themanupstairs

Valencia

Fiorentina

Southampton

Edit: Plymouth too, after that great night at Home Park

Obertan and Jonas on the wings will be a weapon. Pacey and direct.

 

Cabaye and Tiote will be crucial also. Grit and Guile.

 

Ben Arfa in front of them. Magic in the hole.

 

Ba upfront. Pace and power.

 

We really do have a fuckin good side like.

spackems, liverpool and liverpool. in that order

Manure - Benfica is an absolute riot. Excellent end to end stuff.

cant argue against the cole/ ferdy comments.

 

but i wud go with

 

 

              Beardsley ( in the hole)

 

            Shearer Cole

I'll post it again since it was the last bastard post on the previous page.

Dream away 

                            Perez

Edgar        Coloccini        Albert      Duff

                          Am Faye

Gillespie                                      Robert

                          Beardsley

              Shearer                    Cole

hey

 

hi everyone, i m from paris and sorry, but i'm a ben arfa fan boy too

why so many people love ( or hate, it's the same thing) him?

coz he's magic man, how many players in this world can make you dream on a football ground? less than 5 i would say

football now is so formated, maradonna would have been on the bench at marseille coz not enough "work rate"

even ronaldinho, before he went to barça, was on the bench in paris ....

boring football with boring players

like most of you, i think best is an honest player but i'm not agree when people say that ben arfa gives the ball away more than the others

he gives the ball away coz he tries to go forward

last matches i vseen, best have lost the ball many times too..

i just hope ben arfa won't get injury again, and howay the lads..

You seem sweet and polite, but Best doesn't actually lose the ball that much. It's one of the best things about his game imo.

                            Perez

Edgar        Coloccini        Albert      Duff

                          Am Faye

Gillespie                                      Robert

                          Beardsley

              Shearer                    Cole

Tiote doesn't need to shoot more, that's all that needs to be said really. He's entitled to a crack every now and then, as is even Danny Simpson if theres nothing better on and nothing else seems to be coming off.

 

I still don't see the point in restraining someone from shooting at goal! I find that pretty stupid to be honest. The point is that in this instance, should Tiote find himself in a good position to shoot, he should shoot. I'd rather he took a shot on goal than pass it backwards and break down the attack. He, for example, shouldn't be having speculative pops at goal, in the 91st minute when we're only 1-0 up. But that's a tactical thing and nothing to do with ability.

Nobody has said he shouldn't shoot man. What you are suggesting though is that he should show more attacking intent. I'd rather he was available for when we lose possession tbh, not trying to ghost into the box, we've got 5 other more attacking players who can do that.

 

That isn't to say he's not allowed to mix things up, he just doesn't need it coached into him.

 

No he doesn't need it coached into him at all. But I'm sure he takes part in shooting and crossing practice in training.

 

Plus, no, I didn't say he should show more attacking intent. What I meant was that he should be more confident in contributing to an attacking move, should he find himself in a situation to do so, rather than delay or disrupt the attack, because "he's a DM"

Technically that is suggesting he should be showing more attacking intent like, but fair enough. I just think what he's doing he's doing well and it's not like he spends the match sitting on the halfway line, he's allways on hand to recieve the ball and usualy tries to do something posotive with it when in the final 3rd. I could name many occasions where he has decided to have a pop, try a killer pass, or curl one in from the wing.

 

I certainly don't think he delays or disrupts our attacks like, I don't know where you've picked that up from.

Exactly. What I'm saying is that he shouldn't curb that side of his game, but have more confidence in it.

Ferdinand had Gillespie and Ginola putting it on his head. Both were great but Cole was the more reliable goalscorer.

That's true because Cole was the much more natural finisher. A Shearer and Cole partnership in the mid 90's would have won several titles for the club that had them. And to think we could have been that club ....

  Cole    Shearer

      Beardsley

Tiote doesn't need to shoot more, that's all that needs to be said really. He's entitled to a crack every now and then, as is even Danny Simpson if theres nothing better on and nothing else seems to be coming off.

 

I still don't see the point in restraining someone from shooting at goal! I find that pretty stupid to be honest. The point is that in this instance, should Tiote find himself in a good position to shoot, he should shoot. I'd rather he took a shot on goal than pass it backwards and break down the attack. He, for example, shouldn't be having speculative pops at goal, in the 91st minute when we're only 1-0 up. But that's a tactical thing and nothing to do with ability.

Nobody has said he shouldn't shoot man. What you are suggesting though is that he should show more attacking intent. I'd rather he was available for when we lose possession tbh, not trying to ghost into the box, we've got 5 other more attacking players who can do that.

 

That isn't to say he's not allowed to mix things up, he just doesn't need it coached into him.

No he doesn't need it coached into him at all. But I'm sure he takes part in shooting and crossing practice in training.

Plus, no, I didn't say he should show more attacking intent. What I meant was that he should be more confident in contributing to an attacking move, should he find himself in a situation to do so, rather than delay or disrupt the attack, because "he's a DM"

It does have something to do with ability. If it was Laurent Robert on the edge of the box in the 91st minute I'd want him to shoot because he'd score.

And that's exactly my point! Which is why I highlighted the "good position to shoot" bit. Someone like Tiote has a better chance of success if he's in a good enough position to shoot from, according to his ability! Surely PL footballers should have the basic ability to shoot at goal from the edge of the area, given the chance? No one's saying he's Laurent Robert! But you'd want Robert to track back and get down for a tackle every once in a while, even though it's not part of his "mandate", nor was it his strong point. It's the least I'd expect from a professional footballer.

Cheick knows his limitations. I'd rather he didn't shoot if he didn't think he could score.

 

Who the f*** shoots when they don't think they will score?

 

It happens in every game, man.

 

What happens in every game is players having a go and hitting it wide, at the keeper, get it all wrong, or score. When they decide to shoot it's because they think they are in a good enough position to try!! That's pretty obvious isn't it? I don't see anyone taking a shot with they arse to the goal, just behind the half way line, thinking "I bet it doesn't go in"!

 

That's clever; it's called speculation. Look it up.

I'll look it up when you stop condescending posts of people who are trying to engage in a debate, and actually engage in some yourself, rather than typing quasi-cryptic one liners.

Tiote doesn't need to shoot more, that's all that needs to be said really. He's entitled to a crack every now and then, as is even Danny Simpson if theres nothing better on and nothing else seems to be coming off.

I still don't see the point in restraining someone from shooting at goal! I find that pretty stupid to be honest. The point is that in this instance, should Tiote find himself in a good position to shoot, he should shoot. I'd rather he took a shot on goal than pass it backwards and break down the attack. He, for example, shouldn't be having speculative pops at goal, in the 91st minute when we're only 1-0 up. But that's a tactical thing and nothing to do with ability.

Cheick knows his limitations. I'd rather he didn't shoot if he didn't think he could score.

 

Who the f*** shoots when they don't think they will score?

 

It happens in every game, man.

What happens in every game is players having a go and hitting it wide, at the keeper, get it all wrong, or score. When they decide to shoot it's because they think they are in a good enough position to try!! That's pretty obvious isn't it? I don't see anyone taking a shot with they arse to the goal, just behind the half way line, thinking "I bet it doesn't go in"!

I reckon Andy Cole should be getting into these teams ahead of Ferdinand.

As for omitting Beardsley, who is by far the best footballer I have ever seen don the black and white.... 

Cheick knows his limitations. I'd rather he didn't shoot if he didn't think he could score.

Who the f*** shoots when they don't think they will score? If you're talking about actual ability, I don't think it's too much to ask PL standard footballers who get paid millions to have a pop at goal every now and then. If you mean he won't have the confidence to shoot, that's another story, and a problem, that needs working on. We need goals from as many players as possible for obvious reasons, so I don't see why the f*** not try?

Tiote's not and never will be an attacking player. He's a destroyer, simple as that.

I don't think CT means he wants him to "attack" more. But rather his effort when he finds himself in an attacking position/situation. Keep in mind that Tiote can drive with the ball, has a powerful shot, and can chip in with a cross or two. I'm in agreement that he's a destroyer first and foremost, but sometimes players find themselves in a scenario where they are able to create or score a goal, and Tiote should make more of an effort to showcase his attacking ability. I don't think anyone's saying he should have a go up front or maraude up and down the wings. He's still a midfield player who should be able to execute efficiently anywhere on the pitch he may find himself.

Jonas well spend 90% of the game in his own half protecting the interbred behind him.

The trouble with Pardew's teams come after a year or so. This is when effects of his management style come about. He produces teams who have an inflated sense of their own greatness and abilities as players. The players then think they only have to turn up on the pitch to win and don't work hard enough. West Ham fans will tell you the same and it happened at Charlton.

 

Seems the total opposite to me, we've gradually improved as a team and I can't remember a Newcastle side working this hard collectively.

 

In addition, Pardew talks a good game and but when things start to go wrong he won't take any responsibility for it. That attitude also rubs off on the players.

 

Again, I just can't agree with that.  He seems a very positive man and calls it as it is.  Admitted he got it wrong against QPR this season and Stoke and Everton last season.  Always praises the players, very rare that he blames someone else, even against Blackburn in the cup, he stopped short of saying we lost because of the ref, like Warnock, AVB or Fergie would.  Instead, he just alluded to some poor decisions and the 'breaks' which is a favourite of his, along with f***ing SUPERB 

 

Might have jumped the gun, but I think he's won me over!  Still room for improvement, but last season and this he's been far better than I originally expected.

 

He's probably changed over time.  He admitted himself in one interview he got things wrong in the past and has changed parts of his attitude etc.  In his time with us you can hardly fault him.

 

I have heard him say that, i also heard a good point raised on the guardian football podcast when I used to listen to it, that Pardew has that look of determination back in his eye that he had at West Ham. He knows this is his big chance and he's been humble (yet confident) enough to know that he needs to be at 100% all of the time to make it work and that involves self evaluation. That's in contrast to the likes of Souness and Allardyce who took the big job and thought 'right, i'm here on merit, just need to follow the formula' rather than trying to improve themselves. You can't be involved with a group of players on a day to basis and ask them to keep their standards up and improve if you're not committed to doing it yourself.

Very good post. Self honesty and self evaluation are 2 key attributes of a good manager in any walk of life. If you talk about being the dog's bollocks, then you need to damn well show it, otherwise losing credibility and hence leadership of the team around you.

 

How bad were villa by the way?

Yup. Villa were absolutely woeful. Emile Heskey on the left wing? ffs!!!

If that's a sign of things to come from them, can see them easily get suckered into a relegation battle come March.

Spurs were pissing about last night. If they really put their mind to it they could have racked up 6 or 7.

Tomas Ravelli was the granddaddy of pen saves

Taylor made two errors on Saturday but I still think overall he's only had a nightmare with a winger at QPR. Wasn't Bale supposed to be raping him as well?

 

I've never been a huge fan of his, but he's done well this season. Dropping him on the back of Saturday would be harsh and I don't think Pardew will entertain it.

Pardew will have to gauge Taylor's confidence levels before deciding whether to play him or not. I don't think he should be dropped because of the performance itself. But he shouldn't be starting if his confidence has been shot. Last thing we want is Taylor quaking in his boots at the sight of Nani or A.N. Other running at him full pelt.

Did it never occur to Suarez that Evra might interpret the term 'negrito' as an insult? Surely anyone with half a brain would realise the dangers, whatever that term might supposedly mean in Uruguay.

 

It's very hard to protest complete innocence on this one.

 

Possibly? Probably? Almost certainly? There's no way of knowing, which is I think it would be grossly unfair to punish him for racism.

 

It's also quite possible that Suarez's version of events is true. I'm sure he threw all manner of insults at Evra, and appears nonplussed that Evra took offense at what Suarez considers to be the least offensive word he used (i.e. "mate").

 

His intentions cannot be known, and that's critical to determining whether it was racist or not.

 

At any rate, he knows now, and by all means, throw the book at him if he says it again.

 

Can you use the words "sexy bitch", "puto", "b******" or any other term of endearment in whatever language context, in a professional office meeting between 2 companies? Can't imagine an account executive standing up to present a sales pitch starting out with "Alright then you sexy bitches/putos/bastards, here's what we can do for YOU"!

 

Bottom line, it's unprofessional regardless of the context. The extent of punishment is the only thing to debate here.

 

Which is a perfectly valid argument *if* you're dead against any kind of sledging/banter in football games, and you think players should conduct themselves on the pitch as directors should in the boardroom.

 

This doesn't, however, appear to be a common attitude. In fact, the only case of a player copping criticism for non-racist abuse of an opponent I can think of was the Zidane/Materazzi incident.

Oh I absolutely am all for banter in football games. But this isn't an arena for sunday leaguers and laymen. This is professional sport, and all the players know there are cameras all around them picking up on their every breath. Claiming ignorance of this is not an excuse, and I doubt neither Suarez nor Terry will claim otherwise. If he admits to using the word, his intentions are irrelevant.

One cannot prove Suarez to be an odious little cunt, but this is the perception of many in the game, including myself and some of his own supporters. The decision to punish him, and for how long, will be a subjective one as you can't prove his intentions. I suppose he may be punished for using the word rather than for being "a racist".

Be brave and try

 

-------------------Krul

 

Simo------Tayls--------Colo-------Rtay

 

------------------Tiote

------Cab---------------------Jonas

------------------HBA

-----------Ba-------------Best

Love that tbh. Jonas and Cabaye can protect the fullbacks.

Did it never occur to Suarez that Evra might interpret the term 'negrito' as an insult? Surely anyone with half a brain would realise the dangers, whatever that term might supposedly mean in Uruguay.

 

It's very hard to protest complete innocence on this one.

 

Possibly? Probably? Almost certainly? There's no way of knowing, which is I think it would be grossly unfair to punish him for racism.

 

It's also quite possible that Suarez's version of events is true. I'm sure he threw all manner of insults at Evra, and appears nonplussed that Evra took offense at what Suarez considers to be the least offensive word he used (i.e. "mate").

 

His intentions cannot be known, and that's critical to determining whether it was racist or not.

 

At any rate, he knows now, and by all means, throw the book at him if he says it again.

Can you use the words "sexy bitch", "puto", "bastard" or any other term of endearment in whatever language context, in a professional office meeting between 2 companies? Can't imagine an account executive standing up to present a sales pitch starting out with "Alright then you sexy bitches/putos/bastards, here's what we can do for YOU"!

Bottom line, it's unprofessional regardless of the context. The extent of punishment is the only thing to debate here.