Ishmael

That's acceptable. No question that a first XI of Krul, Simpson, Colo, Saylor/Wilo, Enrique, Barton, Jonas, Tiote, Nolan, Carrol + partner is capable of matching 75% of the teams in this league. The problem is when one of the team (just one is frightening) is out and we genuinely are considerably weaker. So yeah, not far from what we need. 2 is a minimum.

We do need cover for LB but that really isn't a priority. Glad that this isn't something that has been forgotten. Just have to pray now that Pardew and the senior management acknowledge AND take actions.

This. We certainly aren't favourites for the Wigan game.

So where do we stand in regards to the January transfer window? What is the clubs official line, are we going to spend and bring in the players we of so desperately need to avoid relegation? Or are we going to slog it out and pray that we find a way to accumulate enough points to avoid the drop? No question that our squad lacks sufficient depth/ability. We are desperate for added creativity in midfield. At the very minimum I would be demanding an extra winger and if possible a creative central player. We are desperate for added quality in our front line. Ranger/Xisco/Best/Loven/Ameobi, none of that list have the ability to score/contribute on a consistent basis. We need one quality forward at least - no question.

For the first time this season, I'm worried. I was worried as soon as the clown took over. I'd have been worried with or without Pardew with the state of the squad.

We definitely had spells where we played short possession football and tried to thread the needle. However, our midfield wasn't accurate/incisive enough.

Why bump this when you're having a go at people in other threads? Am I not right on both accounts? I understand why we lost today. Tottenham are a considerably better side than ourselves. So people need to get a grip when attacking certain elements of our performance and approach to the game. AND We are 4 points above the relegation zone, so yes we should be worried. Yes, we need to seriously strengthen the squad in January.

didn't see many people blaming him for the city defeat...... but today he made a shit and crucial decision to jonas off. We needed someone to stretch them......... that wasn't going to happen with tiote and smith on the field. The same Jonas that has offered sweet fuck all this season? He offers legs though which would force Spurs to have played further back and not still have Bale and Lennon playing as wide forwards Bit of an assumption that. Think he took Jonas off because he was offering nothing. Pretty acceptable substitution in my eyes.

4 points above relegation people

"no great shakers"? They were clearly the stronger outfit in every department. and we were rubbish because well, we don't have a good enough squad.

didn't see many people blaming him for the city defeat...... but today he made a shit and crucial decision to jonas off. We needed someone to stretch them......... that wasn't going to happen with tiote and smith on the field. The same Jonas that has offered sweet fuck all this season?

Suggest people calm down and put this game into it's rightful context.

People commenting that we played a long ball game today need to rethink what they saw.

Get a fucking grip.

Bollocks.

i've been saying this for a week now, he's come in and changed things that didnt need changing, and he's actively ruining what little edge we had. What exactly has he changed?

How's Tiote playing?

Somebody layout our formation for me.

Would love to see this. Not really related, but isn't there a PM system on this forum?

Top post; excellent insight - keep it up. Spurs massive favourites and rightly so.

Did I miss the headlines ? Looks like it was another load of WUM shite. Cheers neesy It was probably this: http://www.newcastle-online.org/nufcforum/index.php/topic,58769.msg2690343.html#msg2690343 Shocking stuff. Superb article. Seriously, whoever is responsible deserves some credit. (at least, as it made me laugh)

Based purely on this season, he has to be considered. He's been woeful. On performances yes. But as I stipulated I wanted to concentrate purely on ability here. Ramires is a good player, he's just finding it incredibly tough in the EPL for whatever reason.

Ramires has been substandard, but has shown flashes of his true ability. Can't really be considered in this thread.

xsigh

Boa Morte is a fantastic shout.