?

Would personally like to see Vuckic get a run out tonight over Ameobi. Guaranteed that Obertan will start too, whether we like it or not.

Just one goal would be a start.

Ba is so much better at winning the ball, holding it up and everything else. I have no issue with him being started out wide for Colo's/Krul's distribution then moving inside when we actually build up play.

Cisse's very easy to get frustrated with but incredibly difficult to dislike, especially with this latest story with the BBQ at his. Real feel he's totally unsuited to the role Pardew is making him play and until there's someone in the side who can win flick-ons (if we continue to go direct from Colo and Krul) or we play on the deck with another striker with movement, he'll continue to struggle.

From the weekend: http://www.football365.com/f365-features/8891579/Numbers-Stats

I'd be inclined to agree, but as said with Pardew getting Krul to play long so often we need someone to win headers first and foremost.