Neil

What the hell was Song doing?

Neville.

It's bingo time.

I think some of these people forget that we were sitting a league below in dire straits only two years ago and were sitting in the bottom half when the man took the helm. They forget that he had to sell his most high profile player two or three weeks into his career here. Anything above seventh for this club, is a great result and it is ridiculous to act like Pardew had no part in this. I am not a supporter of some of the negative football he has employed, but at the same time, he completely changed the formation earlier in the season to give Ben Arfa room to operate. I think he is learning and adjusting and it is good to give him time in which to do so. As this is a thread on Pardew, I won't go into the fact that our progress in no circumstances whatsoever should be measured by how far we've come since we got promoted back. It should be measured from when MA took over, almost 5 years ago in May 2007. Our progress under Pardew is better than Hughton, that I won't argue with, less romantic performances and results but a more pragmatic and effective way to grind out results. But the evidence on the pitch in the previous few months shows a manager who doesn't grasp the fundamentals, today a prime example. At the end of the day, what the hell are you smoking? You are quite daft if you do not think players like Cabaye, Tiote, Ben Arfa, Cisse, Ba, Coloccini and Krul wouldn't be pushing for starting births for most of the top 4-5 clubs in the country, bar City. To argue that every player has to be of this class, is pedantic. You could pick apart any of those sides for weaknesses in certain positions. The point I was making, is with players of this ilk, a better manager than Pardew would be achieving more, because it's not for want of a better starting XI. Your general point about you potentially doing better with someone other than Pardew is fair enough and seems to be the main issue on this board at the moment. However, IMO you're overestimating the quality of your squad. Coloccini is a class act and would get into pretty much every starting line up in the league. The rest, to varying degrees, wouldn't. You've every right to say you have some quality players but you're getting ahead of yourself in my view. You're using a very harsh stick to beat Pardew with by stating/implying most of your first team players would be of top 4 quality. Cabaye and Tiote for example, when I see them, I see good players but not to the extent to which I've read them being previously praised on here.

Oh, that reminds me... Just vanished off the face of the earth.

At the end of the day, what the hell are you smoking?

As is blindingly obvious, success for Chelsea is not going to be brought about with a change of manager, but a change of players seen through sustainably with some stability. Congratulations Roman on not realising this.

Single goal Liverpool win, get your house on it.

You lot know my usual luck so you won't be surprised to know I had Ba as captain.

So this is their method. Win today and it'd be "NETD" here there and everywhere. However, have win snatched away from them and it's "well we'll deffooozz beat them next year FTM!!!!." Honestly, never seen such a infestation of mongs as I've seen on RTG. Genuinely worrying elements of the human race.

Sessegnon's a footballer, Cattermole isn't.

Nee bosh young man. My word what a phrase.

Cheers for the Sessegnon red card btw.

Hasn't performed very well on a few occasions I've seen him play, but I'd question the movement of other players as much as his performances. He obviously has quality about him.

Give him some time and see how you're playing next season. If today is anything to go by, I'd sure as hell be miffed with some of Pardew's tactics. But give the man some time. He's been with you for not much more than a year. In the meantime, you're a club currently in their 2nd season back after relegation. You're 6th. The football will no doubt be a concern but surely not enough of a concern at this point to warrant such heavy criticism of him?

A great player to watch today. What do people reckon is the reason behind him not playing? The stuff about his workrate, defensive shift blah blah blah, just seems a thin to me. Does Pardew simply not like his attitude? Something personal?

Few of my thoughts for what it's worth: Overall, a fair result. Sunderland were the better side in the first half, you were obviously dominant in the 2nd - though Mignolet had very little to do IIRC. It was all very much oohs and aahs, ifs and buts but a lack of real clear chances, the penalty aside. Not sure what you were playing at in the first half. Sunderland were hardly great but they were still better. They looked a lot more controlled. You resorted mainly to hoofball in the hope Ba/Cisse could create something. That said, you started and finished the half well. You dominated the 2nd half before and after Sessegnon's moment of stupidity - though I think Tiote's reaction was pathetic. However, as mentioned, there wasn't as much in the way of really testing Mignolet as there should have been. You should have won given the amount of territory and possession you had. Also, the case for Ben Arfa starting has surely now been put to bed, after he ran rings around the Sunderland players all half. As for the penalties and the refereeing, the less said the better. It was representative of referees this season - a complete lack of consistency as to what is a foul and what isn't. Why the fuck should people respect referees when they give consistently inconsistent decisions?

Good luck.

http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lfwrj4ggqv1qa02x4o1_400.jpg

Fuck me, the bitterness there is something else.

A few people I know have said we're a good shout at 5/4. I'd tend to agree but when we're actually expected to do the business, we often don't. Man City and Chelsea both without conceding a goal, sure. Wigan however...

Transfer embargo outside a transfer window, that'll teach em Fucking them right up.

Not there anymore.

:facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: