themanupstairs

He was at worst average today, and yet we are still gifted with continuous discussion of how poor a player he is. Different day, same story on this forum. They spend their time mocking him for his white skin (I am sure if his pigmentation was of a different ethnicity, they would say nowt about that) and his speech impediment, but they reserve their ire mostly for his biggest disability of all, his nationality. If his name was Jaques Le Col Baque, with Ugandan origin they would be far more tolerable. For evidence of this, see their rampant and sinister defence of Vernon Anita, by far one of the most pointless players the premier league has ever seen, but due to nefarious reasons outlined earlier, they will remorselessly defend him until the cows come home. This is weapons-grade retardation. I reckon if he was called Lin-Con Eemp you'd reckon he was a f***ing mint poster and not at all a complete knuckle dragging fuckwit. Once again, anti English xenephobia on display. I notice no one has had the grace or dignity to offer an opposition to my post, rather just decide they are offended for no justifiable reason whatsoever. Accusing people of racism for no good reason is stupid and irresponsible and shows you up as an instigating WUM. Your posts on this matter don't merit any reasonable debate.

He was at worst average today, and yet we are still gifted with continuous discussion of how poor a player he is. Different day, same story on this forum. They spend their time mocking him for his white skin (I am sure if his pigmentation was of a different ethnicity, they would say nowt about that) and his speech impediment, but they reserve their ire mostly for his biggest disability of all, his nationality. If his name was Jaques Le Col Baque, with Ugandan origin they would be far more tolerable. For evidence of this, see their rampant and sinister defence of Vernon Anita, by far one of the most pointless players the premier league has ever seen, but due to nefarious reasons outlined earlier, they will remorselessly defend him until the cows come home. Weapons grade unfounded horse plop.

Not a bad start. You're looking to average about 50-55 pts a week over the season to do well.

f*** me. Recognizing what Colback is supposed to bring to the team despite his lack of real quality is one thing, and comparing him to David Batty is quite another. If Colback was anywhere near Batty's quality then he SHOULD be the first name on the team sheet. He isn't half the player though. Seeing as he plays for NUFC I would love nothing more than for him to improve to that level however.

This was his exact role at Ajax before we signed him, and when he didn't play LB. He seems really comfortable doing it and generally uses the ball quite well. Passing was a bit wayward on occasion today but it's nice to see we're doing something apart from the willo-hoof.

Calm down you bunch of drama queens. Obertan will score twice.

At least Obertan plays in his "best" position, wide left of a front 3. Silver linings and all that jazz.

Back in Jan so it's ok, loan him out to Championship club by then I would just let him fill his boots at that level this season. He's bound to go through a rough patch of form and he needs to be at a club that will persist with him. Then next year he can go to the Championship and see how it goes there. If he is a level headed lad he'll keep his feet on the ground and not get carried away thinking he's made it. To be honest he does look a better overall player than the likes of Campbell and Chopra who never made the grade.

Loving the confidence of one-touch finishing. He's obviously a natural. Remains to be seen if he can do it at the highest level. Hopefully one day.

so true. Last one I remember was Debuchy's goal against the spackems. And even that may have been a shot to begin with.

Swansea's Fernandez is a spitting image of Iron Mike in the line-up cards! Oh the wishful thinking!

Had Cabaye, Redmond and Layun on Wednesday. 18 pts from 3 so far.

Well done SMC sending this guy out. If only for the player's sake. Obviously hope NUFC benefits one way or another, but sitting around rotting on the bench at that age is soul destroying let alone career destroying.

Not confirmed out yet, but he was on the deck getting treatment. Didnt look comfortable Seemed to tag Begovic in before he left the warm-up. I reckon he'll still start tbh.

:lol: so much burn IP, Wullie

Miles ahead of Pardew and Carver, at least in his command of English.

It's quotes like this that make me warm to McClaren. I can only imagine Pardew's thoughts on the same issue. He'd be petrified playing the two of them together. "sa'ing sa'ing fret science and front foot, stop me if I'm getting too technical"

Makes sense IMO. Southampton are a very good side, but they're also missing a few players at the back and in midfield. They've also been traveling away this week. Potentially the best time to play them at home. I wouldn't make much of the travelling, the travel here is probably longer than the trip to Arnham, offset by playing slightly more competitive football they should be that bit sharper. Good point.

Makes sense IMO. Southampton are a very good side, but they're also missing a few players at the back and in midfield. They've also been traveling away this week. Potentially the best time to play them at home.

Really boils my piss when he name drops NUFC at every fucking opportunity.

HTL?

It's definitely possible. A lot depends on how the midfield gels, and obviously if Mbemba adapts. A lot might also depend on how well we manage to implement an improved possession/passing game overall. If we're controlling games with the ball it'll relieve the pressure on the defence and allow them to organise better. We've been so s*** with the ball for years the defenders have always been under immense pressure in games, ran ragged basically. Very good point again. Think we just have to see what impact our change in approach has on the team, and then start to make necessary changes from there. If Colo blows it then I'm sure Pardew will still be salivating for him in January anyway. Isn't true. Martinez teams are an example. But McClaren isn't a total football manager anyway. Crazy myth. He might not be, but we won't be punting the ball back to the opposition as much as we did under Pardew. He doesn't need to be a total football manager to help improve our possession, and reduce the amount of pressure we come under. Stop being so silly man. Martinez teams have plenty of possession. They also lose the ball plenty in dangerous situations and concede plenty of goals. No one said they didn't! The point is we conceded far more, and a big problem was our total incapability of keeping the ball, and so being under constant pressure. Are you serious right now? A lot of last season we actually kept the ball a good bit but just went nowhere with it because we didn't have any creativity I'd say the biggest reason is because we moved off the ball like a pub team it's arguably the biggest factor in keeping the ball and creating opportunities for the team if you are actually trying to pass the ball. This. Pardew seemingly paid zero attention to this. The amount of times our players are static, or there's not a single fucker in the penalty area when the ball is out wide is staggering.

That's that sealed then. Pardew plays attacking and attractive football. Get it out there lads, and into your thick heads.

Mapou clatters him in the lead-up to the incident to be fair. Just sort of stands his ground with his arms out to stop Messi running past him off the ball. Most of the videos don't show it. Messi should have been sent off though 100%.