The Prophet

We showed signs of improvement against Norwich, I'm confident we'll get the win today and a huge win it would be.

Wahey another in-pub/in-play win this afternoon, at half time put a couple of quid on: Boro draw - 7/4 Coventry - 2/1 Leeds - 3/1 Also not looking so good, I have: Arsenal Southampton - 1 Barca - 1 Milan

Most of the so called pundits writing us off, usually bodes well.

Ah tough luck. I know the feeling. Originally had Man City-Arsenal, got greedy and foolishly added Spurs later on (he says with his hindsight goggles on), silly boy.

Ah, Spurs score, cock teases.

Spurs 70% possession and 16 shots on target in comparison to Stoke's two...

If Spurs could muster a couple of injury time goals it would be lovely.

Chelsea only a point behind Spurs as it stands, interesting.

I thought it was a penalty, contrary to Lawro.

They've been going our way for large parts of the season, in fairness.

Not sure what people were expecting, QPR are turboshit.

Not looking great, this. Still up for the week like. Edit: Spurs are behind, ah well.

Daft couple of quid on Man City, Spurs and Gladbach. That Valencia result is a real coupon buster.

Could do with a Spurs goal like. Tempted to do an in play City/Spurs double too. David, what's the deal with Gladbach tonight? It seems you really fancy them.

Man City. Arsenal. Tottenham to score two or more.

This in play betting on my phone buisness has got off to a welcome start: Saturday: Stuck a fiver on Keissling to score next after Gladback went 1-0 up at 6/1. Tonight: Put some of that on Blackburn to win at 13/8 during half time. I can't help but feel I'm setting myself up for a massive fall... Oh and David you're a bastard, it's only because I'm hugely jelous though

In fairness, Sporting have been abhorrent away from home of late.

Cabaye isn't and never will be a Silva type of player. That's a daft comparison. If you think we can overtake Arsenal now by bombing forward and leaving the likes of Williamson vulnerable, you need looking at, bro. Yeah lets just turtle up and hoof it instead bro, sounds safer. The hyperbole from both parties in this debate is ridiculous, there is a middle ground to be had.

While yesterdays performance was hit and miss I'm a bit bemused at some of the reactions. We were a side without a win in four, playing with little confidence, while it was far from perfect it was certianly an imporvement.

I honestly think our primary (attacking) tactic, at least in theory, is to exert pressure on the opponenet's penalty area as quickly as possible, whether it be by a long ball, wing play or other means. This was deployed very well against Man United, arguably our best performance of the season.

TBH. we have been playing Hoofing and crossing as the primary tactic all season, its just whether you see it or you don't. Recently when the percentage football isnt working as much, more has came to see the type of football we play and can clearly see its demerits. I am sure many will hop back on the Pardew's Wagon when we start winning and finish high up the table irregardless of how we play. Well in reality the world has too many Muppets, so its not surprising. Just for the sake of analyzing Pardews Tactics and why its not working as well as earlier in the season. He is missing Leon best, his formation and tactics works better with two strong,aggressive,robust and hardworking outlets looking for a cross or a hoof to shield the ball to play it back to midfield so it could push up. I dont rate Best as a long term striker in this team, but the honest answer is he suits this play much better than most of the players we have. Forcefully fitting the players into this set up probably would not work too well. some see what isn't there though. 'primary tactic all season', what crap! What is our primary tactic as you see it then Madras? If in fact there is one. there hasn't been one. we've mixed it up. we have gone long more than i'd like but it's been no way the primary tactic. work your way back game by game and ask if hoofing it was our main tactic, you'll be surprised

As bad as Simpson's thrown was a more significant question to me is, why did we feel the need to pile so many bodies into the Arsenal half so late on? It was reckless to say the very least.

no, people need to understand this is the way pardew like us to play cautious and nick a goal or two. hence -1 goal difference we have. the fact that when your team's manager spends most the week on defence and then let the assistant deal with the attack, tells you what the team is about and its primary objective. It tells you that Pardew was a somewhat defensive player and has more knowledge to impart to the defensive players at NUFC. yep, hence why santon gets subbed for players like perch and raylor. lol Santon has looked a defensive wreck at times this season.

Personally, I think Pardew is too negative, I can't remember having a more negative manager, he's probably on a par with Allardyce in that respect. Some of those negative tactics have worked in our favour this season, I agree this whole contain mentality we seem to revert too need ditching in order for us to progress mind.

When have we not had a go like?