Ash

Have you watched Richards play for Man City? If not then I suggest that you do and see what happens to him when he gets forward and can't beat the ball back when he's out of position. I don't expect him to beat the ball back but I do expect him to bust a bollock to get back into position, especially when losing the ball comes from his own mistake. Richards also doesn't stand pointing at his teammates blaming them for his own mistakes.

Simpson is a better defender, you must watch a different game to me. What aspects of his defending are better? I'll start by saying Taylor gets tighter to his man when marking him, doesn't back off as much, is the calmer of the two when in tricky situations, actually makes a decent attempt to get back into position when we lose the ball up the field and is better in the air. Your turn...

Demba's scored 1 since Ramadan, he just can't get enough, he just can't get enough... And so on, until the current total of 13.

Agreed. Fair play to Perch tonight, done well again. Couple of really good tackles where we've come away with the ball in some form or another when we had no real right to.

Taylor can't defend, for that reason alone he's not. Neither can Simpson. In fairness he's pretty quick and gets into reasonably good positions, which makes up for some of his flaws. But FFS man I'm a better footballer than he is, and worst of all he seems to think he's made it and doesn't need to continue to improve his game. Sorry but I can't agree. Positioning is woeful and this business about him being quick doesn't rub either. He certainly doesn't show it when he's supposed to be tracking back after an unsuccessful attack anyway.

Who is the best defender out of Ryan Taylor and Simpson? They're both as bad as each other, neither have any attributes that really stand out to make me want to pick one from the other apart from how they differ when they have the ball at their feet/going forward.

Simpson should have been the last defender at the back post as Perch should have moved over to challenge for the cross as he was the last centre back. No way on earth is that Perch's fault.

He isn't one for the future, he's one for right now. Needs to be in the 18 every week as far as I'm concerned. Hope he isn't dropped against Bolton, would be extremely harsh. With Tiote and Cabaye on the pitch controlling the midfield, he could cause some real damage. Same goes for Ben Arfa too.

Taylor can't defend, for that reason alone he's not. Neither can Simpson.

Ryan Taylor was a defender today, where was he for the 3rd goal? Remember he was playing left back at the time. And what was Simpson doing for the third exactly? He made no attempt to even get to that cross.

Ryan Taylor will always be a better option than Simpson, simply for the fact he can put a decent ball into the box. Simpson offers absolutely nothing and is a key component in holding the team back at the moment. When we finally sign another fullback and have Santon on the opposite side we'll improve so much, both offensively and defensively.

http://i.cr3ation.co.uk/dl/s1/gif/8278.2n850dh.gif

Completely agree, Gosling is a shocking player. No wonder why Pardew only picked him when everyone else in CM was injured. That tends to be how a pecking order works.

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Transfer-news-Alan-Smith-finished-at-Newcastle-after-Alan-Pardew-snub-and-may-return-to-Leeds-article845187.html

You're only just noticing this now?

I appreciate what he's saying about him not just doing a fullback on the outside with his pace but when does he actually ever try it?! That's what frustrates me the most about him, that he doesn't back himself to go around somebody, especially when a good opportunity arises.

Hope Liverpool get charged with bringing the game into disrepute following that statement, arseholes.

Those who are saying eight games is excessive need to give their head a massive shake.

Is that you, Fat Sam?

Ha! Had to have another go...Bale and Toure needed to be in the side tbf.

Hopefully that's the case, but the offer's been on the table at least two months now (we found out directly from Pardew on 20th October). What's so special about January? It's been mentioned before about his agent been tricky to communicate with, could be something to do with him coming over for talks to iron anything out with the contract? I don't know why but I reckon we've actually made him a good offer, could be just a few minor things that need sorting and Colo isn't in any great rush to sort them as he's comfortable they'll be sorted when his agent comes over. Just all speculation obviously but I don't think it's anything to worry about yet. He was mentioned by Pards to be in deepest, darkest Argentina aye. That was a little odd too but don't really read much into it other than he'll only come over when it's absolutely necessary.

Not IMO. Hopefully a win on Weds will bring a bit more positivity around the place although with the inevitable talk of fans favourites leaving (+past behaviour) it's hard to ignore. Be better off having the old net spend / players poll up again. Been said before but I'd much rather just enjoy watching our current team at the minute without speculating who may leave. Just isn't needed, talk about them leaving when/if they do actually leave.

Hopefully that's the case, but the offer's been on the table at least two months now (we found out directly from Pardew on 20th October). What's so special about January? It's been mentioned before about his agent been tricky to communicate with, could be something to do with him coming over for talks to iron anything out with the contract? I don't know why but I reckon we've actually made him a good offer, could be just a few minor things that need sorting and Colo isn't in any great rush to sort them as he's comfortable they'll be sorted when his agent comes over. Just all speculation obviously but I don't think it's anything to worry about yet. 'We've not been told no' is hardly the most confident of summaries from Pardew mind. Aye, bit of an odd one although I don't really like taking things in the written press on face value as they can often be misleading. Pardew could have had a huge grin on his face when he's said that, hinting he knows that the contract could be sorted in the next month. Similar happened last week; Ryder said Pardew denied Tiote had been to see a witch doctor but having watched the press conference, myself and a few others reckoned it was the complete opposite.

Do we really need threads like these?

Hopefully that's the case, but the offer's been on the table at least two months now (we found out directly from Pardew on 20th October). What's so special about January? It's been mentioned before about his agent been tricky to communicate with, could be something to do with him coming over for talks to iron anything out with the contract? I don't know why but I reckon we've actually made him a good offer, could be just a few minor things that need sorting and Colo isn't in any great rush to sort them as he's comfortable they'll be sorted when his agent comes over. Just all speculation obviously but I don't think it's anything to worry about yet.