Mistle17

I think a good result last night was very important for the coming weeks. A win on Sunday and we'll really be kickstarted! Cant wait for this.

Last night was my first ever game under the lights at St. James' and first European game. I really enjoyed it, a good performance topped by an impressive atmosphere (hats off to The Corner). I really hope we qualify for the knock out rounds as I feel we could see the return of some very exciting nights at St. James' Park

Insanely good.

:lol: His wife sounds like his bloody mother or something! That's pure comedy!

I love a good baseless assumption me like. I didn't declare that he's going to piss all over Obertan, like I just think that Obertan offers very little to us, so why not give Amalfitano a chance as he must be of a decent standard. If he can cross and/or pass a ball then he's already more useful than Obertan.

:lol: I'm in stitches at that!

I don't see why we don't seem to be giving Amalfitano a look in, he cant be much worse than Obertan.

Just been talking about the derby, absolutely buzzing now! Christ I'm not going to sleep the night before

I agree with what you saying, but I feel that we actually do have a group of players who, on the whole, are very well suited to a good passing game in a fluid formation. It's just that Pardew cant seem to find a settled system or a productive style of play, both of which you pointed out. I think a lot of it is down to favouritism and keeping certain individuals happy. And, possibly, incompetence. And for the record, I'm satisfied that Pardew doesn't have full control over signings. I think we're far far better off with Carr talent spotting- he has a very good habit of finding technically gifted players for a good price. Pardew wouldn't go for the same type of player imo.

Best stadium in the world, or, was What a crying shame this is.

I don't see what the harm in trying a 4-3-1-2/4-4-2 (Diamond) would be. Certainly it would be a lot better than that dross we played yesterday, providing we get the ball on the deck and play. But that's a long shot (no pun intended). I'd like to see: ----------------Krul-------------- ---Perch---Taylor---Coloccini---Santon -------Jonas---Cabaye---Tiote---- ----------------Hatem-------------- ------------Ba-------Cisse--------- Obviously, in that system the full backs would have a big job in bombing forward and getting beyond the midfield but certainly with Santon that wouldn't be a problem. The only gripe for me is that there's a lesser chance of being able to accommodate Marveaux in it, which is easier in a 4-3-3. Still, I think this formation suits Jonas better being in a central role, give Hatem a trequartista role, whilst we don't have to sacrifice our two crown jewels up front. It's never going to happen though.

Really not looking forward to the derby. I do say this every year, though.

Dropping Williamson (who was our best defender today) for the likes of Ferguson, Tavernier & Anita? what? Better utilizing the likes of Santon, hatem & Demba? Those 3 have specifically been our best performers in the last few games in the exact positions they started in today & Cabaye was out injured. Reality is we had to play with two holding midfielders today due to lack of options & our wingers didnt turn up. Having a debate about whether we should have signed more players is very fair after today. The "Pards tactics were shocking" is a load of nonsense. We had no creative outlet, its that simple. Williamson was not our best defender today, he never is. He's a horrendous footballer who shouldn't be anywhere near our first team. Half the problem of throwing away possession is when he plays. So out of his depth. And I don't see what's wrong with dropping Williamson, reshuffling Perch to CB and slotting in Tav or Anita to RB. Or, play Fergie LB and switch Santon to right flank. It's not rocket science. And Pards' tactics were shocking today. I consider our set-pieces and our method of passing to be part of our 'tactics'- and they were all horrendous. Yes, we had little creative outlets, but that's because he played a formation that didn't allow the creative players- Hatem, Ba, Cisse- to express themselves. Nor did he include Marveaux in the squad, or start Ferguson. Our formations are tailored to protect ourselves from the opposition, not to hurt them.

No Gosling. No Williamson. No Obertan. Sorted.

He's completely wasting the best squad we've had in years. He doesn't have the balls (or brains) to drop the likes of Williamson and Simpson and play players who are clearly better than them i.e Ferguson, Anita, even Tavernier, or reconsider his tactics. With the talent we have going forward we should never in a million years be so paranoid about the opposition, especially teams like Reading, Norwich etc. I honestly would not mind it if we had a very organised and calculated way of playing, such as being a tough defensive unit and hammering teams on the break by utilising the likes of Santon, Hatem, Demba and Cabaye. But we don't. There's no thought or by the looks of it, understanding, of what we want to achieve during games. This is not a knee-jerk reaction, we played repulsive, turgid ball for half of last season and its carried through to this season and doesn't show signs of improving. It just makes me very frustrated when you watch other teams, like Spurs away at Man Utd this evening, and then compare it to today's showing. I like Pardew as a bloke, I really do, but as a manager he just isn't do us justice. For me, there's only so far he can take NUFC- and that's NOT going off emotion from today- and I think we will certainly plateau before 8 years time.

Not sure I fancy these odd team selections for another 8 years.

My God, if he scored the winner I don't know how I could express my joy ( )

And fuck me, if I got paid even £100 a week for playing 2/3 games a week I would be made up. Add to that a call up for my country and I'd be wanking myself silly.

Do footballers get paid far too much? Yes.

Despite a good shift from Harper on the weekend, I hope we play Elliot tonight.

His movements always brilliant. As soon as we get the ball and face forward he's already moving, looking to peel away from his marker. Its not going to be easy for himself or Demba when we fire direct balls at them, instead of trying to thread balls through (see Hatem's jizz-tastic pass for Demba today) or from good service from the flanks. Our style of football is just so wasteful with what we have at our disposal.

Think we should stick with him as an inside-forward.

He was non-effective to say the least, but with our style of play in the first half its no wonder. He just had one of those nights where he just couldn't get into the game, we've all had them. I hope he starts against Norwich.

I'm not getting at you mate, but in fairness the amount of long balls he played you'd bloody hope he made use of one of them.